🧭 GSL-P 1st Cohort Residential Workshop
11th – 14th February 2026 | Guwahati, Assam
The Growth, Sustainability and Leadership Programme (GSL-P), an initiative by Oasis India, successfully conducted its 1st Cohort 4-Day Residential Workshop from 11th to 14th February 2026 at the Centre for Development Initiative (CDI), Guwahati.
This intensive four-day workshop brought together grassroots nonprofit leaders from across Northeast India with the goal of strengthening organisational sustainability, leadership capacity, governance systems, and fundraising readiness.
Designed as a key phase of the long-term GSL-P Capacity Building Cohort, the residential workshop provided a collaborative learning space for participating NGOs to engage with experienced sector leaders, practitioners, and institutional experts.
The workshop commenced with a traditional lamp lighting ceremony symbolising the beginning of knowledge and collective learning.
Outstanding grassroots changemakers from the Northeast were also honoured for their contributions to community development and anti-human trafficking efforts, celebrating local leadership and resilience within the sector.
🛠️ Workshop Highlights
Over the course of four days, participants were equipped with practical knowledge and strategic tools across key areas such as:
- NGO Legal Compliance (12AB, 80G, FCRA, GST)
- Financial Management & Governance Systems
- Programme Quality for Sustainability
- CSR & Institutional Funding Readiness
- Innovative Fundraising Strategies
- Cooperative Development Models
- Social Stock Exchange & Alternative Financing
- Anti-Human Trafficking Prevention Approaches
- Migration, Displacement & Vulnerability in Northeast India
The workshop combined expert-led technical sessions, peer learning, interactive discussions, and real-life case insights to support NGOs in building long-term institutional resilience.
Participants also began identifying priority areas for their organisational capacity-building projects, which they will implement under mentorship support through the programme journey.
💡 Key Resource Speakers & Experts
The workshop featured an eminent panel of speakers and development practitioners from leading institutions, including:
- Shri Alok Das
Chief General Manager
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD), Government of India - Shri Robert H. Touthang
Regional Director
National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC), Government of India - Walter Fernandes
Director
North Eastern Social Research Centre (NESRC) - Shri Raju Sharma
Director
Indigo CSR - Shri Prashant Pal
Founder & CEO
PURE India - CA Puran Jha
CEO
South Asia Governance & Compliance Centre (SAGCC) - Sr. Rose Hauhniang Paite
(MSMCH) - Shri Raju Narzary
Representative
NEDAN Foundation - Enakshi Dutta
Director
Roots to Branches - Shri Zubin Zaman
Deputy Country Director
Oxfam - Ruchinilo Kemp
Secretary
Zunpha Multipurpose Cooperative Society Ltd. (ZMPCS) - Rose Kayathinkara
Founder
Mendipathar Multipurpose Cooperative Society - Shri Dousei Haokip
Retired DIG, BSF
Chairman, Oasis Community Education Society (OCES) - Shri Harshit Bawa
Award-Winning Filmmaker - Mr Sundeep Sadarangani,
Founder-Director,
Etz People Transformation & President, Oasis India - Mangneo Lhungdim
CEO & Executive Director
Oasis India - Tanya Verony
Head of Programmes
Oasis India - Vishwas Udgirkar
Manager – Fundraising & CSR
Oasis India - Shraddha Shelke
Project Manager
Anti-Human Trafficking Initiative, Oasis India
Sessions focused on bridging grassroots realities with professional systems required for sustainability and donor engagement.
🎯 WHY GSL-P?
Grassroots NGOs often face:
- Limited access to sustainable funding
- Weak organisational systems
- Compliance challenges
- Lack of strategic planning
- Leadership gapsPoor digital and donor visibility
Without strong internal capacity, even impactful organisations struggle to survive.
GSL-P enables NGOs to move from passion-driven efforts to system-driven impact by strengthening governance, financial management, programme design, fundraising strategy and leadership development.
🤝 Moving Forward
The GSL-P Residential Workshop marks the beginning of a multi-year institutional strengthening journey for participating NGOs. Following this workshop, cohort organisations will continue to receive structured mentorship, strategic planning support, and evaluation guidance as they implement their organisational capacity development projects through 2028.
Through this initiative, Oasis India aims to nurture stronger, more sustainable grassroots organisations capable of creating long-term impact across Northeast India.
