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Supporting ‘Doing Development Differently’ Effectively: Analysing Attributes, Networks and Impacts of Donor‐Supported Pacific Development Coalitions

Author

Listed:
  • Aidan Craney
  • Dan Chamberlain
  • Chris Roche

Abstract

Despite growing appreciation for the complexity of development and the need for adaptability, there remains a limited evidence base of how, where and why adaptive approaches to development improve development outcomes. This paper examines the organisational and political attributes of support provided to locally led development initiatives in the Pacific region supported by an Australian government development programme, as well as the extent to which these attributes were present in initiatives deemed by programme staff to be more or less successful. Findings include that positive outcomes are more likely to emerge from partners led by women working in politically stable environments. Rather than endorsing donors to support only such projects, we share a combination of findings to offer insights into how the impacts of development initiatives working in politically tricky settings may be understood holistically and with nuance and flexibility, leading to better project design and evaluation.

Suggested Citation

  • Aidan Craney & Dan Chamberlain & Chris Roche, 2025. "Supporting ‘Doing Development Differently’ Effectively: Analysing Attributes, Networks and Impacts of Donor‐Supported Pacific Development Coalitions," Asia and the Pacific Policy Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(2), May.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:asiaps:v:12:y:2025:i:2:n:e70013
    DOI: 10.1002/app5.70013
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
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    3. Chris Roche & John Cox & Mereani Rokotuibau & Peni Tawake & Yeshe Smith, 2020. "The Characteristics of Locally Led Development in the Pacific," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(4), pages 136-146.
    4. Andrews, Matt & Pritchett, Lant & Woolcock, Michael, 2013. "Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 234-244.
    5. Neil McCulloch & Laure‐Hélène Piron, 2019. "Thinking and Working Politically: Learning from practice. Overview to Special Issue," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 37(S1), pages 1-15, June.
    6. Chris Roche & John Cox & Mereani Rokotuibau & Peni Tawake & Yeshe Smith, 2020. "The Characteristics of Locally Led Development in the Pacific," Politics and Governance, Cogitatio Press, vol. 8(4), pages 136-146.
    7. Theresa Meki & Jope Tarai, 2023. "How can aid be decolonized and localized in the Pacific? Yielding and wielding power," Development Policy Review, Overseas Development Institute, vol. 41(S2), December.
    8. Ceridwen Spark & John Cox & Jack Corbett, 2019. "Gender, political representation and symbolic capital: how some women politicians succeed," Third World Quarterly, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 40(7), pages 1227-1245, July.
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