1. Synthesis of Responses to the Joint Evaluation of General Budget Support James Bianco Evaluation Department DFID

2. Page 2 Introduction May 2006 JEGBS Published Commissioned by consortium of over 20 donors and 7 partner govt’s under umbrella of DAC Network on Development Evaluation 2 years to complete, cost $4 million, evaluated spending of $4 billion in 7 partner countries over 10 years Agreed at 5 th Meeting of DAC Evaluation Network a survey of Donors and Governments should take place one year after the JEGBS’s publication

3. Page 3 Who responded? Survey completed by the people responsible for aid instruments/budget support policy and guidance in donor agencies; and by people from policy analysis departments or aid co-ordination units in partner country governments. 19 donors responded (17 Bi-laterals, 2 Multi-laterals) 3 Partner country governments

4. Page 4 SECTION 1 - How did donor organisations disseminate the evaluation and its recommendations?

5. Page 5 Of the 31 recommendations which did the donor organisations rate as the most important?

6. Page 6 Have any of the recommendations been incorporated into policy or operational documents?

7. Page 7 SECTION 2 – How did the country case study respondents disseminate the evaluation and its findings? Only three respondents – approaches varied. One was highly active – included a 2 day work shop with the consultants with Minister of Finance and Budget and sector ministries + mission to Mozambique to discuss aid management techniques One had conference with donors + discourse over e-mail One relatively inactive – though some bi- lateral discussions with donors.

8. Page 8 Where any of the recommendations deemed particularly important? Two recommendations found to be equally important by two of the country respondents: the “Need to develop medium to long term commitments to PGBS”; and “Ensure full alignment of donor TA and support to PFM” Other three highest ranking recommendations included: “Further develop the mutual accountability framework and tidy up the conditionality content and process”; “ Define sector policies clearly as frameworks for aligning all aid”; “Prioritise analytical work to support linking PRSC policy activities to the Government’s Social Economic Development Plan”.

9. Page 9 Did the country governments notice any change in the donors approach to delivering PGBS subsequent to publication of JEGBS? Changes noted by two of the Country governments included: Increased consultation when defining the terms of disbursements. More flexibility in evaluations taking into account pressures on government. More regular and franker high-level dialogue on the question of corruption. Greater alignment to government regulations Longer term financial commitments – helping the governments planning processes.