NGOs in the 21st century: reprofessionalisation of the sector

Autora: Maria Sureda

We define an NGO as a non-profit private entity that works to achieve a social mission, understood in a broad sense with the aim of improving the conditions of society in some of its aspects. It should also meet the following criteria: it should have a formal structure and be privately owned, non-profit-seeking, independent, and based on voluntary participation. The concept therefore goes beyond the definition in negative terms of its private nature (non-governmental) and highlights its social purpose.

In order to pursue their goals and the greatest possible impact in their action, as well as to develop their own organisation on an internal level, NGOs must have credibility and trustworthiness in the eyes of the various social stakeholders (beneficiaries, funders, but also society at large) and be able to mobilise a substantial social base, in short, to have the support of their grass roots and the legitimacy of society in general.