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Key Text Synthesis Paper on Good Practice: The Challenge for Donors

Author: OECD
Date: 2006
Size: 49 pages (385 KB)

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Summary

Fragile states usually fail to deliver basic services. At the same time, state fragility can be reduced by programmes to improve service delivery systems. This draft synthesis paper from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) argues that the linkages between fragility and services - notably around relationships of accountability - create the opportunity for donors to address both service delivery and governance through integrated or linked approaches. Such approaches must take into account the dynamic nature of fragile states. Donors thus need to constantly study the specific country context.

Donors need to create programmes for fragile states that have the flexibility to adapt to changing circumstances. In improving situations there may be opportunities for post-conflict programmes and governance reforms. In deteriorating contexts there is likely to be increased conflict, bad governance or government indifference. Violent conflict situations often require particular attention from non-state actors. There is a tendency among donors to emphasise uniform standards of good technical design and not pay enough attention to political factors.

Programmes designed to improve service delivery need to be based on sound political and economic analysis of the specific context in order improve governance and reduce fragility. They must also be designed with a long-term horizon:

  • Programmes should address the overall public sector as well as the specific service sector.
  • Donors should avoid programmes that set external goals without adequate regard to context.
  • Programmes must balance short-term objectives with longer-term opportunities and risks.
  • Flexible long-term planning should include ways to link further improvements in services with demonstrated improvements in governance.

In general, there are no quick fixes or short cuts to progress. Donors need to avoid internal political demands to achieve a fast turnaround. Nevertheless, no matter how fragile a state, there are a range of opportunities for helping to improve governance, strengthen public sector institutions, and reduce conflict.

  • Service-delivery programmes, such as community water supply and the re-establishment of schools, appear to enhance peace-building. They also foster cohesion.
  • The security and justice sectors are key to the reduction of fragility even in exceptionally difficult circumstances.
  • In some fragile states, governments lack legitimacy. In such cases, donors can support various community level projects linked to civic capacity building.
  • If government departments can serve as a partner, donors should focus on designing aid systems and processes in ways that parallel, and can be linked with, existing or emergent government systems.
  • If the government cannot be a partner, donors should create an external co-ordination mechanism. They should, nevertheless, continue to monitor possibilities for institution-building.
  • Donors need to be more coherent in the ways they fund service delivery, connections between provision and state building and decisions on when to partner government entities and when to contract with NSPs.

      • Access document Access full text: available online

      Source: OECD, 'Synthesis Paper on Good Practice: The Challenge for Donors', OECD Fragile States Group, draft, September 29, Workstream on Service Delivery, Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Paris
      Author: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), http://www.oecd.org


 

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