Community Scoop Op-Ed : Government and NGO partnerships

Friday, 19 April 2013, 10:32 am
Opinion: Community Housing Aotearoa

Government and NGO partnerships

NGOs have the capacity to innovate and adapt more quickly than Government and this can be a threat to ministries. If, however, Government and NGOs are working together and sharing their knowledge and skills, New Zealand as a whole can benefit. NGOs suffer from a lack of resources and a general estrangement from the State. Unless they become partners with Government, and not competitors, capacity-building initiatives will continue to be stunted.

If Government can form open and collegiate relationships with NGOs, the way is paved for sustainable and improved outcomes for the wellness of New Zealand citizens. After all, if Greenpeace and MacDonalds can work together to tackle deforestation in the Amazon and Marks and Spencer can partner with Oxfam to send unwanted clothing to the world’s poorest then the NZ Government can partner with NGO’s committed to achieving jointly identified social goals.

The key to successful outcomes for Government and NGOs revolves around the relationship between the two entities. The State alone cannot achieve its social needs goals. There is a need for recognition by Government that NGOs fulfill a diversity of roles – their capability resides in the implementation of local co-operation, flexibility of intervention and the capacity to innovate and adapt to changing contexts.

This kind of partnership demands a different philosophical and strategic outlook with the Government not merely the ‘purchaser’ and the NGO not merely having to march in tune with the required Government determined deliverables. Partnership embodies the notion of acceptance by both parties that their respective roles are of equal importance, specifically as they relate to social justice.

It is imperative that the respective roles and responsibilities of Government and the NGO sector are negotiated, clarified and understood by both parties – all based on a shared vision and common goal and acknowledging the competencies and mandates of the partners.

When the value of vibrant NGOs are considered, Governments have the responsibility to both promote the NGO community and strengthen their capacity, thus enabling social service NGOs to function and deliver optimally. The responsibility of Government and opportunities for NGOs would be greatly enhanced within the context of a partnership / policy framework within which roles and responsibilities are negotiated and clarified.

Early investment by Government would provide the platform for training and development, thereby contributing to the building of capacity. Fundamental to the notion of an enabling environment for the delivery of services is the State’s responsibility to adequately fund the NGO delivering the service.

Currently there is a lack of a coherent government strategy and framework for partnering and contracting with the NGO sector. Instead there tends to be a short-term focus that doesn’t allow the NGO sector to plan ahead.

A single contractual framework would be a start, thereby reducing the compliance burden on NGOs and reduce duplication in contract management processes by Government. Such a framework would embed the relationship principles of a partnership model and set the tone for sector engagement by Government. A partnership accepts that there is strength in unity and that the whole is greater than the sum of the individual parts.

Aotearoa

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Community Housing Aotearoa

Nga Wharerau o Aotearoa

Community Housing Aotearoa is the peak body for New Zealand's community housing sector. Our 110 members build and manage affordable and social housing.

Our Vision is to make sure every New Zealander is well-housed in a warm, safe, dry and affordable home. This is a basic human right.

We work to support the growth and development of community housing providers to enable them to provide affordable and social housing.

We want to demonstrate that community housing is a critical element alongside private and government owned housing. No one can do it alone.

Community Housing Aotearoa aims to:

1. be the voice of the community housing sector
2. build capacity and foster collaboration
3. promote best practice in housing policy
4. champion quality and excellence.

Contact Community Housing Aotearoa

• Website - communityhousing.org.nz/
• Our Place - Learn how we think this can be achieved
• Phone - +64 4 385 8722
• About us - Our 2021 annual report is online here
• Email - support@communityhousing.org.nz
• Link - Members directory
• Physical Address - Level 11, Ranchhod Tower, 39 The Terrace/102-112 Lambton Quay, Wellington