Abstract
AbstractRelationships between international aid organizations and their local partners in the Global South are often problematic, with criticisms relating to paternalistic structures and inequality. In this study, empirical data from organizations working in heterogeneous partnerships in Myanmar is used to analyse motives for collaboration between international and local organizations. This study’s findings stress that both local and international organizations often focus on short-term program needs, while motives that relate to organizational goals, such as networking, improved reputation, or advocacy, are less prevailing. For development assistance to be successful in the long run, power imbalances between international and local organizations need to be addressed and a stronger sense of equality between partnering organizations must be promoted.
Highlights
Large numbers of international public and nonprofit organizations are engaged in countries receiving development assistance to aid with acute and chronic problems, such as disasters, poverty, and political instability (Nolte, Martin, and Boenigk 2012)
This study explores the partnering of international aid organizations with local organizations, so-called ‘heterogeneous partnerships’
Collaboration and partnership between international and local organizations have been put on the political agenda and are addressed in several strategies, such as the Millennium Development Goals, followed by the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations 2015, 2017) and the Grand Bargain (International Council of Voluntary Agencies 2017)
Summary
Large numbers of international public and nonprofit organizations are engaged in countries receiving development assistance to aid with acute and chronic problems, such as disasters, poverty, and political instability (Nolte, Martin, and Boenigk 2012). International donors and funding agencies stress that development assistance should be provided in partnership with local organizations. Collaboration and partnership between international and local organizations have been put on the political agenda and are addressed in several strategies, such as the Millennium Development Goals, followed by the Sustainable Development Goals (United Nations 2015, 2017) and the Grand Bargain (International Council of Voluntary Agencies 2017). Such interorganizational partnerships describe the working together of different actors towards mutually agreed objectives (Brinkerhoff 2002)
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