2015-Watch report released – Call for Greater Focus on Results
17 September 2008 -
Alliance2015, the network of leading European NGOs, presented its rigorous review of European development aid on Tuesday 16 September to the European Parliament. The 5th annual 2015-Watch report measures the contribution of the European Commission (EC) development aid programmes to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). The MDGs, set up with clear and measurable targets to fight poverty and to be reached by 2015, will be at the centre of the high-level UN Summit on 25 September.
With just one week to go expectations of the Summit and Europe’s role in it are high. 'While we found encouraging progress, there is still a long way to go to ensure that EC aid is working towards achieving the MDGs,' said Vagn Berthelsen, President of Alliance2015. 'Two weeks ago at the High Level Forum on Aid Effectiveness in Accra, Ghana, we saw Europe at its best – showing leadership, working together, being ambitious and looking for impact. We need to see this side of Europe more often. Political leadership on the MDGs cannot wait – we need it now.'
This year’s report identifies several major challenges for the EC’s aid programmes:
Firstly, the EC does not sufficiently measure the results of its massive aid spending. This is especially the case for aid provided through budget support and when providing aid in this form, the report finds inadequate consideration is given to issues such as democracy and human rights. 2015-Watch also finds low levels of attention to health, education and hunger. 'In 2009, the EC needs to demonstrate that 20% of its aid is allocated to basic health and education and the European Parliament should hold the Commission to account on this mutually agreed target,' added Mr Berthelsen.
The issue of democratic accountability at EU level and the lack of parliamentary scrutiny over aid programs to Africa is also raised centrally in the report. MEP Gay Mitchell, who will host the meeting said: 'We have made positive contributions in overseeing some aid programmes. We want to have a much greater involvement and provide the same democratic oversight of all programmes.'
2015-Watch also calls on the EC to support civil society organisations in the South so that they can play their rightful role in monitoring development aid and most especially budget support. While the EC recognizes the role of civil society as an essential partner in poverty eradication and development, much greater support is needed in order to build the capacity of civil society so that it in turn can strengthen accountability in the EC’s partner countries.
Alliance 2015, founded in 2000, is a strategic network of currently six European NGOs, engaged in humanitarian and development activities and working together to reach the Millennium Development Goals. It cooperates at the programme level in 81 developing countries and at the policy level in Europe. Members include Concern Worldwide (Ireland), Hivos (Netherlands), Ibis (Denmark), Welthungerhilfe (Germany), CESVI (Italy) and People in Need (Czech Republic).
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