The Reality and problems of the third sector A field study of the challenges of NGOs in Egypt

The present study tried to investigate the factors affecting voluntary participation in third sector organizations in Egypt in an attempt to identify the obstacles to the leading role of that sector. The third sector refers to the social space occupied by citizens in organized voluntary forms to achieve common values and goals. This evaluative study employed the descriptive analytic approach based on surveying non-governmental organizations working under the umbrella of third sector. Data collection has been carried out by means of a survey questionnaire on a total sample consisting of 150 NGOs in Port said and Daqahliia governorates. Based on data analysis, the study reached a set of important results. Among the significant findings was determining that the factors relevant to the nature and practices of leadership and management of these organizations, to the policies and institutions of the state, and the hierarchal organization of NGOs were the major obstacles to voluntary participation in the third sector. The study concluded with suggesting some guidelines that would help lead to activating voluntary participation.