Donor–NGO relations: the dynamics of European Community development co-operation policy

Shifts in development theory turned attention to the role Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) could play in donor development policy. The heightened interest in NGOs was accompanied by an increased availability of funds and presaged a significant growth in the size of the NGO sector. This expanded role had repercussions on both their internal organisation and their relations with other players in the aid arena. However, in the 1990s, the financial market for development cooperation became more competitive due to the changes in the former communist countries and the embrace of neo-liberal principles. Consequently, NGOs were criticised for their lack of professionalism and poor accountability, and found themselves subject to donor conditionality and the assimilation of the language, values and systems of donors. [Continues.]