What’s in it for me?
For NGOs

NGOs are playing an increasingly significant role in environmental projects along side governments and businesses. Successful green plans have involved NGOs in both their development and implementation.

Traditionally NGOs have been an important but often adversarial component in bringing issues to the public and working to keep governments and businesses in check. While that is necessary to garner support and keep the public informed, NGOs can be far more effective if they are also part of negotiations and implementation throughout a project’s life rather than working only as a springboard of ideas or a policeman in social and environmental affairs.

By increasing their functions beyond “activist” or “lobbyist,” NGOs have become internalized, often gaining a seat at the table equal to that of government or business. In some cases the NGO functions are formalized in law. This hands-on effect of green planning results in numerous benefits for NGOs.

NGOs bring transparency to the process and gain increased accessibility to information as less is happening behind closed doors. The combination of information access and a position as both participant and watchdog will allow the organization’s work to be significantly more efficient and effective. This is critical as NGOs are usually running on small budgets. Direct participation of NGOs will also allow for more substantive, quantifiable results which, in this time of monetary limitations on behalf of foundations, will enable NGOs to make stronger cases for increased funding. Above all, the ultimate goals of the NGO will be more easily attained as an active participant in the process.