By Gry Haugen, Communication Director, ADRA Norway
ADRA Norway has been given a status which means simpler application process and closer follow-up in its co-operation with Norwegian aid authorities. ADRA Norway is one of the first seven aid organisations in Norway approved to work within a new cooperation model with Norad, the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation.
Plus Partnership is the name of the new cooperation model that will ensure a simpler application process for development projects, closer follow-up during the implementation phase and greater flexibility in the face of changing conditions both geopolitically and in the project countries. ‘The aim of the Plus Partner model is to free up time for strategic co-operation, thus ensuring better and more effective aid,’ Norad writes on its website.
‘ADRA’s Plus Partnership with Norad applies to our work in the field of education,’ says Birgit Philipsen, Secretary General of ADRA Norway. ‘Education is ADRA Norway’s special area of expertise, and this agreement gives us great flexibility as we also embark a new five-year programme agreement.’
Other organisations with Plus partnerships are Save the Children Norway, NCA – Norwegian Church Aid, NPA – Norwegian People’s Aid, NRC – Norwegian Refugee Council, Care Norway and Stromme Foundation.
Secretary General Erik Lunde from Stromme Foundation, emphasised the importance of processes like thisfor furthering development effectiveness. ‘In an unstable world, trust and flexibility have become more important,’ he added. ADRA, represented by Secretary General Philipsen, emphasised the importance of civil society’s role in engaging with communities at the grassroots level and reaching those who need us most.
The Norad Plus Partnership model has been developed after extensive consultation between Norad and civil society organisations. It is intended for large civil society organisations that meet certain criteria relating to funding volume, implementation capacity, strategic focus, organizational systems, and professional expertise.
Norad’s Director General Bård Vegar Solhjell, praised Minister of International Development Anne Beathe Tvinnereim for her direction, drive and capacity. ‘Our ambition at Norad is to think even more holistically,’ he said – and hoped for further political interest and commitment.
The purpose of the Plus Partner model is to make the administration of Norad and its partners more efficient. Aid should be knowledge-based, flexible and innovative.
The Plus Partner Agreement is initially valid for five years.
Photo: Synnøve Aasland / Norad (CC BY-NC-ND).
Photo, South Sudan: ADRA | Frank Spangler
This article was originally published on the website of ADRA Norway.
