Contribution to international development report: 2017-2018

Chapter Eleven - Civil Society Partnerships

11.1. Introduction

As a small country, Scotland is able to take advantage of informal networks and opportunities for collaboration with civil society. This enables collective action and a partnership approach through the network of connections that Scotland has built up with Malawi, Zambia, Rwanda, and Pakistan. This partnership approach has resulted in Scotland's Fair Trade Nation status through the work of the Scottish Fair Trade forum and local activists, and the Scottish Government's support for Scotland's International Development Alliance and the Scotland Malawi Partnership. The Scottish Government also collaborates with other donors, forming partnerships in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda and currently works with Comic Relief on our joint Levelling the Field programme.

11.2 Scottish Fair Trade Forum

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12 Responsible Consumption and Production
17 Partnerships for the Goal

11.2.1. Background

The Scottish Government has provided core funding to the Scottish Fair Trade Forum since 2010 to promote fair trade in Scotland, with the aim of achieving and then maintaining Fair Trade Nation status.

Scotland successfully achieved Fair Trade Nation status in 2013 after meeting a range of criteria that demonstrated the country's commitment to reducing poverty and helping people access their rights. Fair Trade Nation status was reassessed and renewed in 2017. The achievement of Fair Trade Nation status indicates to the world that Scotland takes an active leadership role in challenging global poverty and recognises the dignity and rights of producers, through a commitment to fairness in international trading.

11.2.2. Contribution to Development 2017-2018

In 2017-18, the Scottish Fair Trade Forum continued to increase the prominence and commitment to Fair Trade in Scotland. The Scottish Fair Trade Forum has also:

• Undertaken research on the Fair Trade sector in Scotland - a supplier survey, a customer survey.
• Used research data to inform a Fair Trade Market report and create innovative recommendations for future actions.
• Met with industry partners to create case studies and Fair Trade toolkits.
• Led development of international links and Fair Trade Nation concept through collaboration and partnership.
• Strengthened the capability and sustainability of the Scottish Fair Trade campaign network through the creation of regional networks, training, communications, and events.

11.3. Scotland's International Development Alliance

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17 Partnerships for the Goal

11.3.1. Background

Scotland's International Development Alliance (The Alliance) is the membership body for everyone committed to creating a fairer world, free from poverty, injustice and environmental threats. Its mission is:

• To engage people and organisations in Scotland about international development and to facilitate their informed support.
• To support people and organisations in Scotland contributing to effective international development to strengthen their support base and to improve their impact.
• To represent its members and the people and communities they serve, to local, national and international decision makers.

The Alliance has a uniquely global reach, with members working in at least 142 countries with a wide range of specialisms. It has more than 130 members and under its new 2017 to 2020 strategy is seeking to attract new members who endorse its mission. The Scottish Government have committed to providing Scotland's International Development Alliance with core funding of £644,440 from 2017 until 2020.

11.3.2. Contribution to Development in 2017-18

In 2017-18, the Alliance continued to work towards creating a fairer world, free from poverty, injustice and environmental threats through:

• Membership recruitment. The Alliance had 132 civil society members by the year end.
• Increasing take-up of its services for members by 16.5%.
• Publishing 12 monthly e-newsletters with 3,152 subscribers at the year end.
• Convening two new working groups, the 'Leave No-One Behind' working group and the 'Fundraising' working group both designed to facilitate skills sharing and to enhance effectiveness.

11.4 Scotland Malawi Partnership and Malawi Scotland Partnership

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17 Partnerships for the Goal

11.4.1. Background

The Scotland Malawi Partnership ( SMP) is the national civil society network in Scotland for coordinating, supporting and representing the people-to-people links between our two countries.

The Scottish Government have supported the SMP for over a decade. The SMP's membership has grown to more than 1,100 organisations and individuals across Scotland and includes; local authorities, universities, colleges, schools, churches, hospitals, businesses, charities, NGOs, and community-based organisations. Their sister network, the Malawi Scotland Partnership ( MaSP) is similarly developing strongly. The common thread that unites both SMP and MaSP members is their belief in partnership, friendship and solidarity.

From 2017 to 2020 the Scottish Government will provide the SMP with core funding of £730,528.

11.4.2. Contribution to Development 2017-2018

This year the SMP have held some of their largest and most impactful events and engagements to date.

• The Annual General Meeting was the largest so far, with attendance from 200 organisations and individuals.
• In the spirit of the Year of Young People 2018, the Partnership welcomed over 300 school students to a Youth Congress at Hampden Park.
• SMP have held engaging Member Forums in areas such as Health and Higher Education.
• SMP have held a number of events, such as the Commonwealth Big Lunch and the Lake of Stars Glasgow festival.
• The #BuyMalawian campaign promoted Malawian exports to Scottish Markets.
• The members of the SMP provide a multiplier effect in regard to Scotland's engagement with, and contribution to Malawi.

11.5. Malawi Scotland Partnership

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17 Partnerships for the Goal

11.5.1. Background

The Malawi Scotland Partnership ( MaSP) is the sister organisation to the SMP. It is a Malawian-owned and Malawian-led network, which exists to support and develop Malawi's many civil society links with Scotland and to enhance the cooperation between Malawi and the Scottish Government. From 2017 to 2020 the Scottish Government will provide the Malawi Scotland Partnership with core funding of £355,554.

11.5.2. Contribution to Development in 2017-2018

MaSP works to advance the development of vulnerable, isolated and impoverished communities in Malawi through:

• Enhanced collaboration with strategic partnerships, such as the Scottish Government.
• Providing expertise in the health, education, economic development and civic governance sectors to the Government of Malawi.

11.6 Comic Relief: Levelling the Field programme

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1 No Poverty
5 Gender Equality
8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
17 Partnerships for the Goal

11.6.1. Background

The Scottish Government aims to collaborate with other funding organisations, including national development agencies, subscription lotteries, philanthropic organisations and individuals, to match-fund initiatives, implement joint programmes, and ensure the scaling up of our funded initiatives by others.

In January 2017, the Scottish Government contributed £1.2 million to Comic Relief's Levelling the Field initiative, which is part of Comic Relief's Sport for Change programme. Levelling the Field uses sport to help improve the economic wellbeing of women and girls in Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda. The initiative offers funding of up to £150,000 for projects, research, or campaigns designed to increase confidence, build self-esteem and reduce violence against women and girls.

11.6.2. Contribution to Development to Date

The initiative has awarded grants to eleven organisations working within Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda, three of which are discussed below:

Malawi

The British Council project will provide safe spaces in Likuni and Mtandire for 1,170 young people (60% of them girls) aged between 7 and 20 years to learn about healthy relationships and behaviours, to gain life skills and to advocate for their rights through the delivery of a sport for development curriculum. They will be better able to access sexual and reproductive health services and communities will be more aware of issues they face.

Rwanda

Shooting Touch are delivering basketball health sessions that incorporate an employability module to drive gender equity, reduce stigmas, and increase employment. Existing basketball for health work will be expanded to include modalities specifically for women aimed at driving economic empowerment through employment and self-employment in their communities.

Zambia

ActionAid Zambia's project will challenge the existing social norms and gender inequality that perpetuates Violence Against Women and Girls. It will support 3,000 of Zambia's most vulnerable girls and young women to realise their right to a violence-free life, and opportunities for participation and leadership in schools and communities. Football will be used as an integral part of the programme, to enhance life skills and creatively engage with girls.