Research as intervention

This week, key actors from 3 social movements in Central America have come together in Santiago Atitlan to reflect on the participative research process that they have been engaged in since last year. During the week, members of the civil society building knowledge team are blogging about their impressions. Here, Remko Berkhout, share his impressions of the first workshop day

Social movements and NGO interaction

Are we entering a post-NGO era in development? Aid critics very much suggest so. Hailed as a magic bullet for development two decades ago, NGOs are increasingly criticized for being ineffective agents of change, out of touch with broader social currents in society and operating in a fragmented way. Under pressure to show results, NGOs and their donors are increasingly attempting to align with social movements in a bid to scale up their impact. Social movements are an older, looser form of or...

Social movements and NGO interaction

Are we entering a post-NGO era in development? Aid critics very much suggest so. Hailed as a magic bullet for development two decades ago, NGOs are increasingly criticized for being ineffective agents of change, out of touch with broader social currents in society and operating in a fragmented way. Under pressure to show results, NGOs and their donors are increasingly attempting to align with social movements in a bid to scale up their impact. Social movements are an older, looser form of or...