The text offers a survey of arguments for and against participation of non-governmental organization in local policymaking - including arguments that come from economy, sociology and political science. The authors show what are advantages and shortcomings of the privileged position of the public administration when thinking about social policy, what are advantages and shortcomings of NGO&apos;s involvement in local policy process, and ask about conditions of the good cooperation between the third sector and public administration. Finally, the text offers an overview of the realized cooperation of NGO sector and public administration in Poland, on the local level.