Finland has a good track record of providing aid to the world’s neediest countries and supporting international development efforts, yet 2016 saw sharp cuts to Finnish aid flows. Setting a clear timeline to restore its foreign aid budget will be key for Finland to continue making an impact with its aid programme, according to a new OECD Review.
The latest DAC Peer Review of Finland says that a 38% annual cut to the country’s aid budget over 2016-20, with additional reductions planned for 2018-20, have pushed Finland further behind an international target to provide 0.7% of gross national income (GNI) as official development assistance (ODA). Finland’s net ODA dropped in 2016 to USD 1.06 billion, or 0.44% of GNI, from 0.59% in 2014 and 0.55% in 2015, the lowest level since 2007.
On the other hand, the Review notes that Finland’s support for the funding of private sector instruments has increased, making up in part for the drop in ODA with funding that will not affect public expenditure and reflecting Finland’s commitment to the 2030 global aid agenda.
“We are glad to see Finland actively leveraging private finance for development, however it is important to uphold public obligations,” said OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) Chair Charlotte Petri Gornitzka, presenting the Review in Helsinki. “We are ready to provide any support Finland needs to get its aid flows back on track as its economy recovers.”
Read the press release, available in English and French.
| Finland: a champion of women, peace and security |
Implementation of peer review recommendations from 2012 |
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On 2008, Finland adopted its first national action plan for the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and subsequent resolutions on women, peace and security. Finland released its second action plan in 2012, which it will update in 2017. A “1325 Network” of NGOs, researchers and experts working to promote human rights and equality was established in 2006.
Finland has assumed a prominent role in supporting its long-term partner countries to develop their own national plans. Finland is proactive in leading the implementation of the action plan, for example by supporting UN Women's “Strengthening Implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Nepal". A recent review found that this programme has raised awareness and led to reduced violence against women, ensured better access to health care and encouraged the economic and political empowerment of women (see Annex C for more information on Finland's support to Kenya's action plan).
In conflict-affected contexts, the integration of women into institutions where they are discriminated and harassed is precarious, which implies that “doing-no-harm” requires a transformation of organisational and professional cultures. In 2014, a gender checklist was developed by the Finnish Defence Forces International Centre and the Finnish 1325 Network to ensure that civilian and military experts deployed to crisis management operations considered gender aspects.
Further information can be read in Chapter 2 of the Peer Review.
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About this review
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Finland's peer review history
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Related links
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