Non-governmental organizations as providers of social services

The activity of the third sector in social sphere becomes very important lately. For this reason, the Non-governmental organizations, providing social services in Lithuania, are chosen as the object of presentable research. The place of Non-governmental organizations, taking action in social sphere, in the market of social services and the part taken in solving social problems is being analyzed in this work. Non-governmental organizations are described. The presumptions of attitude of intensification of Non-governmental organizations as participators of market of social services are segregated. The influence of legislation, which regulates presentation of social services, for activity is amplified. The research was carried out trying to proof that Non-governmental organizations can become the main providers of social services. There were used theoretical, empirical and statistic methods of research in this work. The experience of Non-governmental organizations in social activity was evaluated during research. There were determined strong enough positions of Non-governmental organizations in the market of social services. The problems that meet Non-governmental organizations are being analyzed. These problems were determined using scientific literature of Lithuania and foreign authors, legislations of Republic of Lithuania and with help of representatives of Non-governmental organizations that took part in this research. Respondents specified reasons that prevent activity and expansion of Non-governmental organizations in Lithuania. Together with experts there were evaluated future perspectives of activity of Non-governmental organizations. Summarized research data showed that Non-governmental organizations are equal partners with Governmental organizations solving urgent social problems. Only, Non-governmental organizations don’t take all opportunities in the market of social services. Hypothesis, set at the beginning of research, was confirmed. Hopefully, conclusions, made during the research, will help for the activity of Non-governmental organizations, as the research data was presented for al Non-governmental organizations that participated in this research and wished to get itŠvietimo akademijaVytauto Didžiojo universiteta