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Guidelines for effective engagement

The Principles for Good International Engagement in Fragile States and Situations – or Fragile States Principles (FSPs) – provide a set of guidelines for actors involved in development co-operation, peacebuilding, statebuilding and security in fragile and conflict-affected states. Widely accepted as a point of reference, the FSPs were first adopted by OECD ministers in 2007.

These principles were established because fragile states require different responses than those applied in better performing countries. These states face severe development challenges such as a lack of security, weak governance, limited administrative capacity, chronic humanitarian crises, persistent social tensions, violence or the legacy of civil war. Read more...

The 10 Fragile States Principles

 1.   Take context as the starting point

 2.   Ensure all activities do no harm 

 3.   Focus on statebuilding as the central objective

 4.   Prioritise prevention

 5.   Recognise the links between political, security and development objectives

 6.   Promote non discrimination as a basis for inclusive and stable societies

 7.   Align with local priorities in different ways and in different contexts

 8.   Agree on practical co-ordination mechanisms between international actors

 9.   Act fast… but stay engaged long enough to give success a chance

10.  Avoid creating pockets of exclusion (“aid orphans”)

 

Monitoring the implementation of the Fragile States Principles

The implementation of the Fragile States Principles is monitored through multi-stakeholder dialogues in fragile states. The first FSP survey took place in 2009. The results of the second round of the survey, held in 2011, were published in a global report ("International Engagement in Fragile States: Can't we do better?") and thirteen country chapters. Read more about the monitoring process...

Related Documents

The International Network on Conflict and Fragility (INCAF)

Risk and results management in development co-operation: Towards a common approach

Paris Declaration and Accra Agenda for Action