Goal
The goal of the Social Impact Fund (SIF) is improved wellbeing of vulnerable peoples and villages through the contribution of Civil Society.
This is linked to Priority Area 4 of the National Sustainable Development Plan – Social Development and
Goal 4 – opportunity for all people who reside in the Cook Islands resulting in ‘A Cook Islands where all people who reside in our islands can enjoy opportunities to fulfil their potential, prosper and participate in the social, economic, political and cultural life of our communities and nation’
Priority Areas
The SIF is targeted at services and projects focused on the following areas.
Priority Area: Gender Equality
Definition: Activity that supports economic and political opportunities for women and girls.
Rationale: Despite improvements in access of women to health and education, disadvantages remain in terms of Cook Island women’s relative access to economic and political participation, and subtle forms of gender bias
Priority Area: Children and Youth
Definition: Activity targeted at people between 10 and 25 years of age
Rationale: Youth make up approximately 38% of the total population are a significant social grouping facing diverse difficulties that require attention to enable their contribution to the development of the Cook Islands
Priority Area: The Elderly
Definition: Activity targeted at people aged 60 years and over
Rationale: the ageing population is relatively inactive in the work force, face comparably higher health issues and likely to require specialist care
Priority Area: Domestic Violence
Definition: Activity targeted at survivors of domestic violence and /or perpetrators of domestic violence
Rationale: Incidents of domestic violence in the Cook Islands are increasing. Domestic violence is a very sensitive community issue. It involves different solutions for survivors and perpetrators, particularly in the outer islands
Priorty Area: Disabilities
Definition: Activity targeted at people with intellectual or physical disabilities
Rationale: Cook Islanders with disabilities do not have the relative social, economic and educational opportunities, or access to the services they need to fully participate in Cook Islands society
Priority Area: Mental Health
Definition: Activity targeted at people with mental disorders
Rationale: Mental health issues are emerging within Cook Islands communities that lack information and support services. The various forms of mental disorders have implications for social, educational and health sectors
OUTCOMES
The following key outcomes are sought for each priority area:
Priority Area Outcomes
Gender Equality Outcomes
- Participation of women in economic development
- Equitable participation of women and men in decision making and governance systems
(Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment policy)
Children and Youth Outcomes
- Participation of youth in decision-making and governance systems
- Increased social cohesion amongst children and youth, and within Cook Islands society
- Improved living conditions, health and welfare of children
(National Youth Policy 2007 – 2010)
Elderly Outcomes
- Participation of older persons to educational, employment, cultural, spiritual, and recreation, health and welfare of older persons
- Improved living conditions, health and welfare of older persons
(Draft Policy on Aging)
Domestic Violence Outcomes
- Elimination of violence against women and children
- Awareness amongst Cook Islanders of human rights and domestic Rights issues
(Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment Policy)
Disabilities Outcomes
- Participation of people with disabilities in all levels of family, community, island and national life
- Awareness amongst Cook Islanders of human rights and disability issues
(National Policy on Disability)
Mental Health Outcomes
- Participation of people with mental disorders in all levels of family, community, island and national life
- Awareness amongst Cook Islanders of human rights and mental health issues
(National Policy on Disability)
Selection Principles
Selection will be made based on the merit of proposals received. Assessments will be made against the principles of the Paris Declaration
Principle Explanation
Ownership Proposals reflect the organisations strategies for addressing the needs of the vulnerable people
Alignment Proposals align with the purpose and criteria of the Social Impact Fund
Harmonisation Proposals show collaboration with other groups where possible in an effort to reduce duplication
Results Proposals reflect results based planning and reporting
Mutual Accountability Proposals indicate that CSO’s are accountable for results
Measuring Success
The success of the Social Impact Fund will be measured against the criteria of the Organisation for Economic
Cooperation and Developments’ (OECD) Development Assistance Committee (the DAC criteria):
Criteria Explanation
Relevance The extent to which SIF-funded activities have been suited to the priorities and policies of the Cook Island Government.
Effectiveness The extent to which the SIF has achieved its intended results (outcomes and outputs) and any unintended results (both positive and negative).
Efficiency How well (in quantitative and qualitative terms) the Social
Impact Funds has used resources in order to achieve results.
Sustainability The extent to which the benefits of SIF-funded activities are likely to continue after donor funding has been withdrawn
Impact The long term positive and negative changes produced by the Social Impact fund (at societal level), directly or indirectly, intended or unintended