Cross-Mandate Cooperation among Humanitarian NGOs and Development NGOs: a Case Study

Abstract: The aim of this thesis is to uncover under what conditions humanitarian NGOs and development NGOs are most likely to cooperate. Of particular interest are the dynamics of cross-mandate cooperation within protracted crises. In the light of a changing humanitarian landscape and the current international advocacy for the implementation of a ‘humanitarian-development nexus’ the relevance of the topic is underpinned. Furthermore, existing literature on inter-organisational and inter-NGO cooperation does not distinguish between humanitarian and development actors, which leaves open an unexplored gap that this thesis will contribute to fill. Based on external review reports and two supplementary interviews conducted with NGO representatives, four cases of cross-mandate cooperation will be examined. In particular the incentives and disincentives of humanitarian and development NGOs respectively will be identified. The study shows that both types of NGOs respond strongly to economic incentives, and that mutual trust creates conditions under which humanitarian and development action can be aligned. Furthermore, the study demonstrates that cross-mandate cooperation can be successful under conditions where the limits posed by the distinct principles of humanitarian and development action are recognised. Given the strength of economic incentives for both development NGOs and humanitarian NGOs, donors in particular are in an influential position to either stimulate or impede conditions for cross-mandate cooperation.