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Separation Of Development And Non-development Activities Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

Family Planning NSW development activities are strategically focussed on the improvement of reproductive and sexual health in defined communities. FPNSW is committed to ensuring that funds including DFAT funds and other programme resources are used only for the purpose of development. Funds are not allocated for the purpose of religious, political or welfare activities.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Family Planning NSW recognises that individual needs are best met through long term integrated and sustainable development programs. All Family Planning NSW development funds raised are therefore used in the delivery of clinical and community development programs.

Family Planning NSW partners may provide direct assistance in certain circumstances to individual families and children, for example, there may be short term support for food, sanitation, etc. This occurs within a broader community development program which addresses the long term livelihood and social protection needs of a community. These direct assistance activities are not considered 'welfare', as they ensure participation, and commitment of communities to longer term, integrated sustainable community development and the protection of the community's rights and interests.

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Term Meaning
DFAT Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Development and humanitarian activity Activities undertaken in order to reduce poverty and address global justice issues via direct engagement through community projects, emergency management, community education, advocacy, volunteer sending, provision of technical and professional services and resources, environmental protection and restoration, and promotion and protection of human rights.
Non-development activity Includes activities undertaken for the purpose of religious witness, welfare objectives or partisan political objectives
Political activities are defined as supporting a political party, candidate or organisation affiliated to a political party. Examples include:
  • NGO staff being involved in party political activities
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support a specific political party, candidate, or party political organisation in a local, regional or general / national election
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support independence or separatist movements
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support a particular politician or faction to gain power within a government or within a political party structure
Religious activities are defined as supporting or promoting a particular religion, including activities undertaken with the intention of converting individuals or groups from one faith and/or denomination to another. Activities that build up religious structures (including infrastructure, training or organisational activities) are also ineligible, unless those structures are specifically designed to provide non-denominational development outcomes.
Welfare activities are defined as care and maintenance, which aims to maintain people in a particular condition on a longer-term basis. Substantial and broad impact on social and economic conditions in the community is not normally expected from welfare programs. Welfare may be provided to an individual or family basis including home-based and institutional care programs, such as those provided by orphanages, homes for the elderly, hospices and the provision of food for those who are destitute. Welfare activities are typically:
  • implemented independently of other sustainable community development activities;
  • include no strategy for integration into broader community development programs;
  • provided on an individual or family basis, rather than on a community basis, and are unconnected to emergency needs; and implemented on a long term basis with no clear exit strategy.

SCOPE

Family Planning NSW International Programme

POLICY DETAILS

  • Family Planning NSW complies with tax deductibility to the ATO, fundraising guidelines and donors obligations regarding acceptance and non-acceptable of funds.
  • Family Planning NSW works in partnership with many organisations including welfare and faith based organisations, government and non-government organisations in the delivery of reproductive and sexual health services.
  • Family Planning NSW will not financially support partner organisations in the delivery of political, religious or welfare activities.
  • Family Planning NSW staff must perform a partner capacity assessment prior to entering into a new international project and complete the relevant section to confirm that the partner does not engage in evangelistic and/or political activities.
  • All contracts, memorandums of understanding or partnership agreements must state that, in accordance with the philosophy of Family Planning NSW, no Family Planning NSW program resources, including DFAT funds, can be allocated for the purposes of welfare, religious or political activities.
  • Monitoring processes for international projects must include an assessment to ensure that no Family Planning NSW resources have been used, or are planned to be used, for welfare, political or religious activities.
  • If reports that Family Planning NSW funds are being utilised for welfare, political or religious activities by partner organisations or their staff are received by Family Planning NSW staff, then Family Planning NSW staff must immediately investigate allegations and act, if necessary, to suspend the partnership.

REFERENCES

Australian Council for International Development, Code of Conduct Guidance Document, February 2018 - Clause 7.3.2

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian NGO Cooperation Program Manual, last updated March 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual, last updated June 2018

 

Last updated: July 2019

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Separation Of Development And Non-development Activities Policy

POLICY STATEMENT

Family Planning NSW development activities are strategically focussed on the improvement of reproductive and sexual health in defined communities. FPNSW is committed to ensuring that funds including DFAT funds and other programme resources are used only for the purpose of development. Funds are not allocated for the purpose of religious, political or welfare activities.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Family Planning NSW recognises that individual needs are best met through long term integrated and sustainable development programs. All Family Planning NSW development funds raised are therefore used in the delivery of clinical and community development programs.

Family Planning NSW partners may provide direct assistance in certain circumstances to individual families and children, for example, there may be short term support for food, sanitation, etc. This occurs within a broader community development program which addresses the long term livelihood and social protection needs of a community. These direct assistance activities are not considered 'welfare', as they ensure participation, and commitment of communities to longer term, integrated sustainable community development and the protection of the community's rights and interests.

DEFINITIONS AND ABBREVIATIONS

Term Meaning
DFAT Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Development and humanitarian activity Activities undertaken in order to reduce poverty and address global justice issues via direct engagement through community projects, emergency management, community education, advocacy, volunteer sending, provision of technical and professional services and resources, environmental protection and restoration, and promotion and protection of human rights.
Non-development activity Includes activities undertaken for the purpose of religious witness, welfare objectives or partisan political objectives
Political activities are defined as supporting a political party, candidate or organisation affiliated to a political party. Examples include:
  • NGO staff being involved in party political activities
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support a specific political party, candidate, or party political organisation in a local, regional or general / national election
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support independence or separatist movements
  • using funds or resources to facilitate or support a particular politician or faction to gain power within a government or within a political party structure
Religious activities are defined as supporting or promoting a particular religion, including activities undertaken with the intention of converting individuals or groups from one faith and/or denomination to another. Activities that build up religious structures (including infrastructure, training or organisational activities) are also ineligible, unless those structures are specifically designed to provide non-denominational development outcomes.
Welfare activities are defined as care and maintenance, which aims to maintain people in a particular condition on a longer-term basis. Substantial and broad impact on social and economic conditions in the community is not normally expected from welfare programs. Welfare may be provided to an individual or family basis including home-based and institutional care programs, such as those provided by orphanages, homes for the elderly, hospices and the provision of food for those who are destitute. Welfare activities are typically:
  • implemented independently of other sustainable community development activities;
  • include no strategy for integration into broader community development programs;
  • provided on an individual or family basis, rather than on a community basis, and are unconnected to emergency needs; and implemented on a long term basis with no clear exit strategy.

SCOPE

Family Planning NSW International Programme

POLICY DETAILS

  • Family Planning NSW complies with tax deductibility to the ATO, fundraising guidelines and donors obligations regarding acceptance and non-acceptable of funds.
  • Family Planning NSW works in partnership with many organisations including welfare and faith based organisations, government and non-government organisations in the delivery of reproductive and sexual health services.
  • Family Planning NSW will not financially support partner organisations in the delivery of political, religious or welfare activities.
  • Family Planning NSW staff must perform a partner capacity assessment prior to entering into a new international project and complete the relevant section to confirm that the partner does not engage in evangelistic and/or political activities.
  • All contracts, memorandums of understanding or partnership agreements must state that, in accordance with the philosophy of Family Planning NSW, no Family Planning NSW program resources, including DFAT funds, can be allocated for the purposes of welfare, religious or political activities.
  • Monitoring processes for international projects must include an assessment to ensure that no Family Planning NSW resources have been used, or are planned to be used, for welfare, political or religious activities.
  • If reports that Family Planning NSW funds are being utilised for welfare, political or religious activities by partner organisations or their staff are received by Family Planning NSW staff, then Family Planning NSW staff must immediately investigate allegations and act, if necessary, to suspend the partnership.

REFERENCES

Australian Council for International Development, Code of Conduct Guidance Document, February 2018 - Clause 7.3.2

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Australian NGO Cooperation Program Manual, last updated March 2019

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade - Australian NGO Accreditation Guidance Manual, last updated June 2018

 

Last updated: July 2019

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