Online Resource Centre (ORC) is a VHAI and Sasakawa Peace Foundation’s collaborative effort to address the problems faced by NGOs and development organisations in accessing information that is already available. ORC is a web based information network http://nposonline.net that provides a one stop shop for development information and NGO products and services.

Sasakawa Peace Foundation http://spf.org was established in 1986 to contribute towards world peace and welfare of mankind through the development of a sound international community. Sasakawa Peace Foundation undertakes surveys and research programmes and organizes international conferences/meetings and other activities to improve international understanding and co-operation among the world community. The foundation is also engaged in collection and dissemination of information and provides support to NPOs towards human resource development.

Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) http://vhai.org is a non-profit, registered society formed in the year 1970. It is a federation of 27 State Voluntary Health Associations, linking together more than 4000 health care institutions and grassroots level community health programmes spread across the country.

VHAI’s primary objective is to ‘make health a reality for the people of India’ by promoting community health, social justice and human rights related to the provision and distribution of health services in India.

VHAI tries to achieve these goals through campaigns, policy research, advocacy, need-based training, media and parliament interventions, publications and audio-visuals, dissemination of information and running of health and development projects in some difficult remote areas. VHAI works for people-centred policies and their effective implementation. It sensitizes the general public on important health and development issues for evolving a sustainable health movement in the country with due emphasis on its rich health and
cultural heritage.

A. Facilitate an Internet based network of service providers, researchers and policy makers on priority issues and issues of common concern.

B. Provide and test content, connectivity and training options to enable optimal use of this network.

C. Enhance the capacity of local research institutions and libraries to support and scale up .the ORC.

Government Organisations / Non Profit Organisations and their associates at the local, district, state and national level. Researchers and research organizations, Govt departments and Ministries, Academicians and Policy makers and bi-lateral/multilateral aid agencies.

NGOs
The NGOs section contains a database of NGOs, categorised area wise into international, national and state levels, and issue wise, i.e. on the basis of the issues being addressed by them. This section will be useful for NGOs, who want to know about other NGOs and the areas in which they are working. It will also be useful for funding agencies and Government organisations.

Govt.
This section gives details of Government policies and schemes on development and health. NGOs working on development and health can access information on relevant policies and schemes. The section also contains links to Government websites from where more detailed information can be accessed. Schemes are given in PDF format, which can be downloaded by the user.

Media
This section contains press coverage/releases of events, such as seminars, workshops, conferences, etc. organised by member organisations. It gives visibility to grassroots NGOs working in far flung areas.

Resources
The section on Resources contains various sub-sections, viz.,

• Books
This sub-section contains a list of publications on development and health issues, with necessary details, produced by member organisations and other NGOs.

• Reports
This sub-section contains important reports on development and health. Some of the reports are given in PDF format, which can be downloaded by the user. Some of the reports have links to other sites from where the details can be accessed.

• IEC materials
The sub-section on IEC materials gives detailed information of posters, flip charts and audio-visual materials produced by member organisations and other NGOs.

• Resource Organisations
This sub-section gives a database of organisations that provide funding, training, capacity building, publications, etc. to NGOs, with full contact details.

• Development & Health Issues
This sub-section gives brief notes and case studies on important development and health issues. It also gives important links on the issues. The user can access additional information on these issues through the available links. This section is useful for NGOs that are working or want to work on these issues. It is also useful for researchers working on development and health.

Donors
This section gives a database of donors, categorised into national and international. It gives full contact details and brief profile of the funding agencies. This will be useful to NGOs seeking funding in areas of health and development.

News
The section on news gives information about the latest happenings pertaining to development and health, the voluntary sector and govt. policies. It also gives information about important projects, research, studies, etc. undertaken by member organisations and other NGOs. Through this section NGOs can share information among each other regarding their activities. It will also give visibility to their projects. NGOs undertaking important activities at the grassroots level and in remote areas can disseminate information about the same through the website.

Any registered NGO can become a member of this network by completing a simple registration form, which will be available on the site. Member’s account will be activated after receiving the photocopy of their registration certificate, if it is sent by post or scanned in case of email.

If you are a member of the ORC, you need to login into the website and then fill in the Information Format. If you are not a member, you can become a member or you can send an email, with the information you want to share.

Registered members will have their own web space on the site where they can upload their own latest information, reports, research, events and job vacancies. Members will be able to access all information on the site unlike general users who will have access to only select information and news. Additionally, members can send information directly to the site manager of the ORC, which will be added to the ‘latest news/development’ section. It will also be the endeavor of the ORC to provide specific information on request by members.

The web is an interactive medium – people expect to be able to contact, send comments, questions and suggestions and receive answers. This section contains the contact information of ORC.