The Contribution Of Ngos On Socio-Economic Development: The Case In Selected Kebeles Of Welmera Woreda

Abstract

NGOs have become major players in the field of social, economic and environment as well as advocacy for such interventions. The general objective of the research was to determine the contribution of non-governmental organizations in the socio-economic development of selected Kebeles in Welmera Woreda. Through the use of primary and secondary sources data the researcher has gathered the necessary information from the concerned organs. To collect the primary data questionnaires, interviews and observation methods were used to gather information from the beneficiaries. In order to obtain the qualitative data, interview questions have been used to get information from concerned government offices and NGO officials via open-ended questions. The collected data were analyzed using quantitative and qualitative types of data analysis. Though socio-economic is broad in its nature, however the research was limited to access to education and socio-economic empowerment of women in case of selected kebeles of Welmera Woreda. Three NGOs contribution towards the socio-economic development in four kebeles of the Woreda has been chosen for the research. As a result of NGOs interventions in access to early education program, the poor, marginalized, orphans and vulnerable families’ children that do not have access to pre-education due to economic, social and related factors have got the chance to get early education program. In addition, the children expend less time and energy to acquire the education program as a result of getting education services at their vicinity. Moreover, the children got education free of charge which smoothen the burden that comes to their families in incurring additional costs. Additionally, the projects have somehow contributed to the awareness level of the communities towards the advantage of sending children to schools early. Further, the education coverage of the Woreda has been improved year on year basis. As a result of women empowerment interventions, the culture of cooperation and women group formation has been created. Additionally, the involvement of women in decision making have been enhanced, saving culture in the bank and micro financial institutions have boosted, the income of the household has increased which enables the households to satisfy their daily expenses, purchase of consumable items and household facilities. In addition, the awareness level of women on gender equality has been enhanced. The cultures of engagement on different businesses have been improved. As a result of involvement in retail businesses, the income size of the women groups has improved. On behalf of projects need identifications, planning, monitoring and evaluation, it has been noted that the communities’ involvement in the project need identification, planning from the early stage of the project implementation and during its implementation is believed to be good though there are gaps in monitoring and evaluations. Moreover, the involvement and participation of the government offices in the project planning and need identification is limited. At monitoring and evaluation phase, the involvement of government offices is considered to be good. Finally, the concerned government offices provide relevant supports to the development agents (NGOs) operated in the area. Some of the limitations the NGOs working in the area include, lack of clarity on budget management, limited resources (financial and physical) and knowledge gaps of the NGOs workforce for running the projects are mentioned as gaps. Moreover, since the beneficiaries are participated in the different phases of the project implementation, the sustainability of the development projects are believed to be effective and sustainable