4.7.1 The role of INGOs vs. the legitimacy of national DPOs
Most case studies have been largely reported from the viewpoint of Handicap International staff. They usually defined their own position with regard to technical and financial assistance, but generally tried not to dominate the process. Moreover, in some cases they lacked legitimacy in defining national policies, especially in Honduras and Bangladesh, where their direct influence was in any case restricted. On the other hand, local NGOs or DPOs often do not have the necessary capacities and competences for intervention. Time pressure is immense in PRS processes, so the possibility of conducting a participatory process with local stakeholders or even strengthening their own capacity remains extremely limited if they are unable to find strong allies. These experiences suggest that INGOs can be very efficient in their role as a “door opener” in any PRS process, but they should avoid being the leading agency.
