How committed is the government to helping build the capacity to reduce poverty and provide social protection in low- and middle-income countries?
The government’s development cooperation strategy is fully aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
10
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9
Germany
As of 2015, Germany has had a Sustainable Development Strategy (GSDS), which was updated in 2021. The strategy outlines the framework for the national implementation of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development with 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs). The first goal is to eradicate poverty, while additional goals, such as ending hunger and ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all ages, are also connected to poverty (United Nations, 2015).
The updated GSDS contains 75 indicators in 39 target areas, which were adapted based on the findings of the 2017 GSDS. To regularly monitor progress, the Federal Statistical Office reports on the indicators every two years. Additionally, the 2021 GSDS details the implementation status of the different development targets (Federal Government, 2020).
In addition to the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has published multiple development strategies since the start of the new legislative period. Specifically, there are three core area strategies: a strategy for sustainable agri-food systems, a strategy for health, social security, and population dynamics, and a strategy for sustainable economic development, education, and employment. In addition, the BMZ developed individual strategies for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia that include all relevant fields of action for the region. These strategies are not binding.
The core area strategy “Sustainable Agri-Foods Systems: A World Without Hunger,” for instance, includes goals in food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development. Particularly, the goal of promoting rural development involves aims such as fighting poverty in rural areas by ensuring secure employment and income opportunities and creating infrastructure for the general public. While the strategy does not outline specific measures in terms of concrete initiatives or policies, it identifies several overall targets for capacity-building, such as securing legitimate land rights and ensuring equal access to land to strengthen rural governance. The strategy further includes twelve standard indicators that can be used to monitor the results of programs or projects in line with the strategy’s goals (BMZ, 2021).
While there is no information on the frequency of government monitoring progress, reports and evaluations are published by the BMZ or by the German Institute for Development Evaluation. Evaluation reports follow the BMZ Evaluation Policy, which outlines the guidelines for evaluating German development cooperation (BMZ, 2023a).
Germany’s net official development assistance (ODA) has steadily increased since 2018, rising from 0.6% of gross national income (GNI) to 0.8% of GNI in 2022, compared to an average of 0.37% for all countries in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2022. In addition to this continuous increase in ODA relative to GNI, Germany is the second-largest net contributor to the DAC, with a contribution of $37,918 million for 2022 (OECD, 2024). Furthermore, the 2021 coalition agreement pledged to continue fulfilling a minimum ODA rate of 0.7% of GNI, allocating 0.2% to the least-developed countries (SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP, 2021). Based on these pledges, the development assistance flows can be considered predictable.
The existing cooperation policies support capacity-building for poverty reduction. The 2021 report on the implementation of the Agenda 2030 details which policies were enacted to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, to meet the goal of ending poverty, Germany supported the development of social security systems such as basic insurance and health insurance. In Malawi, Germany assisted with the introduction of directly receivable Social Cash Transfers. Nevertheless, according to the report, development is progressing but still falls short of the target for ending poverty by 5 to 10% (Bundesregierung, 2021).
Considering the German government’s provision of technology access, the BMZ supports multiple programs and initiatives. For example, the special initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems” aids in the development of sustainable and resource-conserving cultivation and processing technologies, particularly for smallholder farmers. These technologies include more targeted irrigation and machinery adapted to local conditions. The initiative encompasses around 300 projects and supports five knowledge centers for organic farming to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries (BMZ, 2023b).
In scientific knowledge, the DAAD project “SDG Partnerships,” funded by the BMZ, promotes the expansion of educational capacities by improving teaching, research, and higher education management at partner institutions. In the long term, the program aims to develop sustainable higher education institutions in partner countries. As of 2023, 34 projects were funded for the period from 2023 to 2026 (DAAD, 2023).
Germany is a participant in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) concerning the provision of healthcare and medicine. The fund finances national measures against these three illnesses and aims to build the capacity of recipient countries. As of 2022, Germany contributed €4.6 billion to the fund and pledged another €1.3 billion for 2023 – 2025 (The Global Fund, 2023).
According to the 2021 report on implementing Agenda 2030 in Germany, out of nine indicators for the SGI goal of ensuring healthy lives and well-being, five targets are estimated to be reached or almost reached. However, the indicators for premature mortality in both men and women are developing in the right direction but are expected to miss the target by 20% (Bundesregierung, 2021).
The updated GSDS contains 75 indicators in 39 target areas, which were adapted based on the findings of the 2017 GSDS. To regularly monitor progress, the Federal Statistical Office reports on the indicators every two years. Additionally, the 2021 GSDS details the implementation status of the different development targets (Federal Government, 2020).
In addition to the Sustainable Development Strategy, the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has published multiple development strategies since the start of the new legislative period. Specifically, there are three core area strategies: a strategy for sustainable agri-food systems, a strategy for health, social security, and population dynamics, and a strategy for sustainable economic development, education, and employment. In addition, the BMZ developed individual strategies for Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Asia that include all relevant fields of action for the region. These strategies are not binding.
The core area strategy “Sustainable Agri-Foods Systems: A World Without Hunger,” for instance, includes goals in food and nutrition security, agriculture, and rural development. Particularly, the goal of promoting rural development involves aims such as fighting poverty in rural areas by ensuring secure employment and income opportunities and creating infrastructure for the general public. While the strategy does not outline specific measures in terms of concrete initiatives or policies, it identifies several overall targets for capacity-building, such as securing legitimate land rights and ensuring equal access to land to strengthen rural governance. The strategy further includes twelve standard indicators that can be used to monitor the results of programs or projects in line with the strategy’s goals (BMZ, 2021).
While there is no information on the frequency of government monitoring progress, reports and evaluations are published by the BMZ or by the German Institute for Development Evaluation. Evaluation reports follow the BMZ Evaluation Policy, which outlines the guidelines for evaluating German development cooperation (BMZ, 2023a).
Germany’s net official development assistance (ODA) has steadily increased since 2018, rising from 0.6% of gross national income (GNI) to 0.8% of GNI in 2022, compared to an average of 0.37% for all countries in the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) in 2022. In addition to this continuous increase in ODA relative to GNI, Germany is the second-largest net contributor to the DAC, with a contribution of $37,918 million for 2022 (OECD, 2024). Furthermore, the 2021 coalition agreement pledged to continue fulfilling a minimum ODA rate of 0.7% of GNI, allocating 0.2% to the least-developed countries (SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen and FDP, 2021). Based on these pledges, the development assistance flows can be considered predictable.
The existing cooperation policies support capacity-building for poverty reduction. The 2021 report on the implementation of the Agenda 2030 details which policies were enacted to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For example, to meet the goal of ending poverty, Germany supported the development of social security systems such as basic insurance and health insurance. In Malawi, Germany assisted with the introduction of directly receivable Social Cash Transfers. Nevertheless, according to the report, development is progressing but still falls short of the target for ending poverty by 5 to 10% (Bundesregierung, 2021).
Considering the German government’s provision of technology access, the BMZ supports multiple programs and initiatives. For example, the special initiative “Transformation of Agricultural and Food Systems” aids in the development of sustainable and resource-conserving cultivation and processing technologies, particularly for smallholder farmers. These technologies include more targeted irrigation and machinery adapted to local conditions. The initiative encompasses around 300 projects and supports five knowledge centers for organic farming to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries (BMZ, 2023b).
In scientific knowledge, the DAAD project “SDG Partnerships,” funded by the BMZ, promotes the expansion of educational capacities by improving teaching, research, and higher education management at partner institutions. In the long term, the program aims to develop sustainable higher education institutions in partner countries. As of 2023, 34 projects were funded for the period from 2023 to 2026 (DAAD, 2023).
Germany is a participant in the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria (GFATM) concerning the provision of healthcare and medicine. The fund finances national measures against these three illnesses and aims to build the capacity of recipient countries. As of 2022, Germany contributed €4.6 billion to the fund and pledged another €1.3 billion for 2023 – 2025 (The Global Fund, 2023).
According to the 2021 report on implementing Agenda 2030 in Germany, out of nine indicators for the SGI goal of ensuring healthy lives and well-being, five targets are estimated to be reached or almost reached. However, the indicators for premature mortality in both men and women are developing in the right direction but are expected to miss the target by 20% (Bundesregierung, 2021).
Citations:
BMZ. 2021. “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems, A World without Hunger, BMZ Strategies, BMZ Paper 5.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/100758/bmz-core-area-strategy-a-world-without-hunger.pdf
BMZ. 2023a. “Evaluating German Development Cooperation, BMZ Evaluation Policy.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/194630/bmz193-strategiepapier-evaluierung-en.pdf
BMZ. 2023b. “Transformation der Agrar- und Ernährungssysteme.” https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/ernaehrungssicherung/transformation-der-agrar-und-ernaehrungssysteme
DAAD. 2023. “SDG Partnerships.” https://www.daad.de/en/information-services-for-higher-education-institutions/further-information-on-daad-programmes/sdg-partnerschaften/
Bundesregierung. 2021. “Bericht über die Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/86824/staatenbericht-deutschlands-zum-hlpf-2021.pdf
OECD. 2024. “Net ODA (indicator).” https://data.oecd.org/oda/net-oda.htm#indicator-chart
SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, FDP. 2021. “Mehr Fortschritt wagen, Bündnis für Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit, Koalitionsvertrag 2021-2025.” https://www.spd.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Koalitionsvertrag/Koalitionsvertrag_2021-2025.pdf
Federal Government. 2020. “German Sustainable Development Strategy, Update 2021, Summary Version.” https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/998194/1942596/41a46a8f935a9b2945ee26d7593801ca/deutsche-nachhaltigkeitsstrategie-2021-kurzfassung-englisch-bf-download-bpa-data.pdf?download=1
The Global Fund. 2023. “Germany and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.” https://www.theglobalfund.org/media/13432/donor_germany_report_en.pdf
United Nations. 2015. “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N15/291/89/PDF/N1529189.pdf?OpenElement
BMZ. 2021. “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems, A World without Hunger, BMZ Strategies, BMZ Paper 5.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/100758/bmz-core-area-strategy-a-world-without-hunger.pdf
BMZ. 2023a. “Evaluating German Development Cooperation, BMZ Evaluation Policy.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/194630/bmz193-strategiepapier-evaluierung-en.pdf
BMZ. 2023b. “Transformation der Agrar- und Ernährungssysteme.” https://www.bmz.de/de/themen/ernaehrungssicherung/transformation-der-agrar-und-ernaehrungssysteme
DAAD. 2023. “SDG Partnerships.” https://www.daad.de/en/information-services-for-higher-education-institutions/further-information-on-daad-programmes/sdg-partnerschaften/
Bundesregierung. 2021. “Bericht über die Umsetzung der Agenda 2030 für nachhaltige Entwicklung.” https://www.bmz.de/resource/blob/86824/staatenbericht-deutschlands-zum-hlpf-2021.pdf
OECD. 2024. “Net ODA (indicator).” https://data.oecd.org/oda/net-oda.htm#indicator-chart
SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, FDP. 2021. “Mehr Fortschritt wagen, Bündnis für Freiheit, Gerechtigkeit und Nachhaltigkeit, Koalitionsvertrag 2021-2025.” https://www.spd.de/fileadmin/Dokumente/Koalitionsvertrag/Koalitionsvertrag_2021-2025.pdf
Federal Government. 2020. “German Sustainable Development Strategy, Update 2021, Summary Version.” https://www.bundesregierung.de/resource/blob/998194/1942596/41a46a8f935a9b2945ee26d7593801ca/deutsche-nachhaltigkeitsstrategie-2021-kurzfassung-englisch-bf-download-bpa-data.pdf?download=1
The Global Fund. 2023. “Germany and the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.” https://www.theglobalfund.org/media/13432/donor_germany_report_en.pdf
United Nations. 2015. “Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.” https://documents-dds-ny.un.org/doc/UNDOC/GEN/N15/291/89/PDF/N1529189.pdf?OpenElement
Norway
Norway is a leading contributor to bilateral and multilateral development cooperation activities, as well as to international agencies focused on development issues. As a policy objective, Norway aims to allocate 1% to the OECD DAC-approved development aid mechanism. In addition, many Norwegian NGOs play a prominent role in international aid.
Norway has further strengthened its policies by increasing spending and promoting specific initiatives, such as education for women, global health, combating deforestation, and sustainable development of oceans. Norway’s international aid activities aim to combat poverty and improve women’s ability to participate fully in the economy.
In general, Norway favors global free trade arrangements, yet maintains a high level of protectionism with respect to importing cultural products. However, the 30 least developed countries have free export access to the Norwegian market, and imports from these countries have risen.
Monitoring the capacity-building in recipient countries has become systematic, with four objectives: 1) evaluate the results achieved in relation to specified goals and plans; 2) assess whether resource use aligns with the results achieved; 3) systematize lessons learned to ensure the quality of future projects and improve outcomes through effective learning processes; and 4) provide information to authorities and the general public.
Norway has further strengthened its policies by increasing spending and promoting specific initiatives, such as education for women, global health, combating deforestation, and sustainable development of oceans. Norway’s international aid activities aim to combat poverty and improve women’s ability to participate fully in the economy.
In general, Norway favors global free trade arrangements, yet maintains a high level of protectionism with respect to importing cultural products. However, the 30 least developed countries have free export access to the Norwegian market, and imports from these countries have risen.
Monitoring the capacity-building in recipient countries has become systematic, with four objectives: 1) evaluate the results achieved in relation to specified goals and plans; 2) assess whether resource use aligns with the results achieved; 3) systematize lessons learned to ensure the quality of future projects and improve outcomes through effective learning processes; and 4) provide information to authorities and the general public.
Citations:
Donor Tracker. n.d. “At A Glance Norway.” https://donortracker.org/donor_profiles/norway
Norad. n.d. “Norwegian Development Aid – Statistics and Results.” https://resultater.norad.no/en
Norad. n.d. “Systematic Evaluation of Norwegian Aid.” https://www.norad.no/en/front/evaluation/
OECD. 2023. “Norway.” In Development Co-operation Profiles. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/aaf0304f-en
Donor Tracker. n.d. “At A Glance Norway.” https://donortracker.org/donor_profiles/norway
Norad. n.d. “Norwegian Development Aid – Statistics and Results.” https://resultater.norad.no/en
Norad. n.d. “Systematic Evaluation of Norwegian Aid.” https://www.norad.no/en/front/evaluation/
OECD. 2023. “Norway.” In Development Co-operation Profiles. Paris: OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/aaf0304f-en
Sweden
Sweden has traditionally been at the forefront of international aid and development. The center-right minority coalition government elected in 2022 has reformed Sweden’s international aid policies. Development strategies now guide goals for international aid and focus on long-term planning, transparency, and efficiency. This shift in strategy reflects the ideological tenets of the right-wing government as well as the changing geopolitics following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The strategy centers on fighting poverty through job creation and free trade, increasing humanitarian support to save lives and minimize poverty, encouraging freedom and fighting oppression, and strengthening the connection between aid and migration policies. Additionally, it includes increasing efficient climate aid, empowering women and girls, and improving health and education for the most vulnerable. In the new strategy, Sweden is prioritizing Ukraine and the adjacent area (Utrikesdepartementet, 2023).
There are two kinds of aid: development cooperation and humanitarian aid. These are implemented through bilateral, regional, and thematic strategies. The strategies cover five years; the results are evaluated annually and reported to the government and the Riksdag. The results are measured in different ways depending on the methods and outcomes being evaluated, but there is no mention of clearly defined indicators to measure results.
However, the thematic areas guiding international aid include democracy, human rights and freedom of speech, peaceful and inclusive societies, health, sustainable oceans and water, climate and environment, migration and development, sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, research and innovation, trade, sustainable energy, equality, farming and secured food supply, private sector, occupation, and water and sanitation (Sida, 2023a).
The strategies are produced by zhe Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) based on instructions from the government, in relation to learning outcomes from previous strategies and in dialogue with cooperative organizations. The final strategy is decided on by the government (Sida, 2024).
Sida’s work is integral to Sweden’s national politics for global development and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To ensure that development cooperation aligns with efforts to reduce poverty, Sida has constructed a “poverty toolbox” containing materials and methods to analyze multidimensional poverty. Sida has identified four dimensions of multidimensional poverty: lack of resources, lack of options, lack of power and influence, and lack of human safety. These dimensions are analyzed through political and institutional contexts, economic and social contexts, environmental contexts, and conflict contexts (Sida, 2023b). The dimensions of poverty serve as the foundation for Sida’s work to reduce poverty and enhance development cooperation efficiency. Further efforts to ensure effective poverty reduction and combat corruption are implemented through project evaluations and multilevel controls of international aid.
Sida advocates for equal healthcare and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all individuals. Sweden’s international aid targeting healthcare provides more people with access to care, treats infectious diseases, and helps reduce child and maternal mortality. Sida supports SRHR by increasing women’s right to have an abortion, making SRH services available in healthcare, and banning female mutilation (Sida, 2023c; Sida, 2023d).
Research and innovation are among Sida’s thematic areas. Sida supports efforts to strengthen research capacity by developing national research systems and supporting national research in low-income countries. Additionally, it aids in building innovation systems to communicate research, access health, and implement energy-efficient innovations for agriculture. Furthermore, Sida supports research relevant to low-income countries, including studies on various diseases and vaccines, agricultural methods, nature conservation, culture, community building, and climate adaptation (Sida, 2022).
In 2020, a new digitalization support initiative was implemented to help low-income countries build digital social services and reduce poverty. The support is directed to the World Bank’s digital fund DDP and the organization Dial. The DDP supports countries in various ways, for example, by making the internet accessible for the entire population, improving citizens’ digital skills to access digital services, and aiding governments in developing the digital infrastructure needed to provide social services. Dial (Digital Impact Alliance) is an independent organization that works to strengthen digitalization in several ways, such as identifying obstacles to efficient digital development and providing working methods and standards to overcome these obstacles (Sida, 2020).
There are two kinds of aid: development cooperation and humanitarian aid. These are implemented through bilateral, regional, and thematic strategies. The strategies cover five years; the results are evaluated annually and reported to the government and the Riksdag. The results are measured in different ways depending on the methods and outcomes being evaluated, but there is no mention of clearly defined indicators to measure results.
However, the thematic areas guiding international aid include democracy, human rights and freedom of speech, peaceful and inclusive societies, health, sustainable oceans and water, climate and environment, migration and development, sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, research and innovation, trade, sustainable energy, equality, farming and secured food supply, private sector, occupation, and water and sanitation (Sida, 2023a).
The strategies are produced by zhe Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) based on instructions from the government, in relation to learning outcomes from previous strategies and in dialogue with cooperative organizations. The final strategy is decided on by the government (Sida, 2024).
Sida’s work is integral to Sweden’s national politics for global development and contributes to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. To ensure that development cooperation aligns with efforts to reduce poverty, Sida has constructed a “poverty toolbox” containing materials and methods to analyze multidimensional poverty. Sida has identified four dimensions of multidimensional poverty: lack of resources, lack of options, lack of power and influence, and lack of human safety. These dimensions are analyzed through political and institutional contexts, economic and social contexts, environmental contexts, and conflict contexts (Sida, 2023b). The dimensions of poverty serve as the foundation for Sida’s work to reduce poverty and enhance development cooperation efficiency. Further efforts to ensure effective poverty reduction and combat corruption are implemented through project evaluations and multilevel controls of international aid.
Sida advocates for equal healthcare and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) for all individuals. Sweden’s international aid targeting healthcare provides more people with access to care, treats infectious diseases, and helps reduce child and maternal mortality. Sida supports SRHR by increasing women’s right to have an abortion, making SRH services available in healthcare, and banning female mutilation (Sida, 2023c; Sida, 2023d).
Research and innovation are among Sida’s thematic areas. Sida supports efforts to strengthen research capacity by developing national research systems and supporting national research in low-income countries. Additionally, it aids in building innovation systems to communicate research, access health, and implement energy-efficient innovations for agriculture. Furthermore, Sida supports research relevant to low-income countries, including studies on various diseases and vaccines, agricultural methods, nature conservation, culture, community building, and climate adaptation (Sida, 2022).
In 2020, a new digitalization support initiative was implemented to help low-income countries build digital social services and reduce poverty. The support is directed to the World Bank’s digital fund DDP and the organization Dial. The DDP supports countries in various ways, for example, by making the internet accessible for the entire population, improving citizens’ digital skills to access digital services, and aiding governments in developing the digital infrastructure needed to provide social services. Dial (Digital Impact Alliance) is an independent organization that works to strengthen digitalization in several ways, such as identifying obstacles to efficient digital development and providing working methods and standards to overcome these obstacles (Sida, 2020).
Citations:
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2024. “Så styrs Sida.” https://www.sida.se/om-sida/sa-styrs-sida#block-15
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023a. “Tematiska områden.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023b. “Poverty Toolbox.” https://www.sida.se/partner-till-sida/metoder-och-material/poverty-toolbox
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023c. “Sidas arbete med hälsa.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/halsa
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023d. “Sidas arbete med sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa och rättigheter.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/sexuell-och-reproduktiv-halsa-och-rattigheter
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2020. “Nya digitaliseringsstöd ska minska fattigdomen.” https://www.sida.se/om-sida/presskontakter/pressmeddelande-och-pressinbjudningar/nya-digitaliseringsstod-ska-minska-fattigdomen
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2022. “Sidas arbete med forskning och innovation.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/forskning-och-innovation
Utrikesdepartementet – Regeringskansliet. 2023. Bistånd för en ny era: Frihet, egenmakt och hållbar tillväxt. Stockholm: Utrikesdepartementet.
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2024. “Så styrs Sida.” https://www.sida.se/om-sida/sa-styrs-sida#block-15
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023a. “Tematiska områden.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023b. “Poverty Toolbox.” https://www.sida.se/partner-till-sida/metoder-och-material/poverty-toolbox
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023c. “Sidas arbete med hälsa.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/halsa
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2023d. “Sidas arbete med sexuell och reproduktiv hälsa och rättigheter.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/sexuell-och-reproduktiv-halsa-och-rattigheter
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2020. “Nya digitaliseringsstöd ska minska fattigdomen.” https://www.sida.se/om-sida/presskontakter/pressmeddelande-och-pressinbjudningar/nya-digitaliseringsstod-ska-minska-fattigdomen
Sida – Sveriges Biståndsmyndighet. 2022. “Sidas arbete med forskning och innovation.” https://www.sida.se/sida-i-varlden/teman/forskning-och-innovation
Utrikesdepartementet – Regeringskansliet. 2023. Bistånd för en ny era: Frihet, egenmakt och hållbar tillväxt. Stockholm: Utrikesdepartementet.
The government’s development cooperation strategy is largely aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
8
Canada
Development assistance provided by the Canadian government is typically targeted toward capacity-building. Since World War II, Canada has committed a portion of its budget to Official Development Assistance, which includes funding for programs and projects aimed at poverty reduction, healthcare, education, and sustainable development in partner countries. More recently, Canada has actively participated in global health initiatives, including efforts to combat infectious diseases, improve maternal and child health, and strengthen healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic. Still, Canada currently spends less than 0.4% of its Gross National Income (GNI) on Official Development Assistance (ODA), which is significantly lower than the United Nations’ target of 0.7%.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the government department responsible for international relations and development, plays a key role in implementing Canada’s international assistance policies and programs. GAC frequently collaborates with international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other countries to address global challenges. These collaborations often focus on poverty reduction, health, education, and social protection.
New developments add concerns such as gender equity to this mix. Canada now places a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls as a central component of its international assistance efforts. In 2017, Canada launched its Feminist International Assistance Policy (IAP), which aims to reduce poverty and promote gender equality in developing countries. The policy emphasizes the importance of empowering women and girls, addressing climate change, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development are integral parts of Canada’s commitment to international assistance. Canada provides substantial humanitarian aid in response to crises and disasters, contributing to social protection and poverty alleviation in affected regions.
Global Affairs Canada (GAC), the government department responsible for international relations and development, plays a key role in implementing Canada’s international assistance policies and programs. GAC frequently collaborates with international organizations, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other countries to address global challenges. These collaborations often focus on poverty reduction, health, education, and social protection.
New developments add concerns such as gender equity to this mix. Canada now places a strong emphasis on promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls as a central component of its international assistance efforts. In 2017, Canada launched its Feminist International Assistance Policy (IAP), which aims to reduce poverty and promote gender equality in developing countries. The policy emphasizes the importance of empowering women and girls, addressing climate change, and promoting inclusive economic growth.
Addressing climate change and promoting sustainable development are integral parts of Canada’s commitment to international assistance. Canada provides substantial humanitarian aid in response to crises and disasters, contributing to social protection and poverty alleviation in affected regions.
Citations:
https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng
https://www.oecd.org/development/development-co-operation-profiles-2dcf1367-en.htm
https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/issues_development-enjeux_developpement/priorities-priorites/policy-politique.aspx?lang=eng
https://www.oecd.org/development/development-co-operation-profiles-2dcf1367-en.htm
Denmark
Assisting developing countries has broad support among Danish voters. Denmark is one of only five countries in the world that meet the UN target of 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) for development assistance, although it has fallen slightly behind this target in recent years. Some of the funds have been redirected to address the increasing inflow of asylum-seekers.
Denmark is increasing its focus on regions in the Middle East and Africa where many refugees originate. The country is not planning to reduce its humanitarian aid. In May 2016, 40% of Danes felt it was very important to help people in developing countries, and 49% felt it was fairly important. During the great influx of refugees in September 2015, 30% of the Danish population supported giving more development aid, 35% supported providing the same amount and 28% supported giving less. Overall, there is relatively strong support for development aid in Denmark.
The government’s 2021 strategy for development cooperation – the World We Share – outlines the priorities in Danish development policy for the period 2021 – 2025 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2021). The strategy emphasizes an increased focus on environmental issues and migration, including returning illegal migrants to their home countries; mobilizing private capital to increase development aid; and increasing support for multilateral efforts targeting women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.
About 70% of Denmark’s official development aid (ODA) is bilateral, while the remaining 30% is multilateral. Development policy is not a high priority in policy debates.
Denmark is increasing its focus on regions in the Middle East and Africa where many refugees originate. The country is not planning to reduce its humanitarian aid. In May 2016, 40% of Danes felt it was very important to help people in developing countries, and 49% felt it was fairly important. During the great influx of refugees in September 2015, 30% of the Danish population supported giving more development aid, 35% supported providing the same amount and 28% supported giving less. Overall, there is relatively strong support for development aid in Denmark.
The government’s 2021 strategy for development cooperation – the World We Share – outlines the priorities in Danish development policy for the period 2021 – 2025 (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 2021). The strategy emphasizes an increased focus on environmental issues and migration, including returning illegal migrants to their home countries; mobilizing private capital to increase development aid; and increasing support for multilateral efforts targeting women and girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights.
About 70% of Denmark’s official development aid (ODA) is bilateral, while the remaining 30% is multilateral. Development policy is not a high priority in policy debates.
Citations:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2021. “The World We Share – Denmark’s Strategy for Development Cooperation.” https://um.dk/en/-/media/websites/umen/danida/strategies-and-priorities/udviklingsstrategi_uk_web.ashx
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2021. “The World We Share – Denmark’s Strategy for Development Cooperation.” https://um.dk/en/-/media/websites/umen/danida/strategies-and-priorities/udviklingsstrategi_uk_web.ashx
Estonia
Estonia actively participates in international humanitarian interventions through the European Union and the United Nations. Estonia’s development cooperation policy is governed by the Estonian Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid Program 2020 – 2023, which adopts the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) as its foundation. The strategy outlines Estonia’s development objectives, main fields of activity and key partner countries. The main partners are Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. In Africa, the focus is primarily on East Africa and Kenya (ESTDEV).
Given Estonia’s very small size, its development cooperation has limited reach, and the bulk of efforts is targeted toward Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. However, the effort in these regions is considerable.
Estonia is active across various fields, though special efforts have focused on transferring knowledge in the fields of education, healthcare and e-government. The country is a world leader in disseminating domestic expertise in implementing ICT in public administration and education. Estonia’s official development assistance (ODA) index score increased remarkably in 2023 compared to 2021, making Estonia one of the top 10 countries committed to development cooperation.
The amount of official development aid provided by Estonia rose to €50.8 million in 2021, an 18% increase from 2020. Of this amount, €47.6 million was allocated for development cooperation, and €3.25 million for humanitarian aid. This 2021 figure represented 0.17% of the country’s gross national income (GNI). The country has made an international commitment to increase this amount to 0.33% by 2030.
To address the growing challenges of increased demand, the Estonian government has separated the roles of creating and carrying out development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for developing policies, state strategies and action plans, while the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV) manages and implements international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance projects.
Estonia bases its aid allocation on specified needs, often determined through analyses by the United Nations, the European Commission or the Red Cross organizations, but may also respond to direct requests for help from countries. In 2021, the country provided €3.25 million in humanitarian aid, with the lion’s share allocated to support for Ukraine (ESTDEV).
In parallel to government efforts, NGOs and private enterprises work in the field of international development. Awareness-raising campaigns in the fair-trade movement offer one example of NGO activity.
Given Estonia’s very small size, its development cooperation has limited reach, and the bulk of efforts is targeted toward Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia. However, the effort in these regions is considerable.
Estonia is active across various fields, though special efforts have focused on transferring knowledge in the fields of education, healthcare and e-government. The country is a world leader in disseminating domestic expertise in implementing ICT in public administration and education. Estonia’s official development assistance (ODA) index score increased remarkably in 2023 compared to 2021, making Estonia one of the top 10 countries committed to development cooperation.
The amount of official development aid provided by Estonia rose to €50.8 million in 2021, an 18% increase from 2020. Of this amount, €47.6 million was allocated for development cooperation, and €3.25 million for humanitarian aid. This 2021 figure represented 0.17% of the country’s gross national income (GNI). The country has made an international commitment to increase this amount to 0.33% by 2030.
To address the growing challenges of increased demand, the Estonian government has separated the roles of creating and carrying out development cooperation and humanitarian aid. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is responsible for developing policies, state strategies and action plans, while the Estonian Center for International Development (ESTDEV) manages and implements international development cooperation and humanitarian assistance projects.
Estonia bases its aid allocation on specified needs, often determined through analyses by the United Nations, the European Commission or the Red Cross organizations, but may also respond to direct requests for help from countries. In 2021, the country provided €3.25 million in humanitarian aid, with the lion’s share allocated to support for Ukraine (ESTDEV).
In parallel to government efforts, NGOs and private enterprises work in the field of international development. Awareness-raising campaigns in the fair-trade movement offer one example of NGO activity.
Citations:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2023. “ESTDEV Overview of Estonian Development Cooperation.”
https://estdev.ee/estonian-development-cooperation/?lang=en
Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 2023. “ESTDEV Overview of Estonian Development Cooperation.”
https://estdev.ee/estonian-development-cooperation/?lang=en
Finland
Traditionally, development policy has been an integral part of Finland’s security and foreign policy. Development policy aims to eliminate poverty, reduce inequality and achieve sustainable development goals. Finland’s approach to development policy aligns with global objectives for sustainable poverty reduction, fundamental rights, a rules-based multilateral system and efforts to realize the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This commitment is a core aspect of Finland’s foreign and security policy, which is grounded in human rights and core values. The overarching framework for international collaboration is based on the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the objectives outlined in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The key cross-cutting goals emphasized in Finland’s development policy encompass gender equality, nondiscrimination, the promotion of climate-resilient and low-emission development, and environmental protection, with a specific focus on safeguarding biodiversity.
Development cooperation serves as a means to implement Finland’s development policy through practical collaboration with developing countries and various partners, including the UN and civil society organizations (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland n.d.). The primary aim is to enhance the self-sufficiency of developing nations, emphasizing the importance of enabling these countries to take responsibility for their own development.
Finland’s contribution to international climate funding comes as part of the official development assistance (ODA) managed by the Foreign Ministry.
Humanitarian assistance is an integral component of Finland’s development policy, but is independently operated. It is needs-based and adheres to international humanitarian law, human rights treaties and refugee law, as well as UN-established principles such as humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
The Government Report on Development Policy across Parliamentary Terms, adopted in 2021, reaffirms Finland’s commitment to long-term development policy. The report’s preparation involved a parliamentary monitoring group representing all political parties and consultations with diverse societal actors.
Finland actively addresses major global challenges through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and contributions to international climate finance. The pursuit of a prosperous, stable and equitable world aligns with Finland’s best interests. The country’s efforts focus on four priorities: protecting the rights of women and girls; reinforcing developing countries’ economies so they can generate more jobs while improving livelihoods and well-being; supporting democratic and well-functioning societies, including ensuring taxation capacity; and supporting food security, access to water and energy, and sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Since 2023, when the True Finns party joined the ruling cabinet, there have been significant cuts and shifts in emphasis in Finnish development policy. Finland has reduced the amount of humanitarian aid provided, and directed more aid to Ukraine and less to the Global South.
Finland still emphasizes the primary role of the United Nations in coordinating the provision of aid and generally channels its humanitarian aid funds through UN organizations. Finland is committed to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals.
The existing cooperation policies align with efforts aimed at capacity-building for poverty reduction. However, no binding standards exist with regard to developing actions for global poverty reduction in collaboration with recipient countries and local actors.
Finland has emphasized development financing for infrastructure projects. These projects also aim to improve access to technology and scientific knowledge in order to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries. However, providing access to affordable essential medicines, vaccines and healthcare services – including efforts to recruit, train and retain a sufficient health-sector workforce – is not part of Finland’s development policy.
Overall, Finland is not considered one of the world’s top aid initiators or agenda-setters. In terms of building capacity to reduce poverty and provide social protection in low- and middle-income countries, Finland is more of a committed partner than a leader.
The key cross-cutting goals emphasized in Finland’s development policy encompass gender equality, nondiscrimination, the promotion of climate-resilient and low-emission development, and environmental protection, with a specific focus on safeguarding biodiversity.
Development cooperation serves as a means to implement Finland’s development policy through practical collaboration with developing countries and various partners, including the UN and civil society organizations (Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland n.d.). The primary aim is to enhance the self-sufficiency of developing nations, emphasizing the importance of enabling these countries to take responsibility for their own development.
Finland’s contribution to international climate funding comes as part of the official development assistance (ODA) managed by the Foreign Ministry.
Humanitarian assistance is an integral component of Finland’s development policy, but is independently operated. It is needs-based and adheres to international humanitarian law, human rights treaties and refugee law, as well as UN-established principles such as humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence.
The Government Report on Development Policy across Parliamentary Terms, adopted in 2021, reaffirms Finland’s commitment to long-term development policy. The report’s preparation involved a parliamentary monitoring group representing all political parties and consultations with diverse societal actors.
Finland actively addresses major global challenges through development cooperation, humanitarian assistance and contributions to international climate finance. The pursuit of a prosperous, stable and equitable world aligns with Finland’s best interests. The country’s efforts focus on four priorities: protecting the rights of women and girls; reinforcing developing countries’ economies so they can generate more jobs while improving livelihoods and well-being; supporting democratic and well-functioning societies, including ensuring taxation capacity; and supporting food security, access to water and energy, and sustainability in the use of natural resources.
Since 2023, when the True Finns party joined the ruling cabinet, there have been significant cuts and shifts in emphasis in Finnish development policy. Finland has reduced the amount of humanitarian aid provided, and directed more aid to Ukraine and less to the Global South.
Finland still emphasizes the primary role of the United Nations in coordinating the provision of aid and generally channels its humanitarian aid funds through UN organizations. Finland is committed to the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and Sustainable Development Goals.
The existing cooperation policies align with efforts aimed at capacity-building for poverty reduction. However, no binding standards exist with regard to developing actions for global poverty reduction in collaboration with recipient countries and local actors.
Finland has emphasized development financing for infrastructure projects. These projects also aim to improve access to technology and scientific knowledge in order to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries. However, providing access to affordable essential medicines, vaccines and healthcare services – including efforts to recruit, train and retain a sufficient health-sector workforce – is not part of Finland’s development policy.
Overall, Finland is not considered one of the world’s top aid initiators or agenda-setters. In terms of building capacity to reduce poverty and provide social protection in low- and middle-income countries, Finland is more of a committed partner than a leader.
Citations:
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. n.d. “Development cooperation appropriations.” https://um.fi/finland-s-development-cooperation-appropriations
Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. n.d. “Development cooperation appropriations.” https://um.fi/finland-s-development-cooperation-appropriations
Lithuania
The Lithuanian government’s development cooperation strategy is largely aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building and poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries. According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Lithuania’s development cooperation efforts focus on Eastern Europe and countries of origin and transit for migration. Bilateral assistance has primarily and consistently gone to the EU Eastern Partnership states of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova.
The government participates in international efforts to promote socioeconomic opportunities in developing countries through its development aid policy. Lithuania has provided development aid to Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia through its own development aid and democracy-support program. It additionally provided aid to Afghanistan, where it was involved in the civilian-military mission, until mid-2021. Additionally, Lithuania contributes to the European Development Fund. In 2022, the portion of Lithuania’s contribution to the EU budget accounted for as official development assistance (ODA) amounted to €86.89 million. In 2011, Lithuania joined the World Bank’s International Development Association, which provides loans and grants for anti-poverty programs.
Lithuania has committed to allocating 0.33% of its gross national income (GNI) to development aid as part of its contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals. According to the country’s authorities, in 2022 the actual level of government ODA reached €231.6 million, or 0.36% of GNI. This amount has more than tripled compared to 2021, when ODA amounted to €73.05 million, or 0.14% of GNI. An increase of about 20 times in bilateral aid to Ukraine accounted for most of this growth. Assistance to Ukraine is also strongly supported by the Lithuanian population.
In 2022, bilateral assistance made up €133.75 million or 58% of all ODA, with €45.8 million directed to Ukraine. Lithuania provided 37 bilateral projects (22 administered by embassies and 15 by the Central Project Management Agency) aimed at sharing Lithuanian expertise in the areas of good governance, European integration, resilience to disinformation, strengthening education, environmental protection, business development, women’s empowerment and digitalization. It also donated COVID-19 vaccines – 144,000 doses to the Democratic Republic of Congo and 81,600 doses to Tanzania. Multilateral ODA amounted to €97.56 million, or 42% of all ODA.
The country’s development cooperation strategic guidelines for 2022 – 2025 were adopted at the end of 2021 and focused on the following strategic areas: democracy promotion, good governance, resilience against disinformation, women’s empowerment, digitalization, education and environmental protection. These general points were complemented with development cooperation guidelines for particular regions of the world – Africa and the Middle East – as well as specific countries, namely Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
However, the most commonly used indicators are the amounts of financial assistance provided and the flagship projects implemented. It would be useful to have a more elaborate system for measuring outcomes with regard to capacity-building and contributions to the achievement of other development-policy goals in recipient countries. It should also be noted that, according to the OECD, Lithuania’s ODA in 2022 amounted to 0.29% of GNI, not 0.36% of GNI as indicated by the Lithuanian authorities, which also raises the issue of accounting methodology.
The government participates in international efforts to promote socioeconomic opportunities in developing countries through its development aid policy. Lithuania has provided development aid to Ukraine, Belarus, Moldova and Georgia through its own development aid and democracy-support program. It additionally provided aid to Afghanistan, where it was involved in the civilian-military mission, until mid-2021. Additionally, Lithuania contributes to the European Development Fund. In 2022, the portion of Lithuania’s contribution to the EU budget accounted for as official development assistance (ODA) amounted to €86.89 million. In 2011, Lithuania joined the World Bank’s International Development Association, which provides loans and grants for anti-poverty programs.
Lithuania has committed to allocating 0.33% of its gross national income (GNI) to development aid as part of its contribution to the UN Millennium Development Goals. According to the country’s authorities, in 2022 the actual level of government ODA reached €231.6 million, or 0.36% of GNI. This amount has more than tripled compared to 2021, when ODA amounted to €73.05 million, or 0.14% of GNI. An increase of about 20 times in bilateral aid to Ukraine accounted for most of this growth. Assistance to Ukraine is also strongly supported by the Lithuanian population.
In 2022, bilateral assistance made up €133.75 million or 58% of all ODA, with €45.8 million directed to Ukraine. Lithuania provided 37 bilateral projects (22 administered by embassies and 15 by the Central Project Management Agency) aimed at sharing Lithuanian expertise in the areas of good governance, European integration, resilience to disinformation, strengthening education, environmental protection, business development, women’s empowerment and digitalization. It also donated COVID-19 vaccines – 144,000 doses to the Democratic Republic of Congo and 81,600 doses to Tanzania. Multilateral ODA amounted to €97.56 million, or 42% of all ODA.
The country’s development cooperation strategic guidelines for 2022 – 2025 were adopted at the end of 2021 and focused on the following strategic areas: democracy promotion, good governance, resilience against disinformation, women’s empowerment, digitalization, education and environmental protection. These general points were complemented with development cooperation guidelines for particular regions of the world – Africa and the Middle East – as well as specific countries, namely Armenia, Moldova, Georgia, Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
However, the most commonly used indicators are the amounts of financial assistance provided and the flagship projects implemented. It would be useful to have a more elaborate system for measuring outcomes with regard to capacity-building and contributions to the achievement of other development-policy goals in recipient countries. It should also be noted that, according to the OECD, Lithuania’s ODA in 2022 amounted to 0.29% of GNI, not 0.36% of GNI as indicated by the Lithuanian authorities, which also raises the issue of accounting methodology.
Citations:
Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Lithuanian Development Cooperation Policy.” https://ltaid.urm.lt/en/lithuanian-development-cooperation/lithuanian-development-cooperation-policy/115
OECD. 2023. “Development cooperation profiles: Lithuania.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/3eb7f948-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/3eb7f948-en
Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. “Lithuanian Development Cooperation Policy.” https://ltaid.urm.lt/en/lithuanian-development-cooperation/lithuanian-development-cooperation-policy/115
OECD. 2023. “Development cooperation profiles: Lithuania.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/3eb7f948-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/3eb7f948-en
UK
The International Development (Official Development Assistance Target) Act 2015 updated previous legislation and established an obligation to allocate 0.7% of GDP to official development assistance, a target set by the United Nations. Despite regular objections from populist politicians who argue that the government should focus on domestic priorities, the United Kingdom was one of the few OECD countries to meet this target pre-pandemic. Failure to meet the target requires the responsible minister to explain to Parliament why it “has not been met in the report year and, if relevant, refer to the effect of one or more of the following: economic circumstances and, in particular, any substantial change in gross national income; fiscal circumstances and, in particular, the likely impact of meeting the target on taxation, public spending and public borrowing; circumstances arising outside the United Kingdom.” he 2015 Act also obliges the government to evaluate the effectiveness of its support.
From 2013 to 2020, the target was met consistently. However, in November 2020, the government announced a reduction to 0.5% of GDP from 2021, citing the fiscal demands of the pandemic. This decision, which broke a manifesto commitment, was intended as a temporary measure, but subsequent announcements suggest it will not be restored until late in the current decade. The then-Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, explained that the reduction reflected “people’s priorities” during an unprecedented economic emergency. The decision provoked criticism from all living former prime ministers, many Conservative MPs, and representatives of numerous NGOs, who were concerned about the disruption of key programs. Earlier in 2020, the Department for International Development had been merged into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Concerns summarized in a House of Lords briefing suggest that the loss of a separate voice in government dilutes the aid effort and shifts the focus away from poverty alleviation to fostering foreign and trade policy objectives. Additionally, there have been objections to some of the aid budget being used by other departments, especially the Home Office, to help meet the costs of dealing with refugees within the UK, and a reduced willingness to work with multilateral agencies.
In May 2022, a new International Development Strategy was adopted, focusing on four pillars: delivering honest and reliable investment, providing women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed, offering principled humanitarian assistance, and supporting progress on climate change, nature, and global health. An update in August 2023 aimed “to modernize our development partnerships and to deliver a global campaign to progress 7 initiatives critical to our partners and the achievement of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” A white paper published in November 2023 further affirmed the UK’s commitment to the SDGs and signaled more efforts to work with global partners.
Despite the cut, the United Kingdom remains a major aid contributor, comfortably above the OECD average. Assuming the commitments in the white paper are implemented, the UK’s role in reducing global poverty is likely to be enhanced.
From 2013 to 2020, the target was met consistently. However, in November 2020, the government announced a reduction to 0.5% of GDP from 2021, citing the fiscal demands of the pandemic. This decision, which broke a manifesto commitment, was intended as a temporary measure, but subsequent announcements suggest it will not be restored until late in the current decade. The then-Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, explained that the reduction reflected “people’s priorities” during an unprecedented economic emergency. The decision provoked criticism from all living former prime ministers, many Conservative MPs, and representatives of numerous NGOs, who were concerned about the disruption of key programs. Earlier in 2020, the Department for International Development had been merged into the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to create the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Concerns summarized in a House of Lords briefing suggest that the loss of a separate voice in government dilutes the aid effort and shifts the focus away from poverty alleviation to fostering foreign and trade policy objectives. Additionally, there have been objections to some of the aid budget being used by other departments, especially the Home Office, to help meet the costs of dealing with refugees within the UK, and a reduced willingness to work with multilateral agencies.
In May 2022, a new International Development Strategy was adopted, focusing on four pillars: delivering honest and reliable investment, providing women and girls with the freedom they need to succeed, offering principled humanitarian assistance, and supporting progress on climate change, nature, and global health. An update in August 2023 aimed “to modernize our development partnerships and to deliver a global campaign to progress 7 initiatives critical to our partners and the achievement of the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).” A white paper published in November 2023 further affirmed the UK’s commitment to the SDGs and signaled more efforts to work with global partners.
Despite the cut, the United Kingdom remains a major aid contributor, comfortably above the OECD average. Assuming the commitments in the white paper are implemented, the UK’s role in reducing global poverty is likely to be enhanced.
Citations:
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6560874b0c7ec8000d95bdcf/international-development-in-a-contested-world-ending-extreme-poverty-and-tackling-climate-change.pdf
https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-aid-spending-statistics-and-recent-developments/#heading-8
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6560874b0c7ec8000d95bdcf/international-development-in-a-contested-world-ending-extreme-poverty-and-tackling-climate-change.pdf
https://lordslibrary.parliament.uk/uk-aid-spending-statistics-and-recent-developments/#heading-8
7
France
France has a long tradition of supporting poor countries both financially and through the promotion of favorable policies. It ranks fifth worldwide in terms of the provision of official development assistance (ODA, $15.9 billion in 2022), and has recently increased its contribution, reaching 0.56% of gross national income in 2022. A total of €505 million went to Ukraine alone, while €392.8 million was related to the COVID-19 response. Bilateral ODA is mainly tied to issues of peace and justice (OECD 2022). Gender equality has become a significant objective in almost half of the aid provided, and in 21% of the country’s humanitarian aid. France has also subscribed to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
Several elements need to be specified in this context: First, France has proved reluctant to regard free trade as one of the most effective instruments of support. As a consequence, France is often an obstacle to the lowering of tariffs and trade barriers, for instance in agriculture. Second, French aid is concentrated on African countries (36.8% of the total in 2021), where the country has traditionally had strong economic interests. A significant portion of France’s multilateral contributions are also earmarked for African countries. The temptation to link aid to imports from the donor country is quite common. France is active within the framework of international organizations, but for the above reasons, its policy preferences are deeply influenced by path dependencies such as past colonization and the global network of French-speaking countries.
On a different front, France has tried to impose a tax on air travel to finance the fight against AIDS in poor countries. However, it has convinced only a few countries to follow suit. During the French EU presidency beginning in January 2022, President Macron highlighted the need to launch a significant EU investment plan in Africa, and pushed for such an initiative. This initiative seems judicious as, given the continent’s persistent underdevelopment despite sustained growth, there is a need to increase EU support to sub-Saharan countries where poverty and Islamist terrorism are together pushing an increasing number of people to migrate to Europe. Given the demographic pressures ahead (Africa will soon have 1 billion inhabitants) and the attractiveness of Europe, development in Africa is an emergency issue both for Africans and Europeans.
Several elements need to be specified in this context: First, France has proved reluctant to regard free trade as one of the most effective instruments of support. As a consequence, France is often an obstacle to the lowering of tariffs and trade barriers, for instance in agriculture. Second, French aid is concentrated on African countries (36.8% of the total in 2021), where the country has traditionally had strong economic interests. A significant portion of France’s multilateral contributions are also earmarked for African countries. The temptation to link aid to imports from the donor country is quite common. France is active within the framework of international organizations, but for the above reasons, its policy preferences are deeply influenced by path dependencies such as past colonization and the global network of French-speaking countries.
On a different front, France has tried to impose a tax on air travel to finance the fight against AIDS in poor countries. However, it has convinced only a few countries to follow suit. During the French EU presidency beginning in January 2022, President Macron highlighted the need to launch a significant EU investment plan in Africa, and pushed for such an initiative. This initiative seems judicious as, given the continent’s persistent underdevelopment despite sustained growth, there is a need to increase EU support to sub-Saharan countries where poverty and Islamist terrorism are together pushing an increasing number of people to migrate to Europe. Given the demographic pressures ahead (Africa will soon have 1 billion inhabitants) and the attractiveness of Europe, development in Africa is an emergency issue both for Africans and Europeans.
Citations:
OECD. 2022. “Development Co-operation Profiles: France.”
Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation. 2020. “France Country Profile.”
OECD. 2022. “Development Co-operation Profiles: France.”
Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation. 2020. “France Country Profile.”
Ireland
A clear development strategy and roadmap with defined capacity-building targets for recipient countries is well-embedded in DFA Irish Aid and is considered binding. This strategy guides the allocation of aid investment resources. Irish Aid monitors progress in capacity-building in recipient countries using a range of outcome measurements, with a learning culture aiming to continually expand and improve these indicators. Localization and decolonization are active goals of capacity development.
However, achieving the UN goal of allocating 0.7% of income to Official Development Assistance (ODA) will require increased effort in the coming years. Despite recent budget increases for ODA, Ireland needs to develop an explicit strategy with targets to reach the UN-agreed 0.7% goal. The Department of Foreign Affairs has established an Evaluation and Audit Unit, but its standards and outcomes are not transparent. Indicators and targets are not clearly established in national policy or annual reports, and evaluation reports are difficult to find online.
Irish climate finance is provided publicly on a grant basis, focusing on adaptation and building capacity and resilience in poorer countries. The climate finance plan’s connection with ODA distorts reality on progress in both areas, as the government conflates ODA, Climate Finance, and Loss and Damage into one financial commitment, without separate financial planning to meet the three different commitments made under three different agreements. For instance, Irish Aid’s Climate and Environmental Finance Report 2020 and the Irish International Climate Finance Roadmap indicate that 10% of ODA relates to Climate Finance. However, this is inconsistent with the stated climate financing targets of €225 million by 2025. It is unclear how provision for Ireland’s fair share of the Loss and Damage fund, agreed at COP 27 in 2022, will be financed.
Accounting practices also allow national expenditure on refugee programs to be processed through ODA budgets. The government, through development NGOs and business partnerships, improves access to technology and scientific knowledge to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries, leveraging expertise from Irish-owned MNCs, such as in the agrfood sector. However, such policies can have negative externalities. Contradictions exist in the government’s provision of affordable essential medicines, vaccines and healthcare services (for example, EU policy on vaccine access during the pandemic versus the “People’s Vaccine” campaign). Efforts to recruit, train and retain a sufficient health workforce in Ireland can lead to brain drain in Global South countries.
In ODA terms, Ireland is also focusing on triple nexus issues, including promoting the voices of women peacebuilders, eradicating hunger, addressing children and armed conflict and enhancing conflict prevention and mediation (DFA 2022).
However, achieving the UN goal of allocating 0.7% of income to Official Development Assistance (ODA) will require increased effort in the coming years. Despite recent budget increases for ODA, Ireland needs to develop an explicit strategy with targets to reach the UN-agreed 0.7% goal. The Department of Foreign Affairs has established an Evaluation and Audit Unit, but its standards and outcomes are not transparent. Indicators and targets are not clearly established in national policy or annual reports, and evaluation reports are difficult to find online.
Irish climate finance is provided publicly on a grant basis, focusing on adaptation and building capacity and resilience in poorer countries. The climate finance plan’s connection with ODA distorts reality on progress in both areas, as the government conflates ODA, Climate Finance, and Loss and Damage into one financial commitment, without separate financial planning to meet the three different commitments made under three different agreements. For instance, Irish Aid’s Climate and Environmental Finance Report 2020 and the Irish International Climate Finance Roadmap indicate that 10% of ODA relates to Climate Finance. However, this is inconsistent with the stated climate financing targets of €225 million by 2025. It is unclear how provision for Ireland’s fair share of the Loss and Damage fund, agreed at COP 27 in 2022, will be financed.
Accounting practices also allow national expenditure on refugee programs to be processed through ODA budgets. The government, through development NGOs and business partnerships, improves access to technology and scientific knowledge to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries, leveraging expertise from Irish-owned MNCs, such as in the agrfood sector. However, such policies can have negative externalities. Contradictions exist in the government’s provision of affordable essential medicines, vaccines and healthcare services (for example, EU policy on vaccine access during the pandemic versus the “People’s Vaccine” campaign). Efforts to recruit, train and retain a sufficient health workforce in Ireland can lead to brain drain in Global South countries.
In ODA terms, Ireland is also focusing on triple nexus issues, including promoting the voices of women peacebuilders, eradicating hunger, addressing children and armed conflict and enhancing conflict prevention and mediation (DFA 2022).
Citations:
DFA. 2022. A Better World: Ireland’s New International Development Policy. Dublin: Department of Foreign Affairs.
SJI. 2023. “ODA, Climate Finance, and Loss and Damage in Budget 2024.” Social Justice Ireland, September 13. https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/oda-climate-finance-and-loss-and-damage-budget-2024
UN. 2022. Human Development Report 2021/22. New York: United Nations Development Programme.
UN. 2023. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a Rescue Plan for People and Planet, Advance Unedited Edition. https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/SDG_Progress_Report_Special_Edition_2023
Irish Aid. 2020. “Where the Money Goes.” https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/how-our-aid-works/wherethe-money-goes/
Eurostat. 2023. “SDG Country Overview.” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/infographs/sdg-country-overview/
Paul, P. P., and Whelan, C. 2021. “The Changing Nature of Irish International Development Policy.” In The Oxford Handbook of Irish Politics, eds. D. M. Farrell and N. Hardiman, 177-194. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
DFA. 2022. A Better World: Ireland’s New International Development Policy. Dublin: Department of Foreign Affairs.
SJI. 2023. “ODA, Climate Finance, and Loss and Damage in Budget 2024.” Social Justice Ireland, September 13. https://www.socialjustice.ie/article/oda-climate-finance-and-loss-and-damage-budget-2024
UN. 2022. Human Development Report 2021/22. New York: United Nations Development Programme.
UN. 2023. Progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals: Towards a Rescue Plan for People and Planet, Advance Unedited Edition. https://sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/2023-04/SDG_Progress_Report_Special_Edition_2023
Irish Aid. 2020. “Where the Money Goes.” https://www.irishaid.ie/what-we-do/how-our-aid-works/wherethe-money-goes/
Eurostat. 2023. “SDG Country Overview.” https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/cache/infographs/sdg-country-overview/
Paul, P. P., and Whelan, C. 2021. “The Changing Nature of Irish International Development Policy.” In The Oxford Handbook of Irish Politics, eds. D. M. Farrell and N. Hardiman, 177-194. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
Japan
The Japanese government has traditionally emphasized comprehensive security based on the provision of official development assistance (ODA). Although three decades of economic stagnation have led to cuts in Japan’s ODA budget, Japan remains the fourth-largest ODA donor in the OECD. ODA is managed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japan International Cooperation Agency. Since 2005, poverty reduction has been one of the top priorities in Japan’s ODA charter.
The Development Cooperation Charter was revised in June 2023 to further emphasize security and the rule of law, as well as promote participation of the private sector. The charter specifies four basic policies: contributing to peace and prosperity, human security in the new era, co-creation of social values through dialogue and cooperation with developing countries, and leading the dissemination and implementation of international rules and guidelines based on inclusiveness, transparency and fairness. Japan’s ODA is directed in a balanced and fairly predictable way to aims such as poverty eradication, food and energy security, quality infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction.
White papers on development cooperation have been published on an annual basis. In recent years, Japan provided health and medical equipment and vaccines, as well as assisted in networking regional hospitals and developing the capacity of healthcare workers in low-income regions. It provided food aid to many developing countries suffering from diseases and natural disasters, transferred technology in areas such as construction and communications, and promoted science and innovation in recipient states.
According to ODA Evaluation Guidelines, evaluation of relevance of policies, effectiveness of results, and appropriateness of processes is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle and conducted mostly by third-party evaluators. In addition to assessing the contribution of ODA to the development of partner states, the relationship with Japan’s national interests is also examined. Relevant numerical indicators are identified for various priority issues. Evaluation is accompanied by recommendations that include targets, objectives, actions, priorities and a timeline. Even though Japan has increasingly used ODA as a vehicle to advance its national interests, poverty reduction has remained the prime goal of development cooperation.
The Development Cooperation Charter was revised in June 2023 to further emphasize security and the rule of law, as well as promote participation of the private sector. The charter specifies four basic policies: contributing to peace and prosperity, human security in the new era, co-creation of social values through dialogue and cooperation with developing countries, and leading the dissemination and implementation of international rules and guidelines based on inclusiveness, transparency and fairness. Japan’s ODA is directed in a balanced and fairly predictable way to aims such as poverty eradication, food and energy security, quality infrastructure, and disaster risk reduction.
White papers on development cooperation have been published on an annual basis. In recent years, Japan provided health and medical equipment and vaccines, as well as assisted in networking regional hospitals and developing the capacity of healthcare workers in low-income regions. It provided food aid to many developing countries suffering from diseases and natural disasters, transferred technology in areas such as construction and communications, and promoted science and innovation in recipient states.
According to ODA Evaluation Guidelines, evaluation of relevance of policies, effectiveness of results, and appropriateness of processes is based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act Cycle and conducted mostly by third-party evaluators. In addition to assessing the contribution of ODA to the development of partner states, the relationship with Japan’s national interests is also examined. Relevant numerical indicators are identified for various priority issues. Evaluation is accompanied by recommendations that include targets, objectives, actions, priorities and a timeline. Even though Japan has increasingly used ODA as a vehicle to advance its national interests, poverty reduction has remained the prime goal of development cooperation.
Citations:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “Development Cooperation Chart.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100514705.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “White Paper on Development Cooperation 2021: Japan’s International Cooperation.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100497686.pdf
ODA Evaluation Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2021. “ODA Evaluation Guidelines.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/evaluation/basic_documents/pdfs/guidelines2021.pdf
OECD. 2022. “Official development assistance (ODA).” https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/official-development-assistance.htm
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “Development Cooperation Chart.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100514705.pdf
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2023. “White Paper on Development Cooperation 2021: Japan’s International Cooperation.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/files/100497686.pdf
ODA Evaluation Division, Minister’s Secretariat, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan. 2021. “ODA Evaluation Guidelines.” https://www.mofa.go.jp/policy/oda/evaluation/basic_documents/pdfs/guidelines2021.pdf
OECD. 2022. “Official development assistance (ODA).” https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/development-finance-standards/official-development-assistance.htm
Latvia
In 2022, Latvia’s official development assistance increased significantly compared to 2021, reaching 25% of its gross national income (OECD, 2023). Latvia approved the 2021 Development Cooperation Policy Guidelines for the period 2021 – 2027 as its medium-term policy roadmap. These guidelines focus on sustainable development goals (SDGs), specifically SDGs 4 (education), 5 (gender equality), 8 (decent work and economic growth), 13 (climate action), 16 (peace and justice), and 17 (partnership for the goals).
Geographically, Latvian development assistance primarily targets countries in the Eastern Partnership, especially Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as Central Asia. Overall, Latvia aims to provide official development assistance to support sustainable social and economic development tailored to the needs of recipient countries.
The annual development cooperation plan, formulated according to these guidelines, serves as a crucial monitoring tool for policy outcomes, particularly regarding the volume of financial support. Reflecting its thematic and geographical priorities, Latvia has concentrated its development assistance on improving education, enhancing access to scientific knowledge, promoting human rights, and supporting good governance.
Geographically, Latvian development assistance primarily targets countries in the Eastern Partnership, especially Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, as well as Central Asia. Overall, Latvia aims to provide official development assistance to support sustainable social and economic development tailored to the needs of recipient countries.
The annual development cooperation plan, formulated according to these guidelines, serves as a crucial monitoring tool for policy outcomes, particularly regarding the volume of financial support. Reflecting its thematic and geographical priorities, Latvia has concentrated its development assistance on improving education, enhancing access to scientific knowledge, promoting human rights, and supporting good governance.
Citations:
The Cabinet of Ministers. 2021. “Development Cooperation Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027.” https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/322455-development-cooperation-policy-guidelines-for-2021-2027
OECD. 2023. “ODA Levels in 2022 – Preliminary Data.” Detailed Summary Note. https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/ODA-2022-summary.pdf
The Cabinet of Ministers. 2021. “Development Cooperation Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027.” https://likumi.lv/ta/en/en/id/322455-development-cooperation-policy-guidelines-for-2021-2027
OECD. 2023. “ODA Levels in 2022 – Preliminary Data.” Detailed Summary Note. https://www.oecd.org/dac/financing-sustainable-development/ODA-2022-summary.pdf
Poland
Over the last two decades, Poland has transitioned from being a recipient country (through 2004) to a donor country, joining the OECD Development Assistance Committee in 2013. The country’s framework document for international assistance is the Multiannual Development Cooperation Program 2021 - 2030 – Solidarity for Development (Rada Ministrów 2021), which is the third of its kind. The program is aligned with the thematic priorities of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The long-term aim is to systematically increase financial expenditures for development cooperation to 0.33% of gross national income by 2030, up from its current level of around 0.15%. The geographical focus includes 10 countries: four Eastern Partnership countries (Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine), four sub-Saharan countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Senegal, Tanzania) and two Middle Eastern geographies.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published development cooperation plans in 2022 and 2023. Poland’s humanitarian assistance was primarily channeled through contributions to international institutions (EU-ECHO, UN) or programs like the Economic Resilience Initiative Fund, a financial tool for the European Union’s Southern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans. The second channel of support involves providing financial assistance to Polish non-governmental humanitarian organizations (such as Polska Akcja Humanitarna, Fundacja Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej, Polska Misja Medyczna and Caritas Polska).
Under the Development Cooperation Act of September 16, 2011, Poland’s development assistance, administered by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required to undergo evaluation. However, from 2020 to 2021, projects were not monitored due to the pandemic. In 2022, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs examined activities in 21 projects, including humanitarian, developmental and global education initiatives. The assessment involved an evaluation sheet; visits to sites in Georgia, Lebanon, Palestine, Ethiopia and Senegal; and the examination of several projects carried out in Poland, such as a global education project and activities for Ukrainian refugees.
Between 2022 and 2023, most Polish development and humanitarian activities focused on aiding Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. In 2022, the number of refugees – mostly women and children –exceeded 2 million, putting significant pressure on national and local Polish institutions. Since February 2022, Poland has also become the main hub through which over 80% of EU aid for Ukraine has passed. In May 2022, the International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine, held in Warsaw, pledged support amounting to $6.5 billion. That same year, Poland’s official development assistance (ODA) reached a record level of over PLN 15.8 billion, constituting 0.53% of the country’s gross national income.
Poland has been actively engaged in medical solidarity. It shared its COVID-19 vaccine surplus, amounting to approximately 28 million doses, with countries in need including Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kenya, and Ukraine. Additionally, on December 13, 2021, Poland was appointed the coordinating country for facilitating the delivery of vaccines from EU member states to the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych, 2023).
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs published development cooperation plans in 2022 and 2023. Poland’s humanitarian assistance was primarily channeled through contributions to international institutions (EU-ECHO, UN) or programs like the Economic Resilience Initiative Fund, a financial tool for the European Union’s Southern Neighborhood and the Western Balkans. The second channel of support involves providing financial assistance to Polish non-governmental humanitarian organizations (such as Polska Akcja Humanitarna, Fundacja Polskie Centrum Pomocy Międzynarodowej, Polska Misja Medyczna and Caritas Polska).
Under the Development Cooperation Act of September 16, 2011, Poland’s development assistance, administered by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is required to undergo evaluation. However, from 2020 to 2021, projects were not monitored due to the pandemic. In 2022, employees of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs examined activities in 21 projects, including humanitarian, developmental and global education initiatives. The assessment involved an evaluation sheet; visits to sites in Georgia, Lebanon, Palestine, Ethiopia and Senegal; and the examination of several projects carried out in Poland, such as a global education project and activities for Ukrainian refugees.
Between 2022 and 2023, most Polish development and humanitarian activities focused on aiding Ukraine and Ukrainian refugees. In 2022, the number of refugees – mostly women and children –exceeded 2 million, putting significant pressure on national and local Polish institutions. Since February 2022, Poland has also become the main hub through which over 80% of EU aid for Ukraine has passed. In May 2022, the International Donors’ Conference for Ukraine, held in Warsaw, pledged support amounting to $6.5 billion. That same year, Poland’s official development assistance (ODA) reached a record level of over PLN 15.8 billion, constituting 0.53% of the country’s gross national income.
Poland has been actively engaged in medical solidarity. It shared its COVID-19 vaccine surplus, amounting to approximately 28 million doses, with countries in need including Armenia, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Kenya, and Ukraine. Additionally, on December 13, 2021, Poland was appointed the coordinating country for facilitating the delivery of vaccines from EU member states to the countries of the Eastern Partnership (Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych, 2023).
Citations:
Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych. 2023. “Polska Współpraca Rozwojowa 2022.” Warszawa: https://www.gov.pl/web/polskapomoc/raport-roczny-2022
Rada Ministrów. 2021. “Wieloletni program współpracy rozwojowej 2021–2030.” Solidarność dla rozwoju. Załącznik do Uchwały nr 11/2021 Rady Ministrów z dnia 19 stycznia 2021 r.
Ministerstwo Spraw Zagranicznych. 2023. “Polska Współpraca Rozwojowa 2022.” Warszawa: https://www.gov.pl/web/polskapomoc/raport-roczny-2022
Rada Ministrów. 2021. “Wieloletni program współpracy rozwojowej 2021–2030.” Solidarność dla rozwoju. Załącznik do Uchwały nr 11/2021 Rady Ministrów z dnia 19 stycznia 2021 r.
Slovenia
International development cooperation is a central aspect of Slovenia’s foreign policy. It aims to foster balanced global development, eradicate poverty, and promote sustainable progress. The primary focus is on the Western Balkans, the European Neighbourhood, and Sub-Saharan Africa, particularly the least developed countries, with Ukraine newly added to this list last year.
Key action areas include promoting peaceful, inclusive societies; good governance; gender equality; quality education; and combating climate change through sustainable resource management. Slovenia aligns its efforts with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as outlined in its Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 and related resolutions and acts adopted in 2017 and 2018.
The ministry began developing specific frameworks for various areas, recognizing the need for more precise guidelines. Updated guidelines for NGO cooperation were issued in May 2023, with gender equality guidelines following in June. Draft guidelines on environmental protection are underway, with plans for private sector cooperation guidelines in 2024.
The Directorate for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, established in 2022, oversees these efforts, comprising two sectors: one for policy and one for implementation. Slovenia aims to increase official development assistance to 0.33% of GNI by 2030. In 2022, it allocated €159.65 million for international development cooperation, which is equivalent to 0.29% of GNI.
Key action areas include promoting peaceful, inclusive societies; good governance; gender equality; quality education; and combating climate change through sustainable resource management. Slovenia aligns its efforts with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, as outlined in its Slovenian Development Strategy 2030 and related resolutions and acts adopted in 2017 and 2018.
The ministry began developing specific frameworks for various areas, recognizing the need for more precise guidelines. Updated guidelines for NGO cooperation were issued in May 2023, with gender equality guidelines following in June. Draft guidelines on environmental protection are underway, with plans for private sector cooperation guidelines in 2024.
The Directorate for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, established in 2022, oversees these efforts, comprising two sectors: one for policy and one for implementation. Slovenia aims to increase official development assistance to 0.33% of GNI by 2030. In 2022, it allocated €159.65 million for international development cooperation, which is equivalent to 0.29% of GNI.
Citations:
Republika Slovenija 2024. “Zakaj mednarodno razvojno sodelovanje.” https://www.gov.si/teme/zakaj-mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje/
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Razvojni in humanitarni projekti.” https://www.gov.si/podrocja/zunanje-zadeve/mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje-in-humanitarna-pomoc/razvojni-in-humanitarni-projekti?Title=&cilj=&drzava=&izvajalec=®ija=&status=V+teku&vrsta=&start=20.
Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve. 2023. “Medsebojni strokovni pregled politik in izvajanja mednarodnega razvojnega sodelovanja Republike Slovenije pri Odboru za razvojno pomoč Organizacije za ekonomsko sodelovanje in razvoj. Samoocena Republike Slovenije.” https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MZEZ/Dokumenti/multilaterala/razvojno-sodelovanje/Samoocena-Republike-Slovenije.docx
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Mednarodno razvojno sodelovanje in humanitarna pomoč.” https://www.gov.si/podrocja/zunanje-zadeve/mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje-in-humanitarna-pomoc/
Republika Slovenija 2024. “Zakaj mednarodno razvojno sodelovanje.” https://www.gov.si/teme/zakaj-mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje/
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Razvojni in humanitarni projekti.” https://www.gov.si/podrocja/zunanje-zadeve/mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje-in-humanitarna-pomoc/razvojni-in-humanitarni-projekti?Title=&cilj=&drzava=&izvajalec=®ija=&status=V+teku&vrsta=&start=20.
Ministrstvo za zunanje in evropske zadeve. 2023. “Medsebojni strokovni pregled politik in izvajanja mednarodnega razvojnega sodelovanja Republike Slovenije pri Odboru za razvojno pomoč Organizacije za ekonomsko sodelovanje in razvoj. Samoocena Republike Slovenije.” https://www.gov.si/assets/ministrstva/MZEZ/Dokumenti/multilaterala/razvojno-sodelovanje/Samoocena-Republike-Slovenije.docx
Republika Slovenija. 2024. “Mednarodno razvojno sodelovanje in humanitarna pomoč.” https://www.gov.si/podrocja/zunanje-zadeve/mednarodno-razvojno-sodelovanje-in-humanitarna-pomoc/
Spain
The Law on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity, approved in January 2023 (Law 1/2023, de 20 de febrero), updates Spanish development cooperation policy to align with contemporary global standards and the commitments of the 2030 Agenda. It aims to foster greater integration into the European Union’s cooperation policy and improve the management of development assistance through a more robust structure and more coordinated, strategic, and effective action by all cooperation actors.
Strategic planning of the cooperation is articulated through the Master Plan, among other instruments. The V Master Plan of the Spanish Cooperation covered the period 2018–2021. During the observation period, no new plan was adopted, but the Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) implemented an updated action plan for 2022–2023 in October.
Law 1/2023 includes a specific section on the “Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Spanish Cooperation for Sustainable Development.” A new Evaluation Office of Spanish Cooperation will be established as a unit attached to the Secretariat of State for International Cooperation. The 2022 evaluation report included an advanced assessment of the 2021 cooperation policies, improving upon previous reports.
Spanish cooperation policy aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at capacity-building for poverty reduction. Solidarity with disadvantaged people and future generations, sustainable development, poverty eradication, social and territorial cohesion, and the fight against global inequalities are fundamental principles of Spanish development cooperation.
In the 2023 budget, official development aid stands at 0.34% of GNI, up from 0.28% in 2022, but still far from the government’s commitment to reach 0.5% in 2024. Law 1/2023 stipulates that 0.7% of GNI should be dedicated to official development assistance by 2030, with ten percent of this budget targeted for humanitarian assistance.
Spanish universities play a significant role in development cooperation and are represented on the Cooperation Council. As contributors within the Spanish cooperation system, public universities actively promote knowledge-sharing and innovation with developing countries. They are required to report their performance in this field to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The Observatory of University Development Cooperation (OCUD) is an initiative led by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities, in collaboration with AECID and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
According to AECID, Spanish development aid focuses on saving lives and strengthening public health systems. It fosters universal health coverage in developing countries by supporting the strengthening of national health systems and services. The goal is for partner countries to provide quality and equitable services at all levels of healthcare, both primary and specialized. This is achieved through technical cooperation programs, such as the Specialized Medical Training Programs (Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative) and programs within the Pan American Health Organization.
The OECD identified various laws and regulations in 2022 that hinder the flexibility, predictability, and accountability of the development program. Regulations, procedures, and the capacity to offer multi-year funding vary across instruments, including those directly managed by AECID.
Strategic planning of the cooperation is articulated through the Master Plan, among other instruments. The V Master Plan of the Spanish Cooperation covered the period 2018–2021. During the observation period, no new plan was adopted, but the Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) implemented an updated action plan for 2022–2023 in October.
Law 1/2023 includes a specific section on the “Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation of Spanish Cooperation for Sustainable Development.” A new Evaluation Office of Spanish Cooperation will be established as a unit attached to the Secretariat of State for International Cooperation. The 2022 evaluation report included an advanced assessment of the 2021 cooperation policies, improving upon previous reports.
Spanish cooperation policy aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) aimed at capacity-building for poverty reduction. Solidarity with disadvantaged people and future generations, sustainable development, poverty eradication, social and territorial cohesion, and the fight against global inequalities are fundamental principles of Spanish development cooperation.
In the 2023 budget, official development aid stands at 0.34% of GNI, up from 0.28% in 2022, but still far from the government’s commitment to reach 0.5% in 2024. Law 1/2023 stipulates that 0.7% of GNI should be dedicated to official development assistance by 2030, with ten percent of this budget targeted for humanitarian assistance.
Spanish universities play a significant role in development cooperation and are represented on the Cooperation Council. As contributors within the Spanish cooperation system, public universities actively promote knowledge-sharing and innovation with developing countries. They are required to report their performance in this field to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The Observatory of University Development Cooperation (OCUD) is an initiative led by the Conference of Rectors of Spanish Universities, in collaboration with AECID and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.
According to AECID, Spanish development aid focuses on saving lives and strengthening public health systems. It fosters universal health coverage in developing countries by supporting the strengthening of national health systems and services. The goal is for partner countries to provide quality and equitable services at all levels of healthcare, both primary and specialized. This is achieved through technical cooperation programs, such as the Specialized Medical Training Programs (Drugs for Neglected Diseases Initiative) and programs within the Pan American Health Organization.
The OECD identified various laws and regulations in 2022 that hinder the flexibility, predictability, and accountability of the development program. Regulations, procedures, and the capacity to offer multi-year funding vary across instruments, including those directly managed by AECID.
Citations:
AECID. 2022. “Plan de Acción 2022-23.” https://bibliotecadigital.aecid.es/bibliodig/es/catalogo_imagenes/grupo.do?path=1031063
Secretaría de Estado de Cooperación Internacional. 2022. Informe anula de evaluación 2021.
OECD. 2022. “Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Spain.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/a97b60ee-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/a97b60ee-en
AECID. 2022. “Plan de Acción 2022-23.” https://bibliotecadigital.aecid.es/bibliodig/es/catalogo_imagenes/grupo.do?path=1031063
Secretaría de Estado de Cooperación Internacional. 2022. Informe anula de evaluación 2021.
OECD. 2022. “Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Spain.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/a97b60ee-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/a97b60ee-en
Switzerland
The Swiss government’s development strategy focuses on reducing poverty, mitigating global risks and promoting a stable international order. It concerns “the needs of populations in partner countries, the promotion of Swiss economic, migration and security interests, and the comparative benefits of Swiss international cooperation (added value, capabilities and innovation)” (Federal Council 2023a). Emphasis is put on “job creation, the fight against climate change, better migration management, and a commitment to the rule of law and peace” (Federal Council 2019). Every four years the government publishes a report on international cooperation (FDFA 2020), and it shares data and information with international organizations such as the OECD. The activities of the government for global poverty reduction cover different activities ranging from support to Central and Eastern European countries within the framework of the bilateral treaties (i.e., the Swiss compensation paid to the EU for access to the common market) to drinking water supply in mountainous Central Asian regions. Therefore, it is hard to summarize standards, procedures and outcomes. Official development assistance flows for poverty eradication are predictable within the four-year strategy.
In the countries where it supports projects or aid distribution, Swiss development cooperation has a good reputation for maintaining independence from Swiss industrial interests, and for making long-term commitments. Nevertheless, the country is a small donor with limited impact. Swiss development cooperation is well embedded within international development agencies and coordinates its activities with their agendas on issues such as poverty reduction, climate change and sustainable economic development.
In the countries where it supports projects or aid distribution, Swiss development cooperation has a good reputation for maintaining independence from Swiss industrial interests, and for making long-term commitments. Nevertheless, the country is a small donor with limited impact. Swiss development cooperation is well embedded within international development agencies and coordinates its activities with their agendas on issues such as poverty reduction, climate change and sustainable economic development.
Citations:
Federal Council. 2019. “Erläuternder Bericht zur internationalen Zusammenarbeit 2021–2024.” https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/6019/32/cons_1/doc_2/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-dl-proj-6019-32-cons_1-doc_2-de-pdf-a.pdf
Federal Council. 2023. “The Federal Council Outlines the Strategic Markers for the Upcoming Dispatch on International Cooperation (2021–2024).” https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-73201.html
FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs). 2020. “Switzerland’s International Cooperation is Working. Final Report on the Implementation of the Dispatch 2017–20.” Bern: FDFA. https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/de/home/aktivitaeten_projekte/grundsaetze-transparenz.html
DEZA. 2022. “https://admin.media-flow.ch/deza-seco-jahresbericht-2020-de#2637”
Federal Council. 2019. “Erläuternder Bericht zur internationalen Zusammenarbeit 2021–2024.” https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/filestore/fedlex.data.admin.ch/eli/dl/proj/6019/32/cons_1/doc_2/de/pdf-a/fedlex-data-admin-ch-eli-dl-proj-6019-32-cons_1-doc_2-de-pdf-a.pdf
Federal Council. 2023. “The Federal Council Outlines the Strategic Markers for the Upcoming Dispatch on International Cooperation (2021–2024).” https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/documentation/media-releases.msg-id-73201.html
FDFA (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs). 2020. “Switzerland’s International Cooperation is Working. Final Report on the Implementation of the Dispatch 2017–20.” Bern: FDFA. https://www.eda.admin.ch/deza/de/home/aktivitaeten_projekte/grundsaetze-transparenz.html
DEZA. 2022. “https://admin.media-flow.ch/deza-seco-jahresbericht-2020-de#2637”
6
Australia
The Australian government develops strategies and roadmaps for building capacity in recipient countries (DFAT 2023). Areas of focus include state fragility, gender equality, political rights, fiscal sustainability, health and climate change adaptation/mitigation. Geographically, these efforts have been concentrated on countries in the Pacific region and Asia. The direction of development policy has been criticized for giving too much weight to Australia’s geostrategic priorities and concerns.
A recent policy shift has placed greater emphasis on priorities central to development, but the lingering constraints of the old approach remain significant even in this new policy paradigm. The new policy has also been criticized for maintaining the overall size of the funding pot for development, even though there has been a downward trend in funding for development alongside a growing need for aid in recipient countries (Rajah 2023).
Critics of Australian development policies point out that while the rhetoric from ministers gives the impression of generosity, the country’s development assistance contributions are among the lowest of any OECD country (as a percentage of GDP). Grant Wyeth (2023) explains that a key reason for the relatively low level of development assistance is the difficulty of justifying a large aid budget to the Australian public. However, there are under-exploited opportunities in linking aid with regional security, as Australia is one of the few per-capita wealthy countries in its region, and increased assistance that facilitates a shift from medium- to high-income levels could enhance trust with Pacific and Asian countries.
A recent policy shift has placed greater emphasis on priorities central to development, but the lingering constraints of the old approach remain significant even in this new policy paradigm. The new policy has also been criticized for maintaining the overall size of the funding pot for development, even though there has been a downward trend in funding for development alongside a growing need for aid in recipient countries (Rajah 2023).
Critics of Australian development policies point out that while the rhetoric from ministers gives the impression of generosity, the country’s development assistance contributions are among the lowest of any OECD country (as a percentage of GDP). Grant Wyeth (2023) explains that a key reason for the relatively low level of development assistance is the difficulty of justifying a large aid budget to the Australian public. However, there are under-exploited opportunities in linking aid with regional security, as Australia is one of the few per-capita wealthy countries in its region, and increased assistance that facilitates a shift from medium- to high-income levels could enhance trust with Pacific and Asian countries.
Citations:
DFAT. 2023. “Australia’s International Development Performance and Delivery Framework.” https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/performance-delivery-framework.pdf
Rajah, R. 2023. “The Constrained Ambition of Australia’s New Development Policy.” The Interpreter August 11. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/constrained-ambition-australia-s-new-development-policy
Wyeth, G. 2023. “What difference can Australian development assistance make?” The Diplomat September 29. https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/what-difference-can-australian-development-assistance-make/
DFAT. 2023. “Australia’s International Development Performance and Delivery Framework.” https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/performance-delivery-framework.pdf
Rajah, R. 2023. “The Constrained Ambition of Australia’s New Development Policy.” The Interpreter August 11. https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/constrained-ambition-australia-s-new-development-policy
Wyeth, G. 2023. “What difference can Australian development assistance make?” The Diplomat September 29. https://thediplomat.com/2023/09/what-difference-can-australian-development-assistance-make/
Italy
The Italian government’s commitment to promoting socioeconomic development has generally been limited. Over the years, Italy has provided less international aid than most other European countries. The amount of aid to developing countries was expected to increase in 2021 after three years of decline but remained at 0.32% in 2022 (OECD and Donor Tracker 2023). Notably, 23% of these funds remain in Italy for managing refugees.
Italy has emphasized combating hunger, hosting three major UN food agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP). For 2024, the budget law of the Meloni government will invest half a billion more than the previous year, primarily in Libya and on infrastructure.
Development cooperation policy is directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the National Agency for Cooperation and Development, which has offices in 19 countries. However, the policy is not regularly monitored, and results are often not evaluated. Most funds are allocated directly to multilateral institutions and not managed by Italian institutions.
The newly launched “Piano Mattei” by the Meloni government aims to provide stronger aid and cooperation with African countries, indicating a willingness to increase Italy’s support for less-developed nations. However, the significance of the new funds remains unclear.
Italy has emphasized combating hunger, hosting three major UN food agencies: the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and the World Food Programme (WFP). For 2024, the budget law of the Meloni government will invest half a billion more than the previous year, primarily in Libya and on infrastructure.
Development cooperation policy is directed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and implemented by the National Agency for Cooperation and Development, which has offices in 19 countries. However, the policy is not regularly monitored, and results are often not evaluated. Most funds are allocated directly to multilateral institutions and not managed by Italian institutions.
The newly launched “Piano Mattei” by the Meloni government aims to provide stronger aid and cooperation with African countries, indicating a willingness to increase Italy’s support for less-developed nations. However, the significance of the new funds remains unclear.
Citations:
Donor Tracker. 2023. “Italy.” https://donortracker.org/donor_profiles/italy#summary
https://temi.camera.it/leg19/provvedimento/disposizioni-urgenti-per-il-piano-mattei-per-lo-sviluppo-in-stati-del-continente-africano.html
Donor Tracker. 2023. “Italy.” https://donortracker.org/donor_profiles/italy#summary
https://temi.camera.it/leg19/provvedimento/disposizioni-urgenti-per-il-piano-mattei-per-lo-sviluppo-in-stati-del-continente-africano.html
Portugal
Approved in November 2022, the Portuguese Development Cooperation Strategy 2030 serves as the primary framework for guiding the country’s public policy on international development cooperation. This comprehensive strategy, crucial in shaping Portugal’s cooperation policy, addresses conceptual, political, and operational aspects. It is structured into three sections: an overview of the challenges to be addressed, a policy framework outlining principles and priorities, and a strategic action framework detailing specific action plans.
However, there has been no significant shift in the government’s commitment to a global social policy focused on poverty reduction and social protection in low- and middle-income countries. Foreign aid remains a relatively minor aspect of Portugal’s foreign policy, which primarily emphasizes economic diplomacy to stimulate the national economy and exports. Portugal is among the OECD countries contributing the least proportion of its income to development cooperation, falling well short of the international target for Public Development Assistance by 2030 (Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD, 2022).
Nonetheless, Portugal is not entirely disengaged from efforts to build capacity for poverty reduction in developing countries. The country continues to provide foreign aid, especially to Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and East Timor. The 2030 Strategy maintains a focus on these nations, capitalizing on Portugal’s unique relationship with them. In 2022, Portugal’s official development assistance (ODA) amounted to USD 504.7 million, constituting 0.23% of its gross national income (GNI), marking a 17.5% real-term increase and a rise from 0.18% of GNI in 2021 (OECD, 2022a). However, Portugal’s ODA volume remains modest compared to past performance and other OECD Development Assistance Committee members (OECD, 2022b).
Despite the increase in ODA, Portugal’s involvement in shaping international policies and assuming leadership roles remains limited. The country typically follows rather than leads in international initiatives, and its resources are relatively modest compared to its European Union counterparts. Thus, while Portugal’s intentions are commendable, its aid plays a marginal role in the overall design and implementation of foreign assistance.
Beyond financial and economic contributions, Portugal also participates in security tasks. Its involvement in UN, NATO, and EU security and humanitarian missions, though relatively modest, includes notable support, such as recent aid to Ukraine. In specific situations, like in Guinea-Bissau, Portugal actively contributes to stabilizing national governments, promoting security, and fostering development.
However, there has been no significant shift in the government’s commitment to a global social policy focused on poverty reduction and social protection in low- and middle-income countries. Foreign aid remains a relatively minor aspect of Portugal’s foreign policy, which primarily emphasizes economic diplomacy to stimulate the national economy and exports. Portugal is among the OECD countries contributing the least proportion of its income to development cooperation, falling well short of the international target for Public Development Assistance by 2030 (Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD, 2022).
Nonetheless, Portugal is not entirely disengaged from efforts to build capacity for poverty reduction in developing countries. The country continues to provide foreign aid, especially to Portuguese-speaking countries in Africa and East Timor. The 2030 Strategy maintains a focus on these nations, capitalizing on Portugal’s unique relationship with them. In 2022, Portugal’s official development assistance (ODA) amounted to USD 504.7 million, constituting 0.23% of its gross national income (GNI), marking a 17.5% real-term increase and a rise from 0.18% of GNI in 2021 (OECD, 2022a). However, Portugal’s ODA volume remains modest compared to past performance and other OECD Development Assistance Committee members (OECD, 2022b).
Despite the increase in ODA, Portugal’s involvement in shaping international policies and assuming leadership roles remains limited. The country typically follows rather than leads in international initiatives, and its resources are relatively modest compared to its European Union counterparts. Thus, while Portugal’s intentions are commendable, its aid plays a marginal role in the overall design and implementation of foreign assistance.
Beyond financial and economic contributions, Portugal also participates in security tasks. Its involvement in UN, NATO, and EU security and humanitarian missions, though relatively modest, includes notable support, such as recent aid to Ukraine. In specific situations, like in Guinea-Bissau, Portugal actively contributes to stabilizing national governments, promoting security, and fostering development.
Citations:
DRE. 2022. Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 121/2022 – Aprova a Estratégia da Cooperação Portuguesa 2030.
https://www.portugal.gov.pt/download-ficheiros/ficheiro.aspx?v=%3d%3dBQAAAB%2bLCAAAAAAABAAzNDYxNQcAkRsTgQUAAAA%3d
Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD. 2022. Financiamento do Desenvolvimento em tempos de incerteza: o contributo da Cooperação Portuguesa. Lisboa, Dezembro. ISBN 978-989-53439-1-1. https://www.plataformaongd.pt/noticias/relatorio-financiamento-do-desenvolvimento-em-tempos-de-incerteza-o-contributo-da-cooperacao-portuguesa
OECD. 2022a. “Development Co-operation Profiles: Portugal.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/12c61cf7-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/12c61cf7-en#:~:text=Portugal%20allocated%20the%20highest%20share,equal%20to%20USD%209.8%20million
OECD. 2022b. “Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Portugal 2022.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/550fb40e-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/550fb40e-en
DRE. 2022. Resolution of the Council of Ministers no. 121/2022 – Aprova a Estratégia da Cooperação Portuguesa 2030.
https://www.portugal.gov.pt/download-ficheiros/ficheiro.aspx?v=%3d%3dBQAAAB%2bLCAAAAAAABAAzNDYxNQcAkRsTgQUAAAA%3d
Plataforma Portuguesa das ONGD. 2022. Financiamento do Desenvolvimento em tempos de incerteza: o contributo da Cooperação Portuguesa. Lisboa, Dezembro. ISBN 978-989-53439-1-1. https://www.plataformaongd.pt/noticias/relatorio-financiamento-do-desenvolvimento-em-tempos-de-incerteza-o-contributo-da-cooperacao-portuguesa
OECD. 2022a. “Development Co-operation Profiles: Portugal.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/12c61cf7-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/12c61cf7-en#:~:text=Portugal%20allocated%20the%20highest%20share,equal%20to%20USD%209.8%20million
OECD. 2022b. “Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Portugal 2022.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/550fb40e-en/index.html?itemId=/content/publication/550fb40e-en
Netherlands
Until around 2010, Dutch development aid primarily focused on poverty reduction. However, there has been a significant shift since then toward supporting “global development” and enhancing “global public goods” such as climate adaptation, security issues and global financial stability. This shift implies that direct aid to alleviate poverty and support the poor has taken a backseat. Instead, the focus is now on empowering the middle classes in developing countries to build and maintain the economic and social infrastructure necessary for producing these global public goods. This approach combines trade, aid and public investments where necessary, and private investments where feasible.
In its 2023 white paper titled “The Dutch Africa Strategy,” poverty reduction is only mentioned three times. The most notable mention is in a section titled “Less poverty, more sustainability,” which places poverty reduction alongside food security and social inclusion. According to the policy: “The Netherlands supports a large number of countries in Africa in combating hunger and malnutrition. We focus our assistance on marginalized groups, especially young children and their mothers. We are also committed to sustainably increasing the consumption of healthy diets by the poorest of the poor, including by supporting national social protection programs. In addition, we support programs for small-scale farmers, which strengthen their business practices – including through improved legal security around land (use) – and access to inputs (such as seeds or soil improvers), financing and knowledge.”
Capacity-building initiatives are outsourced to private companies and Dutch knowledge institutes. On this topic, the policy continues: “Dutch companies and knowledge institutions have a lot of expertise in solar energy, wind energy, hydrogen and sustainable mobility. The new policy will capitalize on this better in the coming years. By encouraging Dutch companies to invest in low- and middle-income countries, the Netherlands helps the development of the countries and Dutch companies gain access to promising markets. For example, the government is developing energy partnerships in countries with high potential for hydrogen, so that energy transition is accelerated locally and some of that energy can be exported.”
Policy monitoring and evaluation are entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of International Research and Policy Evaluation (IOB).
In its 2023 white paper titled “The Dutch Africa Strategy,” poverty reduction is only mentioned three times. The most notable mention is in a section titled “Less poverty, more sustainability,” which places poverty reduction alongside food security and social inclusion. According to the policy: “The Netherlands supports a large number of countries in Africa in combating hunger and malnutrition. We focus our assistance on marginalized groups, especially young children and their mothers. We are also committed to sustainably increasing the consumption of healthy diets by the poorest of the poor, including by supporting national social protection programs. In addition, we support programs for small-scale farmers, which strengthen their business practices – including through improved legal security around land (use) – and access to inputs (such as seeds or soil improvers), financing and knowledge.”
Capacity-building initiatives are outsourced to private companies and Dutch knowledge institutes. On this topic, the policy continues: “Dutch companies and knowledge institutions have a lot of expertise in solar energy, wind energy, hydrogen and sustainable mobility. The new policy will capitalize on this better in the coming years. By encouraging Dutch companies to invest in low- and middle-income countries, the Netherlands helps the development of the countries and Dutch companies gain access to promising markets. For example, the government is developing energy partnerships in countries with high potential for hydrogen, so that energy transition is accelerated locally and some of that energy can be exported.”
Policy monitoring and evaluation are entrusted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Directorate of International Research and Policy Evaluation (IOB).
Citations:
WRR. 2010. “Minder pretentie, meer ambitie.”
Rijksoverheid. 2022. “Nederland verhoogt klimaatsteun aan ontwikkelingslanden.” Nieuwsbericht October 7.
WRR. 2010. “Minder pretentie, meer ambitie.”
Rijksoverheid. 2022. “Nederland verhoogt klimaatsteun aan ontwikkelingslanden.” Nieuwsbericht October 7.
USA
The United States is the largest aid provider (in raw terms) in the world. The main agency for foreign assistance is the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). USAID provides aid to support low- and middle-income countries’ economic development, public health, education, governance, climate resilience, gender equality, and more.
In addition to specific aid to countries, USAID supports many ongoing, wider projects and initiatives. These provide a certain degree of predictability and stability for foreign partners. For example, Feed the Future was founded in 2010 during the Obama administration to address global hunger and food insecurity. Feed the Future works in 20 target countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Feed the Future assists farmers in boosting their sales, providing them access to new markets and the infrastructure to expand their operations. Its investments total $2 billion per year.
There are also cross-agency initiatives that aim to fight poverty and ill health in the developing world. One prominent example is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched by President George W. Bush in 2003. The initiative, which coordinates agencies across the federal government and works with international partners, is credited with saving over 25 million lives, mainly in Africa.
The U.S. government supports multinational aid initiatives and aligns its operations with the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the United States is a strong supporter of global vaccine initiatives. The United States supports Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works to increase immunization coverage and strengthen health systems. The United States also participates in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to improve health security worldwide.
In addition to specific aid to countries, USAID supports many ongoing, wider projects and initiatives. These provide a certain degree of predictability and stability for foreign partners. For example, Feed the Future was founded in 2010 during the Obama administration to address global hunger and food insecurity. Feed the Future works in 20 target countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Feed the Future assists farmers in boosting their sales, providing them access to new markets and the infrastructure to expand their operations. Its investments total $2 billion per year.
There are also cross-agency initiatives that aim to fight poverty and ill health in the developing world. One prominent example is the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), launched by President George W. Bush in 2003. The initiative, which coordinates agencies across the federal government and works with international partners, is credited with saving over 25 million lives, mainly in Africa.
The U.S. government supports multinational aid initiatives and aligns its operations with the Sustainable Development Goals. For example, the United States is a strong supporter of global vaccine initiatives. The United States supports Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, which works to increase immunization coverage and strengthen health systems. The United States also participates in the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) to improve health security worldwide.
Citations:
https://www.feedthefuture.gov/resource/2023-progress-snapshot/
https://www.feedthefuture.gov/resource/2023-progress-snapshot/
The government’s development cooperation strategy is only somewhat aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building in poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
5
Austria
Austria has long provided rhetorical support to agendas aimed at improving the global social balance. However, when it comes to actions such as spending public money to aid development in developing countries, Austria has been notably slow to fulfill its promises.
Recently, the government launched a new three-year Austrian development policy program for the period 2022 – 2024. According to the government, this program aims to open up sustainable life prospects for people in partner countries by fostering social and political stability, along with sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. The program was designed to provide development policy responses to evolving global challenges, including the war in Ukraine. As a first step, the budget for bilateral development aid was increased by €12 million to a total of €137 million, and the budget for humanitarian aid was raised by €20 million to €77.5 million.
An OECD mid-term review, published in early 2023, acknowledged the government’s three-year program as “a welcome step toward a more coordinated approach,” but deplored the absence of “a whole-of-government strategy.”
According to a more recent CARE announcement, Austria’s overall investments in this field – after reaching its highest-ever score in 2022 (0.39% of GDP) for Official Development Assistance – were set to fall to just 0.27% in 2024.
Recently, the government launched a new three-year Austrian development policy program for the period 2022 – 2024. According to the government, this program aims to open up sustainable life prospects for people in partner countries by fostering social and political stability, along with sustainable development in line with the 2030 Agenda. The program was designed to provide development policy responses to evolving global challenges, including the war in Ukraine. As a first step, the budget for bilateral development aid was increased by €12 million to a total of €137 million, and the budget for humanitarian aid was raised by €20 million to €77.5 million.
An OECD mid-term review, published in early 2023, acknowledged the government’s three-year program as “a welcome step toward a more coordinated approach,” but deplored the absence of “a whole-of-government strategy.”
According to a more recent CARE announcement, Austria’s overall investments in this field – after reaching its highest-ever score in 2022 (0.39% of GDP) for Official Development Assistance – were set to fall to just 0.27% in 2024.
Citations:
https://www.vindobona.org/article/austrian-government-adopts-new-three-year-program-for-development-policy
https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20231124_OTS0010/care-zum-budget-senkung-der-oda-quote-gibt-anlass-zur-sorge#:~:text=Erreichte%20%C3%96sterreich%202022%20mit%200,23%20Prozent%20zu%20fallen%20%E2%80%93%20das
https://www.oecd.org/dac/peer-reviews/web_letter_austria_mtr_2023.pdf
https://www.vindobona.org/article/austrian-government-adopts-new-three-year-program-for-development-policy
https://www.ots.at/presseaussendung/OTS_20231124_OTS0010/care-zum-budget-senkung-der-oda-quote-gibt-anlass-zur-sorge#:~:text=Erreichte%20%C3%96sterreich%202022%20mit%200,23%20Prozent%20zu%20fallen%20%E2%80%93%20das
https://www.oecd.org/dac/peer-reviews/web_letter_austria_mtr_2023.pdf
Belgium
Belgium is internationally recognized for its commitment to supporting countries in fragile situations and promoting gender equality, with a particular emphasis on sexual and reproductive health and rights. It advocates for multilateralism in addressing global issues and actively participates in the reform of the United Nations. Belgium’s development cooperation has been modernized, reaffirming its partnership with the private sector and promoting “digital for development” in fragile contexts. However, this has resulted in a proliferation of themes without clear priorities or explanations of how these themes interrelate.
Regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA), the National Centre for Cooperation Development (CNCD), which groups more than 70 NGOs, recently highlighted that Belgium, like most donor countries, is not meeting its commitment to allocate 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to ODA. Belgium’s development aid increased from 0.44% of GNI in 2021 to 0.45% in 2022, which is less than neighboring countries such as France (0.56%), the Netherlands (0.67%), Germany (0.83%), and Luxembourg (1%). Unlike these countries, Belgium has not included the costs of foreign students and Ukrainian refugees in its aid, except for Flanders. If these costs were included, the rate would have risen to between 0.55% and 0.6%. Moreover, Belgian Cooperation has mobilized additional funding to support Ukraine rather than redirecting ODA budgets as other European countries have done. The current government has agreed to the principle of budgetary growth to reach 0.7% of GNI in public development aid by 2030. However, this budgetary growth could be jeopardized by the upcoming June 2024 elections. In 2020, Belgian cooperation met the international target of allocating at least 0.15% of GNI to the so-called least developed countries. However, the CNCD considers that a proportion of ODA (12% in 2022) is “phantom aid,” that is, amounts counted as development aid according to OECD criteria, even though they do not finance projects in partner countries.
In terms of policy coherence for development (PCD), Belgium ranked 7th worst in the world according to the Spillover Index 2023. This ranking is mainly due to poor results in the following indicators: its imports involve the consumption of scarce water, significant SO2 and CO2 emissions, and threats to biodiversity. Conversely, it exports a large quantity of plastic waste. Finally, through its tax niches, it contributes to the displacement of multinationals’ profits. Despite these challenges, there are some positive aspects of Belgium’s development cooperation activities. Wallonia played a pioneering role alongside Scotland at COP 26 by announcing funding of €1 million to compensate for losses and damages in southern countries. The majority of Belgian aid is untied, meaning it is allocated without obligating the recipient country to use the aid for purchasing Belgian goods or supplies. Belgium was the first member state of the World Health Organization (WHO) to make a significant contribution to the COVID Technology Access Pool, aligning with the broader objective of supporting global equitable access to health products and technologies.
Regarding Official Development Assistance (ODA), the National Centre for Cooperation Development (CNCD), which groups more than 70 NGOs, recently highlighted that Belgium, like most donor countries, is not meeting its commitment to allocate 0.7% of Gross National Income (GNI) to ODA. Belgium’s development aid increased from 0.44% of GNI in 2021 to 0.45% in 2022, which is less than neighboring countries such as France (0.56%), the Netherlands (0.67%), Germany (0.83%), and Luxembourg (1%). Unlike these countries, Belgium has not included the costs of foreign students and Ukrainian refugees in its aid, except for Flanders. If these costs were included, the rate would have risen to between 0.55% and 0.6%. Moreover, Belgian Cooperation has mobilized additional funding to support Ukraine rather than redirecting ODA budgets as other European countries have done. The current government has agreed to the principle of budgetary growth to reach 0.7% of GNI in public development aid by 2030. However, this budgetary growth could be jeopardized by the upcoming June 2024 elections. In 2020, Belgian cooperation met the international target of allocating at least 0.15% of GNI to the so-called least developed countries. However, the CNCD considers that a proportion of ODA (12% in 2022) is “phantom aid,” that is, amounts counted as development aid according to OECD criteria, even though they do not finance projects in partner countries.
In terms of policy coherence for development (PCD), Belgium ranked 7th worst in the world according to the Spillover Index 2023. This ranking is mainly due to poor results in the following indicators: its imports involve the consumption of scarce water, significant SO2 and CO2 emissions, and threats to biodiversity. Conversely, it exports a large quantity of plastic waste. Finally, through its tax niches, it contributes to the displacement of multinationals’ profits. Despite these challenges, there are some positive aspects of Belgium’s development cooperation activities. Wallonia played a pioneering role alongside Scotland at COP 26 by announcing funding of €1 million to compensate for losses and damages in southern countries. The majority of Belgian aid is untied, meaning it is allocated without obligating the recipient country to use the aid for purchasing Belgian goods or supplies. Belgium was the first member state of the World Health Organization (WHO) to make a significant contribution to the COVID Technology Access Pool, aligning with the broader objective of supporting global equitable access to health products and technologies.
Citations:
operation Peer Reviews, Éditions OCDE, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/026f1aad-en
CNCD-11.11.11. 2023. Rapport 2023 sur la coopération belge au développement. Bruxelles: Office de publication du CNCD. Available at https://www.cncd.be/Rapport-2023-sur-la-cooperation
https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/politique-belge/2023/09/14/tous-nos-pays-voisins-ont-ete-plus-genereux-que-nous-la-belgique-stagne-loin-de-son-objectif-daide-au-developpement-WU4JAJNDDZCXVCTKN5CGTZSKQA
Spillover Index 2023: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings/spillovers
Press release by WHO on Belgium making a contribution to the COVID Technology Access Pool: https://www.who.int/news/item/16-12-2021-belgium-and-who-sign-new-agreement-to-increase-global-equitable-access-to-essential-health-products-and-technologies
https://www.cncd.be/-cooperation-au-developpement-
operation Peer Reviews, Éditions OCDE, Paris, https://doi.org/10.1787/026f1aad-en
CNCD-11.11.11. 2023. Rapport 2023 sur la coopération belge au développement. Bruxelles: Office de publication du CNCD. Available at https://www.cncd.be/Rapport-2023-sur-la-cooperation
https://www.lalibre.be/belgique/politique-belge/2023/09/14/tous-nos-pays-voisins-ont-ete-plus-genereux-que-nous-la-belgique-stagne-loin-de-son-objectif-daide-au-developpement-WU4JAJNDDZCXVCTKN5CGTZSKQA
Spillover Index 2023: https://dashboards.sdgindex.org/rankings/spillovers
Press release by WHO on Belgium making a contribution to the COVID Technology Access Pool: https://www.who.int/news/item/16-12-2021-belgium-and-who-sign-new-agreement-to-increase-global-equitable-access-to-essential-health-products-and-technologies
https://www.cncd.be/-cooperation-au-developpement-
Czechia
Czechia is not a significant player in international development, dedicating a relatively low share of GDP to development aid. Up to 2021, this share stood at 0.13% – one of the lowest among OECD countries – and rose to 0.36% in 2022, still below the OECD average. This aid includes a systematic and planned element administered and monitored by the Czech Development Agency under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agency has a strategy for the 2018–2030 period, allocating resources for humanitarian aid and transformation cooperation. Priority countries for development cooperation include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ethiopia, Moldova, Georgia, Cambodia, and Zambia. In 2022, 108 specific projects were supported, focusing on water resources, combating erosion, developing social protection and participation, education, and rural development. Czechia frequently collaborates with EU agencies, thereby gaining experience in development activities. However, total spending for all these projects was equivalent to only 0.006% of GDP.
Humanitarian aid in response to catastrophes and assistance to Ukraine, along with a large allocation for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, are provided under a separate assistance program. Other foreign aid programs operate under the responsibility of various ministries. This assistance includes economic and financial cooperation, security, cybersecurity, technical assistance, strengthening the capacity of universities in developing countries, and government development scholarships. Development projects are also implemented in cooperation with international organizations. Nevertheless, the total expenditure is small, and the systematically planned element appears very small relative to the country’s resources.
Humanitarian aid in response to catastrophes and assistance to Ukraine, along with a large allocation for Ukrainian refugees in Moldova, are provided under a separate assistance program. Other foreign aid programs operate under the responsibility of various ministries. This assistance includes economic and financial cooperation, security, cybersecurity, technical assistance, strengthening the capacity of universities in developing countries, and government development scholarships. Development projects are also implemented in cooperation with international organizations. Nevertheless, the total expenditure is small, and the systematically planned element appears very small relative to the country’s resources.
Citations:
http://www.czechaid.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/V%C3%BDro%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-zpr%C3%A1va_%C4%8CRA_2022.pdf
http://www.czechaid.cz/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/V%C3%BDro%C4%8Dn%C3%AD-zpr%C3%A1va_%C4%8CRA_2022.pdf
Greece
In the previous decade, the economic crisis led to significant cuts in public sector spending, which adversely affected Greece’s ability to provide official development assistance (ODA). From 2019 to 2022, Greece’s ODA as a percentage of GNI was among the lowest in the OECD. However, Greece periodically allocates funds to receive and host refugees and migrants from developing regions.
The General Secretariat of International Economic Relations and Openness, a dedicated unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, manages development assistance. This Secretariat, led by a government appointee, oversees the “Hellenic Aid” directorate, staffed by experienced civil servants.
In 2022, the Secretariat published Greece’s development strategy and roadmap for fostering international economic relations, titled the “2022 National Strategic Openness Plan.” This document outlines planned development assistance to countries with bilateral ties to Greece, including nations in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya), and Latin America (Argentina). While the plan is gradually being implemented, it is not legally binding.
As a newcomer to international development assistance, Greece’s systems are not yet fully developed. The government monitors the spending of allocated funds but lacks the capacity to track progress in capacity-building in recipient countries. Additionally, Greece does not have binding standards for collaborative actions aimed at global poverty reduction or a specific plan to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries.
In general, Greece has not played a leading role within the international development framework but has supported relevant EU initiatives in this area.
The General Secretariat of International Economic Relations and Openness, a dedicated unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, manages development assistance. This Secretariat, led by a government appointee, oversees the “Hellenic Aid” directorate, staffed by experienced civil servants.
In 2022, the Secretariat published Greece’s development strategy and roadmap for fostering international economic relations, titled the “2022 National Strategic Openness Plan.” This document outlines planned development assistance to countries with bilateral ties to Greece, including nations in the Western Balkans, the Middle East and North Africa (Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, and Libya), and Latin America (Argentina). While the plan is gradually being implemented, it is not legally binding.
As a newcomer to international development assistance, Greece’s systems are not yet fully developed. The government monitors the spending of allocated funds but lacks the capacity to track progress in capacity-building in recipient countries. Additionally, Greece does not have binding standards for collaborative actions aimed at global poverty reduction or a specific plan to facilitate knowledge-sharing and foster innovation in developing countries.
In general, Greece has not played a leading role within the international development framework but has supported relevant EU initiatives in this area.
Citations:
Τhe website of the General Secretariat of International Economic Relations and Openness: https://agora.mfa.gr/en/general-secretariat-of-international-economic-relations-and-openness
The website of the dedicated Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://hellenicaid.mfa.gr/z-geniki-diefthynsi-anaptyxiakis-kai-anthropistikis-arogis/
The 2022 National Plan, that includes details on development assistance from Greece to developing countries, is available at https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/extroversion-strategy-2022/GR/files/assets/common/downloads/Ethniko-Stratigiko-Sxedio-Exostrefeias-2022.pdf?uni=45a482e5121217ce4b53137003a3982
The Hellenic Aid Directorate issues an annual report on the results of its activities. The most recent one is from December 2023, covering 2022. The report is available at https://hellenicaid.mfa.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/%CE%95%CE%A4%CE%97%CE%A3%CE%99%CE%91-%CE%95%CE%9A%CE%98%CE%95%CE%A3%CE%97-2022-.pdf
Data on ODA is available from the OECD at https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLE1#.
Τhe website of the General Secretariat of International Economic Relations and Openness: https://agora.mfa.gr/en/general-secretariat-of-international-economic-relations-and-openness
The website of the dedicated Directorate of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://hellenicaid.mfa.gr/z-geniki-diefthynsi-anaptyxiakis-kai-anthropistikis-arogis/
The 2022 National Plan, that includes details on development assistance from Greece to developing countries, is available at https://www.enterprisegreece.gov.gr/extroversion-strategy-2022/GR/files/assets/common/downloads/Ethniko-Stratigiko-Sxedio-Exostrefeias-2022.pdf?uni=45a482e5121217ce4b53137003a3982
The Hellenic Aid Directorate issues an annual report on the results of its activities. The most recent one is from December 2023, covering 2022. The report is available at https://hellenicaid.mfa.gr/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/%CE%95%CE%A4%CE%97%CE%A3%CE%99%CE%91-%CE%95%CE%9A%CE%98%CE%95%CE%A3%CE%97-2022-.pdf
Data on ODA is available from the OECD at https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=TABLE1#.
Hungary
Hungary paid little attention to developing countries and joined the OECD’s Development Assistance Committee only in 2016. However, the government adopted a new development strategy in 2019.
The Hungarian government gradually increased its development assistance (ODA) until the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the curve has flattened. Development aid amounted to 0.28% of gross domestic income in 2022 ($428 million), less than the average for DAC countries but substantially above the share in 2010 (0.09%). Approximately 41.8% of total ODA was channeled through multilateral organizations, and 77% was supplied via the European Union. Although Hungarian development policy targets areas in the Middle East and Africa, the primary focus is on Europe, especially the Western Balkans and, recently, Ukraine. In 2022, $14.8 million went to aid Ukraine, making the country the biggest beneficiary. Beyond Europe, Syria, Vietnam, Jordan and Cabo Verde are the countries receiving the most funding. At the end of 2023, the Hungarian parliament approved sending 200 troops to Chad as part of a new mission (defence.hu 2023). The first OECD-DAC peer review (2023) acknowledges progress in Hungary’s contribution, especially in sustainable water management, one of Hungary’s development assistance priorities. Still, it also urged Hungary to reduce tensions between domestic and global objectives and called for institutional reform. A significant portion of the contribution is dedicated to scholarships, underscoring education as a central instrument and target. As project partners, particularly the Hungarian public sector, are involved, the share of NGOs as partners has been continuously reduced since 2019. This reduction pertains to the involvement of Hungarian CSOs, not CSOs in the targeted countries. Their involvement is growing. At the same time, the share devoted to public-private partnerships and the private sector is also increasing. These shifts in the program implementation landscape must be seen against the backdrop of the Hungarian government’s struggle with internationally financed CSOs and the Lex NGO, which has driven many CSOs away from state-directed programs. These developments are counterproductive for Hungarian development aid. Institutionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Department for Development Policy, staffed with around 150 civil servants, is responsible for brokering the policy. Since 2022, humanitarian assistance has also been institutionally located here. Implementing agencies are the Hungary Helps Agency and the Export-Import Bank. An interministerial coordination platform exists, but there is no consultation mechanism for stakeholders. Some consultations take place with the help of an umbrella body, the Hungarian Association of NGOs for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Here, reform and independent evaluations are needed.
The Hungarian government gradually increased its development assistance (ODA) until the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the curve has flattened. Development aid amounted to 0.28% of gross domestic income in 2022 ($428 million), less than the average for DAC countries but substantially above the share in 2010 (0.09%). Approximately 41.8% of total ODA was channeled through multilateral organizations, and 77% was supplied via the European Union. Although Hungarian development policy targets areas in the Middle East and Africa, the primary focus is on Europe, especially the Western Balkans and, recently, Ukraine. In 2022, $14.8 million went to aid Ukraine, making the country the biggest beneficiary. Beyond Europe, Syria, Vietnam, Jordan and Cabo Verde are the countries receiving the most funding. At the end of 2023, the Hungarian parliament approved sending 200 troops to Chad as part of a new mission (defence.hu 2023). The first OECD-DAC peer review (2023) acknowledges progress in Hungary’s contribution, especially in sustainable water management, one of Hungary’s development assistance priorities. Still, it also urged Hungary to reduce tensions between domestic and global objectives and called for institutional reform. A significant portion of the contribution is dedicated to scholarships, underscoring education as a central instrument and target. As project partners, particularly the Hungarian public sector, are involved, the share of NGOs as partners has been continuously reduced since 2019. This reduction pertains to the involvement of Hungarian CSOs, not CSOs in the targeted countries. Their involvement is growing. At the same time, the share devoted to public-private partnerships and the private sector is also increasing. These shifts in the program implementation landscape must be seen against the backdrop of the Hungarian government’s struggle with internationally financed CSOs and the Lex NGO, which has driven many CSOs away from state-directed programs. These developments are counterproductive for Hungarian development aid. Institutionally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its Department for Development Policy, staffed with around 150 civil servants, is responsible for brokering the policy. Since 2022, humanitarian assistance has also been institutionally located here. Implementing agencies are the Hungary Helps Agency and the Export-Import Bank. An interministerial coordination platform exists, but there is no consultation mechanism for stakeholders. Some consultations take place with the help of an umbrella body, the Hungarian Association of NGOs for Development and Humanitarian Aid. Here, reform and independent evaluations are needed.
Citations:
Hungarian Government. 2019. “A Magyar Kormány Nemzetközi Fejlesztési Együttműködési Stratégiáj a 2020 és 2025 közötti időszakra NEFE2025.” Budapest https://nefe.kormany.hu/download/7/8d/82000/NEFE2025%20-%20Strat%C3%A9gia.pdf
OECD. 2024. “Development Co-operation Profiles – Hungary.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/a80b014d-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/a80b014d-en
defence.hu. 2023. “Parliament approves sending of Hungarian military mission to Chad.” https://defence.hu/news/parliament-approves-sending-of-hungarian-military-mission-to-chad.html
Hungarian Government. 2019. “A Magyar Kormány Nemzetközi Fejlesztési Együttműködési Stratégiáj a 2020 és 2025 közötti időszakra NEFE2025.” Budapest https://nefe.kormany.hu/download/7/8d/82000/NEFE2025%20-%20Strat%C3%A9gia.pdf
OECD. 2024. “Development Co-operation Profiles – Hungary.” https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/a80b014d-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/a80b014d-en
defence.hu. 2023. “Parliament approves sending of Hungarian military mission to Chad.” https://defence.hu/news/parliament-approves-sending-of-hungarian-military-mission-to-chad.html
Israel
The agency responsible for international development is the Agency for International Development Cooperation (MASHAV). It is located within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agency is tasked with developing and implementing foreign aid policy. It provides guidance and consultation to various countries on issues where Israel has a relative advantage, such as agriculture, healthcare, education, innovation and entrepreneurship, and community planning. The agency trains local personnel on these issues and provides advice. Since its establishment in 1958, it has provided guidance to more than 350,000 people (MASHAV, 2024).
MASHAV’s main task is to facilitate access to knowledge and technology, either through training or consultation, as well as attract leaders from various fields to train in Israel.
In healthcare, MASHAV focuses on capacity-building, urgent care medicine, trauma care and mass casualty incidents, areas where Israel has a relative advantage. Additionally, in 2022, Israel established an emergency hospital in Poland near the border with Ukraine to assist refugees fleeing the war with Russia.
All activities are promoted in collaboration with local organizations and local leadership.
The department operates based on the United Nation’s 17 goals for international development, set in 2015 (SDGs). These also serve as the unit’s strategic goals.
The programs are not frequently monitored. While MASHAV publishes an annual report, the report only highlights the department’s various activities and does not evaluate any programs.
Israel’s funding for aid and development is low compared to other OECD countries. On average, Israel allocates $200–$250 million per year, which is only 0.07% of its GDP – the lowest share among OECD countries (OECD). To expand its activities, MASHAV collaborates with various international aid organizations.
MASHAV’s main task is to facilitate access to knowledge and technology, either through training or consultation, as well as attract leaders from various fields to train in Israel.
In healthcare, MASHAV focuses on capacity-building, urgent care medicine, trauma care and mass casualty incidents, areas where Israel has a relative advantage. Additionally, in 2022, Israel established an emergency hospital in Poland near the border with Ukraine to assist refugees fleeing the war with Russia.
All activities are promoted in collaboration with local organizations and local leadership.
The department operates based on the United Nation’s 17 goals for international development, set in 2015 (SDGs). These also serve as the unit’s strategic goals.
The programs are not frequently monitored. While MASHAV publishes an annual report, the report only highlights the department’s various activities and does not evaluate any programs.
Israel’s funding for aid and development is low compared to other OECD countries. On average, Israel allocates $200–$250 million per year, which is only 0.07% of its GDP – the lowest share among OECD countries (OECD). To expand its activities, MASHAV collaborates with various international aid organizations.
Citations:
Israel’s Agency for International Development (MASHAV). 2024. “MASHAV – Aid from Israel.” https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/generalpage/mashav-brief/en/PDF_ABOUT-MASHAV-ENGLISH.pdf
OECD. “Israel’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).” https://www.oecd.org/israel/israels-official-development-assistance.htm
Israel’s Agency for International Development (MASHAV). 2024. “MASHAV – Aid from Israel.” https://www.gov.il/BlobFolder/generalpage/mashav-brief/en/PDF_ABOUT-MASHAV-ENGLISH.pdf
OECD. “Israel’s Official Development Assistance (ODA).” https://www.oecd.org/israel/israels-official-development-assistance.htm
New Zealand
New Zealand’s commitment to reducing poverty and supporting social protection in low- and middle-income countries has been lagging. While New Zealand allocates a portion of its budget to official development assistance (ODA), it does not spend anywhere near the 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) recommended by the United Nations. In fact, ODA has declined in recent years, from 0.29% of GNI in 2018 to 0.23% in 2022 (OECD 2022).
Given its geographical proximity and historical ties, New Zealand places significant emphasis on providing aid and development assistance to Pacific island countries. About 60% of New Zealand’s foreign aid goes to the Pacific region (Neas 2022). It is important to highlight that ODA is driven, at least to some extent, by the political goal of countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific (Steff 2018).
In addition to budgeted ODA, New Zealand has also delivered immediate humanitarian aid to its Pacific neighbors – for example, after the Tonga volcano eruption in January 2022 (Livingstone 2022) and in the wake of Cyclone Lola in Vanuatu in October 2023 (RNZ 2023).
Given its geographical proximity and historical ties, New Zealand places significant emphasis on providing aid and development assistance to Pacific island countries. About 60% of New Zealand’s foreign aid goes to the Pacific region (Neas 2022). It is important to highlight that ODA is driven, at least to some extent, by the political goal of countering China’s growing influence in the Pacific (Steff 2018).
In addition to budgeted ODA, New Zealand has also delivered immediate humanitarian aid to its Pacific neighbors – for example, after the Tonga volcano eruption in January 2022 (Livingstone 2022) and in the wake of Cyclone Lola in Vanuatu in October 2023 (RNZ 2023).
Citations:
Livingstone, H. 2022. “New photos show Tonga tsunami devastation as first aid plane arrives from New Zealand.” The Guardian, January 20. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/new-photos-show-tonga-tsunami-devastation-as-some-phone-lines-restored
Neas, O. 2022. “Power Shifts: New Zealand Reconsiders Pacific Role as China’s Influence Grows.” The Guardian, April 1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/01/power-shifts-new-zealand-reconsiders-pacific-role-as-chinas-influence-grows
OECD. 2022. “OECD Data: Net ODA.” https://data.oecd.org/oda/net-oda.htm
RNZ. 2023. “NZ Government Announces $450,000 Aid for Vanuatu after ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola.” 30 October. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/501327/nz-government-announces-450-000-aid-for-vanuatu-after-ex-tropical-cyclone-lola
Steff, R. 2018. “New Zealand’s Pacific Reset: Strategic Anxieties about Rising China.” The Conversation, June 1. https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-pacific-reset-strategic-anxieties-about-rising-china-97174
Livingstone, H. 2022. “New photos show Tonga tsunami devastation as first aid plane arrives from New Zealand.” The Guardian, January 20. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/20/new-photos-show-tonga-tsunami-devastation-as-some-phone-lines-restored
Neas, O. 2022. “Power Shifts: New Zealand Reconsiders Pacific Role as China’s Influence Grows.” The Guardian, April 1. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/01/power-shifts-new-zealand-reconsiders-pacific-role-as-chinas-influence-grows
OECD. 2022. “OECD Data: Net ODA.” https://data.oecd.org/oda/net-oda.htm
RNZ. 2023. “NZ Government Announces $450,000 Aid for Vanuatu after ex-Tropical Cyclone Lola.” 30 October. https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/political/501327/nz-government-announces-450-000-aid-for-vanuatu-after-ex-tropical-cyclone-lola
Steff, R. 2018. “New Zealand’s Pacific Reset: Strategic Anxieties about Rising China.” The Conversation, June 1. https://theconversation.com/new-zealands-pacific-reset-strategic-anxieties-about-rising-china-97174
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Slovakia
The coordinators of Slovak development aid are the Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, the Directorate-General for Economic and Development Cooperation, and the Department for Development Assistance and Humanitarian Aid. The Coordinating Committee for Development Cooperation serves as the interministerial body for development cooperation. The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (SAIDC) implements Slovak development cooperation. The legal basis is Law 392/2015 on development cooperation. The “Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2019–2023” provides the main framework, aligning with the SDG goals but not clearly defining capacity-building targets for recipient countries or binding budget allocations.
Slovak development aid has a regional focus. During 2019–2023, it targeted three program countries – Kenya, Moldova, and Georgia – as well as four partner regions and one partner country. These include the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia); EU Eastern Partnership countries (Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine); Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda); and the Middle East (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan).
Official documents define poverty reduction measures in a very general way, perhaps due to the common view that domestic poverty should be addressed first using EU funds, undermining public support for development cooperation (Jankowski, 2018; Gažovic and Profant, 2015).
Slovak development aid is delivered in six sectors: education, healthcare, good governance and civil society building, food security and agriculture, infrastructure and sustainable use of natural resources, and support for creating a market environment.
Slovakia’s official development aid for 2022 was as follows:
Bilateral ODA: €38,906,106.80
Multilateral ODA: €123,843,244.32
Total ODA: €162,755,840.89
ODA to GDP: 0.153%
The state budget situation is the primary determinant of the total amount of Slovak development aid. The financial plan outlined by the Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2019-2023 is only tentative.
The extent to which the Slovak government improves access to technology, scientific knowledge, essential medicines, vaccines, and healthcare services depends on the specific content of the calls for projects and the proposals submitted by the winners.
Slovak development aid has a regional focus. During 2019–2023, it targeted three program countries – Kenya, Moldova, and Georgia – as well as four partner regions and one partner country. These include the Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia); EU Eastern Partnership countries (Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine); Eastern Sub-Saharan Africa (Burundi, Ethiopia, Eritrea, South Sudan, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda); and the Middle East (Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Afghanistan).
Official documents define poverty reduction measures in a very general way, perhaps due to the common view that domestic poverty should be addressed first using EU funds, undermining public support for development cooperation (Jankowski, 2018; Gažovic and Profant, 2015).
Slovak development aid is delivered in six sectors: education, healthcare, good governance and civil society building, food security and agriculture, infrastructure and sustainable use of natural resources, and support for creating a market environment.
Slovakia’s official development aid for 2022 was as follows:
Bilateral ODA: €38,906,106.80
Multilateral ODA: €123,843,244.32
Total ODA: €162,755,840.89
ODA to GDP: 0.153%
The state budget situation is the primary determinant of the total amount of Slovak development aid. The financial plan outlined by the Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2019-2023 is only tentative.
The extent to which the Slovak government improves access to technology, scientific knowledge, essential medicines, vaccines, and healthcare services depends on the specific content of the calls for projects and the proposals submitted by the winners.
Citations:
Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí. 2019. “Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2019 – 2023.” https://slovakaid.sk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/strednodoba_strategia_rozvojovej_spoluprace_eng_2019-2023_644_stran_final.pdf
Zákon o rozvojovej spolupráci. 2015. https://www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2015-392
Annual ODA report Slovakia, 2022. https://slovakaid.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sprava-o-rozvojovej-spolupraci-Slovenskej-republiky-za-rok-2022.pdf
Jankowski, B. 2018. “Changes in the European Development Policy after 2020. Conclusions for the Visegrad Group.” Online Journal Modelling the New Europe 26: 52–77.
Gažovic, O., and Profant, T. 2015. “Slovakia: A Donor Against Its Will?” In O. Horký and S. Lightfoot, eds., Development Cooperation of the ‘New’ EU Member States, 64-81. Palgrave Macmillan.
Ministerstvo zahraničných vecí. 2019. “Medium-Term Strategy for Development Cooperation of the Slovak Republic for 2019 – 2023.” https://slovakaid.sk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/strednodoba_strategia_rozvojovej_spoluprace_eng_2019-2023_644_stran_final.pdf
Zákon o rozvojovej spolupráci. 2015. https://www.zakonypreludi.sk/zz/2015-392
Annual ODA report Slovakia, 2022. https://slovakaid.sk/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Sprava-o-rozvojovej-spolupraci-Slovenskej-republiky-za-rok-2022.pdf
Jankowski, B. 2018. “Changes in the European Development Policy after 2020. Conclusions for the Visegrad Group.” Online Journal Modelling the New Europe 26: 52–77.
Gažovic, O., and Profant, T. 2015. “Slovakia: A Donor Against Its Will?” In O. Horký and S. Lightfoot, eds., Development Cooperation of the ‘New’ EU Member States, 64-81. Palgrave Macmillan.
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The government’s development cooperation strategy is not all aligned with the goal of improving capacity-building for poverty reduction in low- and middle-income countries.
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