An NGO (non-governmental organisation) is a non-profit organisation that operates and functions independently from the government. At times also known as civil societies, NGOs are basically citizen based groups that are organised on the community, national as well as international levels in order to serve specific political or social issues prevalent in the area. Most importantly, NGOs are cooperative rather than commercial in nature.
What are the different types of NGOs?
NGOs, on a broad line, can be classified on the basis of two major factors, which include their orientation level or their cooperation level.
Operational NGOs
The main aim of an operational NGO is to design as well as implement all the development related projects. Operational NGOs can be both national as well as international.
Advocacy NGOs
The main aim of these NGOs is to promote a specific cause. Such NGO bodies mainly work at raising awareness and knowledge of the underprivileged by participating in various activities such as lobbying, press work and activist events.
But other than these two, there are various different types of NGOs that function across the city and mentioned below are a few of them:
1. Charitable NGO
This type of NGO often involves little participation by the ‘beneficiaries’. Most of these NGOs are directed towards the activities that are aimed at helping the poor in the form of distribution of food, medicine, articles of clothing, etc. Charitable NGOs also look after the provisions of houses, schools, transports, etc. It is mostly such NGOs that look after major relief activities that are required post any form of natural or man-made disaster.
2. Service NGO
Service NGOs mainly look after the provision of healthcare, education, family planning. All such programs are designed by the NGO authorities and then the remaining tasks are carried out or implemented with the help of volunteers.
3. Community based NGO
As the name suggests, such NGOs arise out of people’s own initiatives. Examples of such NGOs are seen in the form of sports clubs, women’s organisations, religious or educational programs, neighbourhood organisations, and many more. Some of the community based NGOs are also supported by national or international NGOs and some of them function independently, all by themselves.
4. Citywide NGOs
Citywide non governmental organisations are mostly involved in helping the poor as of their major form of activities. These organisations include the commonly seen Rotary or Lion’s Club, popular chambers of commerce and industry, ethnic or educational groups, associations of community organisations, coalitions of businesses, etc.
5. Empowering NGOs
The main aim of these non governmental organisations is to give poor people a fair understanding of all the social, economic and political factors that may affect their lives. Such NGOs also aim to strengthen poor people’s awareness of their own power to control their lives.
Other than the ones mentioned above, NGOs are also classified on the basis of their variations, some of which are mentioned here:
1. BINGO: It is a short term used for business friendly international non governmental organisations.
2. CITS: This type of NGO is generally devoted to help the scientific community and motivate the younger generation towards research and development.
3. CSO: This is short for civil society organisations.
4. DONGO: DONGO stands for Donor Organised non governmental organisation.
5. ENGO: This is an abbreviated form of an environmental NGO.
6. QUANGO: This mainly refers to a quasi-autonomous organisation, which a government has developed power over, but is still partly financed or controlled by government bodies.
7.TANGO: Any NGO that offers technical assistance falls under this category.
8. GSO: GSO is an abbreviation for Grassroots Support Organisations.
9. MANGO: Any NGO related to market advocacy will fall under this category.
10. CHARDS: This is a short form for Community Health and Rural Development Society.
How can NGOs help communities to develop?
Non governmental organisations play a major role in community developments. Several NGOs has are actively working into areas such as environment, community mobilization, promotion of health education, promotion of child’s rights, fighting against child labour, human trafficking, etc. Certain large NGOs are into self financing whereas most of the other non governmental organisations rely on support from major donor agencies based across the globe. It is safe to say that NGOs play a crucial role in championing environmental laws, social norms as well as advocating human rights work. NGOs are capable of promoting positive social and political change either on a broad scale or at a local level. Thus, NGOs are known to play a very critical role in developing society, improving communities, as well as voluntarily promoting the active participation of the citizens.
How can you support NGOs near you?
NGOs, as mentioned earlier, play a significant role in developing society for the better good. Mentioned here are few ways in which you can support any Delhi NGO near you:
1. Donation
The easiest and the fastest way of contributing something good to the society is by donating funds to an NGO. Not just funds, these days, NGOs are also open to donations involving educational material, food items, used clothes, shoes, etc. NGOs are capable of changing the face of the earth by saving children as well as their families from extreme poverty, hunger, illiteracy and even death.
2. Starting a career in an NGO
No matter what your professional profile is like, it is very easy to contribute an NGO with any amount of your skills. Every person is capable of establishing an enriching career with an NGO and see how thousands of people are getting positively affected by his/her contribution and sincere efforts.
3. Becoming a grassroots volunteer
Volunteering with an NGO in case of adverse environmental disasters or in case of war will make a huge difference. As a volunteer, you will be helping people with the food, medicines, clothing as well as shelter needs during this type of dire time. This kind of role will see you work with other like minded people who are also driven by passion and sincerity.
With many more possibilities, helping an NGO has only become a matter of intention. You can support any such organisation in the form of a donor, volunteer, or even as a CSR investor.
How can Justdial help you in finding the nearest NGOs?
In order to find the nearest NGOs, just scroll up the Justdial website. You will be presented with an extensive list of the best non governmental organisations along with their contact and address details.
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by Tanisha Gupta:
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I want to do internship in your NGO. Please tell me how can I apply for that.
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