Strengthening Participatory Organization

Strengthening Participatory Organization (SPO) is a not-for-profit, non-governmental, rights and responsibilities-based organization registered under 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. SPO is currently serving in more than 100 districts across the country in sectors of health, education, sustainable livelihood, climate change, digital knowledge, and cultural & tourism promotion.

SPO transitioned from a small-scale joint venture of the Small Projects Office between the Government of Pakistan and the Canadian High Commission in 1987. The initiative voluntarily led by Mr. Javed Jabbar, Dr. Tariq J. Banuri, and Ms. Ferida Sher; guided the transformation of a small entity to a leading Pakistani rights and responsibilities-based organization with a broad programmatic portfolio. SPO is recognized for its impressive nationwide footprint operating with a diverse spectrum of groups from grassroots communities to various tiers of governance at local, district, provincial, and national levels. We have dynamic teams based in nine offices in all four provinces of Pakistan.

SPO is governed by a fourteen-member Board of Directors comprised of thirteen elected members and the Chief Executive.

SPO is a key member of over 20 global and regional networks of leading rights-based civil society institutions.