What makes an NGO initiative successful?

By YesPakistan.com Staff Writer

NGO initiatives have been critical in reaching the poorest sections of society. They have not limited themselves to providing social services and bringing about economic and social reforms. These groups have succeeded in developing a strong sense of self-reliance and self-confidence among the poor. There are a number of critical factors that distinguish the successful from the not so successful.

First, these NGOs are not just hollow institutions. They are grassroots movements that manage to successfully reach the worst off. In most cases, government projects do not have great success in establishing programs that result in long-term benefits for at-risk groups. Oftentimes, the government structure is top-down, an organization coming in from the outside and imposing changes on a community. For any long-term project that will have lasting benefits, the community itself must "own" the project. NGOs that are successful are able to organize the poor into groups that eventually assume responsibility for their own development.

Second, successful groups have exceptional leadership. They are built around one dynamic individual whose vision and selfless leadership molds the movement. One such leader is Akhtar Hameed Khan, founder of the Orangi Pilot Project in Karachi, Pakistan.

The need for a charismatic and dedicated leader in fact, is one major reason the work of successful NGOs cannot always be copied in different environments.

Third, successful NGOs encourage the participation of the beneficiaries of their work by emphasizing self-reliance and self-help. For example, the Bunyad female literacy project in Pakistan requires villagers to provide not only the school building but to participate in the selection of teachers as well. Such participation creates a sense of ownership and increases the chances for success.

Fourth, such NGOs understand that the poor are in need of equal access to opportunities to get out of poverty. They focus on honing the abilities of the poor, not trying to get government grants or subsidies for them. In other words, they try to teach the poor how to fish instead of catching the fish for them.

Fifth, NGOs that work understand the crucial role that women play in development and work hard to include them. They understand that women are able to work very well in a cooperative environment and are ready and willing to assume the greater responsibility for community development.

Sixth, projects implemented by successful groups have a low unit cost compared to government projects. The Orangi Pilot Project in Pakistan is a good example. The OPP showed Karachi slum dwellers that good sanitation facilities do not have to be expensive. Rather, the price tag could be significantly reduced by making adjustments like simplifying designs, changing building methods, getting rid of kickbacks and profiteering, giving technical support to lane managers and helping them to work without contractors.

By using these methods, the unit cost of sanitary latrines and manholes decreased to one-fourth of the conventional cost. This convinced the slum dwellers that rather than waiting for the government to step in to help them, they should make the small investment into this project themselves.

Finally, successful NGOs mobilize beneficiaries and operate on the self-help principle. They are not overly dependent on foreign donor support or financial help from their own governments. They understand that unless projects are supported by the efforts of the local community, any project will be doomed.

Date/Time Last Modified: 6/18/2002 8:06:38 AM

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