The Partnerships Fund for International Development (the Partnerships Fund) is a contestable fund administered by the New Zealand Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). The Fund helps New Zealand charitable and other not-for-profit, private, and state sector organisations deliver responses to development challenges in developing countries. A core feature of the Partnerships Fund is the partnering of a New Zealand organisation with a local organisation in the country in which the response is delivered.

MFAT commissioned Sapere Research Group to undertake an independent evaluation to examine what is being achieved by the Partnerships Fund, along with its alignment, coherence, and strategic direction. This evaluation has assessed achievements to date, and the overall coherence and impact of the Partnerships Fund since 2012. It aims to inform decisions regarding future improvements, and the strategic direction of MFAT’s overall investment in the Partnerships Fund.

This report was written by Professor Mark McGillivray (Deakin University, Australia), Elisabeth Poppelwell (Principal, Sapere Research Group, New Zealand), Neil Cribbens (Managing Consultant, Sapere Research Group, New Zealand), Luke Kiddle (Independent Consultant) and Faka’iloatonga Taumoefolau (Independent Consultant). It was reviewed by David Moore (Sapere Research Group, New Zealand).

MFAT’s Management Response to this evaluation is available at: https://www.mfat.govt.nz/assets/Aid-Prog-docs/Evaluations/2018/Partnership-fund-Managment-response.pdf