ABSTRACT
Australia 1995 85.9 76.3 9.6 129.8 Following an NGO effectiveness review by AusAID in 1994/5, an NGO reform package was introduced which included more rigorous accreditation processes for all Australian NGOs applying for AusAID funding. NGOs are concerned that the government is attempting to reduce the number and type of NGOs able to participate actively in the development cooperation programme. Some NGO funding windows have also been closed and small grants schemes for NGOs reduced, but the NGO matching grant scheme has been increased by 17% in
_____________________________________________________ real terms________________________________________________________ Austria 1995 46.5 NGOs have historically had a major role in delivering Austrian aid because of the
principle of subsidiarity, which requires the government to deliver its programme via the smallest possible unit. Now the government is developing its own programmes, often with the support of NGOs, but there is concern about direct links with Southern NGOs which call the role of Northern NGOs into question, particularly because the quality of their work is not publicly discussed or seen. Most NGOs do not get any public funding and, even in the recession year of 1996 managed to increase their voluntary funding. There is also frustration with relationships with the EU, and its failure to take account of the unique nature of
_____________________________________________________Austrian NGOs____________________________________________________ Belgium 1995/6 76.1 76.1 n/a 102.5 NGO share of ABOS budget has increased since 1994, in line with the declining
spending capacity of ABOS itself. A further increase to 17% of budget is expected in 1997 but is not expected to rise after that. The Secretary of State has presented a co-financing reform, which will be operational from 1998. It aims to shift thousands of single NGO projects towards more consistent five-year programmes and offers incentives for professionalism, scaling up, cooperation
______________ ______________________________ between NGOs and evaluation__________
Canada 1995/6 191.1 70.2 120.9 287.2 The most important development in government/voluntary sector relationship over past year was November 1996 ministerial approval of an agency-wide policy framework on role of voluntary sector in international development cooperation. NGOs had hoped for more emphasis on role rather than the relationship. A respect for diverse roles of the sector, accountability, participation, dialogue and simplification were the set of principles stated. It has an important section on the role of NGOs in strengthening and amplifying the voice of civil society. Implementation is vague, though CIDA does commit itself to reporting on actions and strategies. Cuts of 7.2% in 1997/8 were allocated across the board for each NGO apart from one. A further 8% cut is expected for 1998/9
Denmark 1996 142.5 n/a n/a n/a No new trends Finland 1996 27.2 n/a n/a 16.1 The situation has improved following the reverse in ODA cuts and the state’s
recommitment to the 0.7% limit France 1994 46.7 n/a 345.5 Germany 1996 456.61* The BMZ has tried to keep its promise of annual increases of 10% in the co
financing budget for non-denominational NGOs and it is expected that, despite general cuts, this will be maintained in 1998. The possible transfer of administration/management to the GTZ, the executing agency for German aid, is under discussion and, from an NGO perspective, would entail a number of problems, as in some respects NGOs and GTZ can be seen as competitors
Ireland 1996 20.85 24.9 The revision of the NGO co-financing scheme resulted in an increase in aid to Irish NGOs, particularly larger ones in a block grant scheme. The government is committed to maintain current level of 12% of ODA support to NGOs. Key issues are economy and efficiency in carrying out projects, with particular emphasis on effectiveness in addressing poverty in a sustainable manner
Japan 1995 6.6 100.442** Opportunities of dialogue between NGOs and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is increasing. Meetings held four times a year. Government has also started to contract NGOs for implementation of bilateral aid projects and evaluation
Netherlands 1995 331.5 254.2 57 million guilders of emergency aid will be channelled through both national and international NGOs. As agreed in 1996 the four co-financing organisations
(Bilance, Icco, Novib and Hivos) will be allocated 9.5% of funds for genuine aid in 1997, an increase of almost 40m guilders_______________________________
New Zealand 1996 7.8 5.2 2.6 25.5 Funding for NGOs has risen markedly in real terms since 1990/1 and increased by 14% between 1995/6 and 1996/7. Proportion of NZODA devoted to NGO programmes has doubled since 1990. The number of NGO programmes has grown and NGOs are currently discussing new involvement in part of the bilateral programme. A new block grant system was introduced in 1994/5
Norway 1996 306 306 A major part of the funds channelled via NGOs consists of emergency spending contracted out to Norwegian NGOs. There is no indication that the role of NGOs in Norwegian development aid^will diminish. NORAD has sharpened its preconditions concerning the organisations’ administrative, managerial and professional competence. It has also increased its claims for economic and budgetary control
Portugal 1995 3.48 Bill to be passed in second half of 1997 to enable the government to channel funds to NGOs under a co-financing programme. Legislation is being developed to change the law governing NGO statues and volunteers working in developing countries
Spain 1995 86.2 5.4 80.8 137.1 Difficulties exist with the NGO National Platform such as a lack of flexibility and excessive bureaucracy. There is a need for evolution towards global grants and to leave the present system of individual project by project grants. ODA is also allocated to NGOs from regional governments and councils - over US$ 110m in 1996
Sweden 1994/5 329 214.8 114.5 In reduced budget for 1997 the government explicitly stated that the NGO support should not decrease but maintain its previous level. After a main evaluation on NGO support and a few sectoral studies, Sida is preparing for reorientation of the rules for relations with NGOs
Switzerland 1995 137.4 87.2 50.2 185 Despite budget cuts in ODA, government support and collaboration with NGOs does not seem to be affected. From 1996 to 1998 ODA spent through NGOs is predicted to increase by 3%. No new requirements on NGOs’ evaluation processes have been set out, but for several years SDC has been asking NGOs to concentrate their intervention on programmes and not to finance too many small projects at any one time
United Kingdom
1995/6 281.7 184.8 96.9 569.2 The key trend is that the amount channelled via Joint Funding Scheme has remained level. The long-awaited NGO strategy will probably now be subsumed within the forthcoming White Paper. Much more attention is being paid to monitoring and evaluation than before. Logical frameworks are required for each project
United States 1995 715.9 4800 In 1996, 34% of development assistance funds (about 30% of ODA) were programmed through NGOs. USAID has introduced a New Partnerships Initiative (NPI) and Strategic Partnerships to involve NGOs more in implementation. NPI aims to strengthen linkages between NGOs, the private sector and organisations of governance. Strategic Partnerships is a programme in which NGOs would be responsible for implementing the USAID programme in countries where there is no USAID mission. The increasing orientation of the USAID programme on results has led to concern that evaluation will focus too much on short-term quantifiable indicators, over longer-term qualitative interventions
Reality ofAid
1997/8
