From the small number of evaluations available, there is evidence to suggest that Palestinian NGOs have been effective in providing services and contributing to a variety of social, rural and private-sector development goals. Although smaller, locally-oriented organisations tended to be more effective at reaching the most marginalised groups and were deemed to be more legitimate in the eyes of their constituencies, their impact was often constrained by poor capacity and governance issues. The sector’s impact has been limited by internal competition and coordination issues, which have been partly addressed by the World Bank’s support to umbrella bodies and initiatives such as the NGO Code of Conduct.
The literature is divided about the potential for NGOs to support the broader objectives of improving governance, building peace and strengthening civil society. A large body of research critiques the professionalization and de-politicisation of Palestinian civil society that has accompanied the rise in donor funding since the 1990s. Other studies highlight NGOs’ achievements in improving governance, by supporting the capacity of the Palestinian Authority (PA) or helping to ensure free and fair elections. Although there are signs that civil society has been ‘re-politicised’ in recent months, the impact and long-term viability of mass protest initiatives is uncertain.
