The ability of non-governmental organizations to overcome crises: the case of NGOs in Slovakia during the Covid-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic also significantly affected civic activities and third sector actors. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) had to quickly adapt to the consequences of the pandemic and strengthen their resilience in times of increased uncertainty. Despite the significant limitation of the possibilities to carry out their own activities and implement ongoing projects, the actors of the third sector were able to re-focus their innovative action and utilize emerging opportunities to open new activities and programs to support both institutions’ resilience toward crisis and support their own communities through tailor-made social innovation. The aim of the chapter is to conceptualize strategies of NGOs in Slovakia aimed at strengthening the resilience toward negative impacts of the pandemic on both managements of NGOs and well-being and health of the own communities. Using data on the activities of 106 community-led NGOs in Slovakia, we will demonstrate the ability of third sector actors to adapt to rapidly changing conditions.