Partnerships

HelpAge International works in partnership with other agencies and is involved in a number of coalitions. These collaborations aim to increase the understanding of ageing and development issues among those working in development, and secure additional resources. These partnerships include:

Help the Aged

Help the Aged UK is a member of HelpAge International's network and a key donor for HelpAge International's work.

UK Department for International Development (DFID)

HelpAge International has a Programme Partnership Agreement with DFID that provides provides an important funding source for our work. However, DFID is also a key advocacy target and partner for policy development. We engage regularly with the policy division in London, UK Missions and DFID country offices around the world, particularly on issues relating to social protection, exclusion, rights and HIV/AIDS.

United Nations Department for Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA)

As the focal point on ageing in the United Nations, UNDESA is responsible for facilitating the implementation of the Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing. HelpAge International worked closely with the Department leading up to, and during, the Second World Assembly on Ageing in Madrid in 2002. Since the adoption of the Plan, we have collaborated on a number of follow-up initiatives in Africa, Asia and Latin America on ageing and poverty, HIV/AIDS, monitoring, policy development and implementation.

United Nations Fund for Children (UNICEF)

HelpAge International works with UNICEF in developing international policy frameworks and programme interventions to support children affected by AIDS and their carers, as well as protecting children and older people in emergency situations. We are collaborating with UNICEF on initiatives to drive forward the social-protection agenda as a response to AIDS and poverty reduction, and to develop the evidence base on carers for children. UNICEF also provides financial support to some of our programmes.

Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC)

HelpAge International has been a partner of the Chronic Poverty Research Centre (CPRC) since its inception in 2000. Funded with a grant from DFID, CPRC, is an international partnership of universities, research institutes and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). The centre provides research and policy guidance, and stimulates national and international debate on chronic poverty. Within the CPRC, HelpAge International and Development Initiatives form the Chronic Poverty Engagement Partnership, which aims to strengthen policy engagement on chronic poverty and related policy agendas. The partnership collaborates closely with CPRC partners and a wider alliance of southern and northern NGOs and governments.

International HIV/AIDS Alliance

HelpAge International has collaborated with the International HIV/AIDS Alliance on a number of policy and programme outputs in order to highlight the effects of HIV/AIDS on older people, especially in their role as carers of orphaned children.

Save the Children

In recent years, HelpAge International has increased its programme and policy engagement with members of the International Save the Children Alliance in the UK and around the world, especially in relation to intergenerational approaches to development and the relationship of older people to children affected by HIV/AIDS.

Coalitions

Participating in coalitions is an important part of HelpAge International's influencing strategy. Coalitions provide a space to gather and share information on international development debates and processes, identify entry points for older people's issues, make contact with those with similar interests and expertise, and build partnerships.

BOND European Policy Group (EPG)

The EPG is a working-group of BOND members set up to develop advocacy and policy initiatives on EU development policy issues. Its aim is to strengthen and safeguard the poverty focus in EU development cooperation policies, and to ensure greater coherence of other EU policies that have commitments under EU development policy.

CONCORD (Confederation of EU NGOs) Cotonu Working Group

HelpAge International's European Union office is a member of the CONCORD Cotonu Working Group, which focuses on trade and participation issues under the EU-ACP Cooperation Agreement, more commonly known as the Cotonu Agreement.

Gender and Development Network (GADN)

HelpAge International is a member of the GADN, which comprises over 180 practitioners, consultants and academics, and offers the opportunity to network and share information with other experts in the field. We have been on the GADN steering group since 2001 and have participated in projects on diversity in development, gender mainstreaming, and gender in the Millennium Development Goals. We have also been involved in consultation on UK governmental policy and projects.

Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (GCWA)

HelpAge International joined the Global Coalition on Women and AIDS (GCWA) in September 2004 as a member of the home- and community- based section. Since then, we have worked with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the World YWCA to identify key evidence gaps and advocacy needs. This enables us to highlight the role of women of all ages in caring for people living with AIDS and children affected by AIDS.

Grow Up Free From Poverty

HelpAge International is a member of the steering committee for the coalition Grow Up Free From Poverty, which comprises development agencies, faith groups and young people's organisations. It is committed to a rights-based, intergenerational and multisectoral approach to poverty reduction, based on the principles enshrined in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Make Poverty History (MPH)

MPH is a unique UK-wide campaign of over 223 charities, trade unions and faith groups that have been drawn together by the belief that 2005 offers a real chance for global change, and are working together to push forward the struggle against poverty and injustice. Within the three themes of trade justice, debt cancellation, and more and better aid, HelpAge International supports Help the Aged's Make Poverty History for Older People (MPH4OP) campaign, focusing specifically on eliminating poverty for older people around the world.

UK Consortium on AIDS and International Development

HelpAge International works within the Consortium to raise the profile of older people within member organisations' responses to AIDS, and to forge key strategic alliances. We are an active member of the Orphans and Vulnerable Children working group, advocating for the needs and rights of older carers, and supporting the lobbying work of the group with the UK Government, UN agencies and within the European Union.