BANGLADESH has made notable progress in its development trajectory, characterised by significant accomplishments in areas such as poverty alleviation, education, healthcare and infrastructure development. These achievements stem from the collaborative efforts of various stakeholders, including the government, non-governmental organisations, and development partners. To realise its long-term development objectives, including the Sustainable Development Goals, it is essential for all development entities to work in harmony with the government鈥檚 strategic priorities. This article examines how the government can encourage NGOs and development partners to synchronise their initiatives with the national development agenda.
Since gaining independence, Bangladesh has benefitted from considerable support from development partners, encompassing bilateral donors, multilateral institutions and international NGOs. This financial assistance has been vital in combating poverty, enhancing healthcare, promoting education and developing infrastructure. According to the Economic Relations Division, from 1971鈥�72 to 2022鈥�23, Bangladesh has received $30,105.194 million as grants and $92,366.778 million as loans. This support has been provided through various forms, including food aid, commodity aid and project aid. Government sources indicate that the top five development partners, based on the volume of funds disbursed, are IDA, ADB, Japan, Russia, and China. However, it is imperative to align the priorities of development partners and NGOs with national objectives. It is useful to know that the Economic Relations Division and the NGO Affairs Bureau are primarily responsible for overseeing the management of development assistance on behalf of the government.
It is essential to ensure that the programmes and projects of development partners are aligned with national priorities to achieve effective and coordinated development. Such alignment facilitates the optimal use of resources. When all stakeholders pursue common objectives, both financial and human resources are utilised more effectively, minimising redundancy and maximising the impact of interventions. Besides, alignment guarantees that initiatives contribute to sustainable development in the long term rather than yielding short-lived, isolated benefits. Additionally, when development efforts are consistent with government priorities, it fosters policy coherence, ensuring that various initiatives support rather than conflict with one another. A cohesive approach also simplifies the monitoring of progress and the evaluation of intervention effectiveness, allowing for necessary adjustments to achieve development goals.
While aligning the activities of NGOs and development partners with national priorities presents considerable advantages, it is not without its challenges. NGOs may resist such alignment if they view it as a threat to their autonomy. In addition, some critics argue that stricter regulations could hinder innovation and flexibility among NGOs and development partners. The government may also encounter resource limitations in executing these strategies. Moreover, there are challenges such as bureaucratic obstacles, the intricacies of coordinating various stakeholders, and potential discrepancies between donor priorities and national objectives. Nevertheless, these challenges can also serve as opportunities for innovation, capacity enhancement and improved collaboration.
It is prudent to draw lessons from international experiences prior to formulating any strategic approach. For instance, Rwanda鈥檚 Vision 2020, which has now transitioned to Vision 2050, serves as a foundational document that delineates the government鈥檚 long-term objectives. Non-governmental organisations operating within Rwanda are expected to synchronise their initiatives with this vision, thereby ensuring that their efforts contribute to the nation鈥檚 ambitious aspirations. This alignment is not merely encouraged; it is often a requirement, as NGOs seeking governmental endorsement for their projects must illustrate how their activities support the national vision. Besides, in Ethiopia, the Charities and Societies Agency plays a crucial role in regulating NGO operations. According to the Charities and Societies Proclamation No 621/2009, NGOs are mandated to align a minimum of 70 per cent of their projects with government-designated priority sectors, including health, education and infrastructure development. In addition, in Kenya, the government has instituted the Aid Effectiveness Secretariat within the Ministry of Finance, tasked with coordinating development assistance and ensuring that all aid-funded initiatives are in harmony with Kenya鈥檚 Vision 2030.
By engaging in these coordination mechanisms, NGOs and development partners remain informed of governmental priorities and are encouraged to modify their programmes accordingly. Moreover, in Ghana, the government has implemented a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework through the National Development Planning Commission. NGOs and development partners are obligated to provide regular reports on their progress and impact. Should a project diverge from national priorities, the government may request modifications or even withdraw its support.
In light of practical realities and global insights, the government can adopt a blend of regulatory, financial and collaborative strategies to ensure that development partners鈥� programmes align with national priorities.
Initially, it is essential to create a framework of mandatory alignment criteria. The government may implement regulatory structures that mandate all NGO and development partner initiatives to demonstrate a clear connection to national development strategies, such as the Five-Year Plans or specific sectoral policies. This could be enforced through a compulsory approval process, requiring projects to obtain clearance from appropriate government authorities prior to their execution. Currently, there is a provision in the project document to mention which areas of SDG or national plans are related to the project. Critics think that it has become only paperwork in black and white, limited within the project document. This should be revisited by including extensive evidence-based proof instead of merely filling out the form.听
Besides, it is vital to establish performance-based accountability mechanisms that correlate the results of NGO and development partner activities with national development indicators. Organisations that do not meet these benchmarks should face consequences, including operational limitations.
Additionally, public transparency regarding the activities and interventions of development partners can play a significant role, necessitating that NGOs and development partners regularly disclose their operations. Such transparency can generate external pressure on organisations to align their initiatives, as they would be held accountable by the public and other stakeholders.
Establishing a comprehensive monitoring and compliance system to ensure that ongoing projects continue to align with national priorities is very crucial. This could involve regular audits, progress assessments, and on-site evaluations conducted by government entities. Non-compliance should lead to penalties, including the suspension of activities or revocation of permissions.
The implementation of a tiered system may prove beneficial, whereby non-governmental organisations and development partners that demonstrate a greater alignment with governmental priorities receive preferential support from the government. These entities often rely on resources such as land and various local and national facilities, which the government can regulate. Access to these resources could be made conditional upon their alignment with national development objectives. Alongside, development partners might be incentivised to align their initiatives through preferential access to government co-financing for projects that meet these criteria. Furthermore, it is essential to establish a central coordinating body tasked with ensuring that all development activities are in harmony with national priorities. This body would possess the authority to approve or reject projects, ensuring their implementation aligns with national goals. In this regard, the government may consider revitalising the existing Aid Effectiveness unit within the Economic Relations Division. To enhance alignment further, the government could create coordination mechanisms and platforms that facilitate interaction and collaboration among NGOs, development partners and government representatives. In this light, strengthening the existing Bangladesh Development Forum by emphasising more objective criteria and features to restore national priorities is of utmost importance.
The dynamics between governments in developing nations and non-governmental organisations or development partners are intricate and varied. NGOs contribute significant resources and specialised knowledge, while governments are motivated to ensure that these contributions are utilised efficiently to advance national development objectives. By implementing strategic planning, establishing regulatory frameworks, creating coordination mechanisms, offering financial incentives, formalising agreements and instituting monitoring systems, the government can effectively encourage NGOs and development partners to synchronise their efforts with national priorities. Such alignment is crucial for realising coherent, sustainable and impactful development results that address the needs of the populace.
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Dr Mohammad Kamrul Hasan is a public administration researcher and practitioner.
