Development, Effects, and Outcomes of NGOs in Villages of Roshtkhar County: A Case Study

Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) represent participation of the people and pave the way of sustainable development objectives. This research mainly aimed to investigate the conditions and outcomes of the development of local NGOs in the villages of Roshtkhar County. The required data for the study were obtained through semi-structured interviews with a selected sample of founders and active members of NGOs (n=27). Using conventional coding process of Grounded theory, the interview texts were analyzed and the findings of the analysis matrix template were compiled by 85 open codes, 24 axial codes, and 7 selective codes. With regard to the designed pattern, NGOs in rural areas of Roshtkhar County have been founded by certain objectives and factual conditions such as economic and social factors as well as influence of internal and external factors, and also context conditions like ecological, cultural, and religious ones. Thus, the expansion of these organizations in susceptible rural areas has resulted in various social, economic, and environmental outcomes. Most important problems facing NGOs in rural areas are people’s misunderstanding of the functions of NGOs in the village, shortage of budget, cultural poverty, NGOs’ unsuccessful previous experiences, and negative attitudes towards NGOs in rural areas.