Strategies of Development-oriented NGOs: Four Generations

Generation

First

Second

Third

Fourth

Relief and Welfare

Community Development

Sustainable systems development

People’s Movements

Problem definition

shortage

local inertia

institutional and policy constraints

inadequate mobilising vision

Time frame

immediate

project life

10 to 20 years

indefinite future

Scope

individual or family

neighbourhood or village

region or nation

national or global

Chief actors

NGO

NGO + community

all relevant public and private institutions

loosely defined networks of people and organisations

NGO Role

doer

mobilizer

catalyst

activist/educator

Management orientation

logistics management

project management

strategic management

coalescing and energising self-managing networks

Development education

starving children

community self-help

constraining policies and institutions

spaceship earth