Resource platform,capacity building and social networking: a case study of NPI initiative

From the perspective of ‘state-society relations’, Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are commonly perceived as having a restrained and limited role in China and being subject to various degrees of government supervision. In recent years the third sector in China has gradually developed its own unique survival strategies. Although grassroots Chinese NGOs have increased rapidly, a majority of them face long-term sustainability, especially during the start-up period. In response to these needs, NPI Initiative is developed, drawing on the commercial concept of business incubators in providing comprehensive support to newly established NGOs. The paper first provides an overview of the current situation of NGO development in China. Second, it introduces NPI Initiative as a matrix organization of several supportive organizations, with a case example to illustrate the role and function of NPI in the incubation of selected Chinese NGOs. Third, it discusses how NPI has been functioning as a ‘bridge’ between government organizations and grassroots NGOs.