Taxonomies of NGOs Revisited: A Bangladesh Perspective

Abstract

This conceptual paper is based on the NGO-classifications in the context of Bangladesh. “NGOs”, engaged in socio-economic development of the people, are the self-governing, non-profit and donor-dependent organisations.  Donors, NGO themselves and the beneficiaries are the main stakeholders in the NGO-sector. NGOs mainly operate on the public goods theory, contract failure theory and tax subsidy theory. Numerous authors and researchers have classified NGOs in various ways. The categorizations are mostly based on size, scope, recipient of donation, locations etc. NGOs, located in South-Asia, are classified as Grass Roots, Intermediary and International/donor NGOs. Bangladeshi NGOs may be divided as  the General Voluntary Social Welfare Organisations (GVSWO), National Social Welfare Organisations, Operating with foreign donations and Foreign NGOs. NGOs may be classified as the basis of objectives and functioning (e.g. Single purpose advocacy and multi-purpose development).  Welfare provision, campaigning, advocacy, and hybrid NGOs-is one of the taxonomies, while NGOs are also put under the headings of southern, intermediary and membership organisations.

This paper classifies Bangladeshi NGOs into microcredit NGOs, mixed NGOs and non-microcredit NGOs. Further, this paper, on the basis of origin and operations, divides Bangladeshi NGOs into local and International. Future researchers may empirically examine the taxonomies in the context of any other country.

Key Words:  NGOs, Classifications, Bangladesh