In my conversations with different NGOs to learn more about their experience working with tribal populations, I learned of another issue - decreasing funding for these NGOs. A lot of them also have trouble receiving international funds because of India’s Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, (FCRA).

The FCRA regulates access of these NGOs to foreign funds, and since 2014, the Indian Government has cancelled the FCRA licenses of more than 19,000 NGOs, including high profile organizations such as the Lawyers Collective, Greenpeace India, People’s Watch, Compassion International, and Public Health Foundation of India. The grounds for these cancellations include “non-compliance with reporting requirements” and activities deemed “political” or against “national interest” and “economic security”. On 10 September 2020, India froze the accounts of Amnesty International India on the allegation that it had circumvented the FCRA. The action forced Amnesty International India to halt its India operations.

Many of the NGOs I conversed with already have or are in fear of being hit with the FCRA cancellations if they openly criticize the Indian government’s complacent attitude towards an active protection of indigenous rights. I have below some NGOs I talked to that still accept foreign donations, and would appreciate if people could donate to them. Many of these NGOs do not accept donations in dollars, but they might still accept American cards with a small conversion charge.