Evaluation of the Irish Aid Multi-Annual Programme Scheme (MAPS) 2003-05

Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) are invaluable partners for Ireland’s official aid programme.  Through their mode of working, commitment to advocacy and their role in influencing policy they are major players in the development arena. 

Before the MAPS innovation, Irish Aid's support for NGOs had been directed through a number of different funding/co-funding schemes.  These schemes were typically project-focussed, short-term and typically annual.  In 2000, Irish Aid began examining the potential for new arrangements with the NGO sector in Ireland with a view to a funding mechanism that would be longer-term and more programme-focussed.  After a three year period of negotiation and dialogue with NGOs, MAPS was launched in 2003.

At the heart of this arrangement was a move to a new relationship between Irish Aid and the participating NGOs.  This is based on genuine partnership and planning beyond a single year.  The overall aims of the scheme are:

- To permit NGOs to act in a predictable and coherent framework.  Multi-annual funding means that NGO can plan programmes with greater precision and establish longer-term relationships with Partners in the South.

- To enhance and strengthen dialogue and mutual learning between the NGOs and DCI.

- To promote greater flexibility for NGOs within their own programme strategies.

Under the scheme, the Irish Government allocated €117 million amongst five partner agencies.  The breakdown of the funding is as follows:
Concern                       € 39.4 million
Trócaire                       € 34.3 million
Goal                            € 32.1 million
Christian Aid                 € 4.5 million
Self Help Development    € 6.9 million*

*NGOs also receive funding from other Irish Aid funding mechanisms.

Evaluation

Irish Aid commissioned an independent evaluation of MAPS. The evaluation’s purpose was to assess the progress of the scheme with particular focus on international best practice and efficiency.

The Scheme was found to be broadly achieving its objectives and that it has contributed to an improved partnership between Irish Aid and the five NGOs.  However, MAPS still remains a work-in-progress and greater clarity and understanding around a number of elements are required. The report also recommends improved lesson-learning mechanisms for the future. The evaluation presents a number of recommendations for the conduct of the second MAPS, of 5 years duration with a mid-term evaluation built in.

Irish Aid is pleased to continue this innovative and rewarding relationship with our partner NGOs.

Below are links to:

Synthesis of all evaluations

Partner Evaluation reports 

- Christian Aid
- Concern
- Irish Aid
- GOAL
- Self Help Development International
- Trócaire