The “Training and Synergy Event for NGOs in Qazvin Province” was held on Monday, November 26, with the participation of approximately 140 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) from the province.
Hosted by the Ebtekar & Navid Development Foundation and organized in collaboration with the National Organization for Social Affairs, the Office of Social and Cultural Affairs of the Tehran Governorate, the Tax Administration of Qazvin Province, and Nafis Nakh Company, the event aimed to create a platform for interaction and knowledge exchange among NGOs while enhancing their capabilities in key areas such as donor engagement and tax regulations.
The organizers believe that strengthening the technical and operational knowledge of NGOs significantly contributes to improving their performance in delivering social services and achieving their missions.
Designed to incorporate both educational and practical aspects, the event provided an opportunity for networking, synergy, and addressing common challenges faced by NGOs.
The program featured keynote speeches, specialized workshops, and a Q&A panel discussion, making it a valuable step towards empowering NGOs in Qazvin Province. It facilitated experience sharing, identified new opportunities, and addressed key challenges faced by these organizations.
Dr. Mohammad Khorshidi, Director General of Social and Cultural Affairs at the Qazvin Governorate, commenced his speech by expressing gratitude to the Ebtekar & Navid Development Foundation and Nafis Nakh Company for their support in organizing this event. He warmly welcomed the NGO representatives in attendance and emphasized the importance and necessity of such gatherings.
Khorshidi highlighted synergy and capacity-building among NGOs as key objectives of the event. He noted that bringing together such a large number of NGOs in a shared space presents a valuable opportunity for dialogue, mutual learning, and identifying areas for collaboration. He further stressed that this event could serve as the catalyst for a collective and impactful movement toward social development in the province.
A significant aspect of his speech was the discussion on the role of NGOs in governance.
Khorshidi underscored that the active and organized presence of these organizations plays a crucial role in strengthening governance structures. He pointed out that, in recent years, efforts have been made to foster a closer and more effective discourse between NGOs and governance frameworks. He emphasized that these organizations serve as essential operational arms for sustainable development, addressing social challenges, and delivering public services.
Additionally, he called for enhancing the role of NGOs in high-level decision-making and described this event as an opportunity to bridge perspectives between civil society organizations and government agencies. Concluding his speech, Dr. Khorshidi invited all participants to make the most of this platform to strengthen connections and advance their shared goals.
This workshop, led by Dr. Reza Darman, focused on donor acquisition and retention—one of the primary challenges faced by non-governmental organizations (NGOs). The session explored practical strategies to build donor trust and foster long-term collaboration between philanthropists and NGOs.
The workshop content was structured into three main sections:
۱- Donor Acquisition – Effective approaches to attracting new donors and engaging them with the organization’s mission.
۲- Donor Retention – Best practices for maintaining strong, lasting relationships with donors to ensure continued support.
۳- Additional Key Considerations – Insights into sustaining donor interest and adapting engagement strategies for long-term impact.
This workshop, led by Ali Kakavan (Export Manager at Nafis Nakh), explored various aspects of sustainability and its connection to sustainable development. The key topics covered in the session included:
۱- Detailed Aspects of Sustainability and Its Definition – Understanding the core concept of sustainability and its implications.
۲- Environmental Hazards – Examining key environmental challenges and their impact.
۳- Sustainability and Sustainable Development – The relationship between sustainability principles and long-term development strategies.
۴- Environmental Sustainability – Strategies to mitigate environmental damage and promote eco-friendly practices.
۵- Economic Sustainability – Exploring sustainable business models that ensure long-term economic growth.
۶- Social Sustainability – Addressing the role of communities in fostering sustainable development.
۷- Fashion and Textile Industry – Analyzing sustainability challenges in the textile sector.
۸- Environmental Impact of Textile Products – Investigating the effects of textile production on the environment and potential solutions
This workshop was facilitated by Raman Fadaei (Certified Tax Consultant) and presented with the participation of Mohammadreza Alipour (Deputy Director of Tax Auditing at the Qazvin Provincial Tax Administration). The session focused on discussing tax regulations for charities and public benefit organizations. The topics covered in this workshop included:
۱- Tax Exemptions for Charities
۲- Key Features of a Charity’s Articles of Association
۳- Legal Expenditures of Charities (Based on Article 139 of the Tax Code)
۴- Financial Oversight and Transparency
۵- Permissible Financial Resources for Charities
۶- Additional Conditions for Obtaining Tax Exemptions
۷- Panel Discussion and Q&A on Tax Exemptions and Legal Strategies for NGOs
Panel Topics:
♦ General overview of tax exemption laws for NGOs
♦ The process of registration and obtaining tax exemptions
♦ Q&A session with participants
Navid Initiative and Development Institute (Registration No. 56632) was established in August 2021 in accordance with the will of the late Mr. Mohammad Ali Navid, with the aim of pursuing sustainable and impactful public-benefit initiatives.