The objective of the Netherlands development co-operation policy is to contribute to stability in Indonesia and to combat poverty in the most sustainable way. Long term results are given priority over short-term quick but unsustainable successes. One of the central means to reach this objective is believed to be investing in effective and democratic governance. Through its bilateral development co-operation programme with Indonesia, the Netherlands therefore supports Indonesia in the field of governance reform, following the priorities set by the Indonesian government and its stakeholders. The main elements of the Indonesian government’s priorities are outlined and discussed at the yearly Consultative Group for Indonesia (CGI).

What is governance reform?

Governance reform covers a wide range of subjects, such as strengthening the rule of law in Indonesia by reforming and strengthening the public institutions in the justice sector. It also means assistance in Indonesia’s decentralisation process by working at the central and local level with the institutions responsible for that process. It involves assisting Indonesia in strengthening its democracy and human rights by catalysing governance reform. Another focus in the co-operation has been to assist in raising mutual confidence between all stakeholders involved in governance within the Indonesian society. Resulting in greater freedom of expression and freedom of choice, equal treatment before the law, better access to public services for the poor and reduced vulnerability to human rights violations. Dutch funded governance activities in Indonesia are carried out in consultation with the government, civil society and the international community.

Channelling of support through multilateral agencies
Under the Indonesia-Netherlands Development Co-operation Programme, Dutch grant assistance is mainly given directly to national programmes through multilateral organisations. In 2006 the Netherlands is working closely with the World Bank, UNDP, IOM and ADB in the field of governance and will provide grants to Indonesia amounting to a total of approximately € 20 million. Currently, the Netherlands supports the following governance reform projects:

• Support to the Partnership for Governance Reform: Since the start of the Partnership the Netherlands has been one of the most important donors. The Partnership is focused on furthering the governance reform agenda in Indonesia and is executing activities in the field of civil service reform, security sector reform, decentralisation, democratisation and anti-corruption. Dutch support to the Facility and the Trust Fund of the Partnership is non-earmarked.
• Training of Indonesian Diplomats at the Institute for International Relations Clingendael: Groups of junior, mid-career and senior diplomats receive diplomatic training in The Netherlands in addition to their training in Indonesia.
• Local Government Capacity Building through the ADB: This programme entails the formulation and implementation of Capacity Building Action Plans in around 40 districts throughout Indonesia.
• Mainstreaming Community Policing and Human Rights in the institutions of the Indonesian National Police, mainly through training that is jointly organised by IOM and the Police.
• Support to Governance Reform through the World Bank Trust Fund: Through the Trust Fund several programmes aimed at governance reform are being supported, for instance Legal and Justice Sector Reform, Administrative and Civil Service Reform and Decentralization Technical Assistance and Advisory Services.
• The Netherlands is currently developing new support programmes for the Legal Sector, the Jakarta Centre for Law Enforcement Cooperation (JCLEC) and the security sector. 

Human rights programme

The Netherlands supports several programmes in the field of strengthening human rights organisations and media, especially radio and television development, in Indonesia. One of the focus areas is the impunity issue. Another is strengthening civil society. The current programme encompasses the following projects:

• Strengthening broadcast media in Indonesia with Internews;
• Media development in the Maluku and Papua with Media Development Loan Fund (MDLF);
• Strengthening capacity of regional LBH-offices in Indonesia with TIFA Foundation;
• Capacity building programme for PBHI with PBHI and Dutch NGO HOM.

The Embassy will continue to support these programmes in 2006.