Abstract:
This study aimed at investigation of the challenges and prospects of civil society organizations
with special focus on local NGOs operating in Adama city administration (town). Descriptive
research design was used and total of 80 sample respondents were randomly selected from
management and technical staffs of local NGOs working in in the last three – five years. Both
qualitative and quantitative data were collected through questionnaire surveys, KKI and FGD.
The findings showed that difficulty and bureaucratic challenges in formation and registration
processes and excessive government interference in NGOs operation. Challenges related to
raising foreign funds, abject poverty and lack of culture of contributing to a cause, weak and
fragile economic system to access domestic funds, restrictions to forming networks among
CSOs/NGOs, political instability affecting access to foreign funds, COVID-19, lack of awareness
to the formal NGOs and capacity limitations were found to be key challenges of local NGOs in the
study area. Lack of access to funds, physical assets and competent human capital created
limitation in human resources and budget constraints to implement projects in various
interventions. Over reliance of local NGOs on external sources of funding created critical
challenge to NGOs operation. Weak partnership with government sector offices, difficulty to
obtain land for construction of NGO premises limited the expansion of NGO - operated services.
Governments stringent health and education policy constrained the NGOs contribution for not
qualifying government set standards. The findings on the prospects of local NGOs operating in
Adama city administration showed that CSOs are very important actors on development
landscapes, instrumental of local resources mobilization to provide goods and services to people
who are in need, advocates of good governance and human rights. The findings also showed that
NGOs are very important actors of public campaigns in pursuit of social transformation.
Recognition to the significant role of local NGOs in socio-economic development and poverty
reduction needs to be emphasized to strengthen NGO – government partnership to ensure effective
implementation of NGOs intervention.
