Read: civil society 4: NGO's and development action.

NGO's with a developmental aim are often called NGDO's (Non Governmental Development Organisations). They perform the following macro and micro tasks.

Macro tasks:

• policy advocacy
• lobbying
• public education
• public mobilisation
• monitoring compliance
• reconciliation and mediation

Micro tasks:

• material services
• social services
• financial services
• capacity building
• process facilitation
• fostering linkages
• reconciliation, mediation

Macro tasks are aimed at reform of the international order, reform of the public service and public policies and restructuring political economy.

Together they enable institutional reforms for good governance.

Micro tasks are aimed at: empowerment of communities and individuals, strengthening of local institutions, sustained improvements in physical well-being.

Together they enable mobilising and strengthening of civil society.

(Parts of) organisation with macro tasks should support those with micro tasks. (Parts of) organisations with micro tasks should inform those with macro tasks.

Macro and micro tasks together may lead to a socially just and sustainable economy with accountable inclusive systems of governance.

From: Fowler: Striking a balance. Earthscan, London, 2000.