Study title

Abstract copyright UK Data Service and data collection copyright owner.This is a qualitative data collection. The primary aim of the project was to develop and test an analytical framework for partnership in aid chains. The framework was derived by analysing the aid chain of the Catholic Church, focussing specifically on the relationships between the diocese of Abuja Ecclesiastical Province (AEP) and four major Catholic-based donors (Misereor, CAFOD, Trocaire and Catholic Relief Services (CRS)). A semi-structured questionnaire was designed to explore aspects of partnership. This was followed by fieldwork in Nigeria, UK, USA, Ireland, Germany and Belgium. In Nigeria, interviews were held with staff of the diocese that comprise AEP, Province, Inter-Province and Catholic Secretariat as well as Federal Government Officials. The research confirmed the complexity of 'partnership' within the Catholic Church development structures. Relationships are south-south, north-north and north-south. South-south primarily comprises partnership within diocese, provinces and the national context, while north-south is between structures of the Nigerian Church and the international donors. North-north is between Catholic donors (including via CARITAS and/or CIDSE networks) and between the Catholic donors and government aid agencies. There is 'patchiness' in terms of relationships both between Southern partners and Northern donors but also within each of these groups. For example, there are issues of inequality between diocese in Nigeria in terms of being able to access donor funding as well as sensitive gender issues between religious personnel charged with managing development 'on the ground'. These issues strike at the very heart of Catholic Social Teaching. However, while a snapshot analysis of partnership based on power differential yields some insights, the relationships are much longer term and there is inter-dependence. Partners wanted to work through differences and...