Cooperation with NGOs and Civil Society

This section discusses the core ideas and operations behind ADB-NGO cooperation.

1. What do you mean by ADB-NGO Cooperation?
2. Why does ADB work with NGOs?
3. How can we take part in ADB activities and projects? Whom do we contact?
4. Can our NGO get support and grants?
5. Where do we find studies, publications and other resources on ADB-NGO cooperation and, in particular, on NGOs?

1. What do you mean by ADB-NGO Cooperation? 
ADB-NGO Cooperation can be summed up in these activities:

• Increasing the involvement of NGOs and civil society in ADB's activities
• Tapping NGOs as a resource for expertise, experience, and innovative approaches to development
• Strenghthening NGOs' institutional capacity to act as agents of development
• Fostering stronger working relationships among NGOs, civil society, Governments, and, in some cases, the Private sector

There are core documents that describe the rationale in detail:

• ADB's Policy on NGOs is the basic document that guides ADB activities with NGOs.
• ADB and NGOs: Working Together is a brochure that describes how ADB works with NGOs in development projects. It also encourages NGOs to interact with Governments and the ADB.

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2. Why does ADB work with NGOs?
ADB recognizes the important role of NGOs in development. ADB aims to integrate the experience, knowledge and expertise of NGOs into its operations. The involvement of NGOs contributes to making projects more effective in meeting the priorities and needs of the intended beneficiaries.

See also a discussion of directions in development thinking and the changes--in the NGO sector and within ADB--that shaped ADB's approach to NGOs.

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3. How can we take part in ADB activities and projects? Visit the NGO Center to know the "anchor points", or proper contacts, if you want to take part in ADB-NGO activities. Find out, too, how NGOs can work with ADB.

Whom do we contact? 
Contact ADB's NGO Network Coordinator.

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4. Can we get ADB support and grants?
As a rule, ADB works through the Governments of its Developing Member Countries in supporting NGOs. The new NGO Center will allow ADB to try new ways of working with NGOs. Read about ADB projects involving NGOs. The Business Center provides information on ADB's proposed projects and contract awards.

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5. Where can we find studies, publications and other resources ADB-NGO cooperation and, in particular, NGOs? 

• Policy on NGO Cooperation
• Review documents related to NGOs
• Contact the Department of External Relations and read how NGOs can obtain documents from ADB