In general, the working relationships between selected NGOs/RPOs and the government have been limited to contracting and sub-contracting arrangements in the implementation of certain national programs. No co-equal partnership arrangement exists between the government and the NGOs/RPOs.
The government (GO) must be open to criticism and recognize the important role of NGOs/RPOs in the mainstream of development. It must make good its policies towards NGOs/RPOs and recognize them as equal partners in development.
On the other hand, the efforts of the NGOs/RPOs to dialogue with the government must be sustained and intensified. NGOs and RPOs must maintain a modest profile in order not to threaten GO in their perceptions. Below are some recommended strategies for NGOs and RPOs to gain greater political space:
1. The NGOs must identify strategic areas where they have comparative advantage over government organizations, namely:
a) PROXIMITY. NGO can work closely among the poor with intimate knowledge of local situations. Thus, they can be in a better position to deeply understand local realities and can easily adopt the lifestyle of the rural poor and speak their own local dialect;
b) TRUST/CREDIBILITY. Because NGOs are good integrators, they can be easily accepted by the local communities;
c) FLEXIBILITY. NGOs are more flexible in their approaches and are able to adopt to varying local environments due to their relative small size. They have little bureaucracy, having minimal gaps between planning and implementation, and this allows them to experiment with different alternative development models;
d) COMMITMENT. NGOs have dedicated and committed staff able to mobilize a vast reservoir of talents and experienced volunteers rendering needed services out of their sense of dedication rather than for personal gain;
e) ABILITY TO STIMULATE A SENSE OF GENUINE SELF-RELIANCE. NGOs are good organizers, trainors and facilitators. They are more capable of organizing the rural poor, provide continuous education and training (both formal and non-formal) and facilitate RPO-level meetings and conferences for effective mass mobilizations and for issue advocacy; and,
f) RESPONSIVENESS. NGOs are good in research and documentation. Their presence at the grassroots gives them an advantage to closely monitor and document the experiences of the people. They can easily respond and develop appropriate and relevant programs/projects based on the needs of the people.
2. NGOs can work in areas where the government organizations can't reach. The NGOs are well known for its "niche" type approach of organizing small pockets of villages where the presence of the government organizations are not strongly felt.
3. NGOs can respond to local initiatives as alternative institutional channels. The NGOs can bridge the gap between the people and the government through linkaging and networking activities with the different sectors of society. They are in a strategic position to tap different resources - financial, human and technical for the benefit of the poor.
4. NGOs can selectively collaborate with the government- assuming a modest profile i.e., "behind the scene". This also includes sub-contracting with the government for the implementation of small projects in rural areas e.g., credit intermediaries, irrigation schemes, training of agricultural workers and government personnel, feasibility studies, etc.
5. NGOs and RPOs can engage in direct and indirect policy advocacy. The NGOs can employ two tactics, directly and indirectly:
a) Direct tactics. NGOs can advocate policies publicly thru print, broadcast and media and through holding of press conferences and symposia towards greater political space for the NGOs and RPOs.
On the other hand, the RPOs can assist in the advocacy through petitions, letter-writing, publicity campaigns, and lobbying.
Among the recommended issues that can be discussed are the following: (1) Greater NGO/RPO participation in government's project/program design & implementation; (2) flexible administrative arrangements and funding approaches; (3) maintaining NGOs' autonomy and self-identity, and (4) GO-NGO/RPO cooperation to avoid the "charity" or "dole-out" approach which promotes dependency; and (5) other development issues and concerns related to agrarian reform, sustainable agriculture and rural development.
b) Indirect tactics. NGOs and RPOs can cultivate allies and friends who will advocate in favor of a more favorable environment for the NGOs within the government bureaucracy.
The following are some possible areas for NGOs in Bangladesh, with the assistance of FAO and ANGOC, to promote GO- NGO/RPO greater in Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development:
1. FAO and ANGOC are in a strategic position to open channels of communication between certain sectors in government and NGOs/RPOs in Bangladesh towards genuine dialogue and greater collaboration. There are several international agreements and mandates which could provide the basic foundation and principles for such dialogue. This includes agreements at WCARRD, UNICED, ICN, SARD and the Plan of Action on People's Participation.
Among possible issues that can be starting points for discussions, are: (a) NGO/RPO initiatives in Sustainable Agriculture (i.e., their experiments and other field experiences related to the promotion of Sustainable Agriculture and Rural Development); (b) NGO/RPO initiatives in Agrarian Reform (i.e., their roles not just as providers or implementors of programs, but as countervailing civil society institutions for basic structural change), among others.
2. Dialogue must be based on certain working principles, i.e.,
2.1. Government must recognize the full autonomy of the NGOs/RPOs in the implementation of their development projects and programs. Hence, it is suggested that government must review its present legislation, policies and procedures restricting the activities of the NGOs.
2.2. Government must recognize the NGOs/RPOs as a third sector and therefore, the relationship must be one of co-equal partnership. The government must welcome the active participation of the NGOs/RPOs in all phases of its activities from planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.
2.3. Organization is a pre-requisite to effective people's participation and therefore, any effort that will lead to the promotion of people's participation must be fully recognized, protected and supported by the government. Hence, the government must recognize in clear terms the vital role which NGOs/RPOs have to play in organizing and mobilizing the people and communities towards sustainable agriculture and rural development. The government must be assured that the efforts of the NGOs and RPOs are not intended to take over its functions but rather, to complement its present developmental efforts.
3. FAO and ANGOC can jointly assist in networking and linkaging of activities of the NGOs/RPOs at the regional and international levels through information exchange, provision of development training curriculum and materials, organization of conventions and conferences in the promotion of sustainable agriculture and rural development.
4. FAO and ANGOC can open windows of opportunity to generate resources (financial, human and technical support) to help NGOs in developing countries in addressing problems related to poverty-alleviation, women, health and the environment. One possible approach to concretize this is to facilitate a dialogue among the Donor community, government and NGOs/RPOs in developing countries such as Bangladesh.
