SPO successfully implemented its project titled ‘Promote Social Cohesion Through Education’ in collaboration with the UNICEF. The project started in July 2013 and concluded in July 2014 and was implemented in districts Karachi West and Jacobabad in Sindh.

The objective of the project was to promote and strengthen social cohesion and resilience through education in vulnerable and conflict prone areas of Sindh.  The key interventions of the project were to mobilize and engage communities by establishing and strengthening community-­based support mechanisms for effective conflict resolution, improving access to quality education at Government Primary Girls’ and Boys’ Schools, teaching marginalized children in remote areas through community schools and providing access to education to out of school children between the ages of 9-­17 years. The project aimed to attain these objectives through Alternative Learning Pathways (ALPs), capacity building of teachers, training and engaging youth as ‘Peace Ambassadors’.

SPO under its ‘Social & Economic Development’ programme implemented this project by building linkages with key stakeholder for improved implementation of interventions at district level. SPO directly contributed to the education and development of 7,350 children, youth, teachers and community members to further promote and strengthen social cohesion in two districts of Sindh. SPO formed 7 peace committees at the Union Council and district level and75 government officials and para-­teachers were also trained on integrated learning approaches. SPO also established 15 community schools, peace promoting events at schools, held sessions for 150 junior leaders of government schools, established 80 Alternative Learning Pathways (ALPs), build capacity of 80 learning facilitators, and held various youth focused activities which contributed towards social cohesion and resilience.

SPO successfully implemented its project titled ‘Building Cooperation and Reconciliation through Youth Engagement in DI Khan’ with financial support of IOM. The project started on December 2013 and concluded in May 2014 and was implemented in district Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The objective of the project was to restore peace and social harmony for improved socio-economic and political aspects of the society by addressing the growing violent extremism in a select Tehsil of district Dera Ismail Khan (DIK).

SPO undertook several interventions which included the provision of assistance to youth groups for the restoration of sports and culture and the inclusion of young females in decision making by improving their participation in resolving sectarian conflicts and violence. SPO also developed and implemented a capacity enhancement training through which they informed youth groups on subjects like Conflict Resolution, Non-Violent Communication, Human Rights, and Governance & Democracy. SPO played a vital role in reducing the prevalence of violence in the DI Khan and improved socio-economic conditions by restoring peace and social harmony.

SPO successfully implemented its ‘Assess and Benchmark the Status of NGOs/CBOs and to Conduct their Respective Capacity Assessments in Pakistan’ study with the financial support of Greenacre Associates (GA) and DFID. The project started in May 2013 and concluded in December 2013 and was implemented in select districts across Pakistan.

The objective of the project was to build the capacities of staff members, induct them into training programs designed to enable them to assess and benchmark the status of NGOs identified by SPO.

SPO evaluated 2000 NGOs with whom SPO has worked with previously. The evaluation included contacting NGOs and having them complete a questionnaire for each NGO in order to include their details in Greenacres Associates database for future engagement with these NGOs.

SPO successfully implemented its project titled ‘Ending Torture and III-Treatment of Women in Police Custody in Pakistan’ with the financial support of Oxfam GB. The project started in February 2011 and concluded in November 2013 and was implemented in Lahore and Rawalpindi.

The objective of the project was to ensure the fair treatment of women, who are victims of violence, by law enforcement agencies and to improve their living conditions in police custody and shelter homes.

SPO developed training manuals for police and jail staff on guidelines taken from the United Nations Committee Against Torture (CAT) and gender sensitization. In addition to training the police, SPO also trained the staff working at these shelter homes. SPO was able to reach out to 370 women in jails and Dar-ul-Amans through the provision of legal counselling to 240 women and trained 200 women on life skills.  SPO also trained 1500 police, jail and Dar-ul-Amans (government run shelter home) on UN CAT and Gender. SPO also enrolled 100,000 people in the advocacy campaigns addressing torture issues.

SPO successfully implemented its project titled ‘Access to Water & Sanitation for All’ project in collaboration with Punjab Saaf Pani Company. The project started in 2012 and concluded in 2013, and was implemented in districts Faisalabad, Sahiwal, Bahawalpur and Dera Ghazi Khan in Punjab.

The objective of the project was to provide clean drinking water to communities previously forced to drink contaminated water due to contamination of groundwater resources and inadequate operation and maintenance of government owned water supply schemes. Before the implementation phase, SPO conducted a community baseline survey through which water supply schemes were identified in the underserved rural, semi and peri-urban areas. The baseline also identified the number of population that was benefitting from the supply schemes while also analyzing the socio-economic and cultural dynamics of the local communities.

SPO mobilized communities to form Water User Committees (WUCs) which comprised of members that have influence and expertise in facilitating such initiatives. SPO organized 4 trainings for WUCs to identify their roles and responsibilities for improved operation, maintenance and sustainability of the water supply schemes. SPO also arranged a series of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) awareness sessions for the project beneficiaries which included elders, men, women, children and youth. Through these interventions SPO provided clean and safe drinking water and improved hygiene practices to 5,429,547 persons in Faisalabad, 1,843,194 persons in Sahiwal, 2,433,091 persons in Bahawalpur, 1,643,118 persons D.G.

SPO successfully implemented its project titled ‘Increasing Girls’ Enrollment and Retention and Improving the Quality of Education’ with the financial support of UNESCO. The project stared in 2012 and concluded in 2013 and was implemented in districts Ziarat and Jaffarabad in Balochistan.

The objective of this project was to support UNESCO’s efforts in increasing girls’ enrolment, retention and improving the quality of education in primary schools by working in close consultation with local authorities. Through this project, SPO mobilized communities and organized advocacy campaigns. SPO’s multi-strategy and approach included action research, mobilization and advocacy of for promotion of girls’ education, and technical assistance for missing facilities.

SPO under its ‘Social & Economic Development’ programme implemented this project by identifying several interventions. SPO successfully transformed school infrastructures and improved learning environments to attract students and parents back to the school system.  In order to improve retention and the quality of girls’ primary education, SPO established PTCs/ SMCs, provided missing facilities such as boundary walls, washrooms, drinking water, minor repairs (to a limited scale), and trained teachers in multi-grade teaching (MGT) and activity based learning (ABL).

SPO successfully implemented ‘Strengthening of Women’s Leadership Role and Establishing Women Protection Networks in Eight Flood Affected Districts’ project with the financial support of UNIFEM. The project started in December 2010 and concluded in March 2011, covering districts Nowshera and Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts Multan and Rajan Pur in Punjab, districts Thatta and Sukkar in Sindh and districts Naseerabad and Jaffarabad in Balochistan.

The overall goal of the project was to harness a network of local women leaders who will in turn seek to protect women rights by ensuring their role and integration in various aspects of disaster risk preparedness, mitigation and prevention related planning, initiatives and interventions.

SPO built capacity of 250 women leaders and the officials of district line agencies who later took frontline roles in protecting women rights. The project ensured that these 250 women have worked closely with affected women and helped them to address women concerns in relation to their rehabilitation and reconstruction requirements (in case of occurrence of a disaster), combat gender based violence, and lobby for including women in decision making forums. SPO also enhanced lobbying capacities of women leaders and groups resulting in more gender responsive disaster risk preparedness, mitigation and prevention measures by the state and the non-state actors. These interventions led to development of a coherent strategy for SPO and its partner organizations to ensure fuller and righteous inclusion of women in future disaster risk mitigation, preparedness and prevention measures to seek to end all forms of violence and discrimination against women. SPO was already providing emergency and relief support to aforementioned districts through food packages, access to clean water, and shelter. The project was appreciated by UN agencies and local line departments.

The objective of the project was to provide clean drinking water to communities previously forced to drink contaminated water due to contamination of groundwater resources and inadequate operation and maintenance of government owned water supply schemes. Before the implementation phase, SPO conducted a community baseline survey through which water supply schemes were identified in the underserved rural, semi and peri-urban areas. The baseline also identified the number of population that was benefitting from the supply schemes while also analyzing the socio-economic and cultural dynamics of the local communities.

SPO mobilized communities to form Water User Committees (WUCs) which comprised of members that have influence and expertise in facilitating such initiatives. SPO organized 4 trainings for WUCs to identify their roles and responsibilities for improved operation, maintenance and sustainability of the water supply schemes. SPO also arranged a series of WASH (water, sanitation and hygiene) awareness sessions for the project beneficiaries which included elders, men, women, children and youth. Through these interventions SPO provided clean and safe drinking water and improved hygiene practices to 5,429,547 persons in Faisalabad, 1,843,194 persons in Sahiwal, 2,433,091 persons in Bahawalpur, 1,643,118 persons D.G.

SPO successfully implemented ‘Tacmil Project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’ with the financial support of USAID.The project started in November 2008 and concluded in October 2009, covering district Charsadda in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

The overall goal of this project was to improve the monitoring system of health sector in district Charsadda. In order to achieve this goal, SPO formed 25 Health Monitoring Committee (HMC) at UC level and two committees at district level. The project also aimed to form and strengthen a district health board in Charsadda that would hold the HMCs accountable. SPO also initiated awareness campaigns to create awareness among the masses about their basic right to quality healthcare.

SPO under its ‘Social & Economic Development’ programme organized project activities under three phases of mobilization, capacity building, and advocacy. The advocacy initiatives were carried out in collaboration with the civil society networks and were also integral part of the project. The anticipated result of this intervention was improved performance of government health services in district Charsadda. To ensure joint monitoring and following participatory approach the HMC was formed consisting of local community and government representatives. Major stakeholders such as the district Nazim, DCO, Tehsil Nazim, and EDO Health were engaged through this intervention. This project strengthened linkages between the district health management committee, district health boards, CSN, and the local government so to ensure long term sustainability.

SPO successfully implemented ‘Gender Equality Project’ with the financial support of USAID Gender Equality Program. The project started in March 2003 and concluded in December 2003, covering district district Turbat in Balochistan, district Hyderabad in Sindh, district Peshawar in KPK and district Multan in Punjab.

The overall goal of this project was to empower women population of the project area through capacity building and linkage development of women councilors. Through this project SPO enhanced capacity of 400 women in selected district. The project envisioned to equip women councilors with skills to access institutional mechanisms and knowledge of women development issues.

SPO trained 400 women councilors in the key areas of communication, resource mobilization, data   collection and analysis, and action planning skills.  SPO also organized a ‘Resource Mela’ to provide a platform for women councilors to engage directly and build liaison with stakeholders representing sectors of Education, Economic Empowerment, Health, Legal Rights and Violence Against Women & Girls.  These women councilors were also connected with the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) and the Ministry of Social Welfare and Women Development.  These councilors developed linkages with line departments and other civil society organizations, which later supported them in specific action planning based on women related issues in development schemes at district level. Being the coordinator for four networks, SPO linked the women councilors with the Gender and Governance Network (Multan), BASHM-Turbat Gender Resource Centre (Turbat), Gender Voice (Peshawar) and G-Net (Hyderabad) for technical backstopping.

SPO is currently implementing this project titled ‘Women’s Increased Access to Water Resources and Agricultural Markets’ with the financial support of Embassy of Royal Kingdom of Netherlands. The project started in December 2019 and will end in October 2021 and is being implemented in districts Badin, Tando Allahyar and Hyderabad in Sindh.

The overall goal of the project is to improve the role of women in water resource management to enhance their incomes and tenable them to effectively participate and contribute to decision-making in domestic and public spheres.

SPO under its ‘Climate Change Adaptation’ programme is aiming to broaden the process of social mobilization to cover 500 women to get organized in three districts. Twenty self-help groups will further be formed at cluster and District levels; who will be facilitated to expand their economic opportunities and choices from the selected 150 small landholder women, 100 landless sharecroppers, 200 women in Livestock rearing and 50 Bagri women through agro-enterprise development. The said methodology is designed to lead women towards attaining sustainable increase in their household incomes and enables them to play an enhanced and strategic role in the economic sphere. The project also aims to enhance political participation and representation of women in Water Course Associations so that they can contribute effectively in local decision-making regarding water resource management.

The program envisages working with mainly three cohorts women i.e. small landholder, landless sharecroppers and livestock owners in the Badin, Tando Allahyar and Hyderabad Districts of Sindh.  It aims to strengthen women’s social, economic and political empowerment by applying an integrated approach. The Project seeks to bring about sustained improvement in the quality of life of the rural women in Sindh by diversifying livelihood opportunities and strengthening low-income rural markets, which can also contribute towards the national development goals of inclusive economic growth, and poverty alleviation.

SPO successfully implemented the project titled ‘Strategic Partnership- Women and Marginalized Groups, Natural Resource Management and Peace-building: Unlocking the Potential’ in collaboration with Oxfam in Sindh from April 2016 to March 2019.

SPO under its ‘Climate Change Adaptation’ programme implemented this project to strengthen the role of women in water-resource management and to help them play an effective role in water related disputes in their communities. SPO increased capacities of women, ensured their inclusion in water-related decision making bodies at canal level in order to mitigate potential disputes over water distribution in their respective areas.

SPO has also submitted five amendments in Sindh Water Management Ordinance 2002 in the Sindh Provincial Assembly for inclusion of women in decision making bodies for water management in the province. The project targets were successfully aided in improving the inclusion of women in reducing water-disputes through their active participation in peace-building and water resource management decisions. SPO continues to further strengthen the role of women for the creation of an eco-friendly environment for all communities.

SPO successfully implemented ‘Testing Adaptation in Flood-Based Farming Systems’ project with the financial support of IFAD, and MetaMeta Research, Netherlands. The project started in April 2015 and concluded in March 2019, covering select districts of Punjab, Balochistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa.

The overall goal of the project was to support flood-based farming systems in order to prevent food insecurity in the flood prone areas and build resilience of the respective communities. SPO capacitated farmers, and sensitized young women and men working at local institutions in water resource management. SPO helped them to develop Flood-Based Farming Systems policies and programs which provided strategies that are inclusive and gender-balanced in approach to climate change in Pakistan.

SPO under its ‘Climate Change Adaptation’ programme trained farmers in the cultivation of new corps, irrigation techniques and water resource management. The trainings were held at local universities and the respective Provincial Agriculture Departments. This project helped communities to identify water related issues and inspired graduate students to research and conduct detailed studies on the benefits of flood-based farming in their regions. SPO continues to strengthen its communities to ensure preparedness against new environmental challenges.

SPO successfully implemented ‘Spate Irrigation for Rural Growth & Poverty Alleviation’ with the financial support of UNESCO-IHE Delft. The project started in July 2012 and concluded in December 2014, covering selected districts of all provinces of Pakistan.

The overall goal of the project was to strengthen farmers network in Pakistan and prepare policy guidelines by implementing innovative and scalable action research solutions. Through this project, SPO initiated a process of incorporating spate irrigation in curricula of universities and agricultural colleges. The intervention highlighted the spate irrigation problems, practices and build base for knowledge dissemination.  Under this project some key achievements were attained such as documentation and digitalizing of the water rights records, development of knowledge & its dissemination, capacity building of local NGOs and innovative research based solutions and program development for new investments.

Four regional network of farmers and practitioner were established in districts Kachi & Sibi in Balochistan, district Dera Ismail Khan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts Dadu & Jamshoro in Sindh, also districts Rajanpur and DG Khan in Punjab.

SPO obtained and digitally compiled the Water Rights Record from DI Khan, DG Khan, Rajanpur, and Sibi. Developed a descriptive and video report on conditions of drinking water in Tharparkar district and prepared a concept paper . Around 1000 informative flyers, brochures and charts were prepared and distributed among farmers, practitioner, relevant government department, and higher educational institutions. SPO enhanced capacity of 50 professionals on regional spate issues and proposal writing.

SPO successfully implemented its ‘Humanitarian Assistance for Flood Affected Communities’ project with the financial support of Care International, UNOCHA, Oxfam Novib. The project started in February 2011 and concluded in January 2012, covering districts Nowshera, Peshawer and Charsada in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, districts Muzzaffargarh, Rajanpur and Mianwali in Punjab, districts Ghokti, Sukkur and Shikarpur in Sindh and districts Sibi, Jafarabad and Naseerabad in Balochistan.

The goal of the project was to facilitate citizen’s active participation in the empowerment of women in areas worst affected by the flood by facilitating their access to resources and institutions to enable control over their own lives and improve attitudes and behavior towards them (women) and their concerns.

SPO designed various advocacy, research, capacity enhancement, and service delivery activities. SPO trained 40 relevant organizations about restoration of land entitlements and building linkages between institutional stakeholders and recipient population. SPO provided assistance to 96 female headed households in reclaiming land titles in each region and also developed need-based packages for support (assets, credit, supply lines, market access) for identified home-based economic activities. As a result of SPO’s efforts in this project, 180 women were given training to re-establish their economic activities, 40 water systems were restored and 24 training programs were conducted in each region on safe water practices in relation to rehabilitated systems (with community women who benefit from the water supply).

SPO successfully implemented ‘Emergency Response for Flood Affected People in Sindh’ emergency relief project with financial support of Oxfam Novib-Pakistan from December 2010 to May 2011. This emergency relief project covered district Tando Muhammad Khan in Sindh.

The overall goal of the initiative was to give emergency response to communities affected by the Flood in 2010 through the provision of assistance and supplying of essentials to regenerate the livelihoods of the flood victims. This 6-month emergency relief response capacitated 5000 households in district Tando Muhammad Khan.

SPO under its ‘Climate Change Adaptation’ programme implemented a Cash for Work initiative in order to provide the affected families cash to help sustain their livelihoods. SPO’s humanitarian team conducted field visits to the flood affected areas for gauging the impact of the disaster and to also assess the needs of the communities.  Around 5000 households and families received health and hygiene kits. SPO formed Village Relief Committees (VRC) in target villages which helped SPO in identifying the affected families requiring relief. SPO worked in close coordination with local authorities, civil society networks, and partner organizations in Sindh to improve the living conditions of affected communities.

SPO successfully implemented ‘Early Recovery Plan for Flood Affected People in Punjab Province’ recovery and relief project with the financial support of Care International in Pakistan. The project started in October 2010 and concluded in March 2011, in district Muzzafargarh in Punjab.

The overall goal of the project was to assist flood affected population of Tehsil Kot Adu in district Muzaffargarh, Punjab. This six-month response ensured that targeted communities have access to adequate and appropriate food to uphold their survival, dignity and fosters early livelihoods recovery. The secondary objective was to create livelihood opportunities which could benefit flood affected communities-at-large.

SPO supported communities by giving Cash for Work opportunities in exchange of their services related to rehabilitation of community infrastructures. To maintain transparency, temporary Village Relief Committees (VRC) were also formed after community mobilization. Village development plan (VDP) was developed with the support of VRC. The VDP was a tool used by community mobilizers of SPO to prioritize needs in reconstruction and rehabilitation of community infrastructure under this project. Village level enterprise committees were also formed in consultation with local stakeholders. In addition to these interventions, cash grants to 900 small traders’ families were provided especially to women headed households (benefiting 6,300 individuals) for restoring their income generating activities as well as regenerating markets. SPO and Care International played vital role in providing support to local authorities in coordination of disaster management activities and carrying out relief activities with the support of its local networks. The project interventions were also successful because of close linkages and coordinated efforts with district government officials, especially District Coordination Officer, EDOs for Health, Education, Community Development and EDO Revenue had been established.

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