This new report by Halima Mohamed explores the structure and mechanisms of three donor collaborations that include some level of devolved decision-making – The Multi Agency Grantmaking Initiative (MAGI), the Joint Gender Fund (JGF) and the Constitutionalism Fund (CF), but then also sought to explore some of the core questions in relation to five other contemporary donor collaboratives located in the Southern Africa region.
The report covers a broad range of issues that need to be considered over the lifespan of such donor collaboratives, from inception to closure. The findings include reflections on (i) a series of critical foundational aspects dealing with intent, ownership and power that must be addressed conceptually at the outset (ii) lessons emerging on a range of substantive issues that influence practical functioning of the collaborative and delineate its parameters and (iii) experiences on issues to consider in maintaining a collaborative and transitioning/closing one out. The report also includes two guidelines that donors can refer to in establishing such collaboratives.
Perhaps the biggest lesson emerging from this study is the interwoven and complex nature of the multiple elements that need to be considered in navigating such collaborations. As such, the report does not seek to offer a ‘tick box’ approach to the topic but reflects on the critical issues that require consideration, where different sets of decisions emerging will lead the discussion in diverse directions.