Case Study

This large-scale evaluation, carried out over 2015 and 2016, had a dual objective to make an independent overall assessment of the EU mechanism of Delegated Cooperation (DC) over the period 2007-2013, and to identify key lessons and to produce recommendations to improve current and inform future choices of co-operation strategies and aid delivery. More specifically, the evaluation examined whether DC, as a specific modality for aid implementation, had been relevant (given the principles of aid effectiveness, in particular alignment, harmonisation and accountability), efficient (in terms of reducing transaction costs and exploiting economies of scale to ensure value for money), effective (as compared to other management modalities), impactful (by maximizing the results of the specific interventions and reducing aid fragmentation) and sustainable (by achieving lasting impacts through increased leadership and ownership). The main conclusion of the evaluation was that, while DC was originally designed as a strategic tool with its origin in the aid effectiveness agenda, in practice it has been used as an operational tool. Overall, DC has not evolved in line with the changing aid effectiveness agenda, which has negatively affected its overall relevance. On that basis, the evaluation recommended to give due consideration to aid effectiveness principles in the upcoming revision of the EU development policy, and to develop a new strategic framework for DC reflecting the new aid effectiveness agenda.

Key lessons and recommendations were developed to improve current and inform future choices of co-operation strategies and aid delivery. Those recommendations were approved by the client.