Working with Civil Society Organisations
Working with CSOs in NZAID Programmes
Why Engage with CSOs?
Civil society organisations have a wide range of real and potential roles in development, including those shown below:
Civil society and the private sector (including individuals and enterprises in both the formal and informal sector) have an essential role to play in generating and promoting the broad-based growth and employment needed to underpin economic development and poverty reduction. They also play a vital role in service delivery (particularly education and health) in many developing countries.
Direct funding of CSOs may provide donors with a direct way of responding to poverty beyond the support provided through government, and may also allow donors to work in areas where other bilateral assistance may not be possible. In addition, funding the work of CSOs adds value to the support provided by the public, helping to strengthen the impact of the total New Zealand aid and development effort.
NZAID’s policy on economic growth and livelihoods states:“Key policy engagement opportunities will be taken up with others [including] …
- Civil society organisations, private sector organisations and academia operating in developing countries, to promote broad-based economic growth and to seek out opportunities to encourage partner governments to engage directly in policy dialogue with such organisations …
- New Zealand civil society, business and consulting interests, and academia”
Source: Economic Growth and Livelihoods, NZAID policy, page 36
Consistency with NZAID Policies and Operating Principles
Engagement with civil society should be consistent with NZAID’s strategic objective and mandate “Sustainable development in developing countries, in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable and prosperous world”. It should also be guided by the operating principles set out in NZAID’s initial policy statement “Towards a safe and just world free of poverty”, and with NZAID’s other policies.
Cross-cutting and thematic issues (including gender, the environment, and human rights) should be considered in all Activities implemented by civil society organisations, in recognition of the importance of these issues as a means to ensure good outcomes and to manage risks. Any significant issues should have been incorporated into the monitoring framework, and be reported on.
Related Link: Screening Guide for Mainstreamed and Cross-Cutting Issues