Harmonisation
Harmonisation is a central element of NZAID's policy and strategy development. Harmonisation recognises the importance of a strategic approach to sustainable development through donor coordination, and partnerships that encourage ease of partner access and promote mutual accountability.
Progress towards harmonisation is being facilitated by discussions with other key donors, particularly AusAID but also others such as the European Union, the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank. Annual donor meetings are held on development cooperation and collaboration in the Pacific, and cooperation is occurring on projects and programmes at both country and regional levels.
NZAID and AusAID continue to work on closer relationships in the Pacific. Harmonisation between AusAID and NZAID is taking place in three main areas: reciprocal administration of programmes, joint efforts at policy, programme and sector levels (including agreement on lead agencies in certain sectors and certain countries), and coordination of representation at high-level meetings.
NZAID has also improved the coordination of its scholarships scheme in the Pacific. The scheme now shares its guidelines with the AusAID regional awards scheme, which permits AusAID and NZAID to run a single application and selection process in any given country. Both agencies will be able to use common administrative arrangements for scholarship management.
