The National NGO Forum's programming is guided by a desire to consolidate NGO space and capacity to influence governance and development processes, strengthen networking within the sector and with other development actors, and enhance the public legitimacy of NGOs. Successful programming is expected to lead to the following outcomes:

1. An informed NGO sector that possesses the necessary information and capacity to effectively engage in and contribute to development processes.
2. A networked NGO sector with strong internal and external linkages with other actors.
3. An engaged and accountable NGO sector that engenders respect from government and citizens for the difference it makes to society.

The National NGO Forum's programming is anchored around three interlinked programme areas that define the Forum's renewed focus, with an additional aspect of enhanced institutional capacity to enable it deliver its mandate.

The three areas are:
a) NGO Sector Observatory and Profiling;
b) Policy Engagement and Enhancement; and
c) Membership and Constituency Servicing. The choice of the 3 areas was shaped by the need to identify strategic and value-adding priorities which complement rather than compete with members and other NGOs and NGO networks; provide a platform and space for NGOs, rather than directly implement conventional programmes that other NGOs do; and foster greater synergy, rather than isolated action.

The Illustration below shows inter-linkages and synergy between different Programmes Â