1. What is an NGO

2. A non-governmental organization (NGO) is any non-profit, voluntary citizens group which is organized on a local, national or international level.

3. Task-oriented and driven by people with a common interest, NGOs perform a variety of service and humanitarian functions, bring citizen concerns to Governments, advocate and monitor policies, and encourage political participation through provision of information.
Some are organized around specific issues, such as human rights, environment or health.

4. NGOs are referred in many ways.
NPOs or Not for profit
VOs or Voluntary Organisations
CSOs or Civil Society Organisations
CBOs or Community Based Organisations
Charitable Organisations
Third Sector Organisations (The other two sectors are state and the market)

5. Typical Forms of NGOs
Advocacy - These NGOs basically work on advocacy or campaigning on issues or causes. As a focus, they do not implement programmes.
Consultancy / Research Organisations - These NGOs work on Social and Developmental Research & Consultancy
Training / Capacity Building Organisations - In the NGO Sector, training is usually called as Capacity Building. Some NGOs only work on Capacity Building of the other NGOs
Mother NGOs - These NGOs are recipients as well as givers
Self Help Groups - They are not typically termed as NGOs. These are formed by beneficiary communities.