National Rural Support Programme

Established in 1991, NRSP is the largest Rural Support Programme in the country in terms of outreach, staff and development activities. It is a not for profit organization registered under Section 42 of Companies Ordinance 1984.

NRSP’s mandate is to alleviate poverty by harnessing people’s potential and undertake development activities in Pakistan. It has a presence in 59 Districts in all the four Provinces including Azad Jammu and Kashmir through Regional Offices and Field Offices. NRSP is currently working with more than half a million poor households organized into a network of more than 115,076 Community Organizations. With sustained incremental growth, it is emerging as Pakistan’s leading engine for poverty reduction and rural development.

Salient Features of NRSP

• It is a home grown organization, registered as a Company Limited by Guarantee under
  Section 42 of the Companies Ordinance (1984)
• Government of Pakistan provided seed capital to establish NRSP in 1992
• NRSP core operations are managed from the income of an endowment fund
• NRSP is a Not for Profit Organization
• NRSP is autonomous and independent
• NRSP has no pre-conceived package for delivery of services or supplies
• NRSP is a Gender Sensitive development organization
• NRSP has no political agenda

NRSP’s Objectives, Strategy and Approach

Objective: To foster a countrywide network of grassroots level organizations to enable rural men & women to plan, implement and manage developmental activities and programmes for the purpose of ensuring productive employment, poverty alleviation and improvement in the quality of life.

Strategy: To harness the potential of men and women to help themselves.

Approach: Social guidance.

Key Assumptions

• People have tremendous potential and willingness to identify
  and prioritise development activities.
• There is at least one Activist in each community who is willing
  to mobilize the community.