Task forces on evidence-based aid

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad aim to initiate more impact evaluations of aid programmes. For aid organizations, this will entail opportunities to learn more about what works and why, but it also involves new challenges. Within this framework, DLL participated in two task forces focusing on how to make more aid more effective.

Task Force I

Seven civil society organizations formed a task force to explore the opportunities and challenges related to the use of impact evaluations in humanitarian and development aid, and to propose measures that may help the organizations take full advantage of the initiative. DLL facilitated the discussions on request from the organizations.

DLL also served as a secretariat for the task force and summarized the discussions and recommendations in this report which was submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad.

Task Force II

Moving towards more knowledge-based aid demands increased investments in high-quality knowledge products and services with significant learning potential. This requires new ways of working within aid organisations as well as stronger collaboration between aid organisations and research institutions. Research institutions must also adapt to meet the knowledge needs of the aid sector, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norad must put in place frameworks and structures which facilitate the required changes.

We discussed the following issues:

  • Identify knowledge products and services that are essential for working as evidence-based aid organisations.
  • Discuss how the identified needs can be met through collaborations between aid organisations and research institutions.
  • Identify current barriers for such collaboration.
  • Propose measures to facilitate relevant collaborations.

The report from the task force provides recommendations to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Norad, civil society organisations as well as research institutions.