Australia's International Development Assistance Program 2013–14
Australia contributes to a number of global initiatives that support poverty reduction efforts around the world. AusAID's global program comprises around 24 per cent of the aid program and includes assistance to a range of multilateral and non-government partners. We support the operational activities of international humanitarian organisations, multilateral development banks, United Nations and Commonwealth organisations, and partnerships with Australian non-government organisations (NGOs). The global program achieves development results. The reach, leverage, specialisation and other strengths of our global partners play a critical role in helping Australia to meet its international development objectives. See further detail in Box 1 below.
Box 1: Major multilateral and non-government partners |
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Australia provides support to multilateral organisations and civil society organisations because it:
- extends the reach of our aid program, enabling Australia to contribute to development efforts on a broader scale and in countries where establishing a bilateral aid program would be less effective
- increases our influence within multilateral organisations, which can assist them to improve their performance and focus on issues of interest to Australia
- utilises the technical expertise and in-country networks of multilateral and civil society organisations to help maximise input and value for money
- supports sharing of, and access to, domestic and international expertise and best practice to improve development outcomes
- reduces fragmentation by reducing the number of individual activities within the Australian aid program and helping to consolidate international efforts
- enables the Australian Government to harness the skills and experience of civil society organisations, including NGOs, who bring a unique depth of community awareness to the international development sector and are able to reach some of the world's poorest and most marginalised communities.
Table 6 shows actual expenditure on AusAID global programs in 2011–12, estimated outcomes for 2012–13 and anticipated expenditure in 2013–14.
In An Effective Aid Program for Australia: Making a real difference–Delivering real results, the Government committed to assess the effectiveness and relevance of multilateral organisations to Australia's interests through the introduction of a rating system. This has been implemented through the Australian Multilateral Assessment (AMA), which was publicly released in March 2012 and can be found on the AusAID website at www.ausaid.gov.au. The AMA gives Australians increased confidence that Australian aid invested in multilateral organisations is making a real difference to people living in poverty.
3.1 Multilateral engagement
Overview
Multilateral organisations are typically member-based bodies, usually consisting of a group of countries that come together to work toward a common goal. Australia works with a wide variety of multilateral organisations through the aid program, including United Nations agencies such as UNICEF, international humanitarian organisations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, multilateral development banks such as the World Bank, and global financing mechanisms such as the Global Partnership for Education.
Multilateral organisations add value to the aid program by:
- contributing to the achievement of development results aligned with our strategic goals
- producing information, policy and analysis that helps to inform the work of Australia and other bilateral donors
- helping to coordinate development efforts at a country level and on major international policy issues
- using their influence with national governments to resolve issues when it may be difficult for a single bilateral donor to do so
- mobilising experience and expertise from around the world
- developing global standards such as minimum standards in humanitarian action and health
- delivering aid on a scale beyond the capacity of Australia and other bilateral donors
- operating in countries where Australia does not have a significant presence or in sectors where bilateral assistance is not possible.
Australia is engaged strongly with multilateral organisations at both policy and program levels and we aim to increase their effectiveness, improve their monitoring and reporting of results, and increase their value for money. Australia is an active member of the governing bodies of major multilateral organisations and holds regular high-level consultations with senior management.
The Multilateral Engagement Strategy for the Australian Aid Program explains to the Australian public why multilateral organisations are important partners for the aid program and sets out Australia's key priorities for engagement.
The strategy identifies four key priorities, shaped by the findings of the Australian Multilateral Assessment:
- improving multilateral organisations' performance and results
- improving value for money, due diligence and safeguards
- improving coordination between donors and multilateral organisations
- focusing greater attention on the Asia-Pacific region.
At a program level, multilateral organisations are important delivery partners. Through core funding (funding not tied to a specific purpose), Australia supports multilateral organisations to implement programs and deliver results that provide development benefits around the globe. Through non-core funding (funding tied to a specific purpose), multilateral organisations deliver programs and results in specific countries. This means Australia can selectively support activities of most relevance to our objectives.
Multilateral effectiveness
Australia is strongly committed to ensuring that multilateral partners are effective and aligned with Australian aid program objectives. We are making significant efforts to enhance the management of multilateral partnerships and are encouraging better performance, results and value for money. These efforts include:
- launching the inaugural Australian Multilateral Assessment in March 2012
- publishing the Multilateral Engagement Strategy in October 2012
- releasing Multilateral Scorecards in December 2012
- developing individual engagement strategies for key multilateral partners in 2013
- chairing the Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) in 2013
- establishing and chairing quarterly meetings of the Virtual Working Group on Multilateral Effectiveness with the United Kingdom and Canada.
The Australian Multilateral Assessment (AMA), the most comprehensive assessment of Australia's multilateral partners ever undertaken, was released by the Australian Government on 30 March 2012. The AMA examined multilateral organisations against the delivery of results, alignment with Australia's priorities, and organisational behaviour as a way of measuring and rating multilateral effectiveness. The AMA informed core funding decisions for the 2012–13 Budget. In December 2012, AusAID published the Multilateral Scorecards. The scorecards build on the findings of the AMA by providing updated monitoring of multilateral organisations' results, effectiveness, and engagement with Australia's aid program. The AMA and scorecard findings influenced funding decisions regarding Australia's multilateral partners in the 2013–14 Budget. To complement the annual scorecard system, a comprehensive assessment will be conducted every five years.
Australia will continue to be selective about the UN and other multilateral partners it chooses to work with, supporting those whose work aligns with the strategic goals of the Australian aid program, delivers results and provides value for money.
Australia engages closely with other bilateral donors on improving multilateral effectiveness, and is chairing the Multilateral Organisation Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN) in 2013. This network of 17 donor countries produces detailed assessments each year of the effectiveness of major multilateral organisations. Australia will use its role as MOPAN Chair to ensure the network more effectively serves donor priorities. These will include:
- a simpler methodology that enables more assessments to be undertaken each year
- a greater focus on using performance indicators that are of the highest priority to donors
- ensuring MOPAN reports are more useful.
GLOBAL PROGRAMS
Multilateral engagement2013–14 Estimate–Contribution to multilateral replenishments: $341.8 million |
MULTILATERAL PARTNERS
Below is a description of Australia's engagement with the top twelve multilateral organisations to which we provide funding.
Multilateral development banks
Multilateral development banks provide concessional loans and grants to developing countries to fund improvements in education, health, public administration, infrastructure, financial and private sector development, agriculture, and environmental and natural resource management. They also supply technical expertise and are a leading source of research and analysis. Working with these institutions expands our aid program's reach.
World Bank (through the International Development Association, IDA)
Australia will provide up to $200.8 million in 2013–14 to the World Bank's International Development Association (IDA).
As a global institution with 188 member countries, the World Bank Group is a vital source of financial and technical assistance to developing countries around the world. The World Bank's IDA is the largest channel of concessional financing in the world. It assists the world's 81 poorest countries by providing interest-free loans and grants for programs that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve people's living conditions. The World Bank's programs are closely aligned with all five of the Australian aid program's strategic goals. Australia draws on the Bank's considerable research, analysis and data collection at the sector, global and country level.
Australia's membership of, and financial contributions to the World Bank Group provide Australia with the opportunity to influence policies and priorities at the highest levels. An ongoing objective of our relationship is to ensure that the activities of the World Bank recognise and actively target key development priorities in the Asia-Pacific region.
Collaboration between Australia and the World Bank is guided by the Australia-World Bank Group Partnership Framework, signed in September 2011.
In 2013–14, our contributions to IDA will help:
- immunise more than 800,000 children
- provide 300,000 pregnant women with antenatal care
- provide 198,000 people with access to improved water sources
- provide 15,000 people with access to improved sanitation
- recruit and train up to 5,400 teachers
- construct, rehabilitate or maintain 204 kilometres of road.
World Bank Debt Relief Mechanisms
Australia will provide $17.3 million in 2013–14 to the World Bank's debt relief mechanisms.
Australia provides debt relief support through the World Bank via the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative (MDRI) and the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Initiative. Multilateral debt relief helps indebted poor countries to free their resources for social spending, such as health, education, and other social services.
MDRI provides 100 per cent relief on eligible debt from the International Monetary Fund, International Development Association and African Development Fund to a group of low-income countries, helping them advance toward the MDGs. From 2006 to 2046, contributions to MDRI are projected to cancel approximately US$35.5 billion of credit reflows from eligible low income countries.
The HIPC Initiative provides debt relief to the world's poorest and most indebted countries, to help free up resources to meet poverty reduction goals. Poverty reducing expenditure is projected to increase by approximately 2 per cent of these countries' gross domestic product from 2011 to 2015 due to the HIPC Initiative.
Asian Development Bank (through the Asian Development Fund, ADF)
Australia will provide up to $101.1 million in 2013–14 to the Asian Development Bank's Asian Development Fund (ADF).
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has been a major source of development finance for the Asia–Pacific region since it was established in 1966. Australia's membership and financial contributions to the ADB provide Australia with the opportunity to engage and influence policy at the highest levels for strengthened regional development outcomes. Australia has one of the largest shareholdings in the ADB, and has representatives in leading positions on the Board of Directors.
Australia is a vital partner to the ADF and Australia's replenishment pledge in 2012 saw it increase its burden share, making Australia the second largest donor to the Fund. Australia achieved important outcomes at the replenishment negotiations, including ongoing commitment to bank reform, strengthening the implementation and monitoring of ADB Safeguard Policies and increasing focus on leveraging private sector financing.
ADB's activities align with the strategic goals of Australia's aid program and the ADB supports Australia's broader economic interests through its approach to economic integration.
In 2013–14, our contributions to the ADF will help:
- build or upgrade more than 350 classrooms and train more than 5,800 teachers, contributing to more than 70,800 students obtaining a better education
- provide more than 72,300 women, men and children with water supply and more than 57,200 women, men and children with sanitation
- construct, rehabilitate or maintain more than 432 kilometres of roads.
United Nations and Commonwealth development organisations
United Nations development and humanitarian agencies are important partners for the Australian aid program. Their geographic reach, specialist expertise, convening power, extensive data sets and scale of operation support Australia's international development objectives.
Australia is a committed and active member of the Commonwealth. Australia's support for Commonwealth development programs covers economic development, youth and civil society engagement, education, rule of law and public sector development.
United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
Australia will provide $38.3 million in 2013–14 to UNICEF.
UNICEF's work links to a number of the strategic goals of Australia's aid program. It operates in 156 countries and is dedicated to working exclusively for children and their welfare. UNICEF focuses on five areas–young child survival and development; basic education and gender equality; HIV and children; child protection from violence, exploitation and abuse; and policy advocacy and partnerships for children's rights. Australia is a top 10 donor to UNICEF, with whom we share an important humanitarian partnership.
UNICEF is currently preparing a new Medium Term Strategic Plan for 2014–17 that will provide specific details of its future programs. In 2013–14, our contributions to UNICEF will help developing countries achieve their MDGs by:
- improving maternal and child health services through the annual purchase of immunisation supplies for children in 100 countries
- providing emergency food for severely malnourished children in humanitarian, fragile or recovery situations
- improving access to sanitation facilities for households with children
- strengthening access to quality basic education for the world's poorest children
- assisting vulnerable people to prepare for and respond to disasters and humanitarian crises.
United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
Australia will provide $26.0 million in 2013–14 to UNDP.
UNDP is the United Nations' leading development agency with responsibility for coordinating national and global efforts to achieve the MDGs and UN inter-agency cooperation. It provides direct assistance on the ground in 177 countries and its work focuses on poverty reduction, democratic governance, crisis prevention and recovery, environment and energy, HIV/AIDS, women's empowerment, and capacity development.
In 2013-14, our contributions to UNDP will help:
- support elections in approximately 26 countries
- strengthen the rule of law in over 35 crisis-affected countries
- develop the capacity of governments in over 60 countries to respond to disasters and mitigate the risks they pose
- support an increased focus on local governance activities
- strengthen the focus on poverty reduction and increase the effectiveness, relevance and efficiency of United Nations development programs.
World Health Organization (WHO)
Australia will provide $23.4 million in 2013–14 to WHO.
WHO is the United Nations agency responsible for monitoring global health issues and setting international standards for health. WHO plays a critical role in progressing the health MDGs by supporting developing countries to strengthen their health systems and respond to health emergencies and disease outbreaks. WHO provides leadership and training on health issues and plays a key co-ordinating role at global, regional and country levels.
Our contributions to WHO in 2013–14 will help:
- improve the quality of health workers and health infrastructure such as hospitals and clinics
- support immunisation programs for children
- prevent and treat diseases such as HIV, malaria and tuberculosis
- respond to public health threats and emergencies in our region and around the world
- provide international experts to help countries improve the design and delivery of health care.
United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)
Australia will provide $18.2 million in 2013–14 to UNFPA.
UNFPA, with its focus on population health and gender, works with Australia to improve the health and wellbeing of women. UNFPA aims to reduce maternal mortality by training health workers, preventing HIV/AIDS, improving access to reproductive health care and procuring and distributing contraceptives. UNFPA also assists countries to collect, analyse and disseminate population data, facilitating the delivery of evidence-based health care. UNFPA works closely with other UN agencies to promote women's empowerment.
Our contributions to UNFPA in 2013–14 will help:
- countries improve their data collection and analysis in order to advance the delivery of population health programs
- procure and distribute more than 280 million family planning commodities such as condoms and oral contraceptives, to allow women and their partners to plan and space births
- deliver targeted interventions to reduce maternal mortality, such as improving access to emergency obstetric equipment and the training of health professionals
- promote gender equality and women's rights.
Specialised sectoral funds
Multilateral specialised sectoral funds provide a single point where funding from multiple sources can be pooled and then distributed to achieve specific development outcomes. Sectoral funds also allow access to levels of expertise and development resources not usually available to individual countries. Australia provides funding to a number of sectoral funds that are working to improve outcomes in health, education, environment, food security and innovative financing in low-income countries. Sectoral funds also engage with the private sector through public-private partnerships (PPPs) that are able to leverage funding and deliver positive development outcomes.
Global Partnership for Education (GPE)
Australia will provide $270.0 million to GPE from 2011 to 2015.
GPE is a partnership of donors and developing countries dedicated to improving education in the world's poorest countries. GPE's work contributes directly to the Australian Government's strategic goal of Promoting Opportunities For All. GPE maintains a strong focus on gender parity, and almost half of GPE's funds are allocated to fragile or conflict-affected states. Australia primarily engages with GPE through membership of the GPE Board.
Our contributions to GPE in 2013–14 will help:
- enrol 20 million more school students
- reduce by 40 per cent the number of primary school-age children not in school
- provide 40 million new textbooks in classrooms
- train 500,000 new teachers.
GAVI Alliance (GAVI)
Australia will provide $200.0 million to GAVI from 2011 to 2013.
GAVI is a global health public-private partnership committed to saving children's lives and protecting people's health by increasing access to immunisation in low-income countries. GAVI is an important initiative in accelerating achievement of the health MDGs. It provides a funding mechanism for supporting immunisation and health systems, and for introducing new vaccines in developing countries. Australia primarily engages with GAVI through membership of the Board and, in 2013, has taken up the donor representative seat on the Board's Executive Committee.
Our contributions to GAVI in 2013–14 will help:
- fully immunise 7.7 million children in developing countries against major diseases
- prevent 3.9 million people dying from preventable diseases.
International Finance Facility for Immunisation (IFFIm)
Australia will provide $250.0 million to IFFIm over 20 years (2010–2030).
IFFIm is an innovative financing mechanism that generates additional resources for immunisation by selling bonds on capital markets underwritten by long-term donor commitments. IFFIm invests the majority of money 'up front' allowing both developing countries and vaccine manufacturers to plan for longer periods of time, knowing the necessary resources will be available. This predictability increases efficiency, and improves planning and results, increasing access to immunisation in developing countries.
Our contributions to IFFIm in 2013–14 will help:
- enable developing countries to rapidly increase vaccine coverage and lower disease prevalence
- generate resources for GAVI to help low-income countries strengthen their health systems by training health workers, buying essential drugs, and providing maternal and child health care services.
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund)
Australia will provide $200 million to the Global Fund from 2011–13.
The Global Fund was established as a public-private partnership to increase resources to fight three of the world's most devastating diseases–HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and malaria. It has become the largest multilateral funder in global health and is a key partner progressing the MDGs. Australia primarily engages with the Global Fund through membership of the Board. Australia works closely with other donors and bilateral partners to influence the work of the Global Fund Board and its committees. Australia is represented on the Board by the United Kingdom.
In 2013–14, our contributions to the Global Fund will help:
- 67,000 people receive HIV treatment
- 59,000 people receive tuberculosis treatment
- distribute over 1.6 million bed nets to prevent malaria.
Global Environment Facility (GEF)
Australia will provide $19.4 million in 2013–14 to the GEF.
GEF is the largest funder of projects to improve the global environment. The majority of people in developing countries are dependent on the natural environment for food, water, income and livelihoods. GEF assists developing countries to tackle climate change, biodiversity loss, ozone depletion, contamination by persistent organic pollutants, and degradation of land and trans-boundary water systems.
In 2013–14, our contributions to GEF will help:
- conserve global ecosystems and aid the sustainable use of natural resources
- reduce climate change risks through a projected 20 billion tonne reduction in emissions, and assist countries to adapt to climate change
- manage chemicals throughout their lifespan, minimising their impact on human health and environments, including the environmentally sound disposal of over 38,000 tons of PCB-related chemical waste and 20,000 tons of obsolete pesticides.
Box 2: Sustainable development |
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Australia is using its prominent role in international fora, including through our position as co-chair of the Green Climate Fund, to influence policy and program directions on sustainable development, including low-carbon development. The Green Climate FundThe Green Climate Fund is a new multilateral climate change fund, established through UN climate change negotiations to support developing countries to address the challenges of climate change. The fund has a mandate to help developing countries undertake adaptation and mitigation action. As co-chair of the board for a term of one year, Australia is playing a key role in the development of the fund, which has the potential to become the largest global fund addressing climate change in developing countries. Australia has supported an ambitious aim for the fund: that it support significant climate change actions in developing countries that are aimed at moving their economies onto climate-resilient and low-emission development pathways. The fund is currently in its design stage and Australia is working to ensure that its design allows it to streamline access to funding while ensuring appropriate safeguards and fiduciary standards are in place. The fund has made good progress on a number of issues in its first seven months. The board has selected, by consensus, the Republic of Korea as the permanent host country of the fund. This decision was endorsed by the UN climate change conference in Doha, Qatar, in December 2012. In 2013, the Australian and South African co-chairs are leading the board in establishing the building blocks for the fund. The board will work closely with national governments, civil society organisations and the private sector to finalise the design of the fund. This work will include:
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Box 3: International fora |
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Australia is increasing its global influence through its engagement on important development policy issues being pursued in international fora. Post-2015 development agendaFor more than 10 years, the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) have helped focus international development efforts on improving the well-being of the world's poorest people. There has been remarkable progress, but as the overall target date of 2015 approaches, it is clear that challenges will remain. Australia is actively participating in international planning to address future development challenges and design a new global development framework, particularly as a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Working Group. Established as an outcome of the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), the Open Working Group is developing Sustainable Development Goals for consideration by the 68th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Australia is influencing the post-2015 development agenda and advocating for priorities of greatest relevance and interest to Australia. In particular, Australia is supporting a balanced approach that focuses on poverty reduction and integrates the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. G20 development agendaSince 2008, the Group of Twenty (G20) has emerged as the world's pre-eminent international economic and financial decision-making forum, following its pivotal role in successfully responding to the global financial crisis. Australia has played a key part in driving outcomes through this forum, including the G20 development agenda launched by G20 leaders in 2010. Together, G20 members have established funds worth almost US$1 billion to enhance food security. Australia, Indonesia and Italy have led G20 development efforts to harness new technologies for improving crisis detection in vulnerable communities, and released about US$1 billion back to poor people in developing countries by reducing the cost for migrant workers to send remittances home. Australia will host the G20 in 2014–the largest international forum ever held in this country. Hosting represents a unique opportunity to influence global economic and development agendas, as well as to strengthen our development cooperation with the world's major economies. In December 2012, AusAID became a co-chair of the G20 Development Working Group, responsible for driving the development agenda. AusAID will retain this position through to the end of 2015 and will organise a number of Development Working Group meetings during Australia's host year. AusAID is working with member countries to prepare the Development Working Group's first accountability report to leaders tracking implementation of G20 development commitments since 2010, and a new multi-year action plan to shape the G20's forward agenda on development. |
3.2
Non-government organisations and involving the Australian community
Overview
AusAID works closely with members of the Australian community in developing and implementing the Australian aid program–through its links with non-government organisations (NGOs), through Australia's volunteer program and through an increasingly close dialogue with businesses.
Australian NGOs play an integral role delivering Australian aid around the world. They are often the first to trial innovative solutions for delivering aid and foster networks within and across countries. This enables them to reach the poorest and most marginalised communities.
AusAID's Civil Society Engagement Framework ('framework')–launched in June 2012–was developed in consultation with Australian NGOs through their peak body, the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID). The framework commits AusAID to streamline processes and to strengthen its partnerships with civil society.
In line with the framework, AusAID is strengthening its capacity to monitor and evaluate the work that NGOs perform that is funded through the aid program. This will give AusAID a clearer picture of the contribution that NGOs make toward the aid program's strategic objectives.
In 2011–12, a total of 14 per cent of the aid program was delivered through NGOs, of which just over half was provided to Australian NGOs and the remainder to overseas NGOs.(148) NGOs deliver a range of programs, including long-term development activities and rapid response to humanitarian emergencies and disasters, as well as the provision of clean water, sanitation and vaccinations, access to financial services, training for teachers and other lifesaving assistance. There are over 80 programs across the aid program that fund NGOs. One such example is AusAID's new Civil Society, Water Sanitation and Hygiene Fund. Building on a successful pilot program completed in March 2012, the fund will support civil society organisations to deliver better access to water and sanitation and help improve hygiene practices, for around 2 million people in Africa and the Asia–Pacific region over four years.
AusAID–NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)
One of the main ways that the Australian Government provides funding to Australian NGOs is through the ANCP. NGOs that participate in this program are subject to a rigorous accreditation process. The primary objectives for ANCP are to: support accredited Australian NGOs' development activities that directly and tangibly alleviate poverty in developing countries; target the most vulnerable and marginalised communities; promote progress against the Australian aid program's strategic goals and development objectives; and provide grant funding to Australian NGOs with strong community support and effective systems. The ANCP represents direct funding of NGOs under a specific program, and accounts for 63 per cent of the aid program delivered through NGOs. Below is a table showing aid provided through ANCP over four years.
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ANCP |
Actual ($m) |
Actual ($m) |
Estimated outcome ($m) |
Budget estimate ($m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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Total |
69.2 |
$95.8 |
106.4 |
141.0 |
In 2013–14, the ANCP is expected to provide $141.0 million to over 40 Australian NGOs to deliver over 600 development activities in more than 50 countries. The funding provided in 2013–14 represents a 33 per cent increase on 2012–13.
Over the next three years, it is expected that NGOs partnered under the ANCP will deliver the following results:
- one million more poor people provided with access to new or refurbished water facilities and 1.5 million more poor people access toimproved sanitation
- up to 72,000 poor children in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and beyond assisted to access a better quality classroom learning experience
- 70,000 poor people have increased capacity to reduce disaster risks, support mine action and advocate for protection
- more than 475,000 poor women and men assisted to increase agricultural productivity and food security
- increased ability of local civil society organisations to play a role in ensuring the transparency and accountability of service delivery in Asia, the Pacific, Africa and beyond.
Diagram 3. Estimated ANCP expenditure by region in 2013–14
Diagram 4. Estimated ANCP expenditure by strategic goal in 2013–14
Engaging with Australian business
An Effective Aid Program for Australia outlines the Australian Government's commitment to strengthening links with the Australian business community. In 2012, AusAID hosted its first Consultative Forum with Business, during which the Minister for Foreign Affairs launched AusAID's Private Sector Development Strategy. Following this, AusAID's engagement has focused on sharing information and identifying practical ways to work with business via a series of country-focused roundtable discussions (Indonesia in September 2012, the Pacific in February 2013 and Papua New Guinea in April 2013). Other roundtables with business are planned for 2013 and include a focus on Myanmar and Africa.
One of the key ways AusAID works with the private sector is through the Mining for Development initiative, aimed at assisting partner governments to maximise the development potential of their extractives sectors. AusAID will engage with the private sector at the May 2013 Mining for Development and Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) conferences. In 2013–14, AusAID will continue to develop partnerships with the Australian business community, identifying shared interests to maximise the impact and effectiveness of Australian aid.
Australian volunteers
Australian volunteers help to build skills and expertise in areas that are critical to reducing poverty while connecting with people, institutions, businesses and governments. Since the 1960s, around 15,000 Australian volunteers have worked to make a positive contribution in developing countries. Results from a 2012 survey of returned volunteers found that 83 per cent considered they had made a positive impact on their host organisation and the local community, and 95 per cent felt their understanding of aid and development issues, and of other cultures, had increased as a result of their volunteering experience.
Most volunteer assignments are undertaken in the areas of community and social development, health, education, management, administration, human resources, communications, science and environment. Examples of Australian volunteers improving the lives of people in developing countries include Australian volunteer vulcanologists in the Pacific, paramedics in Timor-Leste, flying doctors in Kenya, blood bank workers in the Solomon Islands and occupational therapists in Fiji.
Involving the Australian community
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Engaging with Australian non-government organisations (NGOs), including:
AusAID NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP)–$141.0 million
Focus
The ANCP provides grant funding to AusAID accredited Australian NGOs to work in more than 50 developing countries. Australian NGOs contribute a unique depth of experience and community awareness to the international development sector. ANCP funding supports Australian NGOs implementing development activities that directly and tangibly alleviate poverty overseas.
Expected results
In 2013–14, the ANCP is expected to deliver a range of results in countries that are the focus of the Australian aid program, including:
- increased access to safe water and sanitation for more than 900,000 people
- professional education for 2,700 midwives and other community professionals
- access to new agricultural technology, support and training for more than 190,000 poor farmers in vulnerable and fragile communities
- access to child protection services and child friendly services for more than 85,000 children in poor and disadvantaged communities
- more than 600,000 people benefiting from integrated community approaches to health and well-being.
NGO policy and effectiveness–$2.0 million
Focus
The Australian Government is committed to improving the effectiveness, transparency and accountability of Australian NGOs funded through the aid program.
The effectiveness of NGOs funded through the ANCP is managed through an upfront accreditation process, regular audits, and application of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework.
The framework–trialled in 2012–provides a combination of qualitative and quantitative information about the results being achieved, helping to generate more consistent and transparent reporting on the impact of NGO activities.
Expected results
In 2013–14, AusAID expects to:
- develop standards and guidance to inform an agency-wide Due Diligence Framework and Effectiveness Assessment Methodology to improve the way we assess the work of NGOs and to help us make decisions about future funding
- develop an agency-wide civil society Monitoring and Evaluation Framework to ensure that the impact of civil society activities is rigorously measured
- improve the accreditation process for Australian NGOs seeking to apply for funding through the ANCP.
Partnership with the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID)–$0.9 million
Focus
A strategic Partnership between AusAID and the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID) will support the Government's commitment to work closely with the Australian NGO community to fulfil the commitments of the Comprehensive Aid Policy Framework and the Civil Society Engagement Framework.
A productive working relationship with ACFID provides access to the coordinated views of the NGO sector and enables AusAID to draw on the knowledge, skills and strengths of ACFID and its members to enhance the design and implementation of Australian aid policies and programs.
Expected results
In 2013–14, AusAID expects to:
- work with ACFID in implementing the Civil Society Engagement Framework
- assist the development NGO sector to be strong, professional and accountable, all of which are integral to promoting aid effectiveness.
Engaging with Australian business
Focus
AusAID's business engagement agenda seeks to increase opportunities for the Australian Government and business community to communicate and work together to achieve sustainable development outcomes in countries where AusAID and business both operate.
In 2012, AusAID established a Business Engagement Steering Committee, which includes Government, civil society and private sector representatives such as the Business Council of Australia, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Business for Millennium Development.
Expected results
In 2013–14, AusAID expects to:
- collaborate with the business community to convene a series of country-specific roundtable discussions to share information and identify practical ways to work together
- develop partnerships with businesses that draw on private sector strengths in the delivery of aid.
Australian volunteers–$65.3 million
Focus
The Australian Volunteers for International Development (AVID) program provides an opportunity for Australians from many walks of life to contribute their skills and expertise, and their time and goodwill, to contribute to the overarching purpose of the aid program–to help people in developing countries overcome poverty.
Expected results
In 2013–14, the AVID program, which includes Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development, will support the recruitment and placement of over 1,000 new Australian volunteers in approximately 40 countries.
There will be over 1,500 new and continuing volunteers on assignment in developing countries contributing to the Australian Government's overseas aid program. Since the 1960s around 15,000 Australian volunteers have made a positive contribution in developing countries.