Initiated in November 1997, this activity was aimed at providing a platform for interaction with NGOs, sharing ideas and information in the areas of food security and nutrition, rural development and poverty alleviation.
During the contract period (Feb.- March 1998), nine more responses from FAORs and NGOs were received, making a total of eleven country responses out of thirteen requested for. The FAOR offices of Bangladesh Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Iran, Pakistan, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam and Western Samoa have already responded. The FAO Representative offices of Nepal and Laos are being followed up to expedite their responses.
Some very interesting findings have emerged from this survey. Firstly, a comprehensive list of NGOs collaborating with FAO Country offices is now available. Detailed information on these NGOs is being collected to develop a profile of these organisations. This will be helpful for future collaborations from the regional and national level with NGOs. Secondly, the survey provides insights into the constraints faced in the process of collaboration with NGO partners. It clearly states the expectations of NGOs from FAO to support their programmes.
Major findings
At the country level, the major areas where collaboration exists between FAO and NGOs are:
i) information exchange and dialogue
ii) technical inputs and assistance (to a limited extent)
There exists further scope for joint activities in project planning and implementation, and advocacy related matters, which are currently almost non existing in the surveyed countries.
The constraints commonly experienced in collaborating with NGOs are a lack of clear policy framework and guidelines for NGO activities within the FAO and the lack of opportunities and platforms for involving NGOs in FAO projects. Some countries are faced with a resource constraint, both technically as well as financially. It is also noted that there is a wide disparity between the services provided by FAO and the needs of the NGO. Overcoming this gap in understanding the requirements of NGOs may infact become a key factor in sustaining future efforts towards joint activities with NGOs.
A brief outline of the survey findings is presented in Table I.
Response from NGOs
A critical highlight of the survey is the positive response from NGOs regarding the future scope of working together with FAO RAP. Some specific requests for support and technical collaboration have been received from PROSHIKA and Centre for Development Studies Bangladesh, Rural Development Foundation Pakistan (Annex - III). MODE Philippines and CARE International Vietnam have suggested project planning and implementation, research and evaluations as potential areas for collaboration with FAO.
A number of NGOs have also responded positively to the survey. Their replies provide information on previous experiences in collaborative activities, in particular with FAO. NGOs feel the need to collaborate with FAO in order to build linkages with other developmental agencies and potential donors. Their expectations from FAO are in the areas of technical advise and support, sharing of information, education materials, ideas and experiences and for advocacy at policy level.
The NGO community has welcomed the efforts of FAO to collaborate, and are of the view that a structured forum to share resources should be set up in order to ensure that information is not lost or manipulated by large international agencies. There is a request for a bottom up approach, consulting with NGOs and civil society groups in order to sustain efforts and optimise resource utilisation.
A listing of NGOs currently collaborating with FAO Country offices is presented as Annex - II).
