This document defines and describes non-governmental organizations (NGOs). It states that NGOs are independent citizen-based groups that are non-profit and operate separately from government control. The document outlines that NGOs can be categorized as operational or advocacy-focused and discusses their funding sources, benefits, limitations, roles, activities and strengths/weaknesses.

2. What is a Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO)?
• The idea of ​​non-governmental organizations
started since the era of Calipha Omar Bin Al-
Khattab, where he established the Islamic
Endowment. The idea of ​​the Endowment
secured funds from the able-bodied and made
a fund for ongoing charities benefiting
Muslims and non-Muslims as well.

3. • The term "non-governmental organization"
was first coined in 1945, when the United
Nations (UN) was created and there were
1083 NGOs.
• According to the UN any kind of private
organization that is independent from
government control can be termed as ‘NGO’.
• In some countries the term NGO is applied to
an organization that in another country would
be called as NPO (non profit organization).

4. • A non-governmental organization (NGO) :
is a non-profit, citizen-based group that
functions independently of government. NGOs,
sometimes called civil societies, are organized
on community, national and international levels
to serve specific social or political purposes, and
are cooperative, rather than commercial, in
nature.

5. Types of NGOs
Operational NGOs: which focus on development
projects.
• They have to mobilize resources, in the form of
financial donations, materials or volunteer labor,
in order to sustain their projects and programs

6. Advocacy NGOs: which are organized to promote
particular causes.
• It aims to draw public attention to an issue and
influence government policy either on behalf of, or
alongside, a particular community interest group.
• It can be approached through high level policy
dialogues, lobbying, or through grassroots and
community campaigning.
• The level of involvement of affected communities
differ with each organization.

7. Certain NGOs may fall under both
categories simultaneously.
• Therefore, despite their differences, both
operational and advocacy NGOs need to
engage in fund-raising, mobilization of work
by supporters, organizing special events,
cultivating the media and administering a
headquarters.

8. How NGOs are Funded?
As non-profits, NGOs rely on a variety of sources
for funding, including:
• membership dues
• private donations
• the sale of goods and services
• grants

9. Non-profit NGO benefits
• Non-profit.
• Independence.
• Achieve the public interest.
• It is established by individuals interested in
general humanitarian issues.

10. Advantages
• Can go places and undertake missions in areas where
governments can’t go
• More cost efficient than governments
• Strong grassroots links: A more “human” face
• Field-based development expertise
• The ability to innovate and adapt
• Participatory methodologies and tools: More community
involvement
• Long-term commitment and emphasis on sustainability
• Less pressure from change in politics
• Small scale projects
• Can be individually tailored to meet specific community needs
• Higher “success” rate / Less bureaucratic

11. LIMITATIONS OF NGOS
• limited financial and management expertise
• limited institutional capacity
• low levels of self-sustainability
• isolation/lack of inter-organizational communication
and/or coordination
• small scale interventions
• lack of understanding of the broader social or economic
context
• Possible lack of legitimacy
• Difficult to regulate
• Can lack transparency and accountability

12. The role of NGOs
Although NGOs are not subject to a specific government,
there are international NGOs that can have interference in
international issues. Examples of these organizations are
so-called international solidarity organizations, where
these organizations are characterized by moral and
humanitarian policies so that they try to Influencing some
countries to act within ethical controls, and the role of such
organizations in war situations on a specific country is
prominent, and despite this, the role of NGOs in this field is
still not effective in the required manner due to the
policies of some great countries that may not be prepared
for Such organizations.

13. Range of NGO Activities
In the case of Iran, NGOs can have an active
role in the following areas:
 Community Health Promotion and Education:
o General Hygiene
o Waste Disposal
o Water Usage
o Vaccinations

14. Emerging health crises:
o Hepatitis B education
o Drug Addiction recovery
Community Social Problems :
o Runaway girls
o Street Children
Development:
o School construction
o Infrastructure construction

16. Strength and weaknesses associated
with the NGO sector
Weaknesses:
• Lack of Experienced Manpower
• Limited financial assistance
• Focus on short range objectives
• Political influence
• Legal obligations
• High rate of growth in number of NGOs
• High corruption rate

17. Strengths
• Strong link with grassroots
• Empirical expertise
• Innovative ability
• Democratic work culture
• Cost effectiveness
• Long term Commitment