Giving Compass' Take:

• At India Development Review, Avani Kapur and Rajika Seth advocate for increased investment in field workers in India, who provide communities with essential access and services.

• What kind of an intermediary role do field workers play? What are you doing to provide these essential community members with support?

• Find resources to guide you in your support for field workers and other coronavirus prevention efforts.

As we grapple with the immediate effects of COVID-19 on socio-economic welfare and prepare for the long-term impacts, it is clear that India’s nonprofits will need to play a critical role in assisting vulnerable communities access government schemes and services. We can use this time effectively to ensure our grassroots professionals have the right tools and information to effectively navigate and engage with government authorities in order to serve these communities.

We believe that information around three critical, inter-related components of government operations enables these professionals to work optimally.

1. Understanding the flow of funds

The Union Government and several states have recently announced fiscal packages and social security benefits to provide relief from financial difficulties arising from the COVID-19 crisis. However, there are significant differences between what is announced, and what reaches citizens.

2. Navigating administrative structures

Most programmes in India are delivered through a complicated administrative structure that requires close coordination across government functionaries and sectors. Within this organisational maze, lines of accountability and roles and responsibilities are often intertwined.

3. Understanding local self-government

The 73rd and 74th constitutional amendments mandate the establishment of local governments in rural and urban areas, based on the recognition that grassroots governance structures are best suited to address local needs, especially in times of crisis. Local governments are usually the first point of contact for most citizens. But despite an increase in financial powers of local governments, evidence suggests that administrative powers have not been devolved at the same pace. Wide variations exist between states with regard to the devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries, with some states using local governments merely as implementation agents, and others actually involving them in planning, design, and service delivery.

Read the full article about supporting field workers by Avani Kapur and Rajika Seth at India Development Review (IDR).