What is an NGO

A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens group which is organized on a local, national or international level.

Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies, and encourage political participation through provision of information. Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health.

NGOs are referred in many ways. NPOs or Not for profit VOs or Voluntary Organisations CSOs or Civil Society Organisations CBOs or Community Based Organisations Charitable Organisations Third Sector Organisations (The other two sectors are state and the market)

Typical Forms of NGOs Advocacy - These NGOs basically work on advocacy or campaigning on issues or causes. As a focus, they do not implement programmes. Consultancy / Research Organisations - These NGOs work on Social and Developmental Research & Consultancy Training / Capacity Building Organisations - In the NGO Sector, training is usually called as Capacity Building. Some NGOs only work on Capacity Building of the other NGOs Mother NGOs - These NGOs are recipients as well as givers Self Help Groups - They are not typically termed as NGOs. These are formed by beneficiary communities.