Meeting global challenges and making a difference - aligning international development policy with global goals: analysis of responses

1 Introduction and policy context

1.1 Between February and May 2016, the Scottish Government undertook a public consultation on its international development programme. The consultation discussion paper, Meeting Global Challenges and Making a Difference, invited views about how its policy in this area should develop in the future. ^[3]

1.2 This report presents findings from the analysis of the consultation responses.

Policy context

1.3 On 25 September 2015 the United Nations adopted 17 Global Goals to build a better world by 2030. The aim of the Global Goals - also called the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs) - is to end extreme poverty and improve living standards around the world within the next 15 years. The Global Goals build on the achievements of the Millennium Development Goals which were set in 2000. ^[4]

1.4 The Scottish Government has made a commitment to the Global Goals, both by tackling poverty and inequality in Scotland, and also by contributing to the eradication of poverty in developing countries.

1.5 Although international relations are reserved to Westminster, the Scotland Act 1998 gives powers to Scottish Ministers to assist Ministers of the Crown with international relations, including through international development assistance. Thus, Scotland has its own International Development Fund ( IDF), and its work in international development began in November 2005 with the signing of a Cooperation Agreement with the Government of Malawi.

1.6 Scotland's IDF provides funding of £9m per year. This supports 57 projects in seven countries across eight thematic priorities. On the tenth anniversary of Scotland first pursuing its own international development work, the Scottish Government wanted to refresh its approach to international development funding, and undertook a consultation to inform this process.

1.7 The consultation document explained that the Government believed its current spending on international development was too thinly spread, and in order to achieve greater impact, it should be more carefully targeted. At the same time, there was also a desire to align Scottish Government international development policy more closely to the new United Nations' Global Goals.

About the consultation

1.8 The consultation discussion document contained 22 questions, inviting views on a range of issues related to the policy refresh. Sections 2 and 3 discussed the re-prioritisation of the IDF, both in terms of geographical focus and thematic focus. Section 4 sought views about ways of improving the current funding models and the periods for which funding is provided, and Section 5 discussed the Scottish Government's contribution to the 'Beyond Aid' agenda.

1.9 Information about the consultation was sent to a wide range of stakeholders, not just in Scotland but overseas as well. This included key organisations across the international development community, such as NIDOS (Network of International Development Organisations in Scotland) and the Scotland Malawi Partnership as well as other Scottish Government departments, agencies and non-departmental public bodies. It was circulated amongst academic institutions, and in the private sector and sent directly to High Commissioners and the Consular Corps in Scotland. Consultation events were also carried out across Scotland with specific stakeholder groups. These included events with non-governmental organisations, public sector bodies, private sector agencies, academic organisations, and diaspora groups. In addition, the Scottish Government ran consultation events aimed at the general public in locations across Scotland, as well as using social media to elicit opinions. The findings from these events echo much of what was submitted in formal responses and will be used to help inform the Scottish Government's new policy more generally.

1.10 An online consultation response form was made available through the Scottish Government's Citizen Space consultation hub. Responses could also be submitted by email or post.

About the analysis

1.11 In general, the main aim of consultation analysis is to identify the main themes in people's responses, and the full range of views expressed.

1.12 In this particular consultation, there were a small number of very comprehensive responses (see Chapter 2) that demonstrated a strategic understanding of operating an international development fund. The main points made in these responses are reflected in this report, but these responses need to be read in full by those seeking to develop future Scottish Government policy in this area. At the same time, this consultation also received a larger number of comments that focused more specifically on areas of direct interest to individual respondents.

1.13 Both types of response provide a valuable perspective on the issue of international development. However, in the analysis of these different types of responses, it is impractical to report the full range of views, given that some views are expressed by just one or two respondents. This needs to be borne in mind when reading this report. ^[5]