Introduction Against a global backdrop marked by economic, health and geopolitical crises, several countries in the North, including Belgium, are tending to shift their budgetary priorities towards security issues and domestic needs. This trend is gradually leading to a reduction in the resources allocated to development cooperation, thereby affecting international solidarity policies and the funding of organisations active in this sector. This research therefore analyses the effects of the reduction in official development assistance (ODA) on non-governmental organisations (NGOs) working in development cooperation, particularly in Belgium. At the same time, it also analyses the adaptation strategies implemented by these organisations to cope with the financial, institutional and operational constraints caused by the decline in public funding. Methods This research adopts an inductive approach and draws on several data collection techniques and methods, including: semi-structured interviews with a range of stakeholders involved in the development cooperation sector in Belgium (non-governmental organisations, academic institutions, public sector bodies, civil society partners and beneficiaries); as well as documentary analysis, which drew on an in-depth review of institutional reports, academic articles, strategic frameworks, public policies, project documents, publications by international organisations and archives relating to the practices and dynamics of development cooperation. This methodological combination made it possible to cross-reference discourses, field experiences and documentary sources in order to better understand the challenges, rationales for action, power relations and contemporary transformations shaping the field of development cooperation. Results This study shows that in the current climate, characterised by budget cuts, development cooperation NGOs face increased competition for funding, technocratic requirements inspired by New Public Management, and a gradual decline in public and budgetary support. In this context, the study shows that small NGOs, which are often closer to local communities, find themselves marginalised in the face of larger, more professionalised organisations. Faced with these challenges, Belgian NGOs are seeking to diversify their funding sources, strengthen their partnerships – particularly with actors in the Global South – and rethink their advocacy strategies in order to preserve international solidarity. Conclusion The study calls for a rethinking of the Belgian cooperation model, based on resilience, the complementarity of actors, and recognition of the essential role of NGOs in promoting sustainable and human-centred development.
Chavez Cikuru Kamera (Tue,) studied this question.