How to Understand Why Our Work Is Not Going Well and How to Identify What We Need?

In every non-governmental organization, challenges arise sooner or later that can hinder the achievement of important goals. These challenges often go unnoticed or are dismissed as "normal difficulties," when in fact they are symptoms of deeper organizational problems. Research by the Foundation for Civil Society Development (FCSD) shows that in Bulgaria around 16,000 non-profit organizations face such difficulties, which affect their manageability and sustainability. According to the analysis, many NGOs do not recognize the need for professional assistance and strategic consulting, which is of crucial importance for their long-term development. More information about the research can be found here. In order to achieve their missions and attain long-term success, NGOs must recognize these symptoms in time and take concrete steps to address them. In this article we will look at some of the most common signs that your organization needs change, and what steps can be taken to get back on the right track.

Observations from Impact Drive's Experience

At Impact Drive, we decided to share our observations on these cases in an interview with Teodora Ivanova-Valeva (Tedi), co-founder of Impact Drive. Tedi leads her own trainings in organizational development and social entrepreneurship and is a certified Erasmus+ trainer with extensive experience in consulting non-governmental organizations. In 2023, Impact Drive worked with 6 organizations under long-term contracts, while another 22 participated in our educational initiatives. To date, we have supported more than 60 organizations through various events and trainings.

"We frequently encounter organizations that have recognized the need to build on their capacity and competencies. Despite this, the major challenges continue to be budget constraints and a lack of time for long-term strategic planning."

"One of the most common mistakes is the absence of an updated vision," says Teodora Ivanova-Valeva, emphasizing that it is essential for an organization's vision to be reviewed at least once a year. According to her, this ensures that all efforts are directed toward the right goals, and that the organization remains relevant and effective in its work. So if your NGO is struggling to maintain focus or momentum, this may be a sign that it is time to update your strategy.

Common Symptoms and Their Solutions

In working with non-governmental organizations, phrases like "I need a website," "I need people," and "I need funding" are frequently heard. At first glance, these statements may seem insignificant, but they actually reveal the deeper nature of the problems organizations face. Here are some of the most common "symptoms" and suggestions for how to deal with them.

Symptom No. 1: Lack of clarity in goals and strategies

According to Teodora Ivanova-Valeva, one of the most common mistakes is the absence of strategic direction. Organizations often fall into the trap of day-to-day tasks, pushing their long-term goals into the background, which can lead to a loss of direction and motivation. To avoid this, Tedi recommends regular strategic sessions during which the vision is reviewed and progress is assessed.

Solution: Holding strategic sessions to update long-term goals and keep the organizational vision in sync with current needs.

How can we help? Impact Drive offers facilitation of strategic sessions to help you clarify and update your organization's goals, while at the same time optimizing your resources for achieving sustainable results. Don't hesitate to get in touch with us here. Symptom No. 2: Overloaded team and lack of prioritization The feeling of constant overload is a sure sign that your team is under pressure. According to Tedi, this is a common problem when organizations operate in "firefighting" mode, without paying attention to their core structure and tasks. This leads to low efficiency and stress for the team.

Solution: Introducing a clear organizational structure and prioritizing tasks in order to reduce overload and stress within the team. Integrating internal management tools, as well as regular and structured operational meetings with the team, are just some of the approaches that can make your day-to-day work easier.

How can we help? Impact Drive offers consultations for building effective team processes that will help you achieve a balance between strategic and operational tasks, thereby improving workflow and employee satisfaction. Our services are personalized and aimed at finding the most precise solution for your organization. Browse our consultations and request a meeting with our team here.

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These are certainly the two most commonly encountered symptoms that NGOs face as they strive for growth and sustainability. Beyond these, other difficulties frequently arise within organizational teams that also need to be addressed. At Impact Drive, we are dedicated to helping organizations like yours identify problems and implement solutions that lead to real progress.

We work with a wide range of NGOs, from teams of 1-2 people to teams of 25. The thematic areas in which we have worked together with various organizations include human rights, ecology, youth issues, and work with local communities. According to our team's view, some topics, particularly in the area of human rights, present challenges in an increasingly politicized environment.

If your NGO is facing any of these challenges, don't hesitate to request a meeting with the Impact Drive team so that we can work together toward a more successful and effective organization.