For years, scholars have investigated the effectiveness of aid dollars. Some scholars measure aid effectiveness at the country level in terms of achieving good governance, promoting democratic accountability, accomplishing growth goals, or attaining macroeconomic goals. This study looks at the aid flowing through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). It posits that effective aid consists of resources and processes that promote sustainability. It attempts to uncover the meaning of sustainability for the NGOs and recipients that are involved in agriculture while surveying how the aid process works. It looks at NGOs and recipients, resource flow, and activities, and sought to understand the elements that could render aid more or less effective in achieving sustainability in agricultural sectors. This study uses a qualitative case study research strategy that focused on developing theory/hypotheses grounded in the data and the literature (Agranoff, Radin, & Perry, 1991). This approach is adopted because (a) the meaning and promotion of sustainability is a complex topic, (b) aid effectiveness is a multi-faceted puzzle, (c) NGOs represent a diverse group, (d) the collaborative process is complicated, and (e) the context (Haiti) is a challenging place. It uses a data triangulation process (Denzin, 1989, 1997) by combining different types of data and sources (personal interviews, observations, and documentation) to arrive at a convergent understanding of the elements that are more or less likely to influence the NGO aid process in the promotion of sustainability in agriculture. This study finds that most NGOs and recipients focus on one or two dimensions of sustainability (economic or environmental); the social or cultural dimensions are somewhat neglected. I also find that funding and funding horizons are two of the major issues that impede the promotion of sustainability in addition to communication and collaboration in the design of the plans, execution, and follow-up. Recipient education, paternalistic attitude, and poverty levels also play a major role in promoting sustainability. / Includes bibliography. / Dissertation (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016. / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

For years, scholars have investigated the effectiveness of aid dollars Some scholars measure aid effectiveness at the country level in terms of achieving good governance, promoting democratic accountability, accomplishing growth goals, or attaining macroeconomic goals This study looks at the aid flowing through nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) It posits that effective aid consists of resources and processes that promote sustainability It attempts to uncover the meaning of sustainability for the NGOs and recipients that are involved in agriculture while surveying how the aid process works It looks at NGOs and recipients, resource flow, and activities, and sought to understand the elements that could render aid more or less effective in achieving sustainability in agricultural sectors This study uses a qualitative case study research strategy that focused on developing theory/hypotheses grounded in the data and the literature (Agranoff, Radin, & Perry, 1991) This approach is adopted because (a) the meaning and promotion of sustainability is a complex topic, (b) aid effectiveness is a multi-faceted puzzle, (c) NGOs represent a diverse group, (d) the collaborative process is complicated, and (e) the context (Haiti) is a challenging place It uses a data triangulation process (Denzin, 1989, 1997) by combining different types of data and sources (personal interviews, observations, and documentation) to arrive at a convergent understanding of the elements that are more or less likely to influence the NGO aid process in the promotion of sustainability in agriculture This study finds that most NGOs and recipients focus on one or two dimensions of sustainability (economic or environmental); the social or cultural dimensions are somewhat neglected I also find that funding and funding horizons are two of the major issues that impede the promotion of sustainability in addition to communication and collaboration in the design of the plans, execution, and follow-up Recipient education, paternalistic attitude, and poverty levels also play a major role in promoting sustainability / Includes bibliography / Dissertation (PhD)--Florida Atlantic University, 2016 / FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection

As the world becomes more connected, issues surrounding sustainable development are coming to the fore of global discussions. This is exemplified in strategies such as the United Nation's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), released in 2015, which created a framework for global development that defines specific goals for issues like poverty, climate change, and social justice. To complement the analysis that went into defining the SDGs, capital allocations around the world are becoming more impact focused so that the paradigm of development is shifting from donations to impact investments. The push for impact, however, has led to a homogenization of global challenges like reproductive health and poverty. This, in turn, has led to a standardization of information resulting in agencies designing interventions based on data and information that is misguided because of incorrect assumptions about a specific context. This paper explores how the decision-making mechanisms of global development agencies and investors could apply more anthropological processes to mitigate negative impact. As the development sector becomes more and more standardized, anthropologists can act as translators between affected communities and the institutions deciding how best to help them.