Options for architectural reform for EU development cooperation

First published on the Euforic Blog

A recent ODI Background Note looks at key issues of EU development cooperation which will be decided upon in the remaining months of 2009. The paper assumes that the Lisbon Treaty will come into force on January 1 2010 after a positive Irish referendum in October.

This implies that key decisions need to be taken, including the appointment of the Council President, the High Commissioner for Foreign and Security Policy as well as the creation of the European External Action Service.

“Although the institutional location and the role of the new High Representative are outlined in the Lisbon Treaty, the question remains as to how the role will be balanced with the triple Presidencies – those of the European Council, the Council of Ministers and the Commission.”

According to the authors the High Representative could be improve EU stabilization efforts in the areas of conflict prevention, crisis management and post-conflict and institution building. However, the political influence of this post over development cooperation could lead to a policy which might be overridden by short-term foreign policy goals.

The paper also provides three models for a future Commission structure. The first model describes an overarching DG International Development with ACP countries, Asia, Latin America, the neighbourhood, the Middle East and former Soviet Union under one roof and a broad mandate managing all aspects of the program cycle as well as humanitarian aid. The second model would combine all regions as well plus the aid programming. However the neighbourhood and enlargement policies as well as humanitarian aid would stay separate. The third model proposes a DG for development policy, programming and humanitarian aid. Here programming and implementation would be separated in different DGs. Also part of this suggestion is a DG for the EU neighbourhood and enlargement policy.

Irrespective of the model that will be preferred, the authors underline that:

“[i]n any model [...] an important principle and lesson learned from the current set-up will be to avoid, or at least reduce, the creation of conflicting and overlapping portfolios in the Commission.”

The paper is one of the outcomes of the ODI European Development Cooperation Support Programme.

See the Euforic newsfeed and dossier on EU development cooperation and management.

See also EADI’s EDC2020 project on the future of EC development policy and cooperation

 

German NGOs criticize military engagement in reconstructing Afghanistan

First published on the Euforic Blog

Venro, the German Association of NGDOs, criticize (pdf in German) the so called ‘Provincial Reconstruction Teams (PRTs) in Afghanistan under German command.

The teams, which usually consist of 250-300 soldiers plus some civil experts, aim to promote security and stability in the Afghan provinces and actively engage in reconstruction and humanitarian assistance, security sector reform and political dialogue with the Afghan population. According to Venro, these measures are meant to enhance the acceptance of the military thus increase force protection.

The German NGOs claim that the overlap of military and civil activities spoils the neutrality of NGOs thus worsening their security situation. While development actors are strictly guided by a humanitarian imperative, the German military which is increasingly engaging in combat missions follows clear political interests thus is part of the conflict environment.

The authors quote a statement by the International Red Cross: “The distinction between humanitarian, political and military action becomes blurred when armed forces are perceived as being humanitarian actors, when civilians are embedded into military structures, and when the impression is created that humanitarian organizations and their personnel are merely tools within integrated approaches to conflict management. “

The report demands that the German military concentrates on stabilizing and security activities which should primarily serve the Afghan population and leave humanitarian aid, reconstruction and development assistance to civil actors.

The report further argues that the advantages for force protection due to reconstruction activities of the military are hardly evident and are clearly outweighed by the risks for civil personnel. Additionally Venro demands a military exit strategy which would increase the credibility by showing that the international community is striving to bring peace and security to Afghanistan and does not only look for its own strategic interests.

by Martin Behrens

See the Euforic news alert and dossier for more on peace and security.

See also Euforic’s dossier and news alert on German’s international cooperation activities.

 

Poland’s Development Cooperation in 2007

First published on the Euforic Blog

Poland belongs to the group of new ‘donors’ in development cooperation. Some years ago it was still benefiting from external aid programmes. Now it contributes 2,5% to the European Development Fund, the largest amount among the new Member States and even more than established donors like Finland, Austria or Ireland.

The recently published 2007 Aid Report by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs shows further progress on Poland’s way to become a significant donor in international cooperation. In 2007, 0,09% of the GDP was spent on ODA, an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. Additionally USD 1.57 million were allotted to humanitarian aid and USD 1.08 million spend for food aid.

Polish aid is channeled multilaterally or bilaterally to developing countries and those under social and economic transformation. In line with the international development discourse, the report states that the Polish government is committed to concentrate on few target countries and a few sectors. Priority countries are Afghanistan, Angola, Georgia, Iraq, Moldova, the Palestine Authorities, Belarus, Ukraine, and Tanzania. However bilateral aid projects in 2007 were conducted in more than 90 countries.

53% of Polish Aid is channeled to multilateral organizations. Bilateral aid is provided through projects, financial aid (in 2007 preferential credits went to China, Montenegro, Uzbekistan and Nicaragua) and scholarships (mainly to Belarus).

According to the authors, the awareness and support among Polish citizens regarding the country’s development cooperation is increasing. Considerable amounts were spent on development education projects and promotional activities. Furthermore the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs commenced preparations to launch a Polish Aid Volunteering Program to give Polish volunteers wider opportunities to work in developing countries.

See the Euforic newsfeed and dossier on Polish Development Cooperation

 

Development assistance in France and Germany – a plea for more cooperation

First published on the Euforic Blog

Harmonization and donor coordination are high priorities on the development agenda in Europe. A recent paper (pdf in German) by the ‘German Council on Foreign Relations’ (DGAP) explores the issue using the example of bilateral cooperation between France and Germany.

The paper describes the institutional framework which is the basis of the their development cooperation and sheds light on their policy priorities and regional focus. The authors come to the conclusion that both states hold a genuine position among European donor countries which is characterized by their absolute spending on development cooperation on bilateral, European and multilateral level, and their influence on the policy making of the European Union.

They show that close cooperation between the French and German administrations already exists through the so called Elysée Treaty, i.e. cooperation between the implementation agencies AFD and KfW. There is also regional cooperation, especially in the West African region.

The authors suggest a stronger focus on institutional reform in both countries to increase aid effectiveness and plea for even closer cooperation between France and Germany to accelerate the EU reform process and enhance cooperation between member states.

by Martin Behrens

Visit Euforic dossiers on French and German cooperation / Sign up for news alerts on French and German cooperation.