Q&A
- Why does Sweden assess multilateral organisations?
- How were the assessments carried out?
- 23 organisations have been assessed how were they chosen?
- How are the assessments to be used?
- Which organisations were assessed as being the best and the worst?
- What happens if an organisation receives a negative assessment?
- Is this the beginnings of a reduction in the number of multilateral organisations that receive Swedish support?
- Will Sweden continue to assess organisations?
- Which organisations will be assessed in 2009?
Why does Sweden assess multilateral organisations?
Multilateral development cooperation and humanitarian assistance currently account for around half of the development assistance budget. We need to know that this money is being used effectively. This means that our support should go to organisations that we consider to have an important role in international global development efforts and that work effectively to achieve the aims of these efforts. Assessments are an important part of the implementation of Sweden's strategy for multilateral development cooperation and are one aspect of the Government's focus on achieving clearer results in development cooperation.
UpHow were the assessments carried out?
The assessments were carried out by working groups consisting of representatives of the Government Offices, Sida and several other government agencies. The responsible authority at the Government Offices ensured coordination in each case, which also means that several ministries and agencies have played a key role in the process. The assessments were carried out based on a structured format that was first used in 2008. The relevance of the organisations was assessed along with their internal and external effectiveness and efficiency. The relevance of development organisations was assessed in relation to the objectives of Swedish development cooperation as laid down in Swedens policy for global development. Humanitarian organisations were assessed in relation to Swedens policy for humanitarian assistance. The background materials used included the organisations own policy documents and accounts, and their own and others assessments and reports. The assessments are also based on input from missions abroad that work with the relevant organisations in the field.
23 organisations have been assessed how were they chosen?
We have chosen to assess those organisations that received at least SEK 20 million from the Government Offices in 2007. In addition, we decided to assess the OHCHR because there was particular interest in this organisation on the part of both the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Sida.
How are the assessments to be used?
This year's assessments have already been used as part of the basis for decisions on the allocation of funds in this year's budget. They will also play an important role when specific strategies are produced for each organisation, as well as in policy dialogue with the organisations. They will also guide Sida in its preparation and decision-making process on multilateral/bilateral support.
Since the assessments also contain facts about the organisations, their mandates and governance, and some financial information, they will also have a wide-ranging informational value for others outside the Government Offices and Sida.
Which organisations were assessed as being the best and the worst?
The assessments are not intended to rank the organisations. The organisations assessed work in different areas and with different mandates. The intention is rather to establish a baseline and monitor developments in the individual organisations over time. For these reasons it is not meaningful to get into a discussion of which organisations are best or worst in relation to each other.
What happens if an organisation receives a negative assessment?
The assessments give us an opportunity to monitor an organisation over time. This means that we can see how the organisations handle shortcomings that have been identified and what prospects they have for long-term improvement. A negative or weaker assessment can lead to a reduction in Swedish support and involvement, and in the long-term could even mean that we withdraw from the organisation.
However, this would not occur automatically based on an assessment. An organisation that is deemed to have low efficiency or effectiveness may, for example, still be a highly relevant organisation with activities that Sweden is keen to continue supporting. This might mean continuing to give financial support to the organisation along with support in other forms to strengthen the weaker aspects of the organisation. Of course, this should be accompanied by a clear political dialogue on the conditions for continued support. If the organisation demonstrates that it is taking the problems seriously and, for example, has credible action plans for tackling the problems, the prospects are good that continued Swedish support can help push matters in a positive direction. We will assess matters carefully on a case-by-case basis. Should an organisation be deemed particularly positive, on the other hand, we will of course consider channelling more money (in relative terms) through that organisation.
Is this the beginnings of a reduction in the number of multilateral organisations that receive Swedish support?
I cannot rule that out. If there are organisations that do not play an important role in global efforts from the perspective of our development objectives and/or if there are organisations that do not operate efficient and effective activities, we must of course consider whether taxpayers money can be put to better use.
Will Sweden continue to assess organisations?
Under the Strategy for Multilateral Development Cooperation adopted by the Government in April 2007, regular assessments will be made of the multilateral organisations that receive Swedish support. This gives us the opportunity to actively monitor both positive and negative trends and thereby puts us in a position to be a knowledgeable and active cooperation partner in those multilateral organisations we choose to be involved in. We will continue to develop the format of the organisation assessments. Sweden also cooperates with likeminded partners to carry out parts of the assessments together in the Multilateral Organisations Performance Assessment Network (MOPAN). It remains to be seen how often Sweden will carry out these assessments, and of which organisations - a rolling schedule whereby organisations are each assessed roughly every three years would be reasonable.
Which organisations will be assessed in 2009?
Our organisation will be extremely stretched ahead of the Presidency of the EU. This means that we will only be able to carry out a limited number of assessments of organisations in which important processes will be initiated in 2010. We will also take the opportunity to attempt to develop the template for assessments so that they better cover issues to do with organisations' external effectiveness - an area that is acknowledged to be difficult to assess. Nonetheless, we would like to attempt to make further progress in this area.
