On Tuesday 22 October, CONCORD launched the 2024 edition of its AidWatch report, which is published every year and analyses the quality and quantity of EU Official Development Assistance (ODA). This year, the report posed the question, ‘Whose interests does ODA truly serve?’ and found that a significant portion of European ODA provision is being shaped by self-interests instead of the wellbeing of partner countries.
The event was kindly hosted by the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM). Tanya Cox, Director of CONCORD, gave the opening remarks, highlighting the focus on the EU’s unkept promises on ODA which are an important dimension of this year’s report. The report’s findings were then presented by Rebekka Blomqvist, Team Leader for Policy and Analysis at Globalt Fokus, our Danish member organisation.
The panel discussion then got underway. The panel was moderated by Mariella Di Ciommo, Associate Director for Africa and Europe in the World at ECDPM. Fiona Ramsey, Head of Unit for Effective Development Policy and Team Europe at DG INTPA began the discussion, reflecting on and critiquing the AidWatch methodology, as well as echoing one of the central messages of the report: more money needs to go towards ODA provision. She added that in the current political climate, overcoming the current shortfall in ODA represents a significant challenge.
Evelien Masschelein, Director of Expertise and Think at Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency, then took the floor. In particular, she emphasised the need for the EU and Member States to use ODA to stay engaged in fragile contexts and create genuine partnerships in partner countries, adding that the role of the EU in Africa is at risk of becoming seriously diminished.
Jean Saldanha, Director of Eurodad, highlighted the climate and debt crises and the challenges these pose to partner countries. She reflected on the role of self-interest in European ODA provision which casts doubt on the extent to which it is currently progressing sustainable development. She finished by emphasising the importance of changing the narrative around ODA, and underlining the real value it can bring to partner countries.
The audience then took the floor for the Q&A session. The panel was asked questions on the colonial system of governing ODA, the role of civil society to change the narrative around ODA, and the European Commission’s view of the results achieved by its own approach to ODA allocation.
The panel provided a lively and engaging discussion around the findings of the report and their significance in the wider context of changes to international cooperation. Several challenges were identified throughout the discussion: the difficulty in shaping a positive narrative around ODA in the current political landscape, the evolving and sometimes unclear role of the private sector, and the pressing need to remain engaged in fragile contexts.
Another key takeaway from the discussion was on the role of civil society. Civil society has an important part to play in all aspects of ODA provision, from pushing national governments to honour their ODA commitments to ensuring ODA reaches those left furthest behind. If we want a future in which ODA is truly used to fulfil the needs and priorities of partner countries instead of pursuing European interests, we must continue collaborating and holding decision-makers to account.
