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Global
Evaluation of the Paris Declaration The Paris Declaration evaluation study on Cambodia was commissioned in the first quarter of 2010. The purpose of the Evaluation was to provide evidence about the development results achieved through improved aid effectiveness practices associated with the Paris Declaration and also to inform the global synthesis that will be presented to the Fourth High-level Forum on Aid Effectiveness, in Korea in November 2011.The Evaluation considered three core questions: 1. Context - What are the important factors that have affected the relevance and implementation of the Paris Declaration and its potential effects on results? 2. Process - To what extent, and how, has the implementation of the Paris Declaration led to an improvement in the efficiency of aid delivery and better partnerships? 3. Development outcomes - Has the implementation of Paris Declaration strengthened the contribution of aid to sustainable development results? The Cambodia country study produced thirteen conclusions: 1. Relevance of the Paris Declaration in Cambodia - PD has contributed to setting the context of in Cambodia at the policy level, set priorities, and secured partnerships. 2. Ownership - The Royal Government of Cambodia led by the CRDB/CDC has increased its leadership capacity and ownership. 3. Alignment - Progress on alignment remains incomplete, especially on country systems. Few development partners are prepared to raise their fiduciary risk tolerance levels. 4. Harmonization - Aid coordination mechanisms are established but aid remains fragmented as donor HQ requirements dominate over local harmonisation incentives. 5. Managing for Results – this is increasing at sector programme level but few donor programs show evidence of linking work to outcome-level results. 6. Mutual Accountability - has taken hold at a national level (NSDP, JMIs), however at the sector and the project investment level the practice is not widespread. 7. Conflicts or Trade-offs among PD Principles - achieving country ownership is dependent on the country’s capacity and willingness of DPs to support capacity work. 8. Contribution to aid effectiveness, results and sustainability - the Paris Declaration has unquestionably had a positive influence on improving aid effectiveness in Cambodia. 9. Increased Burden of Aid Management - reducing the burden of aid management for all concerned has not yet taken place in Cambodia and remains high. 10. Value added of the Paris Declaration - Paris Declaration-style cooperation in Cambodia preceded the advent of the Paris Declaration but has been strengthened by it. 11. Key messages for national stakeholders - for government, to continue to assert leadership. For CSOs, to increase their involvement and participation in national networks. 12. Key messages for donor countries and agencies - emphasis on working together in sector approaches and shared accountability for the achievement of development results. 13. New challenges, opportunities, actors and relationships - there is a clear positive side to Cambodia’s engagement with non-traditional and “emerging donors”. The study can be downloaded here and its summary can also be viewed. The global web-page on the Paris Declaration Evaluation can be accessed through www.oecd.org/dac/evaluationnetwork/pde |