How prestigious is an NGO to the United Nations in actuality?

Question

I understand there are only 7 or so NGOs with official status to the United Nations from India for example, and a limited number from each country.

How prestigious is an NGO in actuality? Is it hard to become one, is the process detailed?

is it generally considered a great mark for an institution?

Does it mean they were doing pretty good?

Answer 1

Non-governmental organizations are encouraged to serve the people and the UN wanted these organizations to proliferate.

Answer 2

It takes very little to create a non-governmental organization (NGO) - just an idea and a website, really.  You used India for an example - India is reported to have well over one million homegrown NGO's.

NGO's generally rely on donations to increase their cash flow and operating budgets, and political goodwill to move their agendas forward.  Financial donors, whether philanthropists, or charitable organizations, and governments, prefer to see their money/lobbying go to bona fide, established NGO's with good causes.  The UN seal of approval goes a long way, symbolically, in establishing an NGO's reputation.

There is actually an Executive Committee of Non-Governmental Organizations Associated with The United Nations (EXECOM).  Contact them for more information:

http://www.ngo.org/EXECOM.html