Rotary District 9510Membership HubLegendary Clubs PackageM-T1-SP-18

M-T1-SP-18 · Detailed guide · Theme 1

International Partnership Projects

Develop an overseas service project with local ownership, verified need and transparent stewardship rather than exporting a preselected solution.

Where this idea came from

Playbook entry
M-T1-SP-18 · International Partnership Projects
Theme
Theme 1: Attraction & Visibility · Subtheme SP: Strategic Partnerships
Source material
Existing checked Theme 1 guide
Linked playbook entry
M-T1-SP-18 · International Partnership Projects

Why a club might use this

Local partners control priorities and sustainability while Rotary adds accountable resources and international connections.

Use it when

  • Overseas Rotary clubs, NGOs, community leaders, District and Rotary Foundation advisers, donors and technical specialists. Use when a trusted in-country partner can demonstrate community demand and implementation capacity.

Before the club starts

  • Independent partner, beneficiary and context due diligence including sanctions and financial channels.
  • Community-led needs assessment, technical design, total-life cost and maintenance owner.
  • Approved grant, foreign-exchange, procurement, safeguarding and monitoring plan.

Capacity guide

Likely cost
$$
Lead time
4-6 weeks
People
3-5 members

How to put it into practice

Detailed implementation steps for International Partnership Projects
StepActionSuggested owner
1Ask the host community and partner to define priorities and acceptable solutions.Host partner lead
2Test feasibility, local regulation, maintenance and unintended impacts.Technical reviewer
3Approve funding architecture and fiduciary responsibilities.Grant stewardship lead
4Deliver through local procurement and monitored milestones wherever practicable.In-country project manager
5Verify outcomes and transfer long-term ownership before closure.Independent evaluator

Controls and safeguards

  • Comply with Rotary grant rules, Australian sanctions, anti-bribery, counter-terrorism-financing and reporting obligations.
  • Apply safeguarding and complaints mechanisms accessible in local languages and contexts.
  • High — sanctions, bribery, safeguarding, foreign transfers and sustainability require specialist review.

What to measure

  • Host community endorses the selected priority and design.

Follow-up: Keep scheduled host-led monitoring after handover, remedy stewardship exceptions promptly, and publish limitations alongside verified results.

Related playbook entries

  • M-T1-PS-20
  • M-T1-PC-10
  • M-T1-SP-03

Before your club says yes

Does the idea fit?

Talk with the people it is meant to serve and check that the need is real.

Who can say yes?

Name the person or group that can approve the work, spending and any safety arrangements.

Are people protected?

Check privacy, consent and safety. Collect only the information you genuinely need.

Can everyone take part?

Check the language, format, place, technology and cost for barriers.

Are the facts and permissions right?

Check names, claims, images, quotations, partner references and Rotary branding.

How will we learn?

Note where things stand now, check in at 30, 60 and 90 days, and decide what to do next.