Case Studies of Resilient Non-Profit Organisations: Lessons from Crisis Contexts
Author: Dr. Anna Neya Kazanskaia
Publisher: NEYA Global Publishing
Article | NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies
Year: 2025
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0009-5669-1676
DOI: https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-rslpsstrldtm-08
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About the Article
Empirical case studies reveal how non-profit organisations enact resilience in complex and crisis-prone environments. This article examines NGOs operating under three distinct crisis contexts: advocacy groups navigating political repression, humanitarian organisations functioning in protracted emergencies, and grassroots initiatives responding to sudden shocks. The analysis identifies structural and relational mechanisms that sustain mission continuity—decentralised networks, participatory governance, trust-based mobilisation, and adaptive management. Comparative insights demonstrate that resilience is shaped as much by social capital and collective learning as by formal systems or donor resources. Failures, conversely, often stem from rigid hierarchies, external dependency, and disregard for staff well-being. The findings confirm that resilience is both an internal organisational capability and an external relational process, offering actionable lessons for leaders, practitioners, and policymakers seeking to build adaptive, ethically grounded, and sustainable NGOs in volatile contexts.
Key Topics
- Resilience in crisis-affected NGOs
- Advocacy and civic resilience under repression
- Humanitarian operations and adaptive management
- Grassroots leadership and community mobilisation
- Decentralised networks and participatory governance
- Organisational learning and cultural adaptability
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Case Studies of Resilient Non-Profit Organisations: Lessons from Crisis Contexts. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-rslpsstrldtm-08
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