Spanish development cooperation: right on track or missing the mark?
Since 2004, Spanish development cooperation has undergone rapid reform. Spain has increased development funding in an unprecedented manner. Based on the 2004 Government plans, this report documents the results three years later.
The report begins by describing the current shifts in international development policy, and shows that Spain has moved decisively towards the mainstream in development policy. The reports then ranks ten policy areas using a traffic light system. It finds that progress has been made in planning, building connections with the Spanish public, implementing a poverty-reduction focus in the handling of debt, and in international by leadership in linking migration and development. Yet, perhaps the most pressing task – the reform of aid delivery institutions – has been tackled too hesitantly.
Against this background, the report puts forward the following recommendations:
- the Government should move towards more measurable and operational planning
- Spain should consider its comparative advantages and its position within a complementary European development cooperation system based on the division of labour
- a more open and consultative approach towards policy development is needed and, to that end, the Development Council and the Parliamentary Commission should become the centrepieces for a strategic engagement with civil society and academia.
