Business and Human Rights in Development Cooperation – has Sweden Incorporated the UN Guiding Principles

The study finds examples of policy commitments to improved human rights practices by companies as well as diligent efforts in agencies and State-owned companies. The observed good practices by the State institutions appear to reflect results of systematic efforts with regards to implementation of human rights commitments. This is due to internal work in the institutions and not to specific requirements posed by the State ministries.

Opening Doors and Unlocking Potential – Key Lessons from an Evaluation of Support for Policy Influencing, Lobbying and Advocacy

An increasing number of donors have rediscovered the importance of civil society in creating the conditions for achieving sustainable development. The Netherlands follows this trend. The evaluation concludes that CSOs succeed to various degrees in placing issues higher on the agenda and in influencing policy. However, influencing policy implementation is far more difficult to realise.

What Works for Market Development: A Review of the Evidence

This pre-study aims to inform Sida of the evidence of what works for market development and the results frameworks and results chains derived from it. Secondly, it identifies where the gaps in the evidence are and, based on this, makes recommendations as to what Sida should focus on in evaluating its market development portfolio. It focuses on private sector development, financial sector development, trade, and the use of instruments.

Aided Trade – An Evaluation of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (2005-2012)

This report presents the findings of the evaluation of the Centre for the Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI). The evaluation investigates CBI’s sectoral export coaching programme and the business support organisation development. The report concludes that CBI’s sectoral export coaching programmes were relevant, though often insufficient to stimulate companies to start exporting to Europe.

Youth, Entrepreneurship and Development

This report gives an overview of the international research frontier on microfinance, business training, and entrepreneurship, with particular focus on youth and gender empowerment. It provides both a comprehensive overview of the literature and an in-depth analysis of findings. The report discusses the potential and limitations of small-scale business development as a tool for poverty reduction, and informs Swedish development policy.

Evaluation of the MDG3 Fund – ‘Investing in Equality’ 2008-2011

This evaluation informs on how the MDG3 Fund has been put into practice and what is known of its results. Looking at the types of activities financed by the Fund, 80% of the projects undertook policy influencing, lobby and advocacy. It is a sub-study of the policy evaluation on women’s rights and gender equality conducted by IOB.

Evaluation of the Dutch Contribution to Transition in the Arab Region (2009-2013)

This report presents the findings of an evaluation of the response of the Dutch government to the Arab uprisings and its support to: democratisation; the rule of law; and economic growth. The Ministry funded a range of projects, however, less support was provided to governments in transition than to civil society. Findings show that the implementation of support to Arab countries is far from easy because of the volatile context.

Related Documents

• Le soutien à la transition démocratique dans le monde arabe demande une réflexion plus approfondie - lettre d'information de l'IOB 1501

Evaluation of the Business Sector Advocacy Challenge Fund Ghana

The overall purpose of the evaluation was learning from the support to business advocacy in Ghana in order to draw lessons for future support there and for similar programmes in other countries. It is expected that the findings of the evaluation will provide an input to the preparation of the next phase of Danish support to private sector development in Ghana.

Danida Business-to-Business Programme 2006- 2011

The overall objective of the B2B Programme was to contribute to poverty reduction by promoting economic growth and social development in developing countries.The Evaluation of the B2B Programme has the dual purpose of assessing and documenting the B2B Programme as well as providing lessons for future implementation of Danida Business Partnerships.

Evaluation of the Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector Programme

The Responsible and Accountable Garment Sector Challenge Fund (RAGS) was designed by DFID to support projects aimed at improving conditions of vulnerable workers in the ready-made garment production sector. RAGS supported 12 projects in four countries, India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Lesotho, by providing matching grants to organisations concerned with labour conditions in the garment sector in developing countries.