Context
Governance refers to the way decisions are taken and policies are formulated and implemented within a state. This affects political processes at the local, national and international level. Norms and values as well as institutions and procedures that regulate the actions of state and non-state actors are crucial in this context. The German understanding of good governance does not only concern the responsible use of state power. It also includes fostering constructive relations between the state and its people. It includes democratic and civil society participation, the rule of law and effective democratic institutions.
Good governance is at the heart of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly in September 2015. Apart from being the focus of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, good governance is also embedded in numerous targets and indicators of other SDGs. It therefore plays a key role in ensuring that the 2030 Agenda’s objectives are achieved. Good governance is one of the fundamental objectives of development efforts throughout the world. Germany contributes greatly to this cause: with almost 2,000 projects worldwide we support our partners in implementing governance reforms, improving the rule of law and actively engaging with civil society on all policy issues.
Objective
The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development is able to mainstream state-of-the-art, overarching positions on governance in bilateral and international cooperation.
Approach
The project team advises the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and the organisations implementing German development cooperation on current overarching issues of good governance. The team assists BMZ to prepare, formulate and implement new technical concepts and strategies. By participating in thematic and political networks as well as working with international organisations the sector programme positions German development goals and policies at international level. In addition, the team works with project staff of implementing organisations of German development cooperation to fulfil policy objectives. Members of the team also pilot and assess new approaches. Topics covered by the programme include the rule of law, administrative reform, promotion of democracy and governance in fragile contexts.
Results
The programme’s conceptual input has enabled BMZ to refine the German position on promoting the rule of law and to present this position at the international level. As a result of this in-depth advice and the support lent to an international participatory process, good governance has become a top priority in the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda. The programme has also enhanced the profile of German approaches and concepts in the areas of civil society participation and e-governance (the use of digital technology in governance processes). The sector programme has worked with Deutsche Welle in eight countries to support local initiatives designed to improve freedom of the press and access to information. BMZ’s state-of-the-art approaches to promoting good governance and German development cooperation’s innovative projects are helping to make political frameworks in partner countries more effective. Such enabling environments are essential to achieve sustainable social, environmental and economic development and thereby improve people’s lives.