Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, rights and responsibilities-based organization registered under the Section 42 of Companies Act 2017 of Pakistan serving to improve the well-being of communities and citizens of Pakistan by creating their awareness of the basic rights and ensuring their access to those rights.
SPO envisions a democratic, socially just, and ecologically sustainable society with a mission to support and strengthen disadvantaged communities and public interest institutions for resilient development. Our work with communities across the country validates the belief that destinies change when people themselves make decisions governing their lives. We define Pakistan by its beautiful landscapes, mighty rivers, rolling green fields, fulsome orchards, sandy beaches, and breath-taking mountains; by its civilizational heritage which commenced over 8,000 years ago with Mehergarh and 5,000 years ago with Moenjodaro and the other historical eras that came thereafter.
Equally, we define Pakistan through its 220 million women, men, and children. They are imbued with remarkable strengths and potential. Tens of millions bravely toil every day to secure livelihoods and gain access to basic social services. The people aspire for the fulfillment of their economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights through peaceful, democratic processes. At SPO, we also strive to inculcate among all citizens their responsibilities and obligations as responsible citizens to enable collective and productive endeavors.
SPO has evolved over the past 30 plus years since 1994 into a nationally recognized NGO, from a modest initiative in 1987, taken by the Canadian International Development Agency to transfer their Small Project Office to an entirely Pakistani-led new entity. The founding members include Senator (r) Javed Jabbar, Ms. Ferida Sher, and Dr. Tariq J. Banuri. The organization is governed by a 36-member volunteer General Body and 11 elected Board members, with regional representation from all four provinces and the Capital Territory. It maintains a gender balance of 6 women and 5 men and is led by a woman Chief Executive, reflecting women’s leadership at the forefront.
SPO has served almost 25 million people. It has implemented 449 projects with a total budget of PKR 16 billion / USD 56 million, including 70 humanitarian projects worth PKR 2.725 billion, supported by 105 financial partners.
