Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs)

Purpose-Local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) being regarded as the clear representation of the participation of people, pave the way for fulfilling the objectives of sustainable development. The main goal of this study is to investigate the circumstances and consequences of local NGOs in empowering rural women in protecting the environment of Roshtkhar County (One of the southern Counties of Khorasan Razavi province). Design/methodology/approach- The data needed for this study have been obtained through semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of the founding boards and active members of NGOs (n =27). Findings-The results of the current study that utilized the conventional coding process indicating that in the villages studied, NGOs protect and improve the environmental performance and lead to the economic empowerment of the rural women. Research limitations / implications- Similar to other rural research, this research has encountered some general problems that have plagued other rural research in the country. Statistical problems and lack of cooperation and justification of Governmental organizations Originality/value- As the results of most studies show, despite some difficulties and difficulties for the growth and development of such institutions in the country, most of them have an important role in women's empowerment. Although very little research has been done in the country, no research has been done in the study area.

Purpose - Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play a significant role in the process of sustainable development and the social vitality of communities. These organizations focus on strengthening the economic and social capacities of marginalized groups, addressing general public issues, and sometimes tackling the challenges of specific social strata. In the age of globalization, sustainable development of a society depends on resolving its environmental, economic, and social problems. Design/methodology/approach- This study adopts a descriptive-analytical approach and was conducted in the villages and among the households of Zahak County, located in Sistan and Baluchestan Province. Using Cochran's formula and questionnaires, 21 villages were selected as the sample, comprising 358 households. In order to obstacles to the growth and expansion of non-governmental organizations in the rural areas of Zahk county. To further assess the relationship between NGOs and sustainable development,  Analysis of Variance (ANOVA)  was employed. Additionally, the  Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP)  was applied to identify the most influential factors contributing to the effectiveness of NGOs. Finally, the  Fuzzy TOPSIS method  was used to prioritize the villages based on the role of NGOs in sustainable development. Findings-  The results of the research indicate that the impact of NGOs on rural development dimensions has been generally unfavorable, with only the socio-cultural dimension showing a significant effect (Beta coefficient: 0.311), while other dimensions demonstrated negligible influence. Practical Implications - According to the research findings, investing in and implementing socio-cultural programs can help expand NGOs and improve the current condition of villages in Zahak County towards sustainable development. Originality/Value - Although previous research has been conducted in various regions of Iran, the distinct characteristics of Zahak County -where this study is focused- limit the applicability of earlier findings. Consequently, new research is necessary to address the specific conditions of this area. Zahak County faces unique challenges, particularly due to the cessation of water flow from the Helmand River by the Afghan government. This disruption has significantly impacted local livelihoods and altered environmental conditions, creating circumstances that warrant dedicated investigation.