Study of the impact of the work of FORUT in Sri Lanka and Save the Children Norway in Ethiopia : Building Civil Society : Synthesis Report

This is the fourth and final report resulting from a study commissioned by the Evaluation Section of the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in December 2002. The study has been undertaken by the Norwegian Institute for Urban and Regional Research in collaboration with Chr. Michelsen Institute.

The study examines how Norwegian non-governmental organisations (NGOs) contribute to strengthening civil society, along the lines set out in Norwegian guidelines for support to civil society organisations. The study addresses the contribution that two Norwegian NGOs, Save the Children Norway and FORUT, make in terms of strengthening civil society in two widely different country contexts; Ethiopia and Sri Lanka. Moreover, the study assesses the impact of the work of these two Norwegian NGOs and their partners in three areas in which NGOs are believed to be in a position to make a contribution: good governance and democratisation, respect for human rights and poverty reduction. The study discusses the implications that the study findings have on NGO reporting and considers the notion that NGOs should act as change agents.