Working with Civil Society Organisations
Funding Opportunities
CSOs can access NZAID funding in three major ways. These are (in no order of importance):
- Criteria based funds
- Bilateral or regional programmes
- Contracting in the commercial arena.
Since it is possible that a CSO might be receiving funding through more than one NZAID funding window or programme, or from another donor, it is important for the programme team to liaise with CSO personnel and with other NZAID staff to gain an understanding of the full range of development and/or humanitarian work any given CSO might be involved in.
Alignment with bilateral programmes
Concerns are sometimes raised about the extent to which regional, sectoral or thematic programme funding for CSOs does, or should, align with bilateral programme priorities. It is important to keep in mind that each of the funding windows has a different focus, purpose and rationale; and agreed criteria and decision-making processes. This does not imply or condone lesser quality standards and expectations between programmes.
Communicating decisions
It is important for both bilateral and non-bilateral programmes to communicate decisions and the rationale for these across programmes so that there are ‘no surprises’. Please talk to the AIDGLO Civil Society Programme team, when funding Activities managed or implemented by New Zealand CSOs. Managers of criteria-based funding windows, or Regional programmes, please ensure you talk to the relevant bilateral programme team when funding CSO Activities which will be implemented in that country.
Criteria Based Funds
Some NZAID funds are specifically established for New Zealand CSOs. These include:
- KOHA-PICD
- Humanitarian Action Fund (HAF)
- The Global Education Fund (GEF).
CSOs may also access funding through criteria based funds within bilateral and regional programmes which are not specific to New Zealand CSOs. These include:
- Pacific Island Countries Participation Fund
- ADAF-Partnerships for Sustainable Development (ADAF-PSD)
Bilateral or Regional Programmes
CSO activities can also be directly funded from bilateral and regional programme budgets.
- Case-by-case non-contestable funding may arise from negotiation between a CSO and NZAID staff member, on the basis that the CSO Activity fits with the priorities and focus of the bilateral or regional programme concerned. In these cases, the Activity provides an appropriate delivery mechanism based on an existing local programme and partnership for implementation of the NZAID programme strategy, but in ways that do not fit with a normal contract-for-service arrangement.
In the case of a bilateral programme, the partner government may have an interest in being informed.
- Support might also be provided for specific NZ volunteer assignments through (for example) Volunteer Services Abroad or another NZ-based volunteer sending agency, where these fit with the priorities and focus of the bilateral or regional programme concerned. In some cases, such assignments may be part of a broader programme being funded by NZAID under the bilateral or regional programme concerned.
If considering a request from a VSA volunteer, this must be done in accordance with the NZAID/VSA Comprehensive Funding Agreement - talk to Civil Society DPM, Global Group, for information on this.
- In-country funds for local CSOs. These are part of the country strategy agreed between NZAID and the partner government and will normally be managed directly by the post under a financial delegation from Wellington.
NZAID’s engagement with local CSOs, whether through specific in-country funds or the wider bilateral programme, is based on the principles and approaches set out in this document.
Contracting for Service
Opportunities exist for CSOs to deliver services on a commercial basis by tendering or contracting for service opportunities in the usual way. For example, staff of some CSOs are on NZAID’s Approved Contractor Scheme register, and some of the larger CSOs bid for work through open tenders.