10.3.1: Isolation could be a problem if other types of relationships could be helpful in performing the NGO's core business, especially in broadening its service to more (and perhaps other) target groups. Relationships in the outside world may help to learn, to broaden the scope, and of course to cooperate. The main question is why the NGO misses these external contacts. Sometimes NGO's become isolated because of a hostile attitude in the public opinion in the outside world. A reaction may be to protect the organisation from unfriendly and unwanted influences, and to concentrate on the work. Some NGO's hesitate tightening external contacts, because of the meddling in that might be the consequence. Especially if the NGO is rather convinced of the own (moral) rightness, it sometimes breaks contacts with the outside world, in order to preserve the pure ideological convictions. Sometimes the relationships with specific outside organisations (government, GO's, some private institutions) are based on enmity. May be based on negative experiences in the past, but sometimes degenerated into a rigid image of being enemies. The NGO should reconsider its relationships with the outside world. Tight positive relationships are not the only options. Especially the relationships toward governmental bodies could well be variable, sometimes being adversaries, sometimes partners.

Look at solution 9: cooperation. Read action 1: strategy. Read action 2: negotiating skills. Read action 3: ten golden rules for lobbying. Read civil society 4: NGO's and development action.