|
The logical framework to assess whether progress is being made towards the desired aid-for-trade goals consists of the following four elements.
- Mainstreaming and prioritising trade (Demand)
- Trade-related projects and programmes (Response)
- Enhanced capacity to trade (Outcome)
- Improved trade performance and reduced poverty (Impact)
Assessment of the "demand" is obtained through partner-country self-assessments which are based on an OECD-WTO partner country questionnaire. In addition, these assessments also provide information about mainstreaming trade in development strategies, trade-related priorities, the delivery of aid for trade, and co-operation between partner countries and donors.
Assessment of the "response" consists of:
- Quantitative information (i.e. aid-for-trade flows) concerning trade-related projects and programmes is extracted from the OECD/DAC Creditor Reporting System (CRS) database for the categories that are most closely related to the WTO Task Force definition.
- Qualitative information concerning the response is derived from donor self-assessments, based on an OECD-WTO donor questionnaire. These self-assessments highlight the progress made by donors in developing operational aid-for-trade strategies, the extent to which these are implemented in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, and the different steps taken to improve the quality of aid-for-trade programmes.
The "outcome" and the "impact" of the Aid for Trade Initiative are presented in Aid for Trade at a Glance country fact sheets for those partner countries that participated in the second monitoring survey. These fact sheets focus a limited number of stylised facts and indicators that capture the four main elements of the logical framwork underlying the Aid for Trade Initiative. This allows for country comparison at a glance. In addition, the fact sheets could form the starting point of a more comprehensive in-country national stakeholder dialogue - involving governments, donors, civil society and the private sector - to promote transparency about the demand for and supply of aid for trade, and greater accountability on building trade capacities.
Developing a credible monitoring mechanism is a work in progress. It is important that monitoring does not become a passive activity, but is complemented and reinforced by an active review process - one that promotes change by submitting feedback to donor and partner countries, providing an environment for dialogue, knowledge-sharing, exchange of best practices and information on unfunded trade-related priorities and available donor funding.
|
