The Different Types of Development Organizations
There are five groups that are commonly described as international development organizations.
Civil Society Organizations
Examples: Oxfam, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
Also known as Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), Non-Profits & Not-for-Profits. Civil society is an umbrella term for an extremely diverse and numerous group, including charities, religious and private foundations. There are both international and national civil society groups.
Civil society groups are started and owned by private individuals or organizations. They are independent of governments, but may receive (in some cases substantial) funding from governments.
Private Sector
Examples: commercial companies
This is a term that describes any privately owned group or person involved in profitable activities. Of course this is a huge group, and distinct from the other categories as organizations within the private sector are all for-profit.
Research Institutions
Examples: universities, think tanks
Defined as any group involved in investigative study for scientific or educational purposes. They may be privately owned or funded by the state.
Bilateral Organizations
Examples: United States of Agency for International Development (USAID), Department for International Development (DFID)
These are government bodies that focus on development in foreign countries, often with an underlying goal of furthering their domestic policies or gaining political credit. In some cases the aid is not tied to any conditions, but normally funding is used for some degree of political influence.
Multilateral Organizations
Examples: United Nations Development Program (UNDP), World Bank
Super-national bodies that have been created with representatives from the governments of many member states. These may be closed groups, e.g. NATO or theoretically open organizations, e.g. the United Nations.
March 1st, 2015 at 8:03 am
I was wondering how to get involved in helping, building houses, helping give food etc. Humanitarian work. I want to know how yo get involved.
July 24th, 2016 at 3:25 am
I am a recent graduate of social work and I would love to know how best to break into the world of development work.