Joint Review of the Australian Small Grants Scheme and New Zealand Small Projects Fund to Kiribati
Date | 2007
Team | Nicki Wrighton
NZ Aid Programme | Kiribati
Background
By way of background, NZAID and AusAID both manage development assistance programmes in Kiribati. A joint review of their country strategies in 2005 recommended that they combine their small grants funds for Kiribati into a single funding pool.
Purpose and Objectives
A joint team was set up to review the small grants schemes of both donors. The review's objectives were to: validate the merits of the two schemes in addressing small scale, grass roots development needs; recommend options for improving coordination and management of the two programmes and alignment with Government of Kiribati's (GOK) development strategy; and to develop appropriate processes for the scheme, together with an associated monitoring and evaluation framework and risk assessment strategy. The review's approach was to consider the relevant documents, interview donors and recipients of grants; and to visit 20 small grants projects.
Main Findings
The review's findings showed that all stakeholders saw merit in the availability of small amounts of money that communities could access to meet their development needs. The review noted that a number of donors provide small grant type allocations in Kiribati, using a range of management structures, criteria, and processes. For example, while proposals for the NZAID fund go through a GOK appraisal process first, AusAID accepts applications direct from applicants. The latter approach makes it difficult for the GOK to coordinate the use of these resources for maximum effect. The team concluded that the fund would achieve better results if it targeted its efforts, for example geographically, or to particular projects such as sanitation.
Follow-up
Review recommendations suggested that NZAID and AusAID should look at developing a single jointly managed small grants programme in Kiribati with a targeted focus and an associated monitoring and evaluation plan. The review also recommended that the funds be managed by a dedicated locally-employed staff member.
To request a copy of the full report email aidevaluation@mfat.govt.nz and quote the reference number - Eva0909.
