Briefcase NGOs: How widespread is this, really?
Is the phenomena of briefcase NGOs is not as common as people think? Are they a legitimate reason donors creating stronger accountability mechanisms?
Is the phenomena of briefcase NGOs is not as common as people think? Are they a legitimate reason donors creating stronger accountability mechanisms?
It still shocks me a little when a colleague will look at me and ask, “Now, what do you mean by ‘downward accountability’?”, as if I’ve uttered an oxymoron.
When people ask me why this farm-girl-turned-aid-worker has devoted herself to placing community-driven development initiatives at the forefront of aid, here’s why.
When we reduce accountability to abstract concepts or empty exercises that are, if we are honest, ultimately about reporting funding expenditures to donors, we miss the point.
When compared to each layer of bureaucracy taking its cut in larger organizations before funds ever reach the ground, donors can make more direct investments in girls via grassroots organizations.
“Half the stories of community change are not about NGOs at all, but individuals. It’s time NGOs realized they’re not the center of the community, and figured out how to work with the individuals who are.” ~from my interview with Marc Maxson of GlobalGiving’s Storytelling Project
“Psst, excuse me, but if an international assistance project is a job or a hobby for you, it can’t actually be ‘yours.’ And if you think that it is, we may have a problem on our hands.”
“‘The system’ whereby foreign donors give handouts, and not sustainable initiatives that are drawn from the needs of the communities, is a problem.” ~R.F.M. community activist, Zimbabwe