Projects
Harmonisation & democratisation
Accra, the day after
By Sarah-Lea John de Sousa, Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (23/10/2008)
In an interview with Radio Nederland, three FRIDE researchers answer questions after the Accra High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Perspectives for the global governance of aid
By Nils-Sjard Schulz (29/09/2008)
 |
| Nils-Sjard Schulz |
The III High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra is another landmark in the creation of a system of global governance of aid. This document outlines the implications of Accra for aid relationships and describes the technical issues which are most relevant to the Paris agenda.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Building the global governance of aid
By Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (22/08/2008)
Between 2 and 4 September 2008, the international development community gathered in Accra (Ghana) in order to discuss the progress of and future steps for aid effectiveness.
Strengthening Women's Citizenship: Sierra Leone
By Clare Castillejo (14/08/2008)
Strengthening the citizenship of poor women and ensuring their rights and participation in governance represents a major challenge for the development community. The case of Sierra Leone demonstrates that processes of state-building can be used to strengthen women’s citizenship and provide women with new rights and opportunities for participation in decision-making.
Issouf Sanogo/AFP/Getty Images
The aid effectiveness agenda and decentralised cooperation
By Miguel González Martín (30/07/2008)
 |
| Atelier Teee, Flickr |
Decentralised cooperation represents approximately 15 percent of total Spanish ODA. To its significant quantitative reach must also be added the important institutional development which it has experienced in recent years through autonomous legislation, strategic planning, the creation of new agencies and the opening of new offices and expatriation of personnel.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Democratic ownership and mutual accountability
By Paolo de Renzio, Lucy Hayes, Stefan Meyer, Felix Zimmermann (22/07/2008)
2008 is a milestone for delivery on the promises of more aid, more equal donor-recipient relations and a more inclusive process of development policy-making in the South. This conference series brought the international debate to Spain and contrasted Spanish aid reform with that of the international mainstream.
Brazil as a new international development actor
By Sarah-Lea John de Sousa (15/07/2008)
Brazil’s position in the global system is marked by different factors: Being aware of its hybrid position between the North and the South, and the external perceptions that identifies Brazil as an important and crucial country for the regional stability and development (concept anchor country launched for example by the German Development Agency), Brazil projects its global identity as a “voice” for the developing world in crucial international debates. In this context, Brazil refuses to be seen as a donor, but identifies itself as a partner for development.
Financing for gender equality
By Ana Lydia Fernández-Layos (18/06/2008)
The 52nd Session of the Commission on the Status of Women in February and March 2008 made the integration of gender perspectives in international development aid a priority. Taking a civil society standpoint, this comment article explores the key issues being negotiated and proposes courses of action to move forward with the promotion of gender equality.
Gary.fotu in Flickr
Harmonisation & democratisation
Ownership with adjectives
By Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (03/06/2008)
This synthesis report is the final product of a FRIDE research project which aimed at understanding the impact of donor harmonisation on democratisation processes in recipient countries. It is based on four case studies (Mali, Nicaragua, Peru and Vietnam) and explores the political implications of the aid effectiveness agenda and particularly of the new aid modalities.
AFP/Getty Images
Harmonisation & democratisation
The impact of aid policies on domestic democratisation processes: the case of Mali
By Hamidou Magassa, Stefan Meyer (28/04/2008)
Mali has all the characteristics that attract aid – high poverty rates, reasonable governance indicators and a difficult geographical environment. Whilst being formally democratic, not much success has been achieved in the alleviation of poverty and the construction of effective state institutions. Donors still set the agenda, but Malian actors gain influence in downstream implementation. This paper argues that, beyond technical adjustments, donors should analyse the political context of informal politics in Mali and take into account the strengthening of oversight mechanisms.
AFP / Getty Images
From Beijing to Paris: the relevance of gender equality for aid effectiveness
By Carmen de la Cruz (10/04/2008)
Harmonisation & democratisation
Peru: the kingdom of the NGO?
By Enrique Alasino (12/02/2008)
Peru is not an aid-dependent country, but its historically high levels of government control over the political system and attempts to tailor foreign aid to presidential programmes have generated a particular understanding of the Paris Agenda. Government is at odds with Peruvian civil society, and while the government pushes to make political use of aid, NGOs refuse to link up with public policies or universal welfare systems. Aid agencies must try to adapt to this context to ensure both ownership and diversity.
Aurora/Getty Images
Harmonisation & democratisation
The Nicaragua challenge: upholding the Paris agenda in an agitated setting
By Claudia Pineda, Nils-Sjard Schulz (31/01/2008)
As part of a FRIDE research project on the impact of donor harmonisation in the democratisation process of partner countries, this case study examines the efforts of donors to put the principles of the Paris Declaration into effect in Nicaragua and finds that the donor community needs to improve its understanding of the political-institutional context in which harmonisation takes place.
Photo by Robert Croma
Harmonisation & democratisation
Donor harmonisation and democratisation: are donors fit for politics?
By Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (07/12/2007)
On 23 November 2007, FRIDE staged a seminar in Madrid to debate the results of its research project, "Donor Harmonisation: Between Effectiveness and Democratisation". The main objective was to identify politically sensitive strategies that could be employed by donors in an increasingly complex political-institutional environment.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Nicaragua: a rude awakening for the Paris Declaration
By Nils-Sjard Schulz (21/11/2007)
 |
| Photo by Robert Croma |
Harmonisation & democratisation
Country ownership and donor harmonisation: the Vietnamese experience
By Le Thanh Forsberg (20/11/2007)
Donor harmonisation and aid effectiveness top the agenda of the government and the donor community in Vietnam, a pilot country for the Paris Declaration as well as for new aid modalities and policy dialogue mechanisms. The Vietnamese government has adopted strong ownership, making it very attractive for donors to advance towards deeper harmonisation and alignment.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Donor harmonisation: between effectiveness and democratisation. Theoretical framework and methodology for country case studies
By Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (01/10/2007)
As the academic basis for the research project entitled "Donor harmonisation: Between effectiveness and democratisation" FRIDE presents (in draft version) the analytical and conceptual framework and the methodologies for the upcoming country studies on Mali, Nicaragua, Peru and Vietnam.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Vietnam's laboratory on donor harmonisation: between effectiveness and democratisation
By María Delfina Alcaide, Silvia Sanz-Ramos (27/09/2007)
Vietnam has some important lessons, both for providers of ODA and the recipient countries they work with, when it comes to donor harmonisation. In this case study the authors analyse the noteworthy achievements of the main actors in a nation that is breaking new ground in its drive for development.
Harmonisation & democratisation
Donor harmonization and democratisation: new challenges for the development agenda
By Stefan Meyer, Nils-Sjard Schulz (10/09/2007)
FRIDE hosted a round-table with different stakeholders of the Spanish development cooperation in order to present the progresses in the research project on the impacto of harmonization in democracy.
Spanish development cooperation: right on track or missing the mark?
By Stefan Meyer (27/07/2007)
An in-depth look at Spain’s contribution to the development of poorer nations and inquires into where it has improved and in what areas it is still coming up short. This is the final report of a wider project reviewing Spanish Development Cooperation which can be found at Foro AOD (Official Development Aid).
Division of labour among European donors: allotting the pie or committing to effectiveness?
By Nils-Sjard Schulz (15/05/2007)
European donors have already a Code of Conduct that spans perspectives, but also exposes the weaknesses of the current system.
(Photo by Kim Carter)
Sierra Leone: Reconstructing a Patrimonial State
By Stefan Meyer (12/03/2007)
Sierra Leone is counted as a success case for peace-building. The impacts of aid on institution building and fostering democratic change seems to be more ambiguous. This is one of four case studies that examine the effects of donor interventions on the capacities and opportunities of the poor as part of the project on promoting empowerment in post-conflict contexts.
Publishing groups: Empowerment
Climate change and development cooperation
By Elena Domínguez Salinas (14/02/2007)
Climate change causes more vulnerability in low-income countries than in the responsible countries of the North. Thus, developed countries have an obligation to act and combine measures of poverty reduction with climate change control and adaptation to its effects.
Germany's Double Presidency: any novelty for the international development agenda?
By Nils-Sjard Schulz (22/01/2007)
Germany´s double presidency (Council of Europe and G-8) creates rather lukewarm expectations for European development policies.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Fragile States - Options for Spain
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (15/01/2007)
This backgrouder discusses the notion of “human security” between neo-colonial interventionism and empowerment of local populations.
Post-conflict as seen by the Victims
By Paula San Pedro (26/12/2006)
Currently, more than 30 countries in the world find themselves in an extremely dangerous situation. In 2005, there were around 15 countries in conflict and
50 were trying to come out of a crisis.
Publishing groups: Empowerment
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Challenges for Spanish development cooperation: towards an endogenous evaluation Model
By Publicaciones ForoAOD, Nils-Sjard Schulz (22/12/2006)
Evaluation practices are still new and fragmented in Spain. The current, extensive reform process in the Spanish Aid system represents an almost unique opportunity - as well as an obligation - for evaluation.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Spain's Foreign and Cooperation Policy in Equatorial Guinea
By Publicaciones FRIDE (15/12/2006)
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Institutions, economic development and aid
By Pablo Bandeira, Publicaciones ForoAOD (14/12/2006)
One of the substantial dimensions of development is economic growth. But: What policies and institutions foster growth and which one generate poverty and inequalities? The answer of the Spanish Master Plan is the alignment with the recipient countries policies and the not further specified commitment to improve monitoring and evaluation.
The individual as an agent of change: the empowerment process
By Paula San Pedro (12/12/2006)
Publishing groups: Empowerment
Empowerment in Practice: post-conflict scenarios
By Paula San Pedro (11/12/2006)
FRIDE has started the project "Promoting empowerment in post-conflict scenarios" with the establishment of an analytical framework that constitutes the base of the consecutive stages of the project.
Publishing groups: Empowerment
Challenges for spanish cooperation
The Plan Africa: limits and opportunities of the Spanish development cooperation
By Publicaciones ForoAOD, Nils-Sjard Schulz (27/11/2006)
Spanish Africa strategy between foreign policy and development cooperation.
Lessons learnt from donors in post-conflict situations: instruments, policies, strategies and mechanisms to be applied
By Alejandro Bendaña, Publicaciones FRIDE (24/10/2006)
Challenges for spanish cooperation
The added value of NGO
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (18/10/2006)
The role of development NGO between service provision and advocacy.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
On the Spanish Africa Plan
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (25/09/2006)
A first comprehensive plan positions Spain’s diplomatic, security, trade, migration and developmental stance towards Africa.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
The Plan Africa 2006-2008 - issues for debate
By Jokin Alberdi Bidaguren, Eduardo Bidaurratzaga Aurre, Publicaciones ForoAOD (25/09/2006)
The Spanish Africa Plan lacks coherence and does not prioritize.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Policy Coherence with Development Objectives in Spain
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (17/07/2006)
Statement by the Secretary of State for International Development: on policy coherence in Spain.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Coherence for development: economic recommendations for Spain
By Publicaciones ForoAOD, Iliana Olivié (17/07/2006)
The ways to ensure coherence in development policies in Spain include the drawing up of a White Book as well as the improvement of coordination mechanisms within the public institutions.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Working on policy coherence for development - the Dutch experience
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (17/07/2006)
In Dutch development policy, Policy Coherence for Development has been a priority for quite some time now.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
The long road to coherence
By Marta Arias, Publicaciones ForoAOD (17/07/2006)
A critical view on the achievements on policy coherence for development in Spain.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Multilateralism
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (17/07/2006)
What are the comparative advantages of financing development via multilaterals? Which kind of aid is better managed multilaterally and which kind is better with a bilateral focus?
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Spain's current multilateral development co-operation policy
By Publicaciones ForoAOD, Christian Freres (17/07/2006)
Personal thoughts from inside the system on preconditions for an effective multilateralism in development cooperation.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
A multilateral development policy for Spain
By José Manuel Albares, Publicaciones ForoAOD (17/07/2006)
Thoughts from a diplomat about effective multilateralism.
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Harmonisation within the Spanish development cooperation framework - some ideas for debate
By Ana Alcalde, Publicaciones ForoAOD (10/07/2006)
There are two essential elements that may facilitate harmonisation in the near future: the recent passing of the Agencies Law and the progressive increasing of Spanish Aid channelled through mechanisms such as General Budget Support and the Sector-wide approaches (SWAP).
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Aid harmonization - the Spanish view
By Publicaciones ForoAOD (10/07/2006)
Statement by the Secretary of State for International Development on aid harmonization.
Harmonisation: The centre piece in the development effectiveness jigsaw
By Stefan Meyer (15/05/2006)
Development aid has long been identified with development workers and agencies, operating in poor countries, providing services, building infrastructure, training people and so on. For a long time, the main mode of provision has been the project, and it still is for many agencies. Starting in the 90s, multiple shifts in development concepts reshuffled aid modalities and instruments that are now slowly settling down in a new regime of international aid.
Empowerment
By Publicaciones FRIDE (09/05/2006)
Many of the theories associated with empowerment have examined the idea of power, its use and its distribution, as a key point in understanding social transformation. The origins of the theories on power date back to the 1970s.
Publishing groups: Empowerment
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Towards a New Effective Multilateralism in Aid
By Stefan Meyer (08/05/2006)
Spain has pledged to increase the multilateral share of its development aid. This papers argues why, when and how this should be done, ending with recommendations about preparing Spanish aid for a more effective multilateral contribution.
The recent WTO summit held in Hong Kong: a real opportunity for development?
By Paula San Pedro (10/01/2006)
Challenges for spanish cooperation
An approach to the Aid paradigm in favour of saharaui refugees: three Keys
By Silvia Hidalgo (12/12/2005)
Rich countries under scrutiny. Their commitment is tested by an index: the CDI
By Paula San Pedro (12/07/2005)
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Is the sectoral approach an effective instrument for co-operation? the case of spanish cooperation
By Paula San Pedro (07/06/2005)
Challenges for spanish cooperation
Towards a new Spanish cooperation
By Silvia Hidalgo (08/12/2004)
This report presents a series of proposals, which were originated and compared in a participative process through the comparative analysis of bilateral donors, with the aim of helping the current administration design and execute a coherent plan of action for international development, the reduction of poverty and humanitarian aid.
