Why Networks Matter

Over the last decade, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and Community-based Organizations (CBOs) worldwide have experienced explosive growth in their resources along with a corresponding rise in the expectations that internal and external stakeholders hold for them. At the same time, there has been an emergence of a heightened awareness of the complexity of issues facing developing countries, which necessitate a multisectoral, society-wide response. To meet these growing challenges, many development policy makers and practitioners have turned to networks as a source of learning, solidarity, and collaborative action. According to an African proverb, when cobwebs unite they can tie up a lion.  Indeed, many organizations throughout the world are experiencing the power of networking to support their development goals and help scale up the impact of their important work.

Many other NGOs, however, continue to operate as "islands", delivering sometimes redundant services, or missing out on opportunities to expand their technical knowledge or reach new audiences with their services and programs. To respond to the increasing stakeholder demands and an increasingly complex operating environment, NGOs and their leaders must learn to value collaboration, be open to new ideas, and be willing to learn from others through knowledge sharing.

In the development context, a network can promote the sharing of experiences — good and bad — and improve contributions to development goals. Through Pact CBSG's extensive experiences participating in and facilitating networks — both formal and informal — we have observed the following benefits:

• Networks can be excellent mechanisms for promoting the rapid exchange of ideas, skills and information, often on a global scale.
• Networks that serve to coordinate development efforts often minimize the duplication of programs and services and create greater efficiencies.
• Networks can bring together diverse groups and individuals who, under ordinary circumstances, might not have the opportunity to interact in any substantive manner. This diversity contributes to more expansive and creative thinking about development challenges and their solutions.
• Networks have the potential to enhance the legitimacy of the NGO sector in the eyes of donors, governments, the private sector, and the general public.
• High-functioning networks are sometimes able to attract financial resources.

For a list of Pact CBSG's Network Strengthening Services, click here.