The NGO Forum

Abstract

This article examines the unique characteristics of the NGO forum as a networked organization, that is, an organization structure that relies on multiparty cooperative relationships between people across structural, temporal and geographic boundaries. It studies the working methodology of the forum to discover the knowledge creation process and how such an organization utilizes its experience and knowledge work to be a successful development partner with all concerned stakeholders. Moreover, communication among forum stakeholders is not the result of random, but deliberate interactions done in the manner of a community of practice (CoP), which in turn is a part of the epistemic community that is influencing the national, global policies on water and sanitation. The study also brings out that an “environmental information system” is very important for it to function as a networked organization. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.