A main feature of the AYAD Program is the involvement of local organisations across Asia, the Pacific and Africa. These local organisations are called Host Organisations (HOs) because they host a volunteer (an AYAD) for the duration of their assignment. Every AYAD assignment is based within a Host Organisation.

 

The AYAD Program works with Host Organisations to identify a need within the organisation that could be addressed by an Australian volunteer. So, for example, a local community organisation may be having difficulties approaching international donors to fund their projects. In that case the AYAD Program would work with the Host Organisation to develop an AYAD assignment and recruit a young Australian with specialist skills in proposal writing and international fundraising to come and work with the staff at the Host Organisation to improve their skills and capacity for doing that kind of work.

 

Capacity building, institutional strengthening and skills exchange are at the heart of every AYAD assignment. Each AYAD placement will involve training and capacity building aspects so that, at the end of the AYAD assignment, the work can continue after the AYAD has returned home to Australia. This ensures the long term sustainability of the work done by AYADs while on assignment and benefits the Host Organisation through long term gains (education and training) for individual staff and the organisation or community as a whole.

 

The AYAD Program works to ensure that each AYAD assignment is needs driven and does not replace a position that could be filled by a local person. 

 

 

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