last updated September 1, 2003
Many NGOs provide needed services that the government is unable or unwilling to provide. USAID explains that in many countries in the CEE/FSU region, "local governments have started to rely on NGOs to provide some of the social services that they can no longer afford to provide themselves." Unfortunately, however, "this reliance rarely includes the provision of financial resources to assist NGOs in their efforts." From USAID, 2002 NGO Sustainability Index for Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia 7 (2002).
In certain circumstances, it may be useful for the NGO to seek government contacts or subsidies for services provided. This approach, of course, may complicate the organization's relationship with the government, subject the organization to certain pressures from the government, or affect public perception of the organization. A formalized relationship with the government may, in some cases, make it more difficult for an NGO to lobby for legislative reforms. Many NGOs do, however, successfully negotiate these issues and work cooperatively with the government.
Public-private cooperation also has important benefits. For example, NGOs can provide the government with information on local conditions and transmit local needs and desires to project staff in the project identification stage; consult with the government in project design; assist in obtaining additional financing for a project; serve as a contractor or technical expert in the project implementation phase; and provide independent analysis in the project monitoring and evaluation phase. From Olena P. Maslyukivska, Role of Nongovernmental Organizations in Development Cooperation (1999).
The ability of an organization to contract with the government may be determined, at least in part, by the legal environment. In Poland, the recently passed Law on Public Benefit Activity and Volunteerism governs the relationships between NGOs and local governments. | 