The Partnership adopts a two-track approach to advancing governance reform Funds received from international donor partners – such as foreign governments and international financial institutions – are distributed through the Facility and Trust Funds.

Facility work, the first track, prioritizes the creation of ideas, spearheading initiatives and building a wider and stronger constituency to mainstream governance reform in Indonesian society. The Partnership facilitates expert working groups, sponsors workshops and conferences, and conducts capacity building training in order to promote policy dialogue at all levels of society, and to influence the national reform agenda.

The second track is the Trust Fund, which supports development and implementation of governance reform projects by grantee partners during the early years of the Partnership (2003-2006). Grantees include CSOs, universities, local and central government agencies, reform institutes, and mass organizations such as Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama (NU). From January 2007 onwards, the Partnership started to design and formulate thematic programs in alignment to its strategic plan and the Trust Fund are then used to support these new projects. Where applicable and when appropriate, former grantees are invited to implement sub-program components.

The Partnership for Governance Reform is a unique institutional arrangement in Indonesia which is capable of mobilizing support from both the supply as well as the demand side of governance reform. In the regions, support has been given to local governments to enhance their capability in putting systems and procedures in place that will necessitate various stakeholders to uphold governance principles. One such activity was a facilitation of debate on local regulations that has enabled the people to fully participate in the policy deliberation and formulation processes. Support has also been given to various civil society organizations in the regions as well as at the central level to increase their capability to monitor the efficiency and effectiveness of government programs and activities. Support to CSOs has enhanced citizens’ awareness and ability to exercise their democratic rights. Partnership supported CSOs have implemented various voters’ education programs as well as initiatives focused on the analysis of local government budgets at the grass roots level including monitoring the implementation.