Money, power, and donor–NGO partnerships

Abstract

The term ‘partnership’ can be considered something of a Trojan Horse, disguising the reality of the complex relationships in imbalances of power and inequality, often expressed through the control of one ‘partner’ over the other. With particular reference to the experience of a small, UK-based NGO working in Uganda (Hives Save Lives – Africa), this article highlights how power is manifest within donor–NGO partnerships through the control and flow of money; and illustrates that NGOs pursuing funding from donors face many challenges that reinforce this imbalance of power.

Argent, pouvoir et partenariats bailleurs de fonds–ONG

Le terme ⟨partenariat⟩ peut être considéré comme une sorte de cheval de Troie, car il déguise la réalité de relations complexes en déséquilibres de pouvoir et en inégalité, qui se manifestent souvent comme le contrôle exercé par un ⟨partenaire⟩ sur l'autre. En se référant tout particulièrement à une petite ONG dont le siège est au Royaume-Uni et qui travaille en Ouganda – Hives Save Lives Africa – cet article met en relief la manière dont le pouvoir se manifeste au sein des partenariats entre les bailleurs de fonds et les ONG à travers le contrôle et le flux de l'argent et le fait que les ONG en quête de financement de la part des bailleurs de fonds se heurtent à se nombreux défis qui renforcent ce déséquilibre du pouvoir.

Dinheiro, poder e parcerias entre doador–ONG

O termo ‘parceria’ pode ser considerado como um Cavalo de Troia, disfarçando a realidade das relações complexas nos desequilíbrios de poder e desigualdade, frequentemente expressos através do controle de um ‘parceiro’ sobre o outro. Com referência em particular à experiência de uma ONG pequena e baseada no Reino Unido trabalhando em Uganda – a Hives Save Lives Africa – este artigo destaca como o poder é manifestado dentro das parcerias entre doador–ONG através do controle e fluxo de dinheiro; e que as ONGs que buscam fundos de doadores enfrentam muitos desafios que reforçam este desequilíbrio de poder.

Dinero, poder y alianzas ONG-donantes

La palabra ‘alianza’ puede verse como un Caballo de Troya que oculta complejas relaciones asimétricas de poder e inequidad que a menudo se expresan en el dominio de un ‘socio’ sobre otro. Basándose en la experiencia de una ONG del Reino Unido que trabaja en Uganda – Hives Save Lives Africa – este ensayo expone cómo se manifiesta el poder a través del control y el flujo de fondos en las alianzas donante-ONG, sosteniendo además que las ONG financiadas por donantes enfrentan muchos retos que reproducen esta desigualdad de poder.

Keywords:

• Aid
• Civil society
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank the Project Director of HSLA for allowing me access to many of the materials used in this article. I would also like to thank the Trustees of the Board for HSLA for their support in submitting this article for publication, and Dinah Rajak for her encouragement and support.

Notes

From written correspondence between HSLA and a potential charitable donor, 20 June 2007.

Personal email correspondence with HSLA project director, 31 March 2008.

From written correspondence between HSLA and a potential charitable donor, 15 October 2007.

Personal email correspondence with HSLA project director, 31 March 2008.

From written correspondence between HSLA and donor, no date.

Personal communication with HSLA project director, 26 February 2008.

Ibid.

From written report by HSLA to donor foundation, part of the condition of funding, July 2007.

From email communication between donor and HSLA, 11 June 2007.

From written correspondence between donor and HSLA, 4 October 2007.

Personal communication with HSLA project director, 26 February 2008.

From email communication between HSLA and donor, 4 October 2005.

Ibid.

Ibid.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sally Reith

Sally Reith wrote this article while studying for an MA in Social Development at the University Sussex, completed in January 2009. She now works for Shared Interest, the world's only 100 per cent fair-trade lending society.