1. - Module 3 (c): Local Environmental Policy - NGOs/NPOs and Local Environmental Policy

2. Governments Business and Industry NGOs and Communities Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Class Matrix Today

3. Types of NGOs Individual NGOs vary enormously according to their purpose, philosophy, sector expertise and scope of activities Some are also affiliated with world bodes or companies E.g. World Bank, UN NGOs can be classified by whether; – they are more relief or development-oriented – they are religious or secular – they stress service delivery or participation – they are more public or private-oriented

4. Impact of the NGO sector It is now estimated that over 15 percent of total overseas development aid is channelled through NGOs (World Bank) Total NGO numbers are hard to pin down for good reason; Current estimates put the number of NGOs around; – 6,000 and 30,000 national NGOs in developing countries – 29,000 approximate international NGOs – Community based organizations across the developing and developed world that number in the hundreds of thousands (World Bank, Economist)

5. Trends in the NGO sector Over the past several decades, NGOs have become major players in the field of international development Since the mid-1970s, the NGO sector in both developed and developing countries has experienced exponential growth According to the World Bank, from 1970 to 1985 total development aid disbursed by international NGOs increased ten-fold This trend peaked in 1992 with $7.6 billion dollars being distributed by NGOs to developing countries

6. Reasons for NGO growth NGO growth has resulted primarily from Governments increasingly using them to dispense their aid Not a matter of charity, but privatization (e.g. Between 1990-1994 the EU’s relief aid channelled through NGOs rose from 47% to 67%) Governments have realized that NGOs provide a number of advantages that government sponsored programs don’t have

7. Advantages Can go places and undertake missions in areas where governments can’t go More cost efficient than governments Strong grassroots links Field-based development expertise The ability to innovate and adapt Participatory methodologies and tools Long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability

8. Limitations of NGOs limited financial and management expertise limited institutional capacity low levels of self-sustainability isolation/lack of inter-organizational communication and/or coordination small scale interventions lack of understanding of the broader social or economic context

9. Why are NGOs/NPOs important? Why are NGOs/NPOs important at the local level? They are the ‘third’ sector after (1) local governments and (2) business and industry They do what local governments cannot do … They are a means of collecting local knowledge and experiences They can mobilize people to care for the environment

10. Arguments made for NGOs by their supporters: – flexibility – cost-effectiveness – closeness to the ground – ability to innovate Arguments against NGOsby their critics: – small scale of impacts – malleability to other interests – lack of accountability – low level of professionalis Why are NGOs/NPOs important?

11. The recent high profile of NGOs in development during the past two decades – donor frustrations with prevailing models of government to government development assistance – broader ascendancy of neo-liberal policy orthodoxies requiring flexible governance – citizen action against authoritarian regimes in Latin America and Eastern Europe Far longer existence of NGOs which goes back two centuries or more, with continuities and change across national, regional and international contexts Why are NGOs/NPOs important?

12. Increased interest in NGOs is an outcome of changing ideological and political ideas abou tthe role of the state and the market Analysis of NGOs needs linking to to broader policy ideas about ‘good governance’ - i.e. a virtuous triangle of state, market and ‘third sector’ Why are NGOs/NPOs important?

13. What do NGOs/NPOs do at the local level? They work on three main actions/issues Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3

14. Education and Awareness NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 Education and awareness is the most important category of activities of NGOs/NPOs. This is needed for understanding and taking action, for example, on an environmental problem.

15. Use information from local governments and universities Deliver to Citizens groups and individuals Education and Awareness NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 NGO/ NPO in out

16. Education and Awareness NGOs at the Local Level: Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 1 1 Example: The environmental NGO, “CASA” (Citizens' Alliance for Saving the Atmosphere and the Earth) has worked with a range of Japanese and overseas NGOs to raise awareness on the impact of climate change, and implement a public education programme on CO2 emissions etc. http://www.netplus.ne.jp/~casa/index2.html

17. Education and Awareness NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 2 2 Research and assessment activities help NGOs/NPOs to develop an accurate picture of the current state of the environment, and provide correct information for action to all local stakeholders.

18. Use information from research institutions and local govt.s Deliver to businesses/industry citizens groups NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment 2 2 NGO/ NPO Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 in out

19. NGOs at the Local Level: Research and Assessment 2 2 Example: Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 The environmental NGO, “JfS” (Japan for Sustainability) does extensive research and collects information on sustainability activities in Japan and distributes it to users all over the world. http://www.japanfs.org/index_j.html

20. Education and Awareness NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 3 3 Practice and action is where NGOs/NPOs can demonstrate their knowledge and strengths in managing the local environment. Much of this is done through partnership and collaboration with other local stakeholders.

21. Use information from local governments and businesses Deliver to all local stakeholders in out NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action 3 3 NGO/ NPO Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3

22. NGOs at the Local Level: Practice and Action 3 3 Example: Education and Awareness Research and Assessment Practice and Action 1 1 2 2 3 3 SHAPLA NEER (Citizens' Committee in Japan for Overseas Support) has directly cooperated with 12,000 households in Bangladesh, Nepal, and other Asian countries. Its projects have included health, education, job training, microfinance, forestry etc. http://www.shaplaneer.org/

23. Website for info on NGOs world-wide Have a look at the NGO Café!! There are a number of resources on NGOs world-wide. http://www.gdrc.org/ngo/

24. Governments Business and Industry NGOs and Communities Module 1: Global Environmental Policy Module 2: National Environmental Policy Module 3: Local Environmental Policy Seminar Matrix