India Development Foundation for Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) - Platforms facilitating contributions by Indian Diaspora to social and development projects; and flagship initiatives of the Government

            During the visits of Hon'ble Prime Minister and other senior leadership to foreign countries, the Indian Diaspora has expressed keen interest in participating in the social and development programmes; and flagship initiatives of the Government, such as Swachh Bharat and Namami Gange.

2.        So far, there were no platforms or institutional mechanisms to channelize contributions of Indian Diaspora to such programmes. There were also concerns about accountability of the organisations receiving funds, transparency and reporting mechanisms. To facilitate such contributions/philanthropy by NRIs/PIOs to India, the Government had set up in 2008 the India Development Foundation for Overseas Indians (IDF-OI) as a not-for-profit Trust chaired by Hon'ble Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA).  Following the merger of MOIA with Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), IDF-OI is now under MEA and is chaired by Hon'ble External Affairs Minister.

3.         The IDF-OI has gathered a pool of nearly 100 social and development projects pertaining to Swachh Bharat, sanitation, education, women's empowerment and sustainable livelihood after consulting the States.  The revamped website of IDF-OI (http://idfoi.org/) includes detailed information about these projects. The Government have initiated efforts to connect with the Diaspora through social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook.

4.        Highlights of IDF-OI mechanisms are as follows:

(a)       IDF-OI has received exemption from Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) under the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA 2010) owing to which it has necessary permissions to receive contributions in foreign currency.

(b)       IDF-OI does not charge/deduct any administrative charges from the contributions it receives from NRIs/PIOs. Except the bank transaction charges the entire amount received from NRIs/PIOs is transferred to the project implementing agency.

(c)       To enable oversight of implementation of programmes funded by overseas Indian donors an agreement will be signed between IDF-OI and project implementing agency.

(d)       Implementing agency for the programme will send regular feedback reports, photos and statement of utilization of funds to the donor. These will also be posted on IDF-OI's website.

(e)       At the site of project funded by the NRI/PIO donors will get an acknowledgement with a signage which states that  "{The project has been funded by Shri......... through   IDF-OI".

6.      IDF-OI is setting up a Payment Gateway through its website which will enable NRIs and PIOs to contribute even small amounts ranging from a few dollars using their credit cards or debit cards online to projects of their choice offered by IDF-OI.