NZAID Tools Engagement Tools 

Working with Civil Society Organisations

Eligibility and Organisational Requirements

While each funding window will have its specific purpose, eligibility criteria and guidelines, there are certain key requirements which must be met. Before agreeing to provide funding there should be evidence that:

  • The essential characteristics of a CSO are met: non-compulsory; independent of government; self-governing; not-for-profit, and not self-serving in aims and related values
  • The organisation has effective governance and management structures
  • The organisation has effective financial management and reporting capability
  • There are mechanisms in place to ensure accountability for:
    - Performance
    - The measurable achievement of the goals of the funding arrangement
    - The management and use of funds.

 Related Link: NZAID Risk Assessment Guideline

CSO Track Record

In general NZAID does not provide Activity funding to an organisation which does not have a track record of successfully implementing and reporting on its activities.  However, the NZAID programme may provide funding to support the capacity building and organisational development of CSOs or CSO networks. Emerging organisations are unlikely to have the level of organisational structure or track record expected of more established organisations, and a higher level of on-going contact and support could be required.

NZAID does not have an agency-wide accreditation system for CSOs although this has been discussed as a possibility and may be considered in the future. 

KOHA-PICD does have an accreditation process which requires an approved Organisational Profile plus two years of successful reporting on the use of NZAID funding. As the majority of NZ NGOs with which NZAID has funding relationships access some funding through the KOHA-PICD, contact the KOHA-PICD Administrator1 for information on whether the NZ NGO has an approved Organisational Profile before asking the CSO to provide detailed information which is already on file.

1 claire-louise@koha-picd.org.nz; Tel: 64 4 496 9618; Fax 64 4 496 9614 or KOHA-PICD Administration, PO Box 24 464, Manners Street, Wellington 6142