Re-perceiving aid results

Development processes are subject to political contestation. As a result, change typically takes time, happens during ‘windows of opportunity’, and advances incrementally with occasional regress. This means aid programmes need to be able to adapt their objectives and operations to changes in their political environment.

Unfortunately, this is often not the case and it reduces the positive impact that aid can have. On the basis of five practical workshops between policy makers, practitioners and researchers, this brief argues that three concrete actions must be taken to improve the situation.