AusAID Civil Society Engagement Review
This project undertook an independent review of Australian Agency for International Development’s (AusAID, since abolished and incorporated into DFAT) engagement with civil society in Timor-Leste. AusAID has been working in Timor-Leste for over a decade and has provided a range of support and funding mechanisms that impact on civil society. With the project beginning in December 2012, the review team worked in Timor-Leste over the first part of 2013 so as to carry out in-country interviews with AusAID staff, the Government of Timor-Leste and civil society stakeholders. In particular, the review focused on three key elements; the first being current issues and trends affecting the role and capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Timor-Leste; the second the extent to which AusAID’s engagement with CSOs are aligned with the Agency’s Civil Society Engagement Framework; and thirdly, identifying the optimal mechanism or modality for ensuring that civil society engagement is effective, sustainable and efficient.
The final report and an overview of current trends and issues in civil society in Timor-Leste was submitted to AusAID in June 2013.