NGO Roles in the Project Cycle

NGO Roles in the Project Cycle

The following table provides a summary of the specific roles which NGOs can play at various stages of a project cycle. Each of the tasks described below requires specific skills and competencies (eg.: participatory methodologies, technical knowledge etc.) and individual NGOs must be selected accordingly. Levels of NGO experience vary significantly by country and sector, and therefore, the ability of NGOs to fulfill the taskks described below must be verified on a case-by-case basis.

Stage in Project Cycle Potential NGO Involvement

Project Identification
provide advice/information on local conditions
participate in environmental and social assessments
organize consultations with beneficiaries/affected parties
transmit expressed needs/priorities of local communities to project staff
act as a source, model or sponsor of project ideas
implement pilot projects

Project Design
consultant to the government, to local communities or to the Bank
assist in promoting a participatory approach to project design
channel information to local populations

Financing
co-financier (in money or in kind) of a project component
source of funds for activities complementary to the proposed Bank-financed project

Implementation
project contractor or manager (for delivery of services, training, construction, etc.)
promote community participation in project activities
financial intermediary role
supplier of technical knowledge to local beneficiaries
advisor to local communities on how to take advantage of project-financed goods or services
implementor of complementary activities
beneficiary of an NGO funding mechanism established by the project

Monitoring and Evaluation
NGO contracted to monitor project progress or evaluate project results
facilitate participatory monitoring and evaluation
independent/unsolicited monitoring and evaluation

Source:
World Bank, Working with NGOs A Practical Guide to Operational Collaboration between the World Bank and Non-Governmental Organziations . Operations Policy Department, World Bank, 1995, pp.29.

Return to the NGO Page

Comments and suggestions:
Hari Srinivas - hsrinivas@gdrc.org

Stage in Project Cycle	Potential NGO Involvement
Project Identification	provide advice/information on local conditions participate in environmental and social assessments organize consultations with beneficiaries/affected parties transmit expressed needs/priorities of local communities to project staff act as a source, model or sponsor of project ideas implement pilot projects
Project Design	consultant to the government, to local communities or to the Bank assist in promoting a participatory approach to project design channel information to local populations
Financing	co-financier (in money or in kind) of a project component source of funds for activities complementary to the proposed Bank-financed project
Implementation	project contractor or manager (for delivery of services, training, construction, etc.) promote community participation in project activities financial intermediary role supplier of technical knowledge to local beneficiaries advisor to local communities on how to take advantage of project-financed goods or services implementor of complementary activities beneficiary of an NGO funding mechanism established by the project
Monitoring and Evaluation	NGO contracted to monitor project progress or evaluate project results facilitate participatory monitoring and evaluation independent/unsolicited monitoring and evaluation