A Profile of the NGOs

Abstract

This chapter provides a profile of the NGOs included in the study, including their origins, staffing levels, self-assessed strengths and weaknesses, and goals and activities, as well as their perceptions of their success in reaching their goals and the obstacles to success. The goals, strategies, and activities of Cameroonian environmental NGOs reflect, in part, their efforts to adapt to the social, economic, political, and physical contexts within which they operate (see chapters 4 and 5). But in addition, they are constrained to some extent by their own traditions, institutionalized practices, and sunk costs—that is, by their past investments in equipment, knowledge, and staff skills (see chapter 2). Although these constraints do shape their choices, some latitude remains for innovation and choice, and their choices are not always equally successful.