Difference between revisions of "What is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)?"
From NGO Handbook
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==Today's use of the term== | ==Today's use of the term== | ||
| − | Today, the term NGO reflects this wider usage. Schmidt and Take (1997) define NGOs as “non-state, non-profit orientated groups who pursue purposes of public interest,” excluding the private sector. One of the most widely used definitions is given by Operational Directive 14.70 of the World Bank (1989): “private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development” (World Bank 2001). More broadly, the term is applicable to any non-profit organization (NPO) that is not affiliated with government.<ref>This, however, does not imply that an NGO cannot receive funding from governmental sources. </ref> According to the World Bank, NGOs are “value-based organizations which depend, in whole or in part, on charitable donations and voluntary service,” and in which “principles of altruism and voluntarism remain key defining characteristics.” The World Bank differentiates two main categories of NGOs with which it interacts: | + | Today, the term NGO reflects this wider usage. Resolution 1996/31 of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) defines an NGO as any "organization that is not established by a governmental entity or intergovernmental agreement." The World Association on Non-Governmental Organizations (WANGO) adopts a similar definition: "A non-governmental organization (NGO) |
| + | is considered to be any not-for-profit organization that is not established by a governmental entity or intergovernmental | ||
| + | agreement and which is organized on a local, national, sub-regional, regional, or international level." Schmidt and Take (1997) define NGOs as “non-state, non-profit orientated groups who pursue purposes of public interest,” excluding the private sector. | ||
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| + | One of the most widely used definitions is given by Operational Directive 14.70 of the World Bank (1989): “private organizations that pursue activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development” (World Bank 2001). More broadly, the term is applicable to any non-profit organization (NPO) that is not affiliated with government.<ref>This, however, does not imply that an NGO cannot receive funding from governmental sources. </ref> According to the World Bank, NGOs are “value-based organizations which depend, in whole or in part, on charitable donations and voluntary service,” and in which “principles of altruism and voluntarism remain key defining characteristics.” The World Bank differentiates two main categories of NGOs with which it interacts: | ||
Operational NGOs, the primary purpose of which is the design and implementation of development-related projects, and | Operational NGOs, the primary purpose of which is the design and implementation of development-related projects, and | ||
Advocacy NGOs, the primary purpose of which is to defend or promote a specific cause, and influence the policies and practices of international organizations.<ref>The two categories are not mutually exclusive, as some NGOs engage in both operational and advocacy activities. </ref> | Advocacy NGOs, the primary purpose of which is to defend or promote a specific cause, and influence the policies and practices of international organizations.<ref>The two categories are not mutually exclusive, as some NGOs engage in both operational and advocacy activities. </ref> | ||
| − | Operational NGOs are further classified as: a) national organizations, which operate in individual developing countries; b) international organizations, which are typically headquartered in developed countries and carry out operations in developing countries; and c) community-based organizations (CBOs), which serve a specific population in a narrow geographical area. CBOs, also referred to as grassroots organizations or peoples’ organizations, differ from other NGOs in both nature and purpose: while national and international organizations are seen as “intermediary” NGOs that are formed to serve others, CBOs are usually “membership” organizations whose purpose is to advance the interests of their members. Examples include women’s groups, credit circles, youth clubs, cooperatives and farmers’ associations. | + | Operational NGOs are further classified as: a) national organizations, which operate in individual developing countries; b) international organizations, which are typically headquartered in developed countries and carry out operations in developing countries; and c) community-based organizations (CBOs), which serve a specific population in a narrow geographical area. CBOs, also referred to as grassroots organizations or peoples’ organizations, differ from other NGOs in both nature and purpose: while national and international organizations are seen as “intermediary” NGOs that are formed to serve others, CBOs are usually “membership” organizations whose purpose is to advance the interests of their members. Examples include women’s groups, credit circles, youth clubs, cooperatives and farmers’ associations. |
==Other terminology== | ==Other terminology== | ||
Revision as of 21:11, 20 January 2010
A non-governmental organization (NGO) is generally considered to be any non-state, nonprofit, voluntary organization. As a non-state entitity, an NGO is generally independent from government influence—it is not a part of or controlled by government or an intergovernmental agency. As such, an NGO is either not established by a government, or intergovernmental agreement, or, if established in such a manner, is now independent of such influence. As a nonprofit organization, an NGO is not operated for the primary purpose of carrying on a trade or business, although profits may be generated for the mission of the organization. A more accurate term may be non-profit distributing, in that any surplus that is generated is to be used solely to help the organization fulfill its mission and objectives, with no part of the net earnings of the NGO to be distributed to the benefit of the directors, officers, members, or employees of the NGO, or any private persons, other than reasonable compensation for services rendered. As a voluntary organization, an NGO is not required to exist by law, but is formed by private initiative, resulting from voluntary actions of individuals.
In effect, NGOs are organizations that are not part of the government sector nor part of the business sector. For such reasons, they are sometimes referred to being part of the "third sector" in society.
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