Third Countries: Evaluation of Belgian Contribution to Multi-Annual Budget Support Interventions

Client: Belgian cooperation

Partner(s):

Start/End Date: 02/2007 - 11/2007

Description:

Since the beginning of the year 2000 Belgium has, by, taking part in multi-donor budget support programmes supported the implementation of overall or sectoral development strategies in developing partner countries. A vade-mecum on budget support, approved by the Government in March 2005, defines the eligibility criteria that partner countries have to meet to be eligible f or Belgian budget support as well as the procedures and practices for preparing and implementing budget support programmes.

The years 2005-2007 were viewed as a transition period at the end of which lessons would be drawn from the experience gained by the Belgian Department of International Co-operation and the Belgian Technical Co-operation Agency in designing and implementing multi-annual budget support programmes.

The evaluation of Belgian contributions to multi-annual budget support programmes was intended to evaluate this experience, assess the strengths and weaknesses of the procedures and practices involved in the design and management of budget support programmes, and from this analysis derive recommendations that would enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of Belgian development aid.

The following services were provided:
• Processing of documents;
• Review of the training provided to stakeholders working for Belgian co-operation programmes;
• Field mission to budget support programmes co-funded by Belgium in Niger, Mozambique and Uganda;
• Analysis of the procedures and practices for programming, identifying, formulating, financing and implementing budget support programmes;
• Conclusions and recommendations