How can international actors respond to the powerful trend towards intractable low-level conflicts that are part-criminal and part-political? This paper argues that it is important to understand the actual functioning of politics in complex countries (like Afghanistan, Congo and Sudan) that do not have a strong and autonomous state. Such countries must be studied as they really ...» more
Library
This e-library contains more than 4500 external publications on governance, social development, conflict and humanitarian issues. It includes academic and grey literature selected for its basis in good quality research and coverage of a range of perspectives. Policy-oriented summaries of each document are provided, plus links to the full text.
Ethiopia: Improving Health Service Delivery
Has decentralisation enhanced health service delivery (HSD) to the poor in Ethiopia? What factors enabled or inhibited improvements in health services between 1996 and 2006? This study finds that the Health Sector Development Programme (HSDP), which used decentralisation strategies, was largely successful. Subnational institutional and management capacity was a key factor in ...» more
Fiscal Decentralisation and Intergovernmental Finance Reform as an International Development Strategy
Is fiscal decentralisation and intergovernmental finance reform still relevant in international development? This paper argues that fiscal decentralisation reform should not be dismissed, despite inconclusive evidence on its effectiveness in achieving development impacts. Rather, more research and better knowledge-sharing are needed. A review of current knowledge suggests that ...» more
Does Decentralisation Enhance Service Delivery and Poverty Reduction?
This chapter introduces an examination of the recent in the literature on fiscal federalism and empirical assessments of decentralisation processes in Bolivia, Uganda, Poland and Spain. It argues that decentralised approaches to development are least likely to succeed where they are most needed – where levels of inequality are high. Particular attention needs to be paid to: 1) ...» more
A Candidate for Relegation? Corruption, Governance Approaches and the (Re)construction of Post-war States
As aid donors consider revising their broad governance reform focus and move toward 'good enough governance', what attention might be paid to corruption in the revised approach? Using a series of country studies, this paper discusses the place of anti-corruption in recent post-war donor agendas, finding that it has often been diluted or downplayed. Addressing corruption should ...» more
Decentralization: A Window of Opportunity for Successful Adaptation to Climate Change?
This chapter examines the opportunities and barriers for successful adaptation to climate change in decentralisation processes. Using a study of two municipalities in Burkina Faso, it stresses the importance of knowledge and institutional flexibility in overcoming resource dependency. The varying degrees of space generated by the decentralisation process in the two ...» more
Exploring the Role of Civil Society in the Formulation and Adoption of Access to Information Laws: The Cases of Bulgaria, India, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom
How does civil society contribute to the passing of access to information (ATI) laws? This paper examines this process in Bulgaria, India, Mexico, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Civil society has impacted on measures to promote access to information through: advocating for ATI legal reform; building popular support; drafting and shaping legislation; helping citizens ...» more
Accounting for Results: Ensuring Transparency and Accountability in Financing for Climate Change
How will climate change funds be collected, distributed, and accounted for at the international level? What mechanisms are needed to ensure that recipient countries manage these funds in ways that are transparent and responsive to the needs and input of the public? This Brief argues that gathering resources and managing resources need to be considered simultaneously. The next ...» more
Cities, Climate Change and Multilevel Governance
What forms of national-local policy links are used in implementing mitigation and adaptation policies? What are the key tools for integrated, multilevel governance of mitigation and adaptation activities, and how can these be applied? This paper highlights a 'hybrid' framework of multilevel governance in which local-regional/national collaboration promotes mutual learning and ...» more
Aid and Domestic Accountability
How does poor governance constrain development? This paper was prepared for the launch of the OECD DAC Network on Governance (GOVNET) work-stream on Aid and Domestic Accountability. It sets out a conceptual framework and approach that will enable donors and other stakeholders to explore the complexities of real-world governance, consider aid impact, and analyse the role that ...» more
Social Security and the Socio-Economic Floor: Towards a Human Rights-based Approach
Globalisation triggers the need for frequent adjustment to national production processes, jobs and life strategies, and there are vast gaps in income and security between countries. The International Labour Organisation suggests that establishing a global socio-economic floor would improve international development and security. This article investigates the impact of taking a ...» more
Governance Assessments and Domestic Accountability: Feeding Domestic Debate and Changing Aid Practices
How is it possible to manage the competing tensions that arise in aid accountability? Based on governance assessments, this paper analyses current developments in mutual accountability relations between donors and aid recipients and how these relate to the domestic accountability of governments to their citizens. Donors are challenged by inaccurate perceptions of themselves and ...» more
Adaptation Finance under a Copenhagen Agreed Outcome
How can an agreement on adaptation finance be reached as part of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)? This report examines the issues in relation to the three stages of adaptation finance: generation, governance and delivery. The block in negotiations can often be attributed to different perceptions of what is 'equitable' and 'fair' ...» more
Addressing the Challenge: Recommendations and Quality Criteria for Linking Disaster Risk Reduction and Adaptation to Climate Change
How can the international community accelerate progress on climate change adaptation while ensuring sustainable development? This report argues that the increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events requires the proactive implementation of new tools to accelerate climate change adaptation. Disaster risk reduction methods should be linked with adaptation ...» more
Human Dimensions of Climate Change. The Importance of Local and Institutional Issues
Climate change, conflict, and the squeeze on natural resources due to population growth and environmental degradation are intensifying poverty and vulnerability for many people. Local, autonomous adaptation to these challenges is often overlooked by national government and the international development community in their efforts to manage climate change. This paper examines ...» more
Community-based Adaptation to Climate Change: An Overview
What are the lessons and challenges emerging from community-based approaches (CBA) to climate change adaptation? This paper examines community-led processes that build on the priorities, knowledge and capacities of local people. There is still a lot of 'doing to' by international institutions rather than communities taking charge. It is important to find ways to allow poor ...» more
Strengthening the Link Between Climate Change Adaptation and National Development Plans: Lessons from the Case of Population in National Adaptation Programmes of Action (NAPAs)
How well are National Adaptation Programme of Actions (NAPAs) integrated with national development strategies in the Least Developed Countries (LDCs)? This paper examines 41 NAPAs from the LDCs. It argues that NAPAs compel developing countries to focus on immediate priorities at the expense of longer-term climate change concerns, such as population growth. The global community ...» more
Crisis or Adaptation? Migration and Climate Change in a Context of High Mobility
This paper argues that migration can be an adaptive strategy. There is growing evidence to suggest that mobility, together with income diversification, is important in reducing vulnerability to both environmental and non-environmental risks. Short-term urban migration is already often used a means of broadening income in times of agricultural shortage. Supporting migration to ...» more
Urban Governance for Adaptation: Assessing Climate Change Resilience in Ten Asian Cities
How can climate-related impacts be managed in urban settings? What are the links between urban governance, climate adaptation, poverty reduction and sustainable development? This paper develops an analytical framework by combining governance literature with climate resilience assessments conducted in ten Asian cities. The climate-resilient urban governance assessment framework ...» more
The Linkages between Biodiversity and Climate Change Adaptation
What is the role of biodiversity in climate change adaptation? How can the impacts of climate change be mitigated without adversely affecting biodiversity? Adaptation strategies tend to focus on technological, social and economic developments. They overlook the links between biodiversity and adaptation. There needs to be greater consideration of synergies between the two in ...» more
