Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Bank (GRCB) across its Emerging Market entities, has partnered with Mango, the award-winning UK registered charity, to provide financial management training to local NGOs they partner with. Founded in 1999, Mango facilitates practical financial management training courses for NGO staff and board members working in development and humanitarian aid around the world. Barclays GRCB donated 95% of the training programme fee for each participating NGO in India and the remaining 5% was provided by the NGO to show their commitment to the programme.
In Mumbai, through this partnership, 15 people from nine different NGOs participated in the training sessions, learning from a highly qualified Mango instructor about the intricacies of financial management for NGOs. These sessions were held from 29 June 2009 – 3 July 2009. The nine NGOs that participated were Akanksha Foundation, Bal Asha Trust, Childlink India Foundation, The Committed Communities Development Trust, Doorstep School, In Defence of Animals, Pratham Infotech Foundation, Pratham Mumbai Education Initiative and The Research Society.
Speaking on the training programme, Ram Gopal, Interim Managing Director, India, Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Bank said, “We, at Barclays, are committed to the communities in which we operate. These programmes designed by Mango adopt a pragmatic approach to financial management and help de–mystify complex financial techniques. We are very proud to have partnered with Mango for this cause.”
The course was customized to equip and assist these NGOs to manage and control their financial resources efficiently and effectively. The week–long course primarily targeted small and medium sized NGOs, with participants representing the non-financial functions within the organization. The training modules were created to enable improvement in financial planning, control, reporting and overall enhancement of financial management skills. In addition, the course encompassed key principles and frameworks to achieve best practices in financial management, building and using effective budgets, cash flow forecasts, financial monitoring and managing the auditing processes.
“Unfortunately, many small local NGOs cannot afford the full cost of attending a Mango course. We are therefore thrilled to have secured financial support from Barclays to enable local NGO staff to attend our training. We are delighted that this exciting collaboration will also potentially have a much wider impact. Barclays support for Mango’s free Guide to Financial Management for NGOs (available at www.mango.org.uk/guide and on CD-ROM) will promote best practice in financial management across the whole NGO sector, helping many more NGOs operate more efficiently, effectively and accountably,” said Denise Joseph, Mango’s Finance and Fundraising Director.
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All the NGOs acknowledged the benefits of this training programme and the wealth of knowledge gained. According to Sunil Arora, Administrator, Bal Asha Trust, “This is the best financial training programme for NGOs. The content of the course was more accounting based, but also informed the participants how simple it was not only to organize accounts, but increase their credibility with different stake holders. The trainer was excellent and demonstrated an in-depth knowledge in the subject matter in addition to local issues and laws. This provided an engaging environment for participants.” Sunil went on to thank Barclays and Mango for providing this opportunity.
This partnership will be implemented across countries in the Barclays GRCB Emerging Markets including Egypt, Kenya, Uganda, Ghana, Zambia and Botswana and will reach out to local NGOs in each of these countries.
Barclays GRCB business has built a strong franchise in India over the past two and a half years with over 900,000 clients and customers. Barclays continues to be committed to India through its six Barclays entities including Global Retail and Commercial Banking, Barclays Capital, Barclays Wealth and specialist technology and BPO centres of excellence. India is one of the leading markets for Barclays Plc.
In 2008, £52.2 million was invested in community projects around the world and more than 57,300 employees in over 50 countries were involved in fundraising, volunteering and regular-giving initiatives. These investments in the community are in keeping with Barclays strategy of sustainability and attempt to ensure a holistic development of the communities the bank operates in. Barclays offers a comprehensive range of support to colleagues globally, including matched fundraising, grants and time off work to volunteer.
About Mango
Mango, the award-winning UK registered charity, founded in 1999, exists to help non-governmental organisations (NGOs) all around the world strengthen their financial management so that they can work more efficiently and effectively and make the best use of their scarce resources.
It is widely respected as the leading specialist in its field. Its practical services include: high quality training, carefully selected finance staff, specialist free publications online and on CD, consultancy services (including evaluations of major relief programmes) and networking opportunities for NGO staff to share experience. It also plays a leading role in initiatives to enhance NGOs’ accountability.
Mango was recently awarded the 2009 UK Charity Award for International Aid and Development. “The Charity Award judges recognised Mango for its outstanding commitment to helping improve the effectiveness of aid agencies and NGOs by providing financial training and finance staff ....it is among the best-managed charities in the UK.”
For further information on Mango, visit www.mango.org.uk.
About Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Bank (GRCB), India:
Barclays GRCB India, part of the global Barclays Group, launched its commercial banking services in the country in November 2006 and followed it up with the launch of its retail services in May 2007. Within a short period of time, Barclays GRCB India launched innovative products such as the smart budget card, Hello Money, Platinum debit card and the Barclays Premier League card.
Barclays GRCB India is headquartered in Mumbai and has established its presence in four other cities– New Delhi, Nelamangala (near Bengaluru), Kanchipuram (near Chennai) and Junagarh (Gujarat).
To find out more about Barclays GRCB India and its products and services, please visit our website: www.barclays.in
About Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking:
Barclays Global Retail and Commercial Banking (GRCB) encompasses all of Barclays retail and commercial banking businesses around the world. Operating in more than 50 countries and employing more than 121,000 people, Barclays GRCB comprises UK Retail Banking, Barclays Commercial Bank, Barclaycard, GRCB Western Europe, GRCB Emerging Markets and GRCB Absa (Barclays Bank PLC owns 58.8% of Absa Group Limited). Barclays GRCB serves 50 million customers and clients around the globe through a network of more than 4,900 distribution points and more than 14,000 ATMs.
To find out more about the individual Barclays GRCB businesses, please visit our website: www.barclays.com
About Barclays
Barclays is a major global financial services provider engaged in retail and commercial banking, credit cards, investment banking, wealth management and investment management services, with an extensive international presence in Europe, the USA, Africa and Asia.
With over 300 years of history and expertise in banking, Barclays operates in over 50 countries and employs over 155,000 people.
Barclays moves, lends, invests and protects money for over 50 million customers and clients worldwide.
For further information about Barclays, please visit our website www.barclays.com
