Tracking External Donor Funding.pdf - NDC

Foreword
Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations (PNGOs)
play a central role in the social and economic life of the
Palestinian Territories, far more than is the case in
neighboring states and countries with comparable levels
of development. One of the primary reasons for this is
undoubtedly the prolonged period of occupation
experienced by the Palestinian population. Of equal
significance was the absence of central governing
institutions capable of providing basic services to the
population. However, even after the establishment of the
Palestinian Authority (PA) and the emergence of an
infant form of central administration, the role of PNGOs
did not diminish. Indeed, the number of PNGOs has
actually increased from approximately 930 in the year
2000 to about 1,500 in 2007. It is clear, therefore, that
the development of a centralized Palestinian
administrative structure has not negated or even reduced
the need for the services supplied by civil associations.
Another reason for this persistence is that a considerable
portion of the international aid to the Palestinian
Territories is channeled through these civil society
institutions. Our estimate suggests that, at present, about
10 per cent of international aid to the Palestinian
Territories is channeled through the PNGO sector.
MAS has paid particular attention to the role that PNGOs
play in Palestinian economic and social life. We have
undertaken two major surveys, in 2000 and 2007,
covering the general features of PNGOs (their legal
status, year of establishment, recruitment, beneficiaries,
funding and internal structure), their geographic and
sectoral distribution and their capabilities and needs.
Additionally, in 2007 MAS published a study evaluating
the effectiveness of PNGOs in the fields of democracy,
governance and human rights.
The present study takes our research programme
regarding PNGOs one step further. The study’s central
aim is to track funding of international donors to PNGOs
during a ten-year period (1999-2008). Two surveys were
undertaken for this purpose; one from the side of PNGOs
and the other from the side of the donors. Data regarding
the amounts and sources of external funds as well as the
way these funds were allocated to the various sectors,
regions and governorates in the West Bank and Gaza is
provided in the study. Furthermore, in order to put the
external funding received by PNGOs into perspective,
this study includes a comprehensive review of the
external aid directed to the Palestinian Territories along
with a detailed map of the structures that coordinate the
relationship between donors and Palestinian institutions.
Analysis of external aid to PNGOs provides an important
contribution to the understanding of the development
process in Palestine. For successful development to be
achieved in the Palestinian Territories it is essential that
there should be a complementary relationship between
PNGOs and Palestinian governmental institutions. The
objective of the current study is to shed light on the
sources of external finance and the way external funds
are deployed by PNGOs. It is hoped that this will
contribute towards the wider goal of improving the
effectiveness of the PNGOs and enhancing cooperation
and coordination between Palestinian civil society
organizations and central administrative bodies.
Numan Kanafani
Director General
MAS
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