Cash for development? The use of microcredits and cash transfers as development tools

Aitor Pérez, Nicolás Ayensa, Maricruz Lacalle. 12/2/2021.

This report provides details of the latest advances in these cash-for-development tools at a time when the EU is reshaping its development finance tools for the 2021-27 period.

Collaborative efforts to stimulate sustainable investment for COVID-19 recovery in developing countries

San Bilal. ARI 142/2020 - 30/12/2020.

Limited fiscal space in many developing countries demands collective efforts and EU leadership to help improve their macro-economic conditions and attract more investments for a higher impact and sustainability for recovery from COVID-19.

Monitoring countries’ commitment against illicit financial flows

Aitor Pérez and Gerardo Rodríguez. 27/11/2020.

This paper argues that engagement against illicit financial flows (IFFs) can easily be measured drawing on official and reliable sources that assess countries against standards on which they have previously agreed. An example of such measurement is provided drawing on the FATF peer review system, and it is suggested that the G20 use it to fill in this global governance gap.

International financial transparency

Aitor Pérez. WP 17/2020 (English version) - 29/7/2020.

This paper advocates clear concepts and ways of measuring transparency and illicit financial flows as a first step to improving the communication of the agenda and ultimately making it more effective.

Global norms, gender equality and development cooperation: the need to build on strong local support to change gender relations

Lars Engberg-Pedersen. ARI 58/2019 - 22/5/2019.

Do global norms on gender equality diffuse to all corners of the world? Based on a study of major organisations in international development cooperation this seems questionable.

Aid Power and Politics - How do international-relations theories explain aid policies?

Real Instituto Elcano / Elcano Royal Institute. 21/5/2019.

The ‘Aid narratives project’ explores diverse political arguments behind development cooperation. This analysis is framed in an international context where the basic grounds of this public policy are under debate, or even contested.

Target 2030: illicit financial flows

Alex Cobham. ARI 81/2018 - 26/6/2018.

Target 16.4 in the UN Sustainable Development Goals is a global commitment to reduce the level of illicit financial flows. The target stands as a great achievement by civil society organisations, but there remain critical challenges, both technical and political, if progress is to be realised.

What is behind the African miracle? Implications for European cooperation

Nicolás Lippolis. ARI 65/2018 (English version) - 7/5/2018.

The evolution of African economies since the end of the raw-materials boom has been marked by a growing heterogeneity. The EU’s development cooperation should adapt to the new realities unfolding on the continent.

The international aid of subnational governments: the case of Spain

Aitor Pérez. WP 10/2018 (English version) - 25/4/2018.

Spanish Autonomous Communities (regions) and municipalities gave some US$220 million in development assistance in 2015. This accounts for a third of total Spanish bilateral ODA, making Spain the world’s most decentralised donor.

Document of interest: Possible impacts of Brexit on EU development and humanitarian policies

. 17/4/2017.

The EU is currently the world’s largest donor. According to OECD records, its institutions and member states are responsible for more than 50 % of the world’s Official Development Assistance (ODA). With a total ODA volume of USD 18.7 billion in 2015, the UK stands as the aid world’s second largest contributor in absolute terms. The Brexit process may, therefore, mean a huge loss for the EU as a global donor. Written by  Iliana Olivié and Aitor Pérez, analysts at the Elcano Royal Institute, this study support the work of the European Parliament’s Committee on Development (DEVE) in the debate surrounding the UK’s withdrawal from the EU.