This working paper is part of the Asia Democracy Research Network (ADRN) Working Paper Series for 2015-2016. ADRN is an independent network of democracy research institutions across Asia. It analyzes challenges and tasks facing democracy in the region and expands the scope of action-oriented, policy-driven research that supports the advocacy activities of Asian civil society organizations in promoting, consolidating, and deepening democracy. EAI is currently serving as the ADRN secretariat.

Abstract The effectiveness of development assistance has been one of the main issues of foreign aid communities. Unorganized or blindly directed aid has just a temporary effect, which can-not change the situation and may even reinforce the asymmetric structure between the North and the South. Therefore, donors have sought solutions for constructing an environment of sustainable development. Against this backdrop, this paper presents a new example of development assistance which primarily includes considerations of effectiveness, private-private cooperation, a focus on human development, encouragement for better governance, development assistance for politics, and a practical model of trilateral cooperation. The East Asia Institute (EAI) has been carrying out a development program focused on the promotion of democratization in Myanmar with financial support from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) since 2015, the title of which is “Building Civil Society Capacity in Myanmar through Budget Monitoring.” Therefore, this paper attempts to discuss the requirements and conditions for a successful triangular approach, while presenting EAI’s experiences with its partners in this democracy promotion project as a model for future aid projects.

Quotes from the Paper

“Trilateral development cooperation can be regarded as a supplementary approach to the traditional bilateral form of foreign aid between donor and recipient in order to encourage effective aid delivery and secure sustainable development in developing countries. As indicated by the name, trilateral cooperation involves three actors; a traditional donor, usually from the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee (DAC), an emerging donor in the North or South, and a beneficiary country in the South.”

“The trilateral development cooperation is a new model, but it will not substitute for the traditional form of development cooperation between the North and South. The trilateral format is a complementary approach to promote aid effectiveness and sustainable development. Trilateral cooperation has risks which should be addressed and overcome to ensure a successful performance. These risks stem from the unique composition of the triangle, which differs from the traditional form of bilateral cooperation.”

“The role of think tanks in civil society can be found in its basic function of providing knowledge for good governance. Think tanks are devoted to producing ideas for policy recommendations, disseminating these ideas to the public, and pushing policy makers to adopt their ideas when devising policies. These activities are based on a detailed diagnosis of the current problems facing society and groundbreaking research that allows think tanks to put forward potential solutions to these problems. Along with their mission and expertise, experienced scholars and experts participate in idea exchanges and the think tank production cycle.”

“EAI’s program in Myanmar is not a perfect model. Despite this, it provides a successful example of a new type of development cooperation, with a trilateral composition, assistance to civil society, a strategic approach targeting CSOs for democracy promotion, and private-private cooperation. Along with liberation measures, a great number of resources have flowed into Myanmar from abroad from both governments and private sources. These inputs are certainly building the ground for development in Myanmar. For balanced development in both politics and the economy, which is a prerequisite for sustainable development, assistance for democracy and good governance should be continued and strengthened.”