In 2007, the Southern Africa Trust commissioned a study on the trends and impacts of changing aid policies and shifting financial flows to civil society organisations in southern Africa. This new report provides an update with a focus on current trends in policies and practices, against the backdrop of the recent changes in global aid policies and the global financial crisis and economic downturn. Chapter 1 provides an overview of recent trends and shifts in global aid policies and the role of civil society in development. The Accra Agenda for Action is examined together with a discussion of the implications of the global recession for resource mobilisation. Chapter 2 provides an overview of recent trends in aid f lows and support to civil society in southern Africa. In particular, it seeks to explore how and to what extent the regional adaption of the aid effectiveness agenda through the Windhoek Declaration has led to any changes. Chapter 3 presents the team’s findings and
assessments of donor support to civil society. The final chapter summarises and presents the teams recommendations. This study was carried out by the Chr. Michelsen Institute (Norway). The team was composed of Elling N. Tjønneland (CMI) and independent consultant Chris Albertyn (South Africa). The data for this assessment was mainly gathered through reading of documents collected from donor agencies, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Development Assistance Committee and others. In addition, the team collected data through interviews in Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique. A list of all individuals interviewed by the team is provided in annex 1. The report writing team has benefitted from the support and assistance from a number of people, in particular from Patrick Mpedzisi and Themba Mhlongo at the Southern Africa Trust.
The team would also like to take this opportunity to thank the many individuals in donor agencies and civil society organisations who gave graciously of their valuable time to provide information, analysis, interpretations and explanations. The views of all of these stakeholders were crucial in helping the team to formulate its assessments and recommendations.