A Sociological Analysis on the Survival Challenges and Sustainability of NGOs Active in Social Problems: With an Emphasis on Their Relationship with the State

The present study focuses the NGOs involved in social problems and examines their resilience and survival challenges with specific reference to the state. Theoretically, this study employs the grounded theory and empirically it uses the method of semi-structured in-depth interviews. The interviewees are 25 people who are active in the NGOs.
According to the research findings of this analysis, the NGOs encounter with crucial internal challenges including the insufficient monetary resources, the lack of social capital and common motives, and incomprehensive approach towards social problems. Furthermore, these research findings show that the most important external challenges imposed on the NGOs are mainly a matter of ‘communication’, either the communications within all NGOs or the NGOs’ communications with individuals, society and the state. Finally, the presence of the following determinants leads to further challenges in communication between the NGOs and the state: insufficient regulations for the establishment of the NGOs, insufficient coordination both within the relevant governmental agencies and within the NGOs, the NGOs dependency on the state both financially and non-financially, the lack of appropriate supervision mechanism and inefficient bureaucratic system of the state related to the NGOs activities.