The Role and Contributions of Development NGOs to Development Cooperation: What Do We Know?

Abstract

Research has focussed on the function rather than volume of NGOs’ contributions to development cooperation. That a deeply managerial-driven aid system has constrained NGO effectiveness has been a critical focus, highlighting how this has led NGOs to prioritise service delivery over social justice. Yet, a lack of systematic analysis of development NGO sectors within donor countries means it has made it impossible to measure their full contributions to development cooperation. We explore new evidence of their growing and significant contributions vis-à-vis official development assistance and look at new donor policy innovations that move from a managerial to a transformative ideology for civil society funding. Such innovations have the potential to enhance partnerships and cooperation and reduce the contested nature of NGOs’ contributions to development cooperation.

Civil society organizations and the prevention of mass atrocities: Perspectives from south Sudan

“…Empowering individuals, inclusion of peacebuilding capacity, using a human rights perspective, and attention to information have been goals associated with the work of CSOs since the 1980s and 1990s. In practice, however, CSOs have been criticized for still falling short in realizing these goals and the transformative objectives required for fully engaging in the civil society function (Banks, 2021; Banks et al., 2015).…”

“…To what extent do CSOs undermine the state by providing public goods and services? These questions capture the continued debates about the roles of service‐providing development CSOs (e.g., Banks, 2021; Batley, 2006; Brass, forthcoming; Boulding, 2010; Boulding & Gibson, 2009; King, 2014; Obiyan, 2005; Obadare & Krawczyk, 2022; Nelson‐Nuñez, 2019; Watkins et al., 2012). Discussed and relevant in public administration and development fields are the dual functions expected from CSOs: the service delivery function (filling gaps in the provision of services left unmet) and the civil society function (working for and achieving transformative outcomes that produce social change).…”

“…In contrast, other scholars assert that the provision of services by development CSOs gives governments more reasons not to provide public services (e.g., Edwards & Hulme, 1996;Moss, Pettersson Gelander, & Van de Walle, 2006). A main question continues to be whether the service delivery function of CSOs has served as a substitute to government or as a function that facilitates and complements the civil society function, encouraging increased political participation and transformative change (Brass, forthcoming;Banks et al, 2015, Nelson-Nuñez, 2019.…”

“…Our inquiry is situated within the larger debates about the service delivery and civil society functions of CSOs, particularly in the context of conflict‐affected settings, and it lays the groundwork for further empirical study. Service‐providing CSOs have been criticized for not living up to their promises to reshape societal relations between the state, the market and civil society, and for not achieving their civil society function of transformative change (Banks, 2021). To gauge how an orientation toward atrocity prevention might further promote both the service delivery and civil society functions of CSOs, we consider the potential for development CSOs to advance and sustain democracy and democratic ideals by applying an “atrocity prevention lens” (Bellamy, 2015).…”

“…for not living up to their promises to reshape societal relations between the state, the market and civil society, and for not achieving † Deceased author their civil society function of transformative change (Banks, 2021). To gauge how an orientation toward atrocity prevention might further promote both the service delivery and civil society functions of CSOs, we consider the potential for development CSOs to advance and sustain democracy and democratic ideals by applying an "atrocity prevention lens" (Bellamy, 2015).…”