Author(s): Ján Mihálik
2009-07-10

Under the Capacity-Building and Training Cluster of the Initiative for Peacebuilding (IfP) case study research was conducted in Bulgaria, Czech Republic,Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, and Spain in order to assess these countries’ capacities to meet EU spending targets for ODA and to analyse the position of peacebuilding within national ODA policies. The mapping serves as a comparative overview which aims to identify basic commonalities and differences between the seven case study country reports. It also draws on findings captured in the Capacity-Building and Training Cluster Synthesis Report ‘Does Peacebuilding Matter in Development Aid?

Author(s): Ján Mihálik and Kristin van der Leest
2009-03-16

The Synthesis Report of the Capacity-Building and Training Cluster extracts main findings from case studies of seven surveyed EU Member States: Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia and Spain. The report finds that international development cooperation has received growing attention during the last decade. Donors and policy-makers at national and EU levels are also increasingly acknowledging the importance of peacebuilding to effective development assistance. Newer EU Member States are making progress in aligning their policy frameworks for ODA with international standards and enhancing institutional structures for managing and programming ODA. However, the Report highlights that more must be done to improve the participation of civil society in ODA planning and implementation processes, in increasing public awareness of and support for ODA and peacebuilding, and mainstreaming peacebuilding within all external action policies at national and EU levels.

Author(s): João Portugal Vieira
2009-01-01

This paper analyses the historical trajectory of Portuguese policies on development aid from a colonial understanding to an European commitment. Within this framework, a special focus is put on explaining the persistence of absence of any autonomous status of the Portuguese policies concerning peacebuilding. In fact, the predominant approach remains that of a case-by-case strategy, followed both by the government and by civil society organisations. A relevant change has been introduced in 2006, when the Ministry of Foreign Affairs started to compile a new coherent and unified strategy for development aid, that for the first time highlights the importance of concepts like peacebuilding, human security and gender issues. The paper closes with conclusions and recommendations designed to help the Portuguese government and NGOs to take these issues to a new level of engagement.

Author(s): Ilona Iłowiecka-Tanska, PhD, Marta Pejda
2008-12-18

Polish ODA is channelled to support sustainable development, including peacebuilding activities such as the promotion of democracy, human rights, good governance, independent media and strong civil society; indeed, authorities recognize and support peacebuilding as a component of Polish ODA strategy. However, Poland’s capacity to meet EU-mandated levels of ODA are severely constrained by the lack of legislation to regulate ODA procedures; the absence of a centralised body responsible for management of ODA; and reliance on annual planning and budgeting phases which limits strategic and coherent planning. These issues limit the impact of Polish ODA and hinder establishment of effective partnerships with civil society.

Author(s): Mabel González Bustelo and Mariano Aguirre
Translated by Fionnuala Ní Ëigeartaigh
2008-11-03

This paper analyses Spanish capacities in peace-building and how these capacities relate –in the policies and practices of official and non official actors- with the issues of human security, gender and transitional justice. With that purpose, the historic perspective in the process of building up the current foreign policy has been examined, as well as the main actors and factors involved. The same has been done in relation with ODA (historic perspective and current situation). Following this there is an insight at the non-Governmental world (NGOs, think tanks, research centres, the media), and their strengths and weakness regarding these issues. Finally the text closes with conclusions and recommendations towards the EU, the Spanish Government and the non-Governmental world in Spain.

Author(s): Ruby Gropas
2008-11-03

Greece has become a donor country particularly active in emergency humanitarian assistance. To meet its declared targets by 2010, priority lies in further developing an integrated and participatory approach to Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) and tripling current funding in fighting poverty and promoting human development, peace and security. This report presents the factors that have influenced Greece’s approach to development and human security. It identifies the areas where there is a need for capacity-building and puts forward policy relevant recommendations for Greek and EU authorities and for the Greek NGO community active in the field of development and peacebuilding.

Author(s): Vladimir Prebilič, Uroš Svete, Janja Vuga
2008-11-01

During the period of its independence, Slovenia has transformed from a beneficiary of democracy-building assistance to a donor country. Since this transformation was achieved in a very short period of time, there are many deficiencies in the process of international assistance. Consequently, it’s quite clear that all stakeholders understand peacebuilding very differently. Although the resources provided mainly through Slovenian governmental institutions are considerable, better coordination between all stakeholders has to be improved. This might change fairly low public support towards peacebuling efforts of Slovenia. Better management with a greater transparency supported by focused promotion of the peacebuilding process could result in a better public awareness.

Author(s): Vessela Gertcheva
2008-11-01

Bulgaria has taken great strides to align its international development cooperation strategies with EU and international ODA frameworks and peacebuilding is increasingly supported by Bulgarian authorities as a strategic component of ODA processes. However, the government’s ODA and peacebuilding policies are insufficiently communicated to the public and there are limited prospects for effective consultation with civil society actors. With little publicly-available information, it is difficult to assess the impact of Bulgarian ODA, or to properly evaluate the effectiveness and quality of ODA processes. The majority of the public is not aware that Bulgaria is a donor country and few actually support this role, making public awareness-raising a key challenge for Bulgaria to address in the future.

Author(s): Partners Czech
2008-10-01

The Czech Republic’s ODA system is currently undergoing profound reform, providing an opportunity for both government and civil society actors to press for improved planning, management and assessment processes and an increased profile for peacebuilding. Czech ODA priorities are influenced by the international framework for development assistance, including OECD-DAC criteria and the Millennium Development Goal’s focus on the eradication of poverty. However, the country still faces significant challenges which include: improving coordination among ministries involved in ODA planning; developing impact assessments of ODA; enhancing consultation with civil society and recipients; and increasing public awareness of and support for ODA processes.