To encourage quality applications and a high standard of accountability, the new scheme has been designed to be competitive. Applicants are required to bid for funding during the three assessment rounds. Development funding, which is managed by the Development Cooperation Division, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is appropriated by Parliament to help promote sustainable economic and social progress in developing countries. It offers scope for New Zealand enterprises to establish linkages and business relationships that promote sustainable development. The local partner receives technical and managerial expertise and the New Zealand partner the opportunity to extend its expertise, experience and business activity in a rapidly developing region of the world.
Successful applicants are the recipients of grant funding only.
The primary prerequisite for accessing ADAF grant funding is that the identified activity must have strong developmental merit or benefit to the local stakeholders. Additionally, the New Zealand partner should be able to identify a commitment to development in Asia and that they have the appropriate expertise for the proposed task. This means that relevant Asia and development experience should be available and that the required partner relationship has been established before an ADAF proposal is submitted. Capacity Building assignments can include, but are not limited to training, secondments and advisory studies. Project Development assignments may include baseline, feasibility, impact and design studies and project support.