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The added value of CIs: more than charity?

Huib Huyse (HIVA-KU Leuven)

Workshop – round 1: 30 January 2014

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Why is a ‘distinct’ added value important?

• Distinguishing it from other type of actors: unique actor?

• Learning about ‘what is good development cooperation’ for CIs

• Gradually improving the added value

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What is the USP of citizen initiatives? Arguments related to specific sub-groups

• Diaspora initiatives– Financial remittances– Social remittances– Trust, reciprocity, solidarity

• CIs working through or with private sector– Win-win– Innovative partnerships

• Institutional CIs (linked with domain-specific orgs)– Domain- specific expertise

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What is the USP? Arguments pro CIs

• Human face: P2P (with passion)• Less overhead costs (cost-efficient)• Building public support and global citizenship:

more than giving• Equal partnerships: less paternalistic

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What is the USP? Arguments pro CIs (2)

• Not depending on state funding• Direct & visible results• Small is beautiful (together reaching out to

millons)• Personal development/relations for citizens in the

North

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Arguments against CIs?

• Small scale: fragmentation• Big D development: no structural change• Working in isolation• Over-confidence• Framing of development problems: incapable

people with needs, parternalism, money is solution• Fundraising techniques: charity frames• Sustainability• Specific programmes: orphanages, wells, ..

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Some burning questions

• Which arguments do you agree with, which not?• Which elements are missing?• Is the overal balance positive or negative

regarding the ‘added value’?