 | NGO Guidelines for Good Policy and Practice (Commonwealth Foundation) |
 |  | (introduction...) |
|  | Part I: NGOs: what they are and what they do |
| | 1. The rationale and purpose of this report |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 1.1 The origins and scope of this report |
| | 1.2 An overview of the report |
| | 1.3 The purpose of this report |
| | 1.4 The importance of NGOs |
| | 1.5 The global dimension |
| | 1.6 The local dimension |
| | 1.7 NGOs, government and civil society |
| | 2. The historical context |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 2.1 Care and welfare |
| | 2.2 Change and development |
| | 2.3 The historical evolution of NGO/government relationships |
| | 2.4 Welfare pluralism |
| | 2.5 The emergence of alternatives |
| | 2.6 New concerns |
| | 3. NGOs defined |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 3.1 Diverse current ways of defining NGOs |
| | 3.2 Defining ''NGO'' for the purposes of this report. |
| | 3.3 Is ''NGO'' the right term? |
| | 4. NGO activities described |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 4.1 The spectrum of NGO activities |
| | 4.2 Who and what |
| | 4.3 How |
| | 4.4 The diversity of NGO activities |
| | 5. A typology of NGOs |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 5.1 Why a typology is needed |
| | 5.2 Component 1: A descriptive typology |
| | 5.3 Organisational terms |
| | 5.4 Main forms of control |
| | 5.5 Location between government and civil society |
| | 5.6 Level of operation |
| | 5.7 Legal forms |
| | 5.8 Links with parent and subsidiary bodies |
| | 5.9 Links between NGOs |
| | 5.10 Component 2: An organisational typology |
| | 5.11 Organisations in civil society which engage in NGO-type activities |
| | 5.12 Fraudulent NGOs |
| | 6. The governance and operation of NGOs |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 6.1 The accountability of NGOs |
| | 6.2 Improving NGO governance and operations |
| | 6.3 Management |
| | 6.4 Human resource development (HRD) and training |
| | 6.5 Reviewing, monitoring and evaluating |
| | 6.6 Information |
| | 6.7 Networking and alliance-building |
| | 7. The legal and institutional frameworks within which NGOs operate |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 7.1 Freedom to associate |
| | 7.2 The political dimension |
| | 7.3 The law |
| | 7.4 Regulation |
| | 7.5 Collective, external and self-regulation |
| | 8. The framework of relationships within which NGOs operate |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 8.1 A complex pattern of relationships |
| | 8.2 Relationships with government: key issues |
| | 8.3 Relationships with government: ways forward |
| | 8.4 Relationships with funders: key issues |
| | 8.5 Relationships with funders: ways forward |
| | 8.6 Other strategies to strengthen relationships |
| | 9. The international dimension |
| | (introduction...) |
| | 9.1 Forms of international linkage |
| | 9.2 Funding links |
| | 9.3 Operational links |
| | 9.4 Partnerships |
| | 10. Conclusion and introduction to the guidelines |
| | Part II: Guidelines for Good Policy and Practice |
| | 11. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of Governments |
| | 12. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of NGOs |
| | 13. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of funders |
| | 14. Guidelines for good policy and practice on the part of ''North'' and international agencies |
| | 15. Implementing the guidelines: A plan of action |
| | Part III: References |
| | Annex 1: The process of research and consultation |
| | Annex 2: List of those submitting information, consulted, or responding |
| | Annexes |
| | Annex 1: The process of research and consultation |
| | Annex 2: List of those submitting information, consulted or responding |
6.6 Information
The quality and extent of information made available by or about NGOs varies from country to country. Legal requirements (discussed in the following chapter) commonly mean that while NGOs must produce and make available certain information about their work, such requirements are frequently minimal. Indeed sometimes NGOs are only required by law to supply financial information to the relevant regulatory authorities. As the provision of information requires resources which many NGOs do not have, there is often a dearth of information about NGOs and their work. In turn this can lead to:
NGOs being accused of consciously being secretive about their work;
NGOs unconsciously not providing or recognising the value of publishing information about their work.
Neither is healthy and many NGOs are recognising this. But, as with other aspects of improving NGO operations this is an area where NGOs need the support and understanding of others: as noted, information requires resources. In turn this needs a recognition on the part of funders that information, like training, monitoring and evaluating, is a necessity and not a luxury.
Like other aspects of NGO improvement discussed here, additional resources expended will in the long run increase the cost-effectiveness of what is done. It is a mistake to see them as simply additional, unnecessary expenditure which brings no return. NGO Directories are a practical way of informing the public, NGOs, government ministries and agencies and funders about the work of NGOs. Depending on the size of the country, and the range and scope of NGOs, they can be produced on a country-wide or more local or sectoral basis. Solomon Islands has an excellent directory produced by a network NGO. It provides much more than names and addresses (as tends to be the rule). It sets out a summary of the objectives and work of each NGO and is updated from time to time.
Shortage of resources, as noted, is one reason why information about NGOs, whether individually or in directories, tends on the whole to be scarce. But another impediment is the lack of an agreed basis on which to present information, including that required for regulatory purposes. It is hoped that the definition and typologies contained in this report might form such a basis.
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