Working in partnership

All IBIS' development programmes and projects in Africa and Latin America are organised in close partnership with a range of civil society organizations and change agents working within IBIS’ focus areas.

Our’ Vision 2012 underlines the importance of establishing partnerships with different types of civil society organisations in the developing countries. This is in order to strengthen their capacity to claim and use individual and collective rights to improve the life of underprivileged people.

We believe that the success of a partnership depends on the extent to which ownership, commitment and power are shared with the partners. IBIS takes the final decisions regarding financial issues related to programme implementation. But we consciously seek the highest possible degree of mutuality, participation and commitment and equality in decision-making, rights and responsibilities between IBIS and our partners and in-between partners.

The different types of actors that IBIS will typically establish partnership with are as follows:

Constituency based organisations
Movements, community groups, traditional structures, trade unions, student groups and networks/alliances, these being local, national or international, are considered as the primary and legitimate agents of change.

NGO’s
Local or national NGO’s providing services, capacity building or supporting advocacy, research institutions and other actors can be agents of change and important supporters of constituency based organisations.

Government institutions
Local or national level state institutions and other government entities, international institutions can be important operational partners if beneficial for promoting citizens’ rights, participation and delivering services.