The new NGO Center invites NGOs and civil society to work more closely with ADB. ADB seeks closer cooperation on policy dialogue and on ADB program and project operations. The NGO Center will respond quickly and consistently to NGO issues of a global or crosscutting nature. The NGO Center also aims to initiate constructive dialogue with international and regional NGOs on development issues.
The NGO Center is part of OESD and works both internally and externally as the focal point for ADB’s interaction and communications with NGOs. Acknowledging that NGOs are significant and valuable players in their own right, ADB will also strive to support their constructive role in promoting the sustainable development agenda.
To generate a high degree of institutional synergy, the NGO Center also coordinates an ADB-wide NGO Cooperation Network. The Network comprises the NGO Center, as well as designated staff in the programs and projects departments and in the resident missions and representative offices of ADB.
(See also Nongovernment Organizations)
ADB seeks to cooperate with competent nongovernment organizations (NGOs) that have substantial knowledge in their areas of operation and with whom cooperation would be appropriate and mutually beneficial. Cooperation with NGOs is undertaken to strengthen the effectiveness, sustainability, and quality of development services ADB provides. ADB recognizes the range of roles that NGOs have assumed, from the delivery of development services to policy advocacy. Where desirable and appropriate, ADB works to promote interaction between governments and NGOs and to support government-NGO cooperation in national development efforts.
Operational sectors in which ADB and NGOs have achieved the greatest degree of cooperation include agriculture and rural development, urban development and provision of urban services, water supply and sanitation, health and population, education and training, and provision of microcredit. Cooperation with NGOs is increasingly being realized in infrastructure projects and in dealing with the social impact such projects may have. The scope of cooperation with NGOs in project and technical assistance activities is broadening, with NGOs increasingly becoming involved in upstream project activities, such as project design, and social and environmental analyses. Consultation with NGOs is becoming part of ADB’s operational evaluation studies.
ADB’s policy on such cooperation, approved in 1998, states that ADB should work with NGOs and incorporate NGO experience, knowledge, and expertise into its operations, so that its development efforts can more effectively address the issues and priorities of its developing member countries. NGOs often hold comparative advantages in representing people and identifying development needs, designing effective programs that reach people, and representing alternative ideas and views in development.
Cooperation with NGOs is expanding in country programming and policy development processes. In several developing member countries, NGO consultation has become a part of developing country operational strategies and country assistance plans. Similarly, NGO involvement has been incorporated in sector studies and country economic work.
Close consultation with NGOs has been central in developing, formulating, and reviewing ADB policies since 1998.
(See Cooperation with Nongovernment Organizations; Nongovernment Organization Center)
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