Role of Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) in Policy Making in Nepal

Abstract

Non-Governmental Organizations, Community Based Organizations and Civil Society Organizations convey similar meanings. Primarily NGOs and CBOs help for the development and operation of infrastructure through various development activities such as in land development, and so on. In communications, NGOs are fast and efficient. They translate the people’s concern and provide the service to the local communities with the involvement of locals. The present thesis is prepared with secondary and primary data through purposive sampling method of data collection from the pre-determined respondents. Out of 49000 NGOs here short listed major NGOs are focused for the study and paper is based on that with the views of executives and NGOs experts. Almost all the NGOs in Nepal are funded by INGOs and they are not working with local resources so regulation of their activities by new laws and or by amendments is required. NGOs are playing role in all the fields with no effective monitoring and evaluation mechanism in assessing intervention activities. Mainly NGOs in central level also work in policy issues as well. Policy intervention or role in the policy making issues, NGOs are work differently in setting agenda, lobbying, networking , mass communication, pressure built-up, policy advocacy and campaigning. They are mainly based on mandates influenced by their funding agencies. The NGOs contribution in policy making process should be only a participatory and supporting but influences from funding INGOs is critical context of influences exerted in the policy framework through NGOs in Nepali context. After the change in political regime in 1991, NGOs increased significantly and their activities widened and influences as well. Policy and influence by the NGOs requires balanced understanding of need of the country rather than advocacy of development partner’s donor agenda to maintain ethical and fair to the state. NGOs should be clearly defined by assessing their overall activities, nature, and necessity. From the registration their activities should be monitored consistently in line with government policy and national priority. The need of coordinating body and mechanism with new laws or amendment in existing law is required for regulating activities for effective outcomes and averts contentions.