DORBEN PRIVATE POLYTECHNIC BWARI, ABUJA

BY:
PHILIP AKEEM

REG NO:
2025/ND/PAD/FT/002

COURSE:
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

SUMMITED TO
MR. VICTOR
Abstract

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) are progressively recognized or promoted as

alternative health care, community development, social justice, education, and several
other goals but are hampered by government inefficiency and resource constraints.
However, the statement of NGOs is more complex, not only the differences between
government, NGOs may also suffer from lack of resources and management inefficiency,
like those provided by the government. The objective of this paper is to find out the role
and the impact made by NGOs in community development and to identify challenges faced
by NGOs in community development. In this study, a large amount of literature from
journal articles, reports and even organizational websites were studied to gather the data.
To get an overview of NGOs in more detail, data on the number of NGOs in Malaysia is
also presented in this article. It aims to see how vigorously these NGOs are growing, but
its direction is still unclear. Thus, this article suggests some recommendations for the
purpose of developing existing NGOs in a more beneficial direction to the community.

Keywords

Non-governmental organizations; NGOs; Community development; Programme

development; Training.
Introduction

In the last two decades of the 20th century, NGOs were found to begin to play a role in the
political arena in most countries, although in the early stages of its existence, these bodies
functioned more in the social welfare arena. Almost simultaneously, the interest of
academics in NGOs is increasing as well. Between 1987 to 1997, there were various
empirical studies on NGOs with government, democratization, the formation of civil
society and NGOs in the global system being the main focus of the study. At the same time,
various complex societal issues such as consumerism, women, the environment and human
rights have started to be revealed and highlighted by governments and communities in most
countries (Abdul Rahman, 2000).

There are generally four main features of NGOs which are voluntary, non-partisan, non-
profit and non-criminal. According to Salamon and Anheier (1996), seven main features
were used to describe NGOs and differentiate them from others. The seven features are:

1. Formal (officially registered and having organizational rules);

2. Private (having separate organization from the government);
3. Non-profit distributing (different from the objectives of establishing a business
organization.
4. Self-governing (privately managed);
5. Voluntary (worked voluntarily);
6. Non-religious (not motivated by preaching);
7. Non-political (not involved in promoting candidates in elections). These features
are very useful to identify and differentiate between NGOs and other organizations.

According to Willets (2002), NGOs are divided into two general categories, namely
Operational and Campaigning.

Operational NGOs: refer to organizations whose main activity is to carry out development
projects for target groups such as the poor, the disabled, the elderly and the oppressed.
Meanwhile,

Campaigning NGOs: refer to organizations whose main activities are to influence the
policy-making process in a country. It can be understood that to move its activities,
operational NGOs need resources in the form of financial funding, equipment or volunteer
workers to carry out projects and programmes organized by them. Compared to operational
NGOs, campaigning NGOs require more intangible resources to mobilize the activities
they manage, such as the contribution of ideas, experience, expertise and time from other
members and individuals. Thus, NGOs define as development performers that can
contribute to the enhancement of social relations and cross-networks that can be the basis
for collective action and increase democratic participation levels.
Community development can provide opportunities for local communities to enhance the
socio-economic situation and use available resources in a better way (Akinyemi & Abiddin,
2013ab). In pre-industrial time, community development shifted to resource mobilization.
Workforce expansion and self-defense became community development focus during this
time, and this was achieved with the mobilization of resources. The social well-being of
the people is the main agenda of the development of society as community development
has observed an extreme change of focus in this modern age. Moreover, community
development is the voluntary participation of people in an organized process to bring about
desired improvement, especially on education, health, recreation and housing for
community. Additionally, community development is an activity at the community level
which is an organized movement to improve the living standards of society as a social,
economic and with minimum external assistance (Pawar, 2014).

Khalid (2013) mentioned that NGOs have high honors in organizing local communities at
the ordinary level so that they can be seen as reinforcement social capital, a role that can
counterpart service delivery. However, local communities should be involved in all
development plans. Observations have shown how NGOs are very effective in developing
communities and people are willing to join these organisations because of its benefits.
NGOs have a few projects, programmes and roles that help people carry development to
the community. Therefore, this article examines the role and impact made by NGOs in
community development, the challenges faced by NGOs in community development and
the direction for improvement by NGOs in community development.
Literature Review

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

The term NGOs states to approximately all organizations created outside governmental
bodies, except for political parties and private organizations. The organization must be
voluntary and carry out activities legally following the laws in force in a country. NGOs
are competently run organizations that aim to contribute to the human suffering reduction
and poor countries development (Streeten, 1997) through variety techniques including
funding projects, helping provide services and building capacity (Baccaro, 2001).

Stromquist (2002) identifies three main functions for NGOs, such as providing services,
providing educational services and defending public policy. Baccaro (2001) shows how
certain NGOs can promote the organization and empowerment of the poor, especially
women, through training for group members and awareness raising and other social
services. According to Zimmerman and Rappaport (1988), empowerment is the ability of
an individual to gain control socially, politically, economically and psychologically
through access to information, knowledge and skills, making decisions and individual self-
efficacy, community participation, and perceived control.

Over the long period, NGOs seek to promote sustainable community development through
activities that promote capacity building and empowerment. Langran (2002) described
capacity building as enabling NGOs to support community development. NGOs are often
created to increase people's capabilities. NGOs are also commended for promoting
community autonomy and empowerment through support to community groups and
through participatory processes (Korten, 1990).

The Concept of Community Development

A community is a known social unit, such as a group or association of people who have
similar needs, interests, functions and values. Whereas community development is a
process where community members are supported by agencies to identify and take
collective action on issues which are important to them. Community development
empowers community members and creates stronger and more connected communities
(Kenny, 2007). Community development has become one of the most important social
forces in the planned and effective change process (Abiddin et al., 2021).

United Nation (1956) explains that community development is a process in which the
people effort themselves unite with government authorities to improve the economic, social
and cultural conditions of the whole society, to enable them to contribute fully to national
progress and to integrate these communities into national life. Jones (1982) proposed the
concept of community development which include community participation, community
empowerment and community capacity. Hence, there are two main aspects of community
development process. First, participation by the people themselves in the effort to improve
their average of living as much as possible with reliance on their own initiative. Secondly,
providing technical and social services in a way that promotes initiative, self-help and
mutual understanding (Kenny, 1946).

According to Pearce (2000), a community development method should include three

critical components which are united empowerment, united leadership and driving
revolution through discourse. Community development model in rural and urban regions
should be involved in all process stages, including need assessment, planning, and
implementation. In this context, the community development process can be used for a
variety of reasons such as (1) to improve health; (2) to improve education; (3) to improve
recreation and housing; (4) to grow community leaders; (5) to motivate community to
organize community-based plans to unravel their problems; (6) to strengthen local
communities’ capacities to spot their incomes and interests; (7) to figure a clear support
among community; and (8) to enhance operative community groups and organisations.

The Relationship between NGOs and Community Development

It can be concluded that NGOs play an important role in encouraging sustainable

community development which emphasizes a balance between environmental problems
and development purposes, and at the same time enhances local social relations.
Sustainable communities meet the economic needs of their people, enhance and protect the
environment, and encourage more humanitarian communities.

According to William (1991), the following six can be identified as important roles of
NGOs towards community development:

1. Development and operation of infrastructure;

2. Supporting innovation, demonstration and pilot projects;
3. Facilitating communication (NGOs can facilitate communication upward from
people to the government and downward from the government to the people);
4. Technical assistance and training;
5. Research, monitoring and evaluation; and
6. Advocacy for and with the poor (NGOs play roles from advocates for the poor to
implementers of government programmes).
7. The functions of NGOs in community development are helping communities
develop social, capital and human resources, improving knowledge and skills,
encouraging people to participate in activities, and acting as a link between
communities and systems. These activities participation will cause them to become
stronger, which is the result of community development (Abiddin, 2013). In long
term, the result is sustainable community development (Nikkah & Redzuan, 2017).
Economic Empowerment
1. Job Creation: Political programs can create employment opportunities through
infrastructure development, entrepreneurship support, and social services.
2. Poverty Reduction: Initiatives like cash transfers, subsidies, and social welfare
programs can help reduce poverty and inequality.
3. Infrastructure Development: Investments in roads, bridges, and public
transportation can improve access to markets, services, and opportunities.

Social Development
1. Education: Political programs can improve access to quality education, vocational
training, and skills development.
2. Healthcare: Initiatives like healthcare insurance, medical facilities, and health
education can enhance community well-being.
3. Social Services: Programs supporting vulnerable groups like women, children, and
the elderly can promote social justice and cohesion.

Environmental Sustainability
1. Conservation: Political programs can promote environmental conservation through
protected areas, sustainable resource management, and eco-tourism.
2. Climate Change Mitigation: Initiatives like renewable energy, energy efficiency,
and green infrastructure can reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainability.
3. Waste Management: Programs improving waste collection, recycling, and disposal
can enhance community health and environmental quality.

Governance and Participation

1. Decentralization: Political programs can promote decentralization, empowering
local governments and communities to make decisions and manage resources.
2. Citizen Engagement: Initiatives like participatory budgeting, town hall meetings,
and citizen juries can foster transparency, accountability, and community
participation.
3. Human Rights: Programs promoting human rights, gender equality, and social
justice can enhance community well-being and social cohesion.
Challenges and Recommendations
1. Limited Resources: Insufficient funding, inadequate infrastructure, and scarcity of
skilled personnel can hinder program effectiveness.
2. Lack of Community Engagement: Insufficient participation and ownership by
community members can reduce program impact and sustainability.
3. Ineffective Monitoring and Evaluation: Poor tracking of program progress and
impact can hinder accountability and improvement.

Recommendations:
1. Increase Funding: Allocate sufficient resources to support program implementation
and sustainability.
2. Enhance Community Engagement: Foster participatory approaches to ensure
community ownership and involvement.
3. Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation: Establish effective tracking and assessment
mechanisms to measure program impact.
REFERENCE