Measuring the Effectiveness of NGO Networks: Outcomes, Processes, and Methodological Challenges
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-ntallstrscimp-08
Usage Terms: Institutional, organizational, or professional use requires an active license from NEYA Global
About the Article
Evaluating NGO network effectiveness requires integrating outcome- and process-based perspectives due to the diffuse and relational nature of collaboration. This article examines indicators such as policy change, service delivery, resource exchange, trust, legitimacy, and inclusivity, using global examples like the International Campaign to Ban Landmines and climate advocacy coalitions. Methodological approaches—including social network analysis, comparative case studies, and mixed methods—highlight the challenges of attribution and measuring intangible assets. Effectiveness emerges as a balance between tangible outcomes and the relational processes that sustain collaboration, with governance, coordination, and legitimacy being central. The article emphasizes that a nuanced evaluation captures both the strategic value and the operational dynamics of NGO networks. For practitioners, it clarifies the benefits and limitations of collaboration; for scholars, it advances understanding of networks as agents of change and arenas of relational governance.
Key Topics
- NGO network effectiveness
- Outcome and process indicators
- Trust, legitimacy, and resource exchange
- Social network analysis and evaluation methods
- Governance and coordination mechanisms
- Methodological challenges in measuring collaboration
Suggested Citation
Kazanskaia, A. N. (2025). Measuring the Effectiveness of NGO Networks: Outcomes, Processes, and Methodological Challenges. NEYA Global Journal of Non-Profit Studies. NEYA Global Publishing. https://doi.org/10.64357/neya-gjnps-ntallstrscimp-08
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