Evaluation of Development Cooperation through Delegated Partnerships with the EU

The evaluation will cover delegated cooperation between the EU and the MFA (central MFA or embassies) over the ten-year period from 2014 to 2023, where the MFA is entrusted by the EU with the implementation of actions in indirect management. The evaluation will not cover delegated cooperation between the EU and the MFA, where the MFA acts as delegator and the EU as the entrusted delegate. The evaluation will focus on the benefits, challenges, and overall relevance of the modality of delegated cooperation from the delegates perspective. In addition, the partner countries perspectives will be explored through case studies. The perspectives of the EU administration will only be considered insofar as they have direct implications for the use of the modality as seen from the perspective of the entrusted delegate and the partner countries. In terms of the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, the focus is expected to be mainly on relevance, coherence and efficiency. In relation to the criteria of effectiveness and sustainability, this shall be addressed in relation to the assessment of whether and how the delegated cooperation as an aid modality has been conducive to achieving effective and sustainable results. Impact is not expected to be in focus. Due to the limited number of delegated cooperations between the MFA and the EU, the evaluation is expected to cover the entire portfolio (see approach and methodology). Additionally, in-depth case studies based on country visits are required for a select number of delegated cooperations. These case studies will encompass up to three countries - two in Africa and one in Asia – and are expected to include a maximum of five examples of delegated cooperations. To enhance the overall findings and recommendations, the evaluation will further incorporate insights from at least two like-minded donors. This will be based on a portfolio overview based on available documentation, interviews at the HQs of these donors and a comparison of guidelines and procedures for involvement. Sweden and the Netherlands are preliminary suggested for this comparison, but the final selection will be made in the inception phase. Further, the evaluation will incorporate experience and insights from the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation, led by Expertise France, based on document review and interviews. Overall, in terms of travel then, the evaluation shall plan with visits to three partner countries, two in Africa and one in Asia, to be finally selected during the inception phase; visits to MFA HQ in Copenhagen; visits to HQ of two like-minded donors involved in delegated cooperation with the EU (expected to be Sweden and the Netherlands) and a visit to the EU administration in Brussels. Interviews with stakeholders in other partner countries, likeminded donors etc. are also expected, and may be undertaken remotely. To allow for a comparison of the use of delegated cooperation by Denmark and other EU member countries, the evaluation will also establish an overview of all EU funds for Official Development Assistance (ODA) under indirect management over the period, categorised by year and entrusted country/organisation, based on available information.