How to address tensions between growing demand and decreasing resources as a NGO

: the case of ATLAS

Abstract

The goal of this thesis is to provide insight into how a local NGO can address the tensions
between the growing demand for its services and the decreasing number of resources
available to meet that demand. This question is crucial for Portuguese NGOs, since Portugal
is slowly recovering from a crisis.
To investigate the research question, a qualitative, single case study methodology was
employed. Interviews were the key technique to collect primary data, and internal and
external documentation provided secondary data. The data collected was treated through the
coding system, yielding an exploitable and organized structure for analysis. The company
studied is “ATLAS People like us”, a small NGO that is currently only operating in the
Portuguese market.
The study identifies some distinctive strategies that are being used in order to address these
tensions. Firstly, the organization is focused on its volunteers, treating them the right way and
giving them autonomy; secondly, it is exploiting networks; and thirdly, it is focusing its
resources in one main project, in order to get more resources and visibility.

Date of Award	28 Jul 2017
Original language	English
Awarding Institution	Universidade Católica Portuguesa
Supervisor	Laure Leglise (Supervisor)