The INGO Problem: Power, privilege, and renewal

by Deborah Doane

International non-governmental organisations (INGOs) have emerged over the past few decades as the dominant institution in the civil society ecosystem, garnering a disproportionate amount of both resources and power in the international arena. Local actors continue to be marginalised and largely excluded from decision-making. Many often act as little more than sub-contractors to the INGO sector or face direct competition as INGOs have sought to set up their own ‘local’ organisations.

But this dominant position is under threat. INGOs are now on the precipice of decline, having to face up to a series of challenges in recent from sexual exploitation scandals, to accusations of white-saviourism, resulting in ever-louder demands to ‘decolonize’ and shift power and resources more directly to local actors. In some cases, funders are now heeding these demands, turning away from INGOs altogether.

‘The INGO Problem’ explores these challenges, drawing from the personal experience of the author, and delves into the stories of leaders across all sectors of global civil society. It builds on the work of the RINGO Project, a systems-change endeavour to “Reimagine the INGO” and its relationships with local civil society organisations. The project explores difficult issues around race and power, and offers ideas for new systems of accountability, risk, funding, governance and more.

'The INGO Problem is a must-read for international development leaders who have ever wondered how a system that can seem rigid and outdated can better serve civil society. Deborah draws upon her decades of experience to share a critical look at the global INGO landscape and offers an ambitious vision to overcome many of the structural inequities hardwired into the system.'
Darren Walker, OBE, President of the Ford Foundation

'This book is a powerful, timely and brutal critique of how the INGOs show-up in the world. Deborah Doane in this book asks deeply critical but crucial questions of INGOs. I would recommend this book to every person who works with INGOs or inhabits that space, particularly the Boards and leadership of the INGO organisations and spaces. If INGOs want to travel the path of radical transformation for reimagining their future, they would need to earnestly engage with these tough conversations raised in the book.'
Amitabh Behar Acting ED of Oxfam International and former ED of Oxfam India

'This book is a timely reminder that we have waited long enough for the transformative changes we need in how international aid and development are designed and coordinated. Deborah Doane makes a strong call to address barriers that prevent global agencies, governments and donors from delivering on commitments that recognize, enable and resource diverse local civil society groups as key development actors in their own right.'
Lysa John, Secretary-General of CIVICUS

Genres: Nonfiction, Politics

152 pages, Hardcover

Published July 31, 2024

Reviews

[Emma Burris]

read this for my human rights class. very insightful and i’m glad it was based in practice as opposed to theory. however i felt it was very repetitive and could’ve instead just been a 30 page essay.

[Josephine Mejia Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deborah Doane argues that INGOs, despite their well-intentioned missions, are often part of a system that perpetuates power imbalances between the Global North and South. Drawing from her extensive experience in the nonprofit sector, she explores how INGOs sometimes reinforce dependency rather than foster sustainable change.
Perhaps this book though should be called the BINGO problem, as I think it unfairly lumps in a lot of smaller really good INGOs already working in the way suggested in solutions. But I understand this books needs to be bold to challenge these great systems of inefficiency, injustice and damage.

For individuals, the development/ conservation/ sustainable development space attracts many who see injustices in the world and want to work for a better future but without recognizing the systemic and historical colonialism and racism which in some cases is still present, many of us are just barely moving the needle (if not making it worse). This book articulates, the way I, and many early-career conservation practitioners feel, in that international development must fundamentally uproot the way it has been operating for decades now. Deborah lays out many simple (but not easy) solutions to shift the power, data ownership and decision-making dynamics to those who are best positioned to make decisions at the frontline.

For anyone involved in international development, human rights, or nonprofit work (particularly in the western world), The INGO Problem is a good read to understand the flaws within the system and not make the same mistakes.

It may be confronting. Collaboration will always be key, but many of the roles and skills that individuals - in philanthropy, business and development organizations - is going to have to change.

This books serves as a reminder that good intentions are not enough and that systemic change is required to truly make a lasting impact. Despite its critiques, the book is ultimately a hopeful call for reform, urging INGOs to evolve and become more effective and inclusive agents of global change.