NGO support toolkit (English)  >  NGO Support Programmes  >  Role of NSPs 

Collective action

The relationship of NGO support providers (NSPs) with their partner organisations provides them with opportunities to bring together NGOs and CBOs for joint activities to increase their collective strength, cost-effectiveness, co-ordination and collaboration.

There are several practical advantages for NGOs and CBOs in joining forces. These include co-ordinating their work to be able to provide a comprehensive package of services for key populations, and also collaborating around advocacy issues. No single organisation can address all the needs of a community. NSPs can bring NGOs and CBOs together for joint planning to identify gaps and try to ensure that all services are being provided.

In terms of joint advocacy, the combined strength of several organisations, with their various skills, expertise and influential contacts, is likely to carry more weight than any single organisation. Additionally, it means that individual NGOs and CBOs can focus on their priority advocacy issues and rely on the support of other organisations within that network.

Examples of advocacy work that has had a greater impact through joint action include: improving access to treatment; promoting comprehensive and integrated prevention, care and impact alleviation programmes; and emphasising the importance of the involvement of people with HIV in programming.

Similarly, the potential impact for NSPs and partner organisations to contribute to research collectively is far greater than the sum of their individual efforts. As this allows evidence to be drawn from a wider, more varied range of sources and means costs can be shared.

Economies of scale also enable NSPs to procure condoms, test kits and other commodities in bulk, resulting in a more reliable and affordable supply for their partner organisations. This can greatly increase the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of programmes and allow for the scaling-up of activities.

By facilitating organisations to co-ordinate with each other and in partnership with national mechanisms, NSPs can help reduce duplication of effort and wastage of scarce resources. Collaboration with other stakeholders will also help NSPs and their partner organisations to identify and respond to strategic gaps in national responses, ensuring that under-served regions and populations are catered for.

Issues to consider

• The role of a coordinator is a very sensitive one, and NSPs should be aware of the concerns organisations may have. NSPs need to respect the independence and autonomy of individual NGOs and CBOs and understand the complex relationships between them, including the competitive nature of many of these relationships. A participatory process to agree on sensitive issues, such as leadership roles, common goals and priorities may help minimise conflicts.
• The legitimacy of an NSP’s representational role will depend on the mandate given by its constituents. An NSP can develop a strong, legitimate mandate by ensuring relationships with NGOs and CBOs are based on consultation, mutual respect and openness.

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