Australia's aid program glossary

Bilateral aid Aid given from the government of one country to the government of another country.   Community development The long-term process in which people living in poverty are empowered by working with civic leaders, activists, professionals and aid providers to identify their needs and develop skills to improve the quality of their lives and the communities in which they live.   Development A long-term plan to improve the situation of people living in developing countries. It may include projects around poverty reduction, governance, healthcare and education. It differs from disaster relief or humanitarian aid which responds to a specific crisis.   Empowerment The process of transferring decision-making power from influential sectors to communities and individuals who have traditionally been excluded from it. Multilateral aid A number of countries contribute aid for the benefit of a number of countries. International organisations which coordinate this aid include World Bank, Asian Development Bank, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UNICEF, World Food Programme (WFP).   Non Government Organisation (NGO) A voluntary, not-for-profit community organisation, which undertakes international development cooperation and/or development education.   Official Development Assistance (ODA) Grants, loans, goods and services given by the government of a country to assist the progress of developing countries, generally known as aid.   Projects Activities which have identifiable objectives, outputs, time frames and implementation plans. Projects may be funded on a single year or multi-year time basis.   Sustainable development Development that improves the total quality of life without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs, in a way that balances the environmental, economic and social factors.