From aid effectiveness to development effectiveness

Increasing the impact of EU development policy

The EU’s ‘Agenda for Change’ is a new framework for development cooperation. Future EU spending will concentrate on sectors that are key for long-term and inclusive growth, target countries in the greatest need of external support, and focus on those areas where aid can make a difference. The sectors comprising the foundation for sustainable growth include good governance, agriculture and food security, and clean energy.

The Agenda for Change, announced in October 2011, advocates more effective budget support to partner countries that meet eligibility requirements, including:

A stable macroeconomic framework;
National and sector policies and reforms focusing on sustainable growth and reducing poverty; and
Public financial management within a sound institutional, legislative and regulatory framework.

EU Commissioner for Development, Andris Piebalgs, says more attention will be given to a country’s record on democratic governance, particularly regarding human rights and gender – moving the EU from ‘aid effectiveness’ to ‘development effectiveness’.

The Agenda for Change also calls for a more coordinated approach to EU action, as well as development strategies led by the partner country in line with the principles of partnership and ownership. The Commissioner explains:

‘We must keep pace with changing realities in the world and adapt the way we fight poverty as a result . . . we [must] refocus our aid priorities to ensure that countries are on track to achieving sustainable and inclusive growth. I want to make sure that every euro reaches those that need it most. Fighting poverty abroad is the EU’s “insurance policy” for a more stable and prosperous world.’

The Post-Busan Framework

In Busan, from 29 November to 1 December, more than 2 000 delegates reviewed global progress in improving the impact and effectiveness of aid, and made commitments to set a new agenda for development. The Forum followed meetings in Rome, Paris and Accra that helped transform aid relationships between donors and partners into true vehicles for development cooperation.

European Development Days (EDD11) took place just two weeks after the Fourth High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Busan, Korea, giving participants a timely opportunity to reflect upon and assess progress to date.

EDD11 was held in Warsaw, Poland, 15-16 December 2011. The theme was ‘Development and Democracy’. www.eudevdays.eu

High-Level Panels at EDD11

Panels which focused on Development Effectiveness

December 15

South-South and Triangular Cooperation: Competition or Complementarity for Development Effectiveness?

Aid Effectiveness and Accountability in the Post-Busan Framework

Spotlight on Decentralisation: Strengthening Local Governance and Accountability Mechanisms

December 16

Democratic Ownership After Busan: The Role of Parliaments and Civil Society

Related links:

Read the European Commission’s Communication on EU Development Policy: An Agenda for Change

Read the European Commission’s Communication on Budget Support

Watch EU Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs’ video messages

Read the press release

Quotes

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Mwencha Erastus says:

'This unique challenge is inherent in the triangular cooperation setting. That is why making sure countries can identify via means other than political overtones is the best route to take.'

Simas Magalhães Carlos Alberto says:

'Having a shared language lets you work in the language of the country, which is crucial when working with very underprivileged people who need to be understood. Sharing a language creates a powerful level of...

Makokha Eric says:

‘Putting people themselves in the decision based process. People choose to live in slums because they have to be close to their work so they can walk as they don’t have money to pay for transport.’

Makokha Eric says:

'[We] need to involve the local people when deciding on housing so that locals who have a living in the area are not marginalised.’

Delmoitiez Jacques says:

'Political governance is important. There are two diseases in Africa, malaria and corruption. We have a solution for one but not for the other.'

Karman Tawakkul says:

‘You have to be strong; you have to trust yourself that you can bring down the dictatorship regime and build a new country. You have to be part of building your country. We know that anything that you dream can happen....

Stanowski Krzysztof says:

'The most recent events from Belarus to Africa and the Middle East and even Burma, mark a process of change. All this proves that we do require a change of policy regarding development.'

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Today the Arab Spring continues to remind us that others still yearn for freedom and a better future. And as we look to the future, governance, democracy and human rights will form a central part of our vision for...

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Development policy can lead to better governance; and better governance can be a crucial factor in poverty reduction. So development and democracy should go hand in hand.'

Piebalgs Andris says:

'We will focus more on budget support as a contractual partnership and a vector for change in promoting, inter alia, human rights and good governance and the fight against corruption and fraud. Human rights will...

Piebalgs Andris says:

'Millions of Europeans, including me, grew up not knowing how it felt to live in an open society, with freedoms and opportunities… So our readiness to help partner countries along the path towards better...

Otunbaeva Roza Isakovna says:

'The second revolution in 2010 was, some people say, the precursor to the Arab Spring. We paid a very high price. But one year after, we have a government. And we are not against dissidents and we are not closing...

Grynspan Rebeca says:

'This commitment requires leaders to be forward thinking – to think about the next generation and not only the next election. The long and short term start together – and we cannot postpone the long-term until...

Ebadi Prof. Shirin says:

'I urge the EU, please do not have trade relations or conduct shameful trade deals with non-democratic countries, as this does nothing but help these evil regimes to further suppress their people.'

Muna Akere says:

'Although it is not too late to prevent the waters from rising, we will ultimately fail if we do nothing to stop the tide of corruption. Accountable aid is effective aid.'

Walesa Lech says:

'Democracy shall not be sustainable without responsibility.'

Walesa Lech says:

'I have 3 major questions – what should be the economic system, both serving the EU and the globalized world tomorrow? Certainly not the capitalist system we have in place today. A free market economy is...

Saakashvili Mikheil says: