What are some of the advantages and disadvantages of governmental organizations?

Advantages

They have the ability to experiment freely with innovative approaches and, if necessary, to take risks.

They are flexible in adapting to local situations and responding to local needs and therefore able to develop integrated projects, as well as sectoral projects.

They enjoygood rapport with people and can render micro-assistance to very poor peope as they can identify those who are most in need and tailor assistance to their needs.

They have the ability to communicate at all levels, from the neighbourhood to the top levels of government.

They are able to recruit both experts and highly motivated staff with fewer restrictions than the government.

Disadvantages

Paternalistic attitudes restrict the degree of participation in programme/project design.

Restricted/constrained ways of apporach to a problem or area.

Redued replicability of an idea, due to non-representativeness of the project or selected area, relatively small project coverage, dependence on outside financial resources, etc.

"Territorial possessiveness" of an area or project reduces cooperation between agencies, seen as threatening or competitive.