The impact of international funding on projects in developing countries

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:This assignment seeks to critically analyse the impact of international funding onthe present state of development in developing countries. The aim of theanalysis is to provide recommendations to improve the methods and motivesbehind giving funding in order to increase the impact of such funding.International funding provided to developing countries is often based on rigidguidelines, requirements, restrictions and conditions. It is these conditions thatneed revising to be more appropriate for conditions in developing countries. Onlythrough viewing case studies and learning from them is it possible forinternational funding to facilitate more innovative and effective development tothose in need.The research findings are derived from analysis of the literature review ofinternational funding and through viewing the Danish International DevelopmentAssistance (DANIDA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS), the twoorganisations of this case study. The SAPS is one of many organisationsreceiving international assistance and have benefited from assistance fromDANIDA since 1994. Funding for the project in the study was granted after theproject proposal was formulated to fit the requirements of the DANIDA Guidelinefor Project Preparation, a set of guidelines prescribed to any organisationwanting to receive funding from DANIDA. All funding organisations have similarguidelines although it is evident that some are more rigid and prescriptive thanothers. From this study a list of recommendations were developed pertaining tothe sets of guidelines used by international development organisations.It appeared rational that the list of recommendations should be divided intosuggestions on the required structures of development organisations and on therequired aspects to be included in the project proposal and implementation. Therecommendations to the structures were to determine the level of involvement ofthe funding organisation in the project; to determine the literacy level necessaryto comply with the funding requirements; to decide on the level of involvement of external consultants; to ensure frequent reviews; and finally to ensure conflictresolution. The aspects to be included in the project proposal and implementationwere based on ensuring equal opportunity in terms of diversity and genderawareness; to commit to the sustainability of the project; for all parties to beinvolved in the compilation of project objectives and to ensure that the projectrepresents the overall development goals of the beneficial country.Although a number of these recommendations are applied by someorganisations it is necessary for the successful outcome of a project that all areconsidered. Each recommendation represents a building block of developmentand these are all interdependent. The general conclusion of this study istherefore that some level of conditionality is necessary. No one can expecteconomic aid to be given without conditions but the conditions must be fair,benefiting the recipient country and ensuring that development of those living inpoverty is indeed the outcome of all funding.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University