Non-governmental organizations – everything you need to know DevelopmentAid

The term, non-governmental organization, was first mentioned in the United Nations Charter in 1945. Since then, numerous NGOs with a wide range of operational scope, focus, and orientation have been created around the world. Today, their number is estimated to be around 12 million with the NGO ADVISOR’s 2021 ranking highlighting BRAC International as the world’s largest NGO.

What are NGOs?

Non-governmental organizations or civil society organizations represent non-profit entities that often operate on a voluntary basis, are independent of any governmental influence, and are formed to provide specific services or to advocate on public policies. The term, non-governmental organization, was first mentioned in the United Nations Charter in 1945 which stated that the UN may choose to consult with NGOs on matters of common interest and competence. Since then, non-profit groups have significantly evolved incorporating various juridical forms and focusing on a wide range of activities such as environmental, social, disaster relief, humanitarian, or human rights work. It must be mentioned that despite the declared independence from governments, some NGOs rely on funding provided by governments.

Types of NGOs

Non-governmental organizations can be differentiated based on numerous factors such as the level of operations, scope, focus, and orientation. Here are some of the most popular types of NGOs:

Based on the level of operations

International NGOs (INGOs) are large organizations that operate at the global level and usually focus on major goals such as the alleviation of global poverty (e.g., CARE international, OXFAM)
National NGOs include organizations working on projects rolled out at the national level (e.g., SARCS – South African Red Cross Society)
Community-based organizations (CBOs) are grassroots initiatives formed at community levels that aim to address the problems that affect specific districts (e.g., local religious, youth NGOs).

Based on operational focus

Environmental NGOs work on environmental preservation and rehabilitation measures (e.g., Greenpeace)
Human rights NGOs are organizations that aim to advance human rights through the use of legal systems (e.g., Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch)
Humanitarian NGOs facilitate the efficient distribution of humanitarian aid towards those people in need (e.g., Action Against Hunger)
Emergency relief/disaster management NGOs are civil society organizations that develop, promote, and incorporate disaster reduction policies at national and local levels. (e.g., Islamic Relief Worldwide, Global Network of Civil Society Organizations for Disaster Reduction)
Education/Youth NGOs develop, adopt and promote child and youth-centered policies that advance education, empower civil participation, or combat poverty (e.g., Plan International, Netherlands Organization for Internationalization in Education)

* Modern NGOs focus their operations on a myriad of sectors and socio-economic issues. Only a few examples of operational focus are shown above.

Based on the operational orientation

Charitable NGOs are non-profit entities that have philanthropy and social well-being as their primary objectives. Such organizations receive funding through donations, sponsorships, or membership contributions (e.g., Doctors Without Borders)
Participatory NGOs are community-based entities that develop self-help projects and invite residents to contribute through all stages of a project’s cycle
Service NGOs represent organizations that provide a specific set of services such as health, education, business development, or youth services. In general, such resources are offered free or at lower costs and involve voluntary participation from both sides
Empowering NGOs aim to assist those in need to improve their lives, health, or careers. Such organizations are often formed around a problem or an issue (e.g., homelessness, unemployment) with the intention of improving the situation

Non-governmental organizations have different streams of funding that range from donations to sponsorships. International donors, such as the EU or USAID, offer many options of non-refundable funding opportunities (e.g., grants) to NGOs to promote or implement specific tasks.

The largest NGOs in the World

Various factors can be used to compare civil society organizations such as their size (e.g., number of employees), yearly budget, or global reach. The NGO ADVISOR, a Geneva-based information service provider, compiles yearly rankings that feature the top 200 largest and most impactful NGOs. The 2021 ranking highlights BRAC International as the world’s top NGO and it is the largest non-governmental development organization in the world in terms of the number of employees (>107,000), followed by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) or Doctors without Borders with over 45,000 employees and Save The Children with 11,800 personnel.

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Non-governmental organizations – everything you need to know

What are NGOs?

Types of NGOs

The largest NGOs in the World