Social Non-governmental Organizations Research Articles

Collective actors and potential alliances for eco-social policies in Germany

To break the vicious circle of mutually reinforcing climate and social crises, there is a rapidly growing literature around integrated public policy instruments called eco-social policies. The actors potentially drive such policies in public debate and the policy process remains under-researched. This paper elaborates on the positioning of various non-state actors on eco-social policies and potential alliance-building in Germany. It derives hypotheses from the existing literature on the role of trade unions, social- and environmental non-governmental organizations, and social movements in eco-social transformation. It tests them empirically on a dataset of public communication and uses a combination of computer-assisted text-analytic tools, namely text mining and structural topic modeling. The findings indicate that although eco-social themes as cross-cutting issues offer good conditions for alliance-building, actors differ widely in their potential to do so. Based on actors’ eco-social broadness and transformational intensity, the paper finds four clusters: a status quo supporter, an activist, a pragmatic, and an eco-social alliance cluster and discusses possible strategies for them. The findings highlight the relevance of service sector unions and social non-governmental organizations as they could act as a bridge to connect social and ecological interests. The paper’s contribution to the Special Issue is twofold: It addresses the policy dimension by examining what issues actors raise about ecological and social concerns. In terms of politics, it gains insights into actors’ positioning and their strategic alliance-building. Both shed light on the potential for eco-social change.

The program efficiency of environmental and social non-governmental organizations: A comparative study.

Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are becoming increasingly significant stakeholders in global governance and business operations. However, measuring their efficiency is a challenging task due to their mission-driven nature. While previous research has proposed financial and non-financial indicators to measure NGO efficiency, none of them has compared the differences between environmental and social NGOs. This study aims to investigate the factors influencing the program efficiency of NGOs in China and compare the differences between environmental and social NGOs. 12 indicators are employed and tested using data collected from the Chinese Research Data Services (CNRDS) platform. The study employs multiple regression analysis to examine the influential factors identified in the dataset. The findings demonstrated different influential factors of program efficiency among environmental and social NGOs. The results of the analysis provide valuable insights for NGO operators, policymakers, and researchers in the field of NGOs.

社会民间组织参与应急物资保障模式探索

社会民间组织参与应急物资保障模式探索

The Effects of Organizational Traits on NGO–Business Engagement in Mexico

This paper explores the organizational traits that increase the likelihood of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to engage with businesses in order to enhance their mutual economic, environmental and social goals, consistent with UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 17, Targets 17.16 and 17.17. The research is based on a survey of 364 randomly selected environmental and social NGOs in Mexico. A probit model is used to analyze the data and generate insights whereby an NGO’s proclivity to engage with the private sector is associated with a number of fundamental organizational characteristics that make them distinct from other NGOs active in their field. The main findings show that likelihood of NGO engagement with firms is correlated with making corporate donations deductible for businesses, NGO size and scope, activities and level of professionalization, sustaining broader stakeholder relations, and showing transparency about the mission and goals of the NGO. The paper includes an analysis of the determinants of specific forms of engagement and discusses some implications for NGO–business engagement and its support of the SDG targets.

THE ROLE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION OF SOCIAL PROJECTS AND PROGRAMS IN IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF SOCIAL SERVICES

Introduction. Improving the quality of social services financed from regional budgets and provided by non-governmental social organizations is directly related to improving the efficiency of social programs and projects. Both the governing bodies and executors of the project and the target audience to which the project or program is directed are interested in the effective work of social projects and programs. Thus, providing feedback from beneficiaries on their satisfaction with the services provided under the project or from the expert community on the effectiveness of the program greatly encourages NGOs and governments to improve the quality and effectiveness of their work. Management of social projects is carried out directly by non-governmental public organizations, but state and regional authorities that finance these projects should also take part in this process. At the same time, the state is generally responsible for social policy, so the implementation of social projects, regardless of who implements them, ultimately fits into the system of public administration. One of the most important mechanisms that ensure the quality of management components in general and project management in particular is monitoring and evaluation. Goal. The purpose of the article is to determine the mechanism for improving the quality of social services provided by the private sector at the expense of regional budgets using methodological approaches to monitoring and evaluation. Method. The theoretical and methodological basis of this article is based on the use of basic provisions of economics, public administration and social work, legislation, as well as the main provisions of scientific developments of Ukrainian and foreign authors on the market of social services in Ukraine, monitoring and evaluation of social programs and projects. financed from regional budgets and implemented by non-governmental organizations. Methods of system and structural-functional analysis are also used (theoretical and methodological generalizations, study of the essence of the monitoring and evaluation process). Results. It was found that one of the priorities of the state policy of reforming social services is to create a market for social services and participation in this market of organizations of all forms of ownership, including non-governmental social organizations. It is proved that non-governmental organizations have a strong potential for the implementation of state policy in the reform of social services. An analysis of methods for monitoring and evaluating the quality of social services in Ukraine. Methodological approaches to assessing the effectiveness of social projects financed from regional budgets and implemented by non-governmental organizations are proposed.

Blood Feuds and Revenge in Canons and Medieval Statutes and Social Consequences

In this paper as object of this publication is the phenomenon of blood feud murders as a medieval phenomenon, which continues to accompany the life of the Albanian nation in modern times bringing loss of life and other negative consequences in the society. I purposefully chose this topic as a subject of study in this paper, by noticing the serious consequences that brings the blood feud, and I thought as valuable to investigate, draw conclusions, by stating the reasons and consequences of this medieval phenomenon and to submit my opinions related to this phenomenon. Through this study i want to point out the flow of this medieval phenomenon, reflecting its negative side as well as the consequences of this phenomenon, the tendency of this phenomenon nowdays, the work of the state authorities and non-governmental social organizations to mitigate this phenomenon, always in the service of life and freedom of the individual. Murders are the most serious crimes that affect the human right to live, as a fundamental human right protected by a number of international acts such as the Universal Declaration of the General Assembly of the UN (1948), the European Convention (1950), the Constitution of the Republic of Albania etc. Martin Luterking said (4th april 1968) “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me, but it can keep him from lynching me, and I think that's pretty important” Albanian scholars in Albania starting from the basic thesis that blood feud murders are social historical phenomena that have appeared since ancient times, in pre-state formations and blood feud was the only way of protection of certain social groups, a phenomenon which over time is replaced by the State and its structures. However in the Albanian areas this medieval phenomenon woefully continued to operate until today, that often appeared more terrific taking innocent human lives and beyond every customary rule. DOI: 10.5901/ajis.2015.v4n3p199

Chinese NGOs: Malfunction and Third-party Governance

As the speedy development of economy, NGOs in China is also in rapid growth in recent years. The development of Chinese NGOs led to the formation of Chinese-style third-party governance, but the forms in China are different from those in developed countries because such social transformation goals as political democratization, economic marketization and social modernization have not been achieved. The goal of third-party governance in China is to restore the development of NGO's economic, political and social functions, promote benign governance of non-governmental social organizations, government and market, that is, define the respective behavior boundaries of non-governmental social organizations, government and market in order to promote the healthy development of non-governmental organizations in China.

Russian welfare reform and social NGOs: strategies for claim-making and service provision in the case of Saint Petersburg

This paper examines how civic organisations dealing with social rights have responded to Russian welfare reforms. As beneficiaries of the Soviet paternalistic system of social provision, their interest has been to resist neoliberal policy shifts. However, the crackdown on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) under President Putin de-incentivises making challenging political claims. By distinguishing between ‘rent-seeking’ and ‘profit-seeking’ activities of NGOs (resulting in either the redistribution or production of public wealth), this paper enhances understanding of state–society relations in Russia. It highlights contradictory practices that allow the state to reduce overt, politicised protest by providing channels for certain privileged social groups and organisations.

Sustainability of Social Services Delivery Through Projects Management in Non-Governmental Organizations of Lithuania

This paper explores the Lithuanian non-governmental organizations in the provision of social welfare services and their ability to ensure the continuity of services, the supply of which is based on collaboration. The article is based on a qualitative study, which was attended by 10 experts from the social service non-governmental organizations.

The experience of the Kiev regional AIDS center in combating the spread of HIV infection in the Kiev and interaction with non-governmental social organization

Since the beginning of the registration of HIV, in Kiev there were registered a total 13,500 cases of HIV, 1,5 thousands people died. Under medical supervision in Kiev there are 9697 people with HIV, including the 1790 people who are in the stage of AIDS. Among vulnerable groups particularly distinguished IDU. During 2013 the number tested for HIV among this group is 3900 people. Infection level among them is 19.5 %. Identified by year of HIV-positive injecting drug users - 752. Enrollment rate in 2013 is 64 %. The majority (70.6 %) from infected IDU’s have III –IV clinical stage of disease. The assistance of non-governmental social organizations is critical. With the number of employees in the region of NGOs involved in the implementation of measures to combat HIV / AIDS in the region, the 5 most productive organizations are supported by the administration of Kyiv regional Clinical Hospital № 5 by allocating space for activities. Based cabinets anonymous HIV testing within the network Kyiv City AIDS Center and sites of ART also established cooperation with AIDS-service NGOs that implement preventive work with vulnerable groups and provide social support for persons living with HIV. Social workers allocated by the rooms required for their activity. Other NGOs engaged in addressing transition to the offices of anonymous testing people, who were positive in a testing in community centers, the mobile clinic or while. Results cooperation center and HIV service NGOs in Kiev: • Of the 932 patients, who were appointed ART, 894 patients (95.9 %) under the guidance of social workers • Percentage of adults and children with HIV known to be on ART at 12 months after initiation of ART- 86.43 % • Percentage of HIV -infected persons who received outpatient examination at the end of the year among the total number of HIV-infected persons who are under medical supervision 82% • Since 2009 increased the percentage of HIV -infected with TB who received treatment for TB and HIV, including through implementation of measures of social support persons with a triple problem of injecting drug users, HIV, TB

The EU's strategy on economic and social rights in Russia: a missed opportunity?

In recent years, the EU's policy on human rights in Russia has been the focus of considerable internal and external attention, much of it being critical. Despite long-standing programmes for funding human rights projects in Russia and the launch of biannual EU–Russia human rights consultations in 2005, the subject of human rights remains contentious within EU–Russia relations. One striking aspect of the EU's policy towards Russia is its focus on issues such as prison reform, freedom of speech and prevention of torture which can broadly be characterised as civil and political rights issues. The purpose of this article is to examine the EU's approach to another aspect of human rights policy which tends to receive very little attention, namely economic and social rights issues such as housing, health, access to social security and workers' rights. Using data gathered from elite interviews with EU officials and representatives of Russian human rights and social non-governmental organisations (NGOs) during fieldwork in Brussels and Russia in 2011, the article will argue that the EU's lack of internal consensus on the importance of economic and social rights issues hinders its ability to raise these issues in its interactions with Russia on human rights. Yet the fact that economic and social rights have traditionally enjoyed a relatively high degree of visibility and importance in Russia has the potential to make this an area where more fruitful engagement on human rights could take place.

Socijalno-ekonomski položaj i zdravstvene potrebe boraca i vojnih invalida u Beogradu

Objective: Process the collected data on health and social needs of the Liberation War Veterans and disabled veterans, in the period 2008 - 2011. year, in 17 municipalities of Belgrade, to analyze the obtained data and suggest appropriate measures. Method: The organized collection, processing and interpretation of data provided for projects by members of the Office of Veterans protect the City Board of SUBNOR and Commission for the Protection of War Veterans of the Republic Board of SUBNOR, and financially supported by the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and the Office for selection of projects of non-governmental social organizations in the City Administration - Secretariat for Social Welfare of the City of Belgrade. Results: 4523 NOR participants were surveyed, including 399 disabled veterans, of which 3316 men and 1207 women. The largest number of respondents (70.0%) belongs to the oldest age group - 85 and over. Of 3559 respondents, over two thirds (41.5%) own health was assessed as satisfactory, slightly more (44.1%) as bad and 14.5% as very poor. From the responses received, it was concluded that they have an average two to three diseases. Of particular importance is information about 226 fixed, and 1284 (42.9%) limited mobile soldiers. When asked about moving out of 3466positive responses, 2139 (61.8%) without restriction, while the 1327 (38.2%) limited mobility. Limited facilities for personal hygiene were found in one third of respondents. According to the data from the 3718, one-quarter of respondents (24.9%) lived alone, 37.3% in households with two members and 37.9% in households with three or more members. The financial situation of the surveyed soldiers, according to their statements, it was assessed as good in 47.4% of cases, tolerable (41.3) and as poor in 425 (11.3%). One in four respondents said the need for home help services, and 16.6% of respondents want that placement in the home. Conclusion: To initiate and implement permanent measures and activities appropriate to the found facts and the current needs of veterans, with the aim of removing obstacles and improving the care of the surviving veterans and their families.

Land institutions and supply chain configurations as determinants of soybean planted area and yields in Brazil

Soybean production has become a significant force for economic development in Brazil. It has also received considerable attention from environmental and social non-governmental organizations as a driver of deforestation and land consolidation. While many researchers have examined the impacts of soybean production on human and environmental landscapes, there has been little investigation into the economic and institutional context of Brazilian soybean production or the relationship between soy yields and planted area. This study examines the influence of land tenure, land use policy, cooperatives, and credit access on soy production in Brazil. Using county level data we provide statistical evidence that soy planted area and yields are higher in regions where cooperative membership and credit levels are high, and cheap credit sources are more accessible. This result suggests that soybean production and profitability will increase as supply chain infrastructure improves in the Cerrado and Amazon biomes in Brazil. The yields of competing land uses, wheat, coffee, and cattle production and a complementary use, corn production, also help to determine the location of soybean planted area in Brazil. We do not find a significant relationship between land tenure and planted area or land tenure and yields. Soy yields decline as transportation costs increase, but planted area as a proportion of arable land is highest in some of the areas with very high transportation costs. In particular, counties located within Mato Grosso and counties within the Amazon biome have a larger proportion of their arable, legally available land planted in soy than counties outside of the biome. Finally, we provide evidence that soy yields are positively associated with planted area, implying that policies intending to spare land through yield improvements could actually lead to land expansion in the absence of strong land use regulations. While this study focuses on Brazil, the results underscore the importance of understanding how supply chains influence land use associated with cash crops in other countries.

Expert stakeholder attitudes and support for alternative water sources in a groundwater depleted region

The main objectives of this research were to quantify the risks/benefits and impacts of alternative water sources (AWSs) as perceived by expert stakeholders and to evaluate the overall support for multiple AWSs by expert stakeholders. The St. Johns River (SJR) basin, FL, USA was chosen as a case study for AWSs because it is a fresh groundwater depleted region and there are ongoing activities related to water supply planning. Expert stakeholders included federal, state, and local governments, public utilities, consulting engineering and industry, and environmental and social non-governmental organizations. AWSs under consideration in the SJR basin include surface water, desalination, water reclamation, and water conservation. A two-phase research approach was followed that focused on expert stakeholders. First, an elicitation study was used to identify salient beliefs about AWSs. Open-ended questions were asked about the risks/benefits of AWSs in terms of the three pillars of sustainability: ecological, economic, and human health impacts. Second, an online survey was constructed using beliefs identified during the elicitation study. The online survey was used to quantify attitudes toward and overall support for AWSs. The salient beliefs of expert stakeholders were dominated by the ecological pillar of sustainability. The support of expert stakeholders for AWSs, from least favorable to most favorable, was surface water withdrawals<desalination<water reclamation<water conservation, and was shaped by attitudes. The results of this research provide an improved understanding of the beliefs and attitudes that influence decision-makers involved in water supply planning.

Labour, New Social Movements and the Resistance to Neoliberal Restructuring in Europe

The purpose of this article is to analyse one of the very first European-level instances of trade union and social movement interaction in defence of the public sector, namely, the Coalition for Green and Social Procurement, an alliance of European trade unions and green and social non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and its campaign for an amendment of the new public procurement directives from 2000 to 2003. It will be examined to what extent this campaign was able to change the directives and counter neoliberal restructuring effectively as well as what the possibilities but also limits of trade union and social movement cooperation are as exemplified in this particular case study.

Towards a Meta-Reference Model for the Collaborative Network Area - DOI:10.15600/1679-5350/rau.v6n2p122-136

The collaborative network concept is not new, but its use has being influenced in the political, social and economic global changes. The concept is not only being applied in the industry, but also in the service sector, as well as governmental and non-governmental social organizations. For that reason reference models for different sectors are being proposed, developed and implemented. In the present work are presented and compared four different reference models of collaborative networks considering a functional dimension perspective. The objective of this work is to identify core processes that exist in those four models that could be considered as a basis for the development of a meta-reference model for the Collaborative Network discipline. The paper introduced the idea to develop a meta-reference model in order to facilitate the creation and operation of new collaborative networks.

Towards a Meta-Reference Model for the Collaborative Network Area

The collaborative network concept is not new, but its use has being influenced in the political, social and economic global changes. The concept is not only being applied in the industry, but also in the service sector, as well as governmental and non-governmental social organizations. For that reason reference models for different sectors are being proposed, developed and implemented. In the present work are presented and compared four different reference models of collaborative networks considering a functional dimension perspective. The objective of this work is to identify core processes that exist in those four models that could be considered as a basis for the development of a meta-reference model for the Collaborative Network discipline. The paper introduced the idea to develop a meta-reference model in order to facilitate the creation and operation of new collaborative networks

What Did WSSD Accomplish? AN NGO PERSPECTIVE

Many environmental and social nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) see the World Summit on Sustainable Development as either a failure or a lost opportunity. What lessons can be learned from this summit? Will NGOs need to change how they put forth their central messages?