Feasibility study on development cooperation intervention models

The assignment was awarded by Fondazione Cariplo, on behalf of ACRI, to carry out a feasibility study on multistakeholder intervention models in the context of development cooperation.
The feasibility study implied the in-depth analysis of existing models and cooperation tools to outline a comprehensive synthesis effectively aimed at informing the strategic planning and future interventions of ACRI and of the member foundations.
The involvement of a large number of cooperation actors, both in Italy and in the countries of intervention, and the use of a diversified package of financial instruments, are two key elements of the models studied, which confirmed the value of systemic approaches for development cooperation interventions, unfolded around three distinct aspects, namely the system effectiveness, the valorisation of actors, the value added of interactions between businesses and civil society (and more generally, the non-profit sector as a whole).
Beyond the description of the suggested models of intervention in some selected sectors of intervention, the feasibility study also included the full description of the models in three different countries, where key sectors and potential partners have been further analysed to define possible intervention models.

Our activities

The feasibility study was unfolded around the following:

• Forty-four significant and innovative experiences of project financing (case studies) were analysed, focusing in particular on multi-factor actions combining diversified and complementary financial instruments. Several elements of interest were analysed in relation to the priority criteria identified, among which blended financial instruments, impact investing schemes, systems/governance flexibility, diversification of donors/investors, timing, etc.
• Enabling factors were identified to describe those external conditions that encourage (or boost) potential actors (CSOs, companies, etc.) to take the initiative to start a programme in a specific context.
• Application of the enabling factors in some selected countries receiving technical assistance (mainly LDCs). Based on the evidence collected, three countries were prioritised and multi-stakeholder “intervention model” schemes described accordingly.
• Elaboration of country scenarios to describe the socio-economic context in the three countries selected, before and after the new programming, focusing on key sectors.”