An analysis of the challenges of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in relations with the government: a grounded theory

Despite the emphasis on the importance of participation in development programs led by NGOs, there is still a lack of effective communication between governments and NGOs. Although governments claim to promote partnerships and stakeholder influence, they often resist actual collaboration and fail to create effective partnerships. This poses a significant problem for development processes, as effective communication is essential for meaningful participation in development. In order to investigate this issue, the present research focused on the relationship between the government and NGOs, and how they work together. The study utilized the grounded theory method and conducted in-depth interviews with 33 secretaries from youth centers in Isfahan province. The findings highlighted that youth NGOs have become deeply embedded in the government. This embeddedness has raised concerns about the NGOs' ability to maintain their independence and long-term viability. Consequently, their experiences of collaborating with the government are perceived as temporary, reflecting the challenges posed by their embeddedness. Not only does the government set the boundaries for the activities of youth NGOs, but it also controls the way they interact with these organizations. Furthermore, the government adopts a narrow perspective towards NGOs, their members, how they operate, the success of their plans, and even their relationship with the government itself.