Bangladesh Development Forum, 2004Bangladesh Development Forum, 2004

Enhancing Partnerships between Enhancing Partnerships between

Government and NGOs Government and NGOs

Sunday, 09 May, 2004Sunday, 09 May, 2004

Background Background

Over 75% people of Bangladesh live in the Over 75% people of Bangladesh live in the rural areas and depend on agriculture for rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihood, which is primarily based their livelihood, which is primarily based upon human labor and animal draught upon human labor and animal draught power. power.

Moderate increase in per capita growth in Moderate increase in per capita growth in recent years has not resulted in any major recent years has not resulted in any major impact on poverty alleviation because of impact on poverty alleviation because of highly uneven distribution of assets and highly uneven distribution of assets and economic opportunities. economic opportunities. B

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BackgroundBackground

The country heavily depends on foreign aid The country heavily depends on foreign aid and on remittances from workers abroad.and on remittances from workers abroad.

Foreign aid significantly contributing to the Foreign aid significantly contributing to the annual development budget. annual development budget.

The NGOs bring almost US$ 275 million into The NGOs bring almost US$ 275 million into the country every year from foreign the country every year from foreign donors.donors.

The funds used by the NGOs are intended The funds used by the NGOs are intended to empower the poor, specially the women. to empower the poor, specially the women. Backg

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Establishment of NGOABEstablishment of NGOAB

The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) was The NGO Affairs Bureau (NGOAB) was established in 1990 to better facilitate established in 1990 to better facilitate the NGO activities in Bangladesh and the NGO activities in Bangladesh and to monitor and evaluate the to monitor and evaluate the performance of the NGOs to ensure performance of the NGOs to ensure accountability and transparency. accountability and transparency. However, the main objective of this However, the main objective of this department is to provide one-stop-department is to provide one-stop-service to the NGOs. service to the NGOs.

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Classification of NGOsClassification of NGOs

NGOs in Bangladesh are classified NGOs in Bangladesh are classified into two groups: into two groups:

1. NGOs operating with locally generated 1. NGOs operating with locally generated fundsfunds

2. NGOs operating with foreign assistance 2. NGOs operating with foreign assistance in addition to local contributions/ in addition to local contributions/ subscriptions.subscriptions.

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Legal FrameworkLegal Framework

The NGOs in category “A” are generally The NGOs in category “A” are generally registered with the Department of Social registered with the Department of Social Welfare (DSW).Welfare (DSW).

The NGOs in category “B” are foreign The NGOs in category “B” are foreign assisted and in order to receive foreign assisted and in order to receive foreign donations they have to be registered with donations they have to be registered with the NGOAB.the NGOAB.

NGOs can also be registered under laws NGOs can also be registered under laws administered by the Registrar of the Joint administered by the Registrar of the Joint Stock Companies under the Ministry of Stock Companies under the Ministry of Commerce.Commerce.

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Roles of Government, Roles of Government, NGOs in Service NGOs in Service DeliveryDelivery The Government requires support of the The Government requires support of the

NGOs to maximize output through efficient NGOs to maximize output through efficient utilization of its limited resources. Moreover, utilization of its limited resources. Moreover, the NGOs have the ability to reach the the NGOs have the ability to reach the hardcore poor and deliver different services hardcore poor and deliver different services to them efficiently. to them efficiently.

On the other hand, the NGOs require On the other hand, the NGOs require cooperation of the Government. Without cooperation of the Government. Without cooperation from the Government it becomes cooperation from the Government it becomes impossible for them to implement the impossible for them to implement the project. project. R

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Participation in Policy Participation in Policy MakingMaking

NGOs also participate in the policy NGOs also participate in the policy making process of the government. making process of the government. They are involved in various task They are involved in various task forces, committees to assist forces, committees to assist government for different policy government for different policy measuresmeasures

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Mechanisms for channeling Mechanisms for channeling Government/Donor funds Government/Donor funds through NGOsthrough NGOs

NGOs spend quite a sizeable amount NGOs spend quite a sizeable amount every year under the development every year under the development budget of the GoB. budget of the GoB.

NGOs are involved with the NGOs are involved with the Government on sub-contracting in Government on sub-contracting in different sectors of development like different sectors of development like health, education, sanitation, woman health, education, sanitation, woman and child development and in priority and child development and in priority areas like livestock rearing, areas like livestock rearing, community fisheries etc. community fisheries etc. M

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Mechanisms for channeling Mechanisms for channeling Government/Donor funds Government/Donor funds through NGOsthrough NGOs According to the Asian Development According to the Asian Development

Bank report of 2002, NGOs are taking Bank report of 2002, NGOs are taking part in implementation of more than part in implementation of more than 50% of the projects supported by the 50% of the projects supported by the Bank. Bank.

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Sub-contracting of NGOsSub-contracting of NGOs

Concerned Ministry/Division selects Concerned Ministry/Division selects the NGOs with their own strategies. the NGOs with their own strategies.

Usually a bidding process is followed Usually a bidding process is followed to select the NGOs. to select the NGOs.

Taken under consideration for Taken under consideration for selection are legal status, manpower selection are legal status, manpower strength, past experience, previous strength, past experience, previous performance, capability etc. of the performance, capability etc. of the NGOs. NGOs.

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Governance of NGOs Governance of NGOs

Theoretically, NGOs should follow the Theoretically, NGOs should follow the relevant laws but they are mostly self-relevant laws but they are mostly self-governed. governed.

Internal management of the NGOs are Internal management of the NGOs are governed by a general council which governed by a general council which normally selects an executive normally selects an executive committee of 5 to 9 members. committee of 5 to 9 members.

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Governance of NGOs Governance of NGOs

The CEO of the organization is usually The CEO of the organization is usually the Member-Secretary of the executive the Member-Secretary of the executive committee. committee.

The tasks of the general council and The tasks of the general council and executive committee are not well executive committee are not well defined and usually the CEO holds full defined and usually the CEO holds full command. command.

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Governance of NGOs Governance of NGOs

There are no guidelines from the There are no guidelines from the Government for the NGOs to Government for the NGOs to follow to frame rules and follow to frame rules and regulations for their internal regulations for their internal administration.administration.

As a result, different NGOs follow As a result, different NGOs follow different policies regarding salary, different policies regarding salary, hiring, firing etc. hiring, firing etc. G

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Governance of NGOsGovernance of NGOs

The assets of the NGOs are not often well The assets of the NGOs are not often well accounted for.accounted for.

A lot of assets simply disappear when an A lot of assets simply disappear when an organization ceases to function or is organization ceases to function or is dissolved. dissolved.

The NGOAB has a list of around 150 The NGOAB has a list of around 150 accounting firms from which the NGOs accounting firms from which the NGOs choose to audit their accounts. choose to audit their accounts.

NGOAB also inspect the activities and NGOAB also inspect the activities and audit the accounts of the NGOs.audit the accounts of the NGOs.G

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Realism of proposed legislation & need Realism of proposed legislation & need for for progressive and flexible legal & progressive and flexible legal & regulatory Framework for NGOs regulatory Framework for NGOs

Just after the present Government took over Just after the present Government took over in the year 2001, certain priority areas for in the year 2001, certain priority areas for reforms were identified, which required reforms were identified, which required urgent and greater attention.urgent and greater attention.

In this regard, a number of Cabinet In this regard, a number of Cabinet Committees were constituted by the Committees were constituted by the Government to verify different legal and Government to verify different legal and policy aspects and to make policy aspects and to make recommendations for potential recommendations for potential improvements. improvements. R

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Realism of proposed legislation & Realism of proposed legislation & need for progressive and flexible need for progressive and flexible legal & regulatory Framework for legal & regulatory Framework for NGOsNGOs

At that time, the need was felt to At that time, the need was felt to review the existing regulatory review the existing regulatory arrangements in the NGO sector. arrangements in the NGO sector.

In this context, the Government In this context, the Government appointed a Cabinet Committee to appointed a Cabinet Committee to explore the existing laws and make explore the existing laws and make necessary recommendations. necessary recommendations.

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Realism of proposed legislation & Realism of proposed legislation & need for progressive and flexible need for progressive and flexible legal & regulatory Framework for legal & regulatory Framework for NGOsNGOs

The Cabinet Committee reviewed in details The Cabinet Committee reviewed in details the existing legal framework for operation of the existing legal framework for operation of NGO activities in Bangladesh.NGO activities in Bangladesh.

It also studied the mode of functioning of the It also studied the mode of functioning of the NGOs in the field level. NGOs in the field level.

This Committee also exchanged views with This Committee also exchanged views with the donors as well as the NGO the donors as well as the NGO representatives. representatives.

The donors were always kept informed about The donors were always kept informed about the outcome of the Cabinet Committee and the outcome of the Cabinet Committee and the follow-up actions. the follow-up actions.

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Realism of proposed legislation & Realism of proposed legislation & need for progressive and flexible need for progressive and flexible legal & regulatory Framework for legal & regulatory Framework for NGOsNGOs

This Cabinet Committee submitted its This Cabinet Committee submitted its report to the honorable Prime Minister report to the honorable Prime Minister in April, 2003. in April, 2003.

An implementation committee headed An implementation committee headed by the Principal Secretary to the Prime by the Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister was constituted to work out Minister was constituted to work out the recommendations of the Cabinet the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee. Committee.

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Realism of proposed legislation & Realism of proposed legislation & need for progressive and flexible need for progressive and flexible legal & regulatory Framework for legal & regulatory Framework for NGOsNGOs

Meantime, it was observed from press Meantime, it was observed from press reports that some NGOs and the donors reports that some NGOs and the donors have reservations on some of the have reservations on some of the provisions in the recommendations. They provisions in the recommendations. They were contacted and requested to give were contacted and requested to give their considered views again.their considered views again.

By this time they have given their By this time they have given their comments and these comments are comments and these comments are under consideration by the Government under consideration by the Government for further necessary action. for further necessary action.

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Platform for Platform for Coordination – The Coordination – The GNCC GNCC The Government-NGO consultative council The Government-NGO consultative council

(GNCC) was formed on 23-09-1996 with the (GNCC) was formed on 23-09-1996 with the Secretary to the Prime Minister in the Chair. Secretary to the Prime Minister in the Chair. Senior Government Officials from different Senior Government Officials from different Ministries/Divisions and representatives of the Ministries/Divisions and representatives of the NGOs are its members. NGOs are its members.

The main objective of the GNCC is to provide a The main objective of the GNCC is to provide a forum for open dialogue between the forum for open dialogue between the Government and the NGOs with a view Government and the NGOs with a view towards increasing mutual understanding and towards increasing mutual understanding and collaboration for poverty eradication and collaboration for poverty eradication and overall development of the country. overall development of the country.

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Platform for Platform for Coordination – The Coordination – The GNCCGNCC The functioning of GNCC started without any The functioning of GNCC started without any

concrete decision regarding funding of its concrete decision regarding funding of its management and program costs.management and program costs.

The GNCC has proved its worth as a useful The GNCC has proved its worth as a useful and effective tool for GO-NGO coordination.and effective tool for GO-NGO coordination.

However, the GNCC is now non-functional for However, the GNCC is now non-functional for certain reasons.certain reasons.

The Government is actively considering to The Government is actively considering to revitalize it.revitalize it.

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Institutional Institutional Strengthening of the Strengthening of the NGOAB NGOAB From the very beginning NGOAB is From the very beginning NGOAB is

working with very little manpower. It is working with very little manpower. It is very poorly equipped and the workload very poorly equipped and the workload has increased over the years. With the has increased over the years. With the existing manpower, the NGOAB is existing manpower, the NGOAB is unable to discharge its mandated tasks unable to discharge its mandated tasks properly. A shortage of vehicles properly. A shortage of vehicles severely limits field inspections of the severely limits field inspections of the activities of the NGOs activities of the NGOs

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Institutional Institutional Strengthening of the Strengthening of the NGOABNGOAB The Government has taken steps to The Government has taken steps to

strengthen the resources of NGOAB. strengthen the resources of NGOAB. Automation of its functioning is in the Automation of its functioning is in the process. process.

A comprehensive monitoring system A comprehensive monitoring system for the NGOs and regular flow of for the NGOs and regular flow of information from field to HQ and information from field to HQ and feedback mechanism need to be in feedback mechanism need to be in place for efficient support to the place for efficient support to the NGOs. NGOs.

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Institutional Institutional Strengthening of the Strengthening of the NGOABNGOAB A plot of land has been allotted by A plot of land has been allotted by

the Government for construction of the Government for construction of office building of the NGOAB office building of the NGOAB

Divisional offices of the NGOAB are Divisional offices of the NGOAB are being commissioned within short being commissioned within short time. time.

The LGI-NGO partnership needs to be The LGI-NGO partnership needs to be strengthened for better service strengthened for better service delivery to the community.delivery to the community.

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Conclusion Conclusion

Over the time, it is well understood by all Over the time, it is well understood by all concern that a go-it-alone approach is concern that a go-it-alone approach is beneficial to neither the Government nor the beneficial to neither the Government nor the NGOs in their common goal of poverty NGOs in their common goal of poverty alleviation. alleviation.

While the Government has the power and While the Government has the power and resources, the NGOs have the direct contact resources, the NGOs have the direct contact and the know-how of working with the poor and the know-how of working with the poor in the field level. A well-coordinated GO-NGO in the field level. A well-coordinated GO-NGO collaboration will certainly yield good results. collaboration will certainly yield good results.

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ConclusionConclusion

In its pursuit for developing the conditions In its pursuit for developing the conditions of the poor and the distressed people, the of the poor and the distressed people, the Government considers the NGOs as its Government considers the NGOs as its able partners and recognizes that the able partners and recognizes that the NGOs are complementing the NGOs are complementing the Governmental efforts quite efficiently. Governmental efforts quite efficiently.

Effective collaboration and coordination Effective collaboration and coordination between the Government and the NGOs between the Government and the NGOs is very crucial for their respective is very crucial for their respective programs to achieve any degree of programs to achieve any degree of success. success.

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Thank YouThank You