Relevancy of NGOs in Social Advancement: Experience in Bangladesh

Abstract

The socioeconomic development of Bangladesh has been greatly aided by NGOs, which have filled important service gaps left by the government. NGOs have expanded into healthcare, education, microfinance, disaster relief, women’s empowerment etc. with a vibrant presence. NGOs have a significant presence in 78% of villages and employ more than 1.5 million people, indicating their extensive reach and power. Despite this, concerns about their applicability continue due to issues with governance, and increased donor dependency. NGOs are criticised for their insufficient accountability systems and for putting donor agendas ahead of local needs. Nonetheless, their efforts to combat gender inequality, promote community empowerment, and meet basic human needs demonstrate their continued significance. This study focuses on the functions of NGOs by analysing their effects on underprivileged groups, the difficulties presented by altering donor priorities, and their reaction to the evolving socio-political environment. The study has been conducted based on secondary data which are various research papers and reports regarding operations of both national and international NGOs in Bangladesh. The results emphasise that although NGOs continue to play a significant role in social change, it is imperative to guarantee their sustainability and accountability. NGOs may keep promoting significant social change in Bangladesh by lowering their reliance on outside funding, encouraging local collaborations, and keeping an eye on participatory development.