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How to deprioritise? Selecting themes, countries and instruments for German development policy

BMZ (Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development or Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) is consulting on how to implement a material reduction in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. In this paper, we review where remaining funds would have the greatest impact, and propose a series of reforms accordingly. We recommend:

Focussed thematic allocation: Germany’s development projects have been substantially diluted over the last decade. We find that BMZ projects have progressively targeted a broader range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The number of projects that target more than four goals, for example has risen almost nine-fold from 72 to over 600 in the last ten years. Evidence suggests that less complex measures would have been more efficient and effective.We suggest focussing on 4–5 SDGs that align with the Government’s priorities and BMZ’s expertise render overall ODA allocation more effective.

Strategic country allocations: BMZ currently funds projects in a 110 of the 141 ODA-eligible countries in total. It seems clear this will need to be reduced. Providing development finance makes the biggest difference to those in greatest need, so we undertake an analysis to ascertain the level of ODA that each of these recipients receives from other countries, expressed in terms of ODA per person in extreme poverty. We identify 31 BMZ partner countries that are under-prioritised—of which 13 are significantly under-prioritised. In contrast, we find 48 countries that are over-prioritised by other providers. We urge BMZ to fully protect budgets in the 31 under-prioritised countries, and concentrate reductions in the 48 over-prioritised. This enhances the impact of BMZ funding overall and enables German funding to represent a larger and more influential share of recipients’ economies.

Sharpening instruments: Over the last five years, funding for the “Multilateral and European development cooperation” federal budget instrument has been cut by 34 percent, while there has been 20 percent cuts in bilateral efforts. Germany is below average in the share of its international finance that is allocated multilaterally. We argue this split should be reversed. First, multilateral organisations are assessed as highly effective by independent assessments, and surveys of the German public also suggest they garner a high level of trust. But there is an additional compelling geopolitical case for allocating funding multilaterally. Following the abrupt withdrawal of the United States from a number of organisations, the international system is more vulnerable than ever. It is difficult envisage a future where Germany is secure and prosperous if the multilateral system fails to endure. We urge the German government to shield its multilateral contributions in from these cuts, refocus earmarked multilateral spend towards core funding, and increase its core multilateral share to at least 40 percent in the next two years. Regarding the remaining bilateral share, we propose that Germany reconsider its current approach to the volume and tendering of technical assistance.

How to deprioritise? Selecting themes, countries and instruments for German development policy

BMZ (Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development or Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) is consulting on how to implement a material reduction in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. In this paper, we review where remaining funds would have the greatest impact, and propose a series of reforms accordingly. We recommend:

Focussed thematic allocation: Germany’s development projects have been substantially diluted over the last decade. We find that BMZ projects have progressively targeted a broader range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The number of projects that target more than four goals, for example has risen almost nine-fold from 72 to over 600 in the last ten years. Evidence suggests that less complex measures would have been more efficient and effective.We suggest focussing on 4–5 SDGs that align with the Government’s priorities and BMZ’s expertise render overall ODA allocation more effective.

Strategic country allocations: BMZ currently funds projects in a 110 of the 141 ODA-eligible countries in total. It seems clear this will need to be reduced. Providing development finance makes the biggest difference to those in greatest need, so we undertake an analysis to ascertain the level of ODA that each of these recipients receives from other countries, expressed in terms of ODA per person in extreme poverty. We identify 31 BMZ partner countries that are under-prioritised—of which 13 are significantly under-prioritised. In contrast, we find 48 countries that are over-prioritised by other providers. We urge BMZ to fully protect budgets in the 31 under-prioritised countries, and concentrate reductions in the 48 over-prioritised. This enhances the impact of BMZ funding overall and enables German funding to represent a larger and more influential share of recipients’ economies.

Sharpening instruments: Over the last five years, funding for the “Multilateral and European development cooperation” federal budget instrument has been cut by 34 percent, while there has been 20 percent cuts in bilateral efforts. Germany is below average in the share of its international finance that is allocated multilaterally. We argue this split should be reversed. First, multilateral organisations are assessed as highly effective by independent assessments, and surveys of the German public also suggest they garner a high level of trust. But there is an additional compelling geopolitical case for allocating funding multilaterally. Following the abrupt withdrawal of the United States from a number of organisations, the international system is more vulnerable than ever. It is difficult envisage a future where Germany is secure and prosperous if the multilateral system fails to endure. We urge the German government to shield its multilateral contributions in from these cuts, refocus earmarked multilateral spend towards core funding, and increase its core multilateral share to at least 40 percent in the next two years. Regarding the remaining bilateral share, we propose that Germany reconsider its current approach to the volume and tendering of technical assistance.

How to deprioritise? Selecting themes, countries and instruments for German development policy

BMZ (Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development or Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung) is consulting on how to implement a material reduction in its Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. In this paper, we review where remaining funds would have the greatest impact, and propose a series of reforms accordingly. We recommend:

Focussed thematic allocation: Germany’s development projects have been substantially diluted over the last decade. We find that BMZ projects have progressively targeted a broader range of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The number of projects that target more than four goals, for example has risen almost nine-fold from 72 to over 600 in the last ten years. Evidence suggests that less complex measures would have been more efficient and effective.We suggest focussing on 4–5 SDGs that align with the Government’s priorities and BMZ’s expertise render overall ODA allocation more effective.

Strategic country allocations: BMZ currently funds projects in a 110 of the 141 ODA-eligible countries in total. It seems clear this will need to be reduced. Providing development finance makes the biggest difference to those in greatest need, so we undertake an analysis to ascertain the level of ODA that each of these recipients receives from other countries, expressed in terms of ODA per person in extreme poverty. We identify 31 BMZ partner countries that are under-prioritised—of which 13 are significantly under-prioritised. In contrast, we find 48 countries that are over-prioritised by other providers. We urge BMZ to fully protect budgets in the 31 under-prioritised countries, and concentrate reductions in the 48 over-prioritised. This enhances the impact of BMZ funding overall and enables German funding to represent a larger and more influential share of recipients’ economies.

Sharpening instruments: Over the last five years, funding for the “Multilateral and European development cooperation” federal budget instrument has been cut by 34 percent, while there has been 20 percent cuts in bilateral efforts. Germany is below average in the share of its international finance that is allocated multilaterally. We argue this split should be reversed. First, multilateral organisations are assessed as highly effective by independent assessments, and surveys of the German public also suggest they garner a high level of trust. But there is an additional compelling geopolitical case for allocating funding multilaterally. Following the abrupt withdrawal of the United States from a number of organisations, the international system is more vulnerable than ever. It is difficult envisage a future where Germany is secure and prosperous if the multilateral system fails to endure. We urge the German government to shield its multilateral contributions in from these cuts, refocus earmarked multilateral spend towards core funding, and increase its core multilateral share to at least 40 percent in the next two years. Regarding the remaining bilateral share, we propose that Germany reconsider its current approach to the volume and tendering of technical assistance.

Deutsche Wirtschaft in den Startlöchern – Finanzpolitik bringt Aufschwung auf Pump

Deutsche Wirtschaft nach zwei Rezessionsjahren in diesem Jahr mit kleinem Wachstum von 0,2 Prozent – Dank fiskalpolitischer Impulse geht es 2026 und 2027 deutlich stärker aufwärts, um 1,3 und 1,6 Prozent – Weltwirtschaft trotz US-Zollpolitik robuster als erwartet Die deutsche Wirtschaft nimmt einen ...

Zagreb muscle son armée : la Croatie choisit les Caesar français et les Leopard allemands

Courrier des Balkans - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 08:17

La Croatie a franchi une nouvelle étape dans la modernisation de ses forces armées en signant l'achat de 18 obusiers automoteurs Caesar MK2 et de 44 chars Leopard. Un choix stratégique qui renforce sa coopération militaire avec la France et l'Allemagne.

- Le fil de l'Info / , , ,

Zagreb muscle son armée : la Croatie choisit les Caesar français et les Leopard allemands

Courrier des Balkans / Croatie - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 08:17

La Croatie a franchi une nouvelle étape dans la modernisation de ses forces armées en signant l'achat de 18 obusiers automoteurs Caesar MK2 et de 44 chars Leopard. Un choix stratégique qui renforce sa coopération militaire avec la France et l'Allemagne.

- Le fil de l'Info / , , ,

Bulgarie : la colère de la rue fait tomber le gouvernement

Courrier des Balkans - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 08:05

Le gouvernement de Rossen Jeliazkov a démissionné au lendemain d'une immense manifestation qui a rassemblé 150 000 personnes mercredi 10 décembre dans le centre de Sofia. Les manifestants dénoncent l'omniprésente corruption, alors que la Bulgarie doit rejoindre la zone euro le 1er janvier.

- Articles / , , , , ,

Blog • Plaidoyer pour une Europe longtemps négligée

Courrier des Balkans - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 08:05

L'Europe de l'Est n'existe pas, ces pays oubliés où se joue notre avenir, d'Arthur Kenigsberg, éditions Eyrolles, 2025, 19,90 euros.

- Lettres de l'Est et des Balkans • Le blog de Pierre Glachant

MAGA fine-storm

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 07:29
In Friday's edition: College of Europe, reparations loan, Moscow’s shadow fleet, Mercosur
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

From Law to Lives Saved: How the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Bill Can Deliver Universal Health Coverage

Africa - INTER PRESS SERVICE - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 07:28

Health workers attend to pregnant and breastfeeding mothers at an outreach visit supported by UNFPA in Loima sub-county. Credit: UNFPA/Luis Tato

By James Nyikal, Margaret Lubaale and Anne-Beatrice Kihara
NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 12 2025 (IPS)

For women in labour across Kenya, reaching a health facility, finding skilled health workers, and affording care can be a matter of life and death. These challenges are not rare, but daily realities for many families.

Every year on 12 December, the world observes Universal Health Coverage Day, a chance to renew the promise of health for all. But for this promise to be meaningful, it must reach every woman and child, everywhere in Kenya.

Slow Progress in Maternal, Newborn, and Child Health

While Kenya has made gradual gains in maternal, newborn and child health with improved vaccination and increased antenatal care, progress in maternal survival has been painfully slow.

Between 2014 and 2019, the maternal mortality rate dropped by less than two percent, even as investment increased. United Nations data shows that Kenya’s maternal mortality ratio remains one of the highest in East Africa, exceeding those of Ethiopia, Uganda, and Tanzania.

Newborn and child deaths have also declined slightly and are severely constrained by inequities. For example, children born to mothers with only primary education face far higher mortality than those whose mothers have secondary education and beyond.

Persistent inequalities continue to deny children a healthy start in life.

The Urgency of the Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Bill

Kenya’s MNCH services have suffered from fragmented policies, inconsistent county financing, and short-term funding. Devolution has blurred responsibilities between national and county governments, leading to gaps in planning, poor reporting, and weak accountability.

The Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH) Bill, 2023, proposed by Sen. Beatrice Akinyi Ogolla, presents a vital opportunity to change this trajectory.

The MNCH Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework guaranteeing the right to maternal, newborn, and child health services. It obliges both national and county governments to respect, protect, and fulfil these rights through enforceable mechanisms.

At its core, the Bill affirms that every woman and child in Kenya, regardless of location or economic status, deserves timely, affordable, respectful, and high-quality care.

It embeds service delivery in the principles of universal access, equity, dignity, availability of essential services, and continuous quality improvement.

How the MNCH Bill Delivers on the Promise of UHC.

    1. Guarantees the right to the highest attainable health for all mothers and children.
    2. Ensures access to the full continuum of care, including before pregnancy and through childhood
    3. Protects marginalised and hard-to-reach communities, such as people living with disabilities or those unable to pay for health services
    4. Guarantees respectful, dignified and non-discriminatory care, irrespective of identity, such as age, marital status or social background
    5. Strengthens health financing at the county level through mandated country budget allocation for MNCH
    6. Improves service availability through infrastructure and supplies such as ambulances, essential medicine and skilled health workers.
    7. Institutionalizes accountability and reporting, with both the Cabinet Secretary and County Executives mandated to submit annual reports to Parliament and County Assemblies on services, financing, and gaps
    8. Strengthens monitoring, data, and quality assurance through mandated continuous monitoring, maternal and child death surveillance, with enforcement of quality standards.

The MNCH Bill is more than a piece of legislation; it is a lifeline and a turning point for millions of Kenyan families.

By making essential services enforceable rights, strengthening accountability, and securing sustainable domestic financing, the Bill lays the foundation for people-centred Universal Health Coverage.

Political Will and National Commitment

Political leadership is aligning behind reforms for women and children. President Ruto’s involvement with the Global Leaders Network for Women’s, Children’s and Adolescents’ Health and his directive for real-time reporting of maternal and child deaths signal a strong executive commitment.

Cabinet Secretary Hon. Aden Duale’s focus on realizing the Social Health Authority and robust county leadership further demonstrates that Kenya is mobilizing on all fronts.

With government officials, communities, civil society, and health workers rallying together, Kenya stands ready to turn these commitments into action.

Call to Action

As the MNCH Bill reaches its final committee stages, now is a critical moment for public involvement. Citizens are encouraged to contact their Members of Parliament to express support for the Bill.

Advocates, experts, donors, and community members must unite and implement strategies to accelerate the reduction of maternal, newborn, and child mortality.

The passage of the MNCH Bill will show that “health for all” is no longer just a slogan, but a binding national pledge.

Hon. Dr James Nyikal is the Chairperson of National Assembly Health Committee; Dr. Margaret Lubaale is the Executive Director of Health NGO Network (HENNET); and Prof Anne-Beatrice Kihara is the immediate former President of International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics.

IPS UN Bureau

 


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Categories: Africa, European Union

Langyos, borús, ködös péntek

Bumm.sk (Szlovákia/Felvidék) - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 07:01
A Szlovák Hidrometeorológiai Intézet (SHMÚ) előrejelzése szerint langyos, felhős/borús, ködös és szélcsendes időjárás várható pénteken (12. 12.). Napközben elvétve, délután helyenként, felszakadozhat a felhőzet – főleg a Zsolnai kerületben, a Szepességben és a Felső-Garam mentén. Elszórtan ködszitálás is előfordulhat.

Fusion technologies generate impressive socio-economic benefits. Now is the time for Europe to show ambition.

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 07:00
Boasting the largest fusion supply chain in the world, thanks to its contribution to ITER – the biggest international fusion experiment, Europe has a competitive advantage to enjoy impressive socio-economic benefits. Will it play its cards, right?
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

EU drives car industry into circular economy

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:10
Lawmakers have agreed rules to curb the car industry’s environmental footprint and cut reliance on imported critical raw materials
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

Fussballer investiert in Saudi-Arabien: Jetzt sucht Pogba mit Kamelrennen sein Glück

Blick.ch - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:04
Paul Pogba investiert in ein saudisches Kamelrenn-Team. Der ehemalige ManUtd-Mittelfeldspieler ist nun Aktionär und Botschafter von Al Haboob. Pogba bewundert den Einsatz und die Teamarbeit im Kamelrenn-Sport.

Sogar die Küstenwache muss ausrücken: 15-Jährige flieht in Handschellen ins Meer

Blick.ch - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:04
Hunderte Jugendliche nehmen an einer Party am St.-Kilda-Strand in Melbourne teil. Weil es zu einer Schlägerei kommt, wird die Polizei gerufen. Eine 15-Jährige wird festgenommen. Oder doch nicht?

Paris Agreement turns 10: Move over Greta, China now calls the shots

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:00
A dispatch from a gloomy Brussels climate summit
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

Musk’s fury over X fine sends chill through MEPs and EU staff

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:00
Brussels’ tech enforcers are used to pushback, but not like this. The Commission’s €120 million fine for Elon Musk’s social media platform X last week has had an unexpected side effect: triggering anxiety among the officials and lawmakers charged with upholding the bloc’s digital rulebook, the Digital Service Act (DSA). Shortly after the EU announced […]
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

Ukrainian ex-PM says Zelenskyy may be reelected, but will not govern alone

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:00
The potential redrawing of borders looms as the most sensitive issue in ongoing peace talks
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

EU to reinterpret sea law to confront Russia’s shadow fleet

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:00
EU states seek wider boarding powers to counter vessels suspected of aiding Russia’s war effort
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

For a more positive reading of the US National Security Strategy

Euractiv.com - Fri, 12/12/2025 - 06:00
Beyond the outraged reactions to the US Security Strategy, a more positive reading can yield constructive guidance for the EU
Categories: European Union, Swiss News

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