OECD Development Co‑operation Peer Reviews: Italy 2019

Annex A. Progress since the 2014 DAC peer review recommendations

Global efforts for sustainable development

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
In order to be more effective in voicing its concerns and support for global solutions, Italy is encouraged to consistently address a limited number of risks at international level and in its dialogue with its partner countries.	Partially implemented
Italy still needs to identify key policy areas to focus efforts, designate a mechanism with a clear mandate on PCD, and build systems for monitoring, analysis and policy feedback.	Partially implemented
Developing whole-of-government strategies at partner country level would facilitate a co-ordinated approach to Italian development co-operation and contribute to synergies between the different levers of Italian engagement.	Not implemented

Policy vision and framework

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
A formal medium-term, results-oriented and widely owned strategic vision for development co‑operation would provide clarity for Italy’s stakeholders and partners in priority countries.	Partially implemented
Italy should maintain its geographic focus, and develop guidance on how to concentrate the aid programme in the sectors which coincide with its comparative advantages and partner countries’ development priorities.	Partially implemented
Gender equality and the environment should become explicit components of development activities, with improved guidance and targeted training for staff at headquarters and in partner countries on how to mainstream these themes.	Partially implemented

Financing for development

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
To comply with its international commitments, Italy needs to implement the path it has set for increasing steadily its ODA/GNI ratio.	Partially implemented
Italy needs to carefully manage the exit from non-priority countries in order to keep its bilateral development co-operation programme focused on a few countries, and plan how it will maintain its level of engagement in Africa.	Partially implemented
Concentrating on fewer strategic multilateral partners would enable Italy to engage with these partners over a longer term with predictable funding, and enhance synergies with the bilateral aid programme.	Implemented

Structure and systems

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
In contemplating different institutional arrangements for its development co-operation, Italy should maintain the balance between policy and operational aspects, ensure that expertise is close to programming, keep transaction costs low, and avoid institutional fragmentation.	Partially implemented
Italy needs to elaborate a human resources plan for its development co-operation to match staffing needs and competence with DGCS’s general objectives, clarify the roles and division of labour between institutions and staff, and elaborate a human resource policy for local staff with appropriate training.	Partially implemented

Delivery modalities and partnerships

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
Italy is encouraged to strengthen STREAM documents with appropriate analysis and estimates of future aid flows, and expand them to include all official interventions	Not implemented
There is ample room for Italy to promote sector-wide and programme approaches in its partner countries, and untie further its aid in line with international commitments.	Not implemented
The aid effectiveness marker has the potential to increase staff awareness of aid effectiveness and stimulate corrective action, provided it is carefully monitored with its results acted upon	Partially implemented

Results, evaluation and learning

 

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
Italy should pursue efforts to build expected results into programming and budgeting processes, using partner countries’ data to the maximum extent.	Partially implemented
Establishing a medium-term evaluation plan based on clear criteria, as well as a management response system, would help DGCS use evaluations as a management tool.	Implemented
Setting up a knowledge management system to capitalise on experience would help inform decision-making and strengthen staff capacities.	Not implemented
DGCS should pursue efforts to communicate results and raise awareness on development issues. This would contribute to increasing the public and parliamentary support needed to sustain ODA increases	Partially implemented

Humanitarian assistance

Recommendations 2014	Progress in implementation
Italy should determine its comparative advantage in humanitarian assistance; this should be used to help set clear, strategic and principled criteria to guide its future funding allocations.	Implemented
Italy should improve the quality of its funding to partners, especially by improving the predictability, flexibility and timeliness of funding for NGOs	Partially implemented

Figure A.1. Italy’s implementation of 2014 peer review recommendations