Abstract:
This study attempted to assess the role of Local Non-Governmental Organizations as Development Partners, Evidence from Woliso Woreda, Oromia Ethiopia. It aimed to assess the role of local NGOs as development partners, the role of the government in supporting the operations of local NGOs, and the challenges that local NGOs face in performing developmental activities as partners. The study collected data through questionnaires, interviews, and document analysis using both qualitative and quantitative approaches. Furthermore, the study employed stratified proportion sampling with simple random sampling and Purposive sampling techniques to choose a sample from the local NGOs workers and key informants, respectively. The finding illustrates that the key role of local non-governmental organizations in Woliso woreda is the implementation of projects and programs, followed by community mobilization. In addition, LNGOs engage in development sectors like agriculture, education, health, etc. as development partners. Similarly, LNGOs provide services where the government does not; they also provide job opportunities and raise awareness in the community. On the other hand, the study identified the government's involvement in local NGOs development activities as a legal or regulatory function and a role as a facilitator. According to the survey result, local NGOs faced challenges while performing their activities, like, lack of access to international donors, poor regulatory framework for voluntary organizations operations, lack of cooperation between local NGOs, and poor competition among the NGOs. These obstacles influenced the role of local NGOs as development partners. Based on the findings, the researcher recommends that local NGOs accelerate their development activities by creating good partnerships with the community and with the government. In order to improve its implementation, the government should solve the implementation problems of the Local NGOs Law to improve working with local NGOs as development partners
