New Zealand's Government-to-Government Development Initiative in Asia

The challenge

The Government-to-Government (G2G) Development Initiative, funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), has played a pivotal role in advancing international development in participating countries in South-East Asia. Part of MFAT's ASEAN strategy launched in 2017, it has supported projects across Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Key partners include Auckland University of Technology (AUT), Creative HQ, Orillion, and Plant and Food Research, each contributing to co-funded projects with local partners in these countries.

What we did

• In 2021 and 2022, Kirsty Burnett and Dr Elisabeth Poppelwell collaborated closely with G2G’s delivery partners. They crafted Activity Descriptions and Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Frameworks tailored for the remaining projects receiving MFAT's co-funding. Given the absence of dedicated resources for MERL activities, it was essential to devise indicators, targets, and reporting methods that minimised the additional workload on partners.
• As MFAT’s investment drew to a close in 2024, a Completion Report was needed to encapsulate the progress and impact of the 16 approved projects, of which 10 were fully realised. Kirsty detailed each project's progress and long-term implications, while Elisabeth conducted summative evaluations and case studies on efforts led by three delivery partners and the role of the New Zealand Embassy in the Philippines.
• To ensure consistency from the design phase through to reporting, Kirsty and Elisabeth developed straightforward tools that standardised the presentation of information. A series of workshops were organised to clarify contractual obligations and processes for delivery partners, ensuring all parties understood their responsibilities.
• The Completion Report was meticulously compiled using documents and feedback from G2G, supplemented by interviews with delivery partners and the Ambassador to the Philippines.

Outcomes