4. Policy recommendations

Abstract

This chapter provides policy recommendations and an action plan for the German federal government, states and municipalities on how to strengthen the impact, effectiveness and monitoring of their decentralised development co-operation (DDC) policies and programmes. The recommendations range from strengthening the peer-to-peer function of DDC and promoting policy dialogue on the financial and non-financial tangible outcomes and benefits of DDC projects to strengthening the collaboration between German states and municipalities on DDC and leveraging the catalytic potential of official financing sources to mobilise broader resources. Furthermore, the recommendations suggest further raising awareness of DDC and official development assistance (ODA) data and developing a harmonised or standardised approach to monitoring and evaluating DDC results across states and municipalities.

    

The following recommendations on DDC policies, strategies and priorities, multi-level governance, financing and data and information aim to show to strengthen the impact, effectiveness and monitoring of DDC policies and programmes across all levels of government in Germany in the short term (less than 1 year), medium term (more than 1 year, less than 3 years) and long term (more than 3 years) (Figure 4.1).

Figure 4.1. Ten key recommendations to reshape decentralised development co-operation in Germany
Figure 4.1. Ten key recommendations to reshape decentralised development co-operation in Germany

DDC policies, strategies and priorities

Peer-to-peer learning function of DDC

Figure 4.2. Action plan to implement Recommendation 1 to strengthen the peer-to-peer learning function of DDC at the federal state level – Part I
Figure 4.2. Action plan to implement Recommendation 1 to strengthen the peer-to-peer learning function of DDC at the federal state level – Part I
Figure 4.3. Action plan to implement Recommendation 1 to strengthen the peer-to-peer learning function of DDC at the federal state level – Part II
Figure 4.3. Action plan to implement Recommendation 1 to strengthen the peer-to-peer learning function of DDC at the federal state level – Part II

For more information: Canada: Global Affairs Canada – Home (international.gc.ca); Tuscany: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD; EC: https://www.expertisefrance.fr/fiche-projet?id=625239.

SDGs as a framework

Figure 4.4. Action plan to implement Recommendation 2 to use the SDGs as a framework to define priorities of DDC activities and foster peer-to-peer learning – Part I
Figure 4.4. Action plan to implement Recommendation 2 to use the SDGs as a framework to define priorities of DDC activities and foster peer-to-peer learning – Part I
Figure 4.5. Action plan to implement Recommendation 2 to use the SDGs as a framework to define priorities of DDC activities and foster peer-to-peer learning – Part II
Figure 4.5. Action plan to implement Recommendation 2 to use the SDGs as a framework to define priorities of DDC activities and foster peer-to-peer learning – Part II

For more information: Belgium, Spain (Basque Country), and Italy: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD; Spain (Catalunya): National Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Catalonia. Advisory Council for Sustainable Development (gencat.cat).

Definitions and guidelines

Figure 4.6. Action plan to implement Recommendation 3 to clarify the definition and boundaries of DDC in Germany to strengthen external actions and existing DDC guidelines – Part I
Figure 4.6. Action plan to implement Recommendation 3 to clarify the definition and boundaries of DDC in Germany to strengthen external actions and existing DDC guidelines – Part I
Figure 4.7. Action plan to implement Recommendation 3 to clarify the definition and boundaries of DDC in Germany to strengthen external actions and existing DDC guidelines – Part II
Figure 4.7. Action plan to implement Recommendation 3 to clarify the definition and boundaries of DDC in Germany to strengthen external actions and existing DDC guidelines – Part II

For more information: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD.

Policy dialogue on the benefits of DDC

Figure 4.8. Action plan to implement Recommendation 4 to promote a policy dialogue on the financial and non-financial tangible outcomes of DDC projects – Part I
Figure 4.8. Action plan to implement Recommendation 4 to promote a policy dialogue on the financial and non-financial tangible outcomes of DDC projects – Part I
Figure 4.9. Action plan to implement Recommendation 4 to promote a policy dialogue on the financial and non-financial tangible outcomes of DDC projects – Part II
Figure 4.9. Action plan to implement Recommendation 4 to promote a policy dialogue on the financial and non-financial tangible outcomes of DDC projects – Part II

For more information: United States: https://sistercities.org/annual-report/; Belgium: VVSG Kennisnetwerk; Italy: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD.

Multi-level governance and financing

Strengthen collaboration

Figure 4.10. Action plan to implement Recommendation 5 to strengthen the collaboration between German states and municipalities on DDC – Part I
Figure 4.10. Action plan to implement Recommendation 5 to strengthen the collaboration between German states and municipalities on DDC – Part I
Figure 4.11. Action plan to implement Recommendation 5 to strengthen the collaboration between German states and municipalities on DDC – Part II
Figure 4.11. Action plan to implement Recommendation 5 to strengthen the collaboration between German states and municipalities on DDC – Part II

For more information: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD.

Figure 4.12. Action plan to implement Recommendation 6 to align DDC priorities across levels of government and with non-governmental stakeholders in Germany – Part I
Figure 4.12. Action plan to implement Recommendation 6 to align DDC priorities across levels of government and with non-governmental stakeholders in Germany – Part I
Figure 4.13. Action plan to implement Recommendation 6 to align DDC priorities across levels of government and with non-governmental stakeholders in Germany – Part II
Figure 4.13. Action plan to implement Recommendation 6 to align DDC priorities across levels of government and with non-governmental stakeholders in Germany – Part II

For more information: The Netherlands: SDLG: Sustainable Development through improved Local Governance | VNG (vng-international.nl); Switzerland: Partnerships with cantons and communes (admin.ch); Spain: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD.

Financing

Figure 4.14. Action plan to implement Recommendation 7 to explore a more flexible framework to extend co-financing of DDC projects – Part I
Figure 4.14. Action plan to implement Recommendation 7 to explore a more flexible framework to extend co-financing of DDC projects – Part I
Figure 4.15. Action plan to implement Recommendation 7 to explore a more flexible framework to extend co-financing of DDC projects – Part II
Figure 4.15. Action plan to implement Recommendation 7 to explore a more flexible framework to extend co-financing of DDC projects – Part II

For more information: France: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD; Spain: Andalucía Solidaria (andaluciasolidaria.org); Italy: Trento: Libya, cities and sustainable development at the Festival of Economics - Libya Rebuild; SnCF Africa: The Sub national Climate Fund | R20 - Regions of Climate Action (regions20.org).

Figure 4.16. Action plan to implement Recommendation 8 to simplify bureaucracy and application procedures for support programmes and strengthen the capacity of personnel – Part I
Figure 4.16. Action plan to implement Recommendation 8 to simplify bureaucracy and application procedures for support programmes and strengthen the capacity of personnel – Part I
Figure 4.17. Action plan to implement Recommendation 8 to simplify bureaucracy and application procedures for support programmes and strengthen the capacity of personnel – Part II
Figure 4.17. Action plan to implement Recommendation 8 to simplify bureaucracy and application procedures for support programmes and strengthen the capacity of personnel – Part II

For more information: France: Home - Expertise France, United Cities and Local Governments: UCLG - United Cities and Local Governments, PLATFORMA: Platforma (platforma-dev.eu)

Data and information

Tools and processes

Figure 4.18. Action plan to implement Recommendation 9 to raise awareness about DDC and ODA data – Part I
Figure 4.18. Action plan to implement Recommendation 9 to raise awareness about DDC and ODA data – Part I
Figure 4.19. Action plan to implement Recommendation 9 to raise awareness about DDC and ODA data – Part II
Figure 4.19. Action plan to implement Recommendation 9 to raise awareness about DDC and ODA data – Part II

For more information: France: data.aide-developpement.gouv.fr and https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/IMG/pdf/rapport_apd_2020_-_donnees_2019_cle49ab16.pdf; Spain: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECDf.

Monitoring and evaluation

Figure 4.20. Action plan to implement Recommendation 10 to develop a harmonised or standardised approach to monitoring and evaluating DDC results across states and municipalities – Part I
Figure 4.20. Action plan to implement Recommendation 10 to develop a harmonised or standardised approach to monitoring and evaluating DDC results across states and municipalities – Part I
Figure 4.21. Action plan to implement Recommendation 10 to develop a harmonised or standardised approach to monitoring and evaluating DDC results across states and municipalities – Part II
Figure 4.21. Action plan to implement Recommendation 10 to develop a harmonised or standardised approach to monitoring and evaluating DDC results across states and municipalities – Part II

For more information: Sweden: Start page | Sida; Belgium: Reshaping Decentralised Development Co-operation: The Key Role of Cities and Regions for the 2030 Agenda | en | OECD; Spain: Development cooperation | Madrid's community (comunidad.madrid).

Annex 4.A. Respondents to the OECD surveys of the German Federal states and municipalities on decentralised development co-operation
Annex Table 4.A.1. Respondents to the OECD survey of German federal states

Federal State

Baden-Württemberg

Bavaria

Berlin

Brandenburg

Bremen

Hamburg

Hesse

Lower Saxony

North Rhine-Westphalia

Rhineland-Palatinate

Saarland

Saxony

Saxony-Anhalt

Schleswig-Holstein

Annex Table 4.A.2. Respondents to the OECD survey of German municipalities

Name

Municipality/District

Baruth/Mark

Municipality

Aalen

Municipality

Ascha

Municipality

Böblingen

District

Bonn

Municipality

Brühl

Municipality

Burgenlandkreis

District

Cochem-Zell

District

Donau Ries

District

Dresden

Municipality

Düren

District

Düsseldorf

Municipality

Eichenberg

Municipality

Eltville am Rhein

Municipality

Enzkreis

District

Erlangen

Municipality

Gießen

Municipality

Gotha

Municipality

Gudensberg

Municipality

Heimenkirch

Municipality

Herford

District

Jena

Municipality

Kassel

District

Kiel

Municipality

Köln

Municipality

Lahr/Schwarzwald

Municipality

Leipzig

Municipality

Lippe

District

Ludwigsburg

Municipality

Mannheim

Municipality

Mettmann

District

Miltenberg

District

München

Municipality

Münster

Municipality

Neu-Isenburg

Municipality

Nohfelden

Municipality

Nürnberg

Municipality

Offenbach

Municipality

Reutlingen

District

Saalfeld/Saale

Municipality

Saarbrücken

Municipality

Traunstein

District

Tübingen

Municipality

Wolfsburg

Municipality

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