OPS 33. Emerging NGO-Business Relations in Central Asia

NGOs and businesses are often perceived as being at opposite ends of the continuum of concern on issues of poverty and development. Yet an increasing number of NGOs and companies are seeking to work collaboratively around the world. However, negative stereotypical perceptions run very deep on both sides and continue to lead to mutual suspicion and resistance to change to this new development paradigm. NGOs often themselves as the poor relation in private sector collaborations, and companies as the main beneficiaries. NGOs also have a tendency to think of themselves as moral arbiters which can impose nervousness and restrains the way they approach the private sector. In turn, companies perceive NGOs as undisciplined, idealistic dreamers, blind to the reality of the market place.

In central Asia the dynamics of relationship between NGOs and private sector is a relatively new phenomenon and hence has received very little attention. As part of a global research project, the objective of this study is to ascertain the level of emerging relations between NGOs with business in three of the five republics of Central Asia: Kazakstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan.