Adapting for Change: Country Strategy Approach in Fragile Contexts

Finland’s development cooperation with its long-term partner countries is planned and implemented under a Country Strategy approach, which in its present form was launched in 2012. The purpose of the country strategy evaluation launched in March 2019 was to assess the applicability and feasibility of the Country Strategy approach in fragile contexts, over the period 2012-current, given their specific challenges and requirements. The evaluation drew evidence from the experience of Country Strategies in four countries, namely Afghanistan, Myanmar, occupied Palestinian territory (oPt), Somalia and in one region, i.e. the Strategy for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian aid in response to the conflicts in Syria and Iraq was included, to draw wider findings and conclusions. Findings are expected to inform the next generation of Country Strategies.

The evaluation report confirms that Finland is considered a highly principled and neutral actor in fragile countries and contexts and recommends using that reputational capital more systematically. According to the evaluators, policy dialogue priorities were appropriate and geared to statebuilding, while the development cooperation could be more closely linked to the medium term policy objectives, including peacebuilding. The report concludes that overall Finnish aid is relevant and well aligned with partner countries’ and institutions’ priorities, but the findings could not be linked to the Country Strategies themselves, since they provide limited guidance to programme partners on ensuring appropriate targeting. On the other hand, Finland’s programmatic assistance showed some adaptation to conditions over time, but that could be further improved if the financing procedures were more flexible. The report encourages the Ministry to continue and strengthen the Human Rights Based Approach and its practical implementation.