12.2 Characteristics of NGOs
NGOs exhibit some specific characteristics including:
a.
The majority of NGOs are small and
horizontally structured with short lines of communication and are therefore
capable of responding flexibly and rapidly to clients' needs and to changing
circumstances. NGOs often maintain a field presence in remote locations, where
there is few government facilities. However, because NGOs' projects are small in
size that they rarely address the structural problems. Small size,
independence, and differences in philosophy also limit learning from each
other's experience and the creation of effective forums, at national and
international level.
b. They
have pioneered a wide range of participatory methods for diagnosis and
introduced approaches for testing new technology and incorporate local
knowledge systems. However, NGOs have limited capacities for agricultural
technology development and dissemination.
c. Most
NGOs are more accountable to external funding agencies than to the clientele
they claim to serve.
These
previously listed characteristics have several implications for extension
services which aim to develop closer links with NGOs in that Government
organizations at different levels have
to bring an open agenda into the partnership of GO and NGOs.
Licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution Share Alike 3.0 License
This Learning Resource was Created by the Regional MSc AICM Program at the Haramaya University RDAE Department with Support of AgShare Project.