Non-Government Organisations’ Aid Projects: Their Effectiveness and Contribution to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Findings from Uganda

Purpose: Looking back at the history of the evolution of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and as part of a broader research on Value for Money of NGO aid projects, this research assesses the effectiveness of three concluded projects in Uganda. Design/Methodology/Approach: A cross-sectional survey of targeted households is used to collect data. Using this data, project effectiveness is assessed against the achievement of project objectives and two household poverty thresholds; the US$1.9 a day poverty threshold and ten multidimensional poverty indicators derived from the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Findings: The projects are not effective. Despite there being improvements in performance indicators for all project objectives between baseline and the survey, targets were not always achieved. Considering achieved targets, 50% of the ten objectives were achieved. Using a 75% cut-off point, the NGO aid projects were ineffective. Originality/Value: In the wake of renewed efforts to achieve the UN’s Agenda 2030, development aid delivery should be guided by evidence of effectiveness of aid channels; NGOs are one of these channels. Keywords: Civil Society; Effectiveness of NGO Projects; Development Effectiveness; Multidimensional Poverty; Southern NGOs; Sustainable Development Goals; Value for Money. Citation: Kaijabwango, C. (2025): Non-Government Organisations’ Aid Projects: Their Effectiveness and Contribution to Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals: Findings from Uganda. World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development (WJSTSD), Vol. 20, No. 3, pp. 211-230. WASD: London, United Kingdom.