Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic · lic’s foreign policy. It builds closely on the Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2010-2017, including

Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic2018–2030

Prague 2017

Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic | 2 |


Summary .................................................................................. 4

I. Vision ....................................................................................... 5

Conflictprevention,stabilisation,humanitarianassistance ................................................5

II. Points of reference and principles ............................................ 6

III. Main objectives and priorities in development and humanitarian sectors of the Czech Republic .......... 8

IV. Main areas of cooperation ....................................................... 11

Bilateral development cooperation ......................................................................................11

Humanitarianassistance ..................................................................................................... 14

Multilateral development cooperation ................................................................................ 16

V. Instruments and partnerships .................................................18

VI. Implementation of the Strategy ...............................................21

CommunicationandpresentationoftheStrategy ..............................................................22

ValidityandrevisionoftheStrategy ...................................................................................23

VII. Annexes .................................................................................. 23


Summary

The Czech Republic’s development cooperation and humanitarian assistance is an expression of soli-darity, a key instrument of foreign policy, and an investment into the country’s own security.

Development cooperation helps partner countries address their economic, social, environmental and security problems, build their resilience, give their people prospects for a better future, and thus to reduce risks that we all face. In synergy with humanitarian assistance, it provides opportunity for targeted support for stabilisation of countries affected by conflicts and disasters, with a direct link to recovery, development and political and economic partnerships.

The main framework for development and humanitarian activities between 2015 and 2030 is defined by Agenda 2030 adopted in September 2015. Agenda 2030 defines seventeen Sustainable Develop-ment Goals (SDGs) and sets the objectives for global development until 2030, interlinking the econom-ic, social and environmental dimensions of development. Agenda 2030 focuses on poverty eradication and reducing inequalities in the developing as well as developed world, involving the public, civil, private and academic sectors in this effort.

The Czech Republic’s development activities will focus on five thematic priorities: from building stable and democratic institutions, through sustainable management of natural resources, agriculture and rural development to inclusive social development and economic growth.

In the priority countries selected for bilateral development cooperation, the Czech Republic will en-sure the coherence between development cooperation and humanitarian activities (development-hu-manitarian nexus). It will promote mutually accountable and transparent partnerships at the level of the public, non-profit and private sectors. Special attention will also be paid to fragile countries, especially their rapid stabilisation after disasters and conflicts, recovery and resilience building.

In the implementation of development and humanitarian activities, the Czech Republic will use both project and financial instruments to efficiently achieve the intended results, including the interconnec-tion of its bilateral cooperation with the financial instruments of the EU, the UN and other interna-tional organisations and financial institutions.

The fulfilment of development cooperation and humanitarian objectives will be in line with the foreign policy priorities of the Czech Republic in order to ensure the mutual synergy of its individual compo-nents while contributing to the implementation of the Strategic Framework Czech Republic 2030.

Implementation of the strategy will be continually reviewed. Regular and transparent information available to professional and general public will be an important part of development and humani-tarian efforts.


I. Vision

The purpose of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance is to promote sta-bility in partner countries, and to foster their potential for sustainable economic and social development and prosperity.

Development cooperation enables theCzechRepublic to contribute to the reductionofpoverty andinequalityintheworldwhilepromotingitsnationalinterests,strengtheningitssecurityandlayingthegroundworkforstrongerpolitical,tradeandinvestmentrelationsandforeconomicdiplomacy.

HumanitarianassistanceenablestheCzechRepublictocontributetosavinghumanlivesandreducingsufferingofpeopleaffectedbynaturaldisastersorconflicts,torapidlyrestoredecentlivingconditionsandreducethevulnerabilityofthepopulationinpartnercountries.

CzechdevelopmentcooperationfocusesonareaswheretheCzechRepubliccanofferspecificexperienceandexpertise,andwhereithasthenecessarycapacities/expertsfortheimplementation.

TheCzechRepublic’sdevelopmentcooperationfocusesonalimitednumberofpartnercountries,pri-oritythemesandactivities.ItusestheCzechRepublic’scomparativeadvantagestomaximisesynergiesforgreaterpositiveimpact.

TheCzechRepublicstrivestocreatestrategicpartnershipsindevelopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistancebetweenthepublic,private,civilandacademicsectorsandtoeffectivelylinkactivitiesaimedatpreventingandresolvingconflictsanddisasterswithstabilisation,reconstructionanddevelopment.


II. Points of reference and principles

Themainpointofreferenceformoderndevelopmentcooperationisthe2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment(Agenda2030)anditsSustainableDevelopmentGoals(SDGs)1basedonthe2000-2015MillenniumDevelopmentGoals.Agenda2030interlinkstheeconomic,socialandenvironmentaldi-mensionsofsustainabledevelopment,includingkeyareassuchaspromotionofgoodgovernanceandinclusivepeacefulsocieties,andemphasizes thereductionofstructural inequalities.Agenda2030isuniversaland17SDGsareaddressedtoallcountries:thedevelopingaswellasthedevelopedonesbasedonthenationalownershipofthedevelopmentprocessandsharedresponsibilityfortheresults.

AnintegralpartofAgenda2030istheAddisAbabaActionAgendawhichsetsanewparadigmforde-velopmentfinancing,withanemphasisonthemobilisationofdomesticresourcesandunderliningthecatalyticroleoffinancingfordevelopment.ItskeycomponentistheOfficialDevelopmentAssistance(ODA)providedbydevelopedcountriestosupportdevelopment.TheCzechRepublichaspledgedtoachievethe0.33%ODA/GNIratioby2030.

TheSendaiFrameworkforDisasterRiskReduction2015-2030,alsoadoptedin2015,setsthemainob-jectivesintheareaofdisasterprevention,preparednessandresilience.TheParisAgreementundertheUNFrameworkConventiononClimateChange,adoptedin2016,establishesalegallybindingframe-workforclimateprotectionbeyond2020.

TheUNAgendaforHumanity,adoptedatthefirstWorldHumanitarianSummitinIstanbulinMay2016,reaffirmsAgenda2030withitscommitmentto“leavingnoonebehind”.Itunderlinestheneedtorespectinternationalhumanitarianlaw,andurgescountriesandinternationalorganisationstohonourtheirhumanitariancommitmentsconcerningthedeliveryofeffectiveandefficientassistance,inpar-ticulartovictimsofconflictsandforceddisplacement.

Thenewglobalframeworkforsustainabledevelopment,humanitarianassistanceanddisasterriskre-ductionhighlightsresilience–ofpopulations,countriesandregions–tonatural,man-madeandhybridthreats.Itaimstobuildresilientbasicinfrastructuresandpublicadministrationsystems,tostrengthenadaptationtoclimatechange,toimprovefoodsecurityandnutrition,andtoachievebetteroverallriskassessmentandriskmanagementatthelocal,regionalandgloballevels.

AnimportantframeworkfortheCzechRepublic’sdevelopmentcooperationisthedevelopmentpolicyoftheEuropeanUnion,formulatedintheEuropeanConsensusonDevelopmentwhichaimstopromoteimplementationoftheAgenda2030indevelopingcountriesandtobettercoordinatetheassistanceofEuropeandonors.ThenewconsensusisbasedontheEUGlobalStrategyadoptedin2016,outliningthecomprehensivevisionoftheEU’sexternalaction.

ThelegislativebasisfortheCzechdevelopmentcooperationistheActNo.151/2010Coll.,onDevelop-mentCooperationandHumanitarianAssistance(hereinafterreferredtoasthe“DevelopmentCooper-ationAct”).ThestrategicandpolicyframeworkisestablishedbythisStrategy,buildingontheStrategic

1Thedocumententitled“Transformingourworld:the2030AgendaforSustainableDevelopment”wasadoptedattheUNsum-mitheldinNewYorkinSeptember2015.ThedocumentidentifyingseventeenSDGsistheresultofcooperationbetweenallUNmemberstates,civilsocietyrepresentatives,andthebusinessandacademiccommunities.

DevelopmentCooperationStrategyoftheCzechRepublic |7|

FrameworkCzechRepublic2030andontheConceptoftheCzechRepublic’sForeignPolicy.2

TheCzechDevelopmentCooperationStrategyiscoherentwiththemainobjectivesoftheCzechRepub-lic’s foreignpolicy. ItbuildscloselyontheDevelopmentCooperationStrategyof theCzechRepublic2010-2017,includingits2014mid-termevaluation,andreflectslessonslearnedfromitsimplementationaswellasthe“Mainfindingsandrecommendations”presentedin2016bytheOECDDevelopmentAssis-tanceCommittee(OECD/DAC)atthefirsteverPeerReviewoftheCzechRepublic’sdevelopmentsystem.

Effective partnership

In development cooperation, the CzechRepublicwill strive for effective, result-oriented action andaclearcontributiontopartnercountriesaswellastotheCzechRepublic’sinterests.

In linewith thecommitmentsof theGlobalPartnership forEffectiveDevelopmentCooperation, theCzechRepublicwillfocusonfurtherprogressinthefollowingareas:

• Strengtheninglocalownershipofdevelopmentpolicies:notablybyaligningitsobjectiveswiththerespectivenationaldevelopmentstrategiesofthepartnercountriesandbypromotingtheirinclusiveparticipationindecision-making;

• Coordinationandharmonisationwithotherdonors;linkingbilateralandmultilateralcooperation;

• Result-orientedplanningandimplementationofdevelopmentactivities;

• Inclusionofdevelopmentpartnershipsatthelevelofthegovernment,publicadministration,civilsocietyandprivatesector,and

• IncreasingthetransparencyandpredictabilityoftheCzechODAandmutualresponsibilityofallpartners.

Policy Coherence for Development

PolicycoherenceisoneoftheAgenda2030goalswhichareessentialtosustainabledevelopment.Inlinewith theAgenda2030andtheobjectivesof theCzechRepublic2030StrategicFramework, theCzechRepublicwillstrivetoensurethecoherenceofdomesticandforeignpolicieswiththeobjectivesofthedevelopmentcooperationinordertopreventthenegativeimpactsofindividualpoliciesondevelop-mentefforts,withanemphasisonenvironmentalandhumanrightsdimension.WithintheframeworkoftheGovernmentCouncilforSustainableDevelopmentandinco-operationwiththeCouncilonDe-velopmentCooperation,thecoherenceofalltheCzechnationalpolicieswillbestressedtoensurethattheyeffectivelycontributetosustainabledevelopmentathomeandintheworld.

2 Strategic Framework Czech Republic 2030 was approved by Government Resolution No. 292 of 19 April 2017; Concept of the Czech Repub-lic’s Foreign Policy was adopted by Government Resolution No. 563 of 13 July


III. Main objectives and priorities in development and humanitarian sectors of the Czech Republic

ThecoreobjectiveoftheCzechRepublic´sdevelopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistanceistocontribute-usingitscapacitiesandexperienceandinlinewithinternationalcommitments-tobuild-ingastable,secure,inclusive,prosperousandsustainableworldandtostrengthenitspositionwithinit.FollowingtheAgenda2030andtheCzechRepublic2030StrategicFramework,theCzechRepublicwillfocusonfulfilmentofselectedthematicprioritiesinthedevelopmentandhumanitarianareawhichcorrespondtothekeySustainableDevelopmentGoals.

Good democratic governance

TheCzechRepublicbelievesthatpromotionofapeacefulandcoherentdemocraticsocietyisanessentialpresumptionofsecurityandstableinternationalrelations,andacontributiontothepreventionofconflictsandforceddisplacement.ThisobjectiveenablestheCzechRepublictocapitaliseonitscomparativeadvantage–theexperi-enceandknowledgeacquiredintheprocessofitsownpoliticalandeconomictran-sitioncanbetransferredandimplementedinpartnercountriestofosterthedevel-opmentofdemocraticsocietiesinwhichhumanrightsarerespectedandallpeople

haveaccesstojustice.ThisobjectivealsoservestheCzechRepublic’sinterestsandneeds–promotionofgoodgovernanceisaprerequisiteforintensifyingpoliticalandeconomicrelationswithpartnercoun-tries.TheCzechRepublicwillalsopursuethisobjectivewithintheframeworkoftheTransformationCooperationProgramme(undertheauspicesoftheMinistryofForeignAffairs)andotherdevelopmentcooperationinstrumentswithanemphasisonincreasingthecapacitiesandlegitimacyofpublicinsti-tutionsatalllevels.

Sustainable management of natural resources

Inadequatesupplyofsafedrinkingwaterandlimitedaccesstosanitationfacilitiesaremajorsignsofpovertyindevelopingcountries.Thesedeficienciescontributetothespreadofdiseasesandgenerallyimpairthequalityofhealthylifeandprotectionof public health. In viewof its past experience and its own capacities, theCzechRepublic intendstobuildonitsexistingexperienceandcapacities.Thefocuswillremainondrinkingwatersupply,waterresourcesprotection,aswellasonthede-velopment ofwastemanagement, and on sustainable use of natural resources ingeneral.TheCzechRepublicwillcontinuetocontributetoprotectpartnercountriesandcommunitiesagainsttheimpactsofclimatechange,naturaldisastersandrisksandtakeintoaccounttheenvironmentalaspectsofindustry,withanemphasisonmeasurestoincreaseresilienceandadaptabilitytoclimatechange.Itwillalsofocusonthetransferoftechnologyandknow-howinthegivenfields.


Economic transformation and growth

TheCzechRepublicwillbuildonitstrackrecordandexperienceintheareassuchastechnicalsupportandcapacitybuildinginindustry.Thecooperationwill focusonthetransferoftechnologyandknowledge.Inviewof itsexperience, theCzechRepublic will focus on providing access to affordable, reliable and sustainablelow-emissionenergysourcestowardsatechnicallymodernandenergy-independentpartnercountry.TheCzechRepublicwillcontinuetofocusitsactivitiesonsupport-ingsustainable,inclusiveandsustainableeconomicgrowthwhilerespectinghumanrights,socialandsocio-economicrightstopromotefullandproductiveemploymentandtoensuredecentworkforall.Environmentalprotectionandthefightagainstcorruptionwillbeamongthemainconcernsunderthisobjective.

Agriculture and rural development

Limitedaccesstogoodqualityandsafefood,low-efficientandenvironmentallyun-friendly(includingterrestrialecosystems)soilmanagementmethods,andunderde-velopedorpoorlyfunctioningvaluechainsinagriculture,foodproductionandruraldevelopmentaresomeofthepressingproblemsindevelopingcountries.TheCzechRepublicwillcontributetoeliminatehunger,improvenutritionandsupportruraldevelopment,withanemphasisonbuildingsustainable,environmentally friendlyandprofitablelocalagriculturalproduction.Atthesametime,theCzechRepublicwillcontributetoprotectionofbiodiversityandecosystems, inparticularsoilandforest rehabilitation, and prevention of soil degradation and desertification. TheCzechRepublicwillfocusespeciallyonthetransferofrelevantknow-how,theuseofsuitableagricultural technologies for thesustainableuseofecosystems incropandlivestockproduction,andthedevelopmentofruralsmallholderhouseholdsandcommunities,includingsupportforproperfunctioningoffoodcommoditymarkets.


Inclusive social development

Inthisarea,theCzechdevelopmentcooperationwillcontinueitslong-standingfo-cusespeciallyoneducation,healthcareandsupportforsocialinclusion.TheCzechRepublicthuswantstopromotehealthylifeandgenerallythequalityoflifeinpart-nercountries, includingequalandaffordableaccessto inclusiveandgoodqualityeducation(primaryandespeciallysecondaryandvocationaltechnicaleducationandlifelonglearningforall).Itwillalsoacttowardscreatingasocietyopentoallgroupsofthepopulation,includingsociallyexcludedandotherwisedisadvantagedgroups.

Cross-cutting priorities

Thepriorities tobestreamlinedacross theabove-mentionedobjectives includepromotionofpeace-fulandinclusivesocieties,accesstojusticeforall,accountable,participatoryandrepresentativedeci-sion-making,andbuildingofeffective,accountableandtransparentinstitutionsatalllevels.Inpartnercountriesaswellasininternationalorganisations,theCzechRepublicwillplaceemphasisonthede-velopmentofdemocracyandrespectforhumanrights,includinggenderequalityandempowermentofwomenandgirls.

Inallitsactivities,theCzechRepublicwillpromotethepartnercountry’sownershipofthedevelopmentprocessandmutuallyaccountableandinclusivepartnershipswithcooperatingcountriesandinterna-tionalorganisations.Itwillbedrivenbydevelopmentandhumanitarianneedsofthepartnercountries,includingmobilisationofdomesticresources,debtsustainability,capacitybuilding,implementationofthenationalsustainabledevelopmentandresilienceplans,aswellasthestrengtheningandbuildingofstandardised,transparentandequitabletradingsystems.

The activities of theCzechRepublicwillmaintain its commitment to sustainable use of natural re-sources,andtoenvironmentalprotectionandbiodiversity.Itwillcontinuetofocusonincreasingtheresilienceofpartnercountriestothenegativeimpactsofclimatechangeandnaturaldisasters,whilepromotingthedevelopmentofnational,regionalandglobalmechanismsforeffectiveclimatechangemanagement and capacity building.


IV. Main areas of cooperation

TheCzechRepublicwillseektoeffectivelyinterlinkpoliciesandmeasuresinordertoachievevisibleandsustainableresultsandmaximisesynergiesforthegreatestpossibleimpactofCzechdevelopmentandhumanitarianinterventions,whilerespectingthebasicprinciplesofbilateralandmultilateralde-velopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistance,respectively.

Bilateral development cooperation

The aim of Czech bilateral development cooperation is to offer partner countries modern cooperation instruments that reflect their demand, capacity and level of development and contribute to the overall growth of mutual relations.

Inthechoiceofpartnercountries,theCzechRepublicwillfocusinbalancedwayoncooperationwithlow-income countries (LDCs, Least Developed Countries) as well as withmiddle-income countries(MICs)intermsofOECDclassification.ThisapproachreflectsAgenda2030withitsfocusontheworld’spoorestcountrieswhileenablingtheCzechRepublictocapitaliseonitscomparativeadvantage–thetransitionexperience.Inaddition,theCzechRepublic´sdevelopmentcooperationnaturallycontributestothecountry’sinvestmentintoqualityandmutuallyadvantageouspartnerships.


Thechoiceofprioritypartnercountriestakesintoaccountrecommendationsfromthemid-termreviewofthe2010-2017DevelopmentCooperationStrategyaswellasOECD/DACrecommendations(forthesummaryseeAnnex1).Theselectioncriteriaareasfollows:

• Overall state of bilateral relations between the Czech Republic and the partner country,includingtheexistenceofaresidentCzechdiplomaticmission,whichhasamajorimpactontheeffectivenessofdevelopmentcooperation;

• Development relevance, added value of and need for the Czech development cooperation in the partner country, continuing needforassistanceaccordingtoOECD/DACclassification;

• Ownership of the development process and assessment of the conditions in the country for Czech development cooperation,thedegreetowhichpreviousCzechprogrammesandprojectshaveachievedtheirtargets,thedegreeofownershipbylocalpartners,theconditionsforimplementationintherecipientcountryincludingrespectforCzech,localandinternationallaw,theabilityofthepartnercountry’spublicadministrationandlocalgovernmentstoabsorbthesharedtechnologies,know-howandknowledgeandcontinueusingthemonalong-termbasis;

• Sustainability and impacts of the activities, the country’s interest and readiness to build a partnership for development andresponsiblycontributetotheintendedresults;

• Coordination with other donors, including EU Joint Programming;

• Visibility of the Czech development cooperation inthecountryandamongotherdonors.


Ineachoftheprioritycountries3,theCzechRepublicwillfocusonaclearlydefinedsetofthematicpri-orities(uptothree).Itwill,asarule,combineprioritiesintheareaofinfrastructure(agricultureandruraldevelopment,sustainablemanagementofnaturalresources,economicgrowth)andpublicserviceareas (gooddemocraticgovernanceand inclusivesocialdevelopment).Thisapproach(tobeappliedalsointheso-calledspecificcountriesandotherdevelopingcountries)enablestoeffectivelyrespondtothepartnercountry’sneeds,toengageprojectimplementersfromnon-profit,private,academicandpublicsectors,aswellastodevelopsynergiesandsufficientvisibilityinthepartnercountry.InrelationtoprioritycountriesoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperation,thisprinciplewillbefurtherelaboratedinbilateralcooperationprogrammes,whichwillbecontinuouslyevaluatedandupdatedaccordingtotheneedsofpartnercountries.

3OnthebasisoftheaboveandfollowingdebatesintheCouncilonDevelopmentCooperationin2015-2016,theGovernmentapprovedanewlistofprioritypartnercountriesoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationfortheperiodfrom2018onwards (GovernmentResolutionNo.631of11July2016).ThelistincludesBosniaandHerzegovina,Cambodia,Ethiopia,Georgia,Moldova,andZambia.

Inaddition,thecitedGovernmentResolutionestablishesthecategoryofSpecificCountries,currentlyincludingAfghanistan,Palestine,Ukraine,andSyria(SyriawasaddedbyGovernmentResolutionNo.588of27June2016).AccordingtoGovernmentResolutionNo.631/2016,thelistofspecificcountriesmaybeamendedandsupplementedbygovernmentresolutionstoreflect,interalia,theGovernment’sinteresttodevelopingpartnershipsortargetedsupportofselectedcountriesinthecontextofapost-conflictstabilizationandreconstructionprocesses.

Inthecountrieswhoseprioritystatusterminatesin2017(Mongolia,KosovoandSerbia),therewillbeatransitionperiod(2018-2020)forcompletinganyongoingprojectsandphasingouttheCzechdevelopmentcooperation.Cooperationwiththesecountrieswillcontinueinotherforms(mainlythroughcommercialactivities).

Developmentcooperationinpriorityandspecificcountrieswillreflectrecommendationsfromevaluationsandthemid-termreviewofthepreviousstrategyperiod,aswellastheOECD/DACrecommendationtofocusonfewer(notmorethanthree)thematicactivitiesineachpartnercountryinordertoincreasetheimpactoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationandmaximisesynergiesbetweenprioritythematicareas.ThematicareaswillbelistedinbilateralODAprogrammeswithindividualprioritycountries.


Humanitarian assistance

The Czech Republic will provide humanitarian assistance with the aim to save lives, pro-tect health and dignity, reduce suffering of people in sudden disasters, effectively support fragile countries with long-term problems (including bilateral development cooperation priority countries), and generally reduce vulnerability and strengthen resilience to the impacts of climate change and to security risks.

CzechhumanitarianassistancereflectstheprinciplesofGoodHumanitarianDonorshipwithanempha-sisonhumanity,impartiality,neutralityandindependence.4Itincludesimmediateassistancetocoun-trieswithurgenthumanitarianneedsduetodisastersorconflicts,aswellascomprehensiveassistancetocountriesandregionsaffectedbylong-termhumanitarianproblemsasaresultofoverallfragility.

Whenprovidingimmediateassistanceinresponsetourgenthumanitarianneeds,specialattentionwillbepaidtohumanitarianneedsoftheprioritycountriesofthebilateraldevelopmentcooperation.TheCzechRepublicwillrespondprimarilytohumanitarianneedsarisingfromdisastersandforcedmigra-tionfromneighbouringcountries,withanemphasisonreducingstructuralvulnerabilityandstrength-eningresilienceandlocalcapacities,inparticular,inconnectionwiththethematicprioritiesoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationandinaccordancewithbilateraldevelopmentcooperationprogrammes.

Inrelationtocountrieswithcomplexhumanitarianproblems,includingtheprioritycountriesofthebilateraldevelopmentcooperation, theCzechRepublicwill strive toeffectivelysupport refugees, in-ternallydisplacedpersonsandhostcommunities,toprotectwomenandchildrenagainstviolenceandmalnutritionincrisissituations,andtopromoteresilience,preparednessandriskmanagementindis-astersandconflicts.

TheCzechhumanitarianassistancewillbedeliveredincooperationwithCzech,localandinternation-alhumanitarianactorsdependingontheirspecialisation,capacitiesandaddedvalue.Itwillsupportbuildingofpartnerships,includingmulti-annualones.Fundamentalemphasiswillbeputoncarefulas-sessmentofneedsandrisks,substantivefinancing,propercoordinationwithotherdonors,predictablecontinuityofthephasesofhumanitarianassistance,andhumanitarian–developmentnexus.

4ThedeclarationonthePrinciplesandGoodPracticeofHumanitarianDonorshipwasadoptedbyagroupofdonorcountriesandtheEuropeanCommissionon17June2003;theCzechRepublicjoinedin2006.ThedeclarationwasreaffirmedbytheEuropeanConsensusonHumanitarianAidin2007.


Security, forced displacement, fragile states

FollowingtheAgenda2030onSustainableDevelopment(inparticular,theGlobalDevelopmentGoal16reaffirmingthevitalimportanceofpeace,securityandstabilityforsustainabledevelopmentofindivid-ualcountries,regionsandtheworld)andtheAgendaforHumanity(inparticular,thefocusonconflictresolutionandforceddisplacement),theCzechRepublicwill,withintheframeworkofdevelopmentco-operationandhumanitarianassistance,strivetostabilisethecountriesatriskofconflictandforceddis-placementduetofactorsrelatedtosecurity,humanrightsorclimatechange,so-calledfragilecountries.5

Inthedevelopmentcooperationwithprioritycountries,bothinthecontextofbilateralprogrammesandofeachcountry’snationaldevelopmentstrategy,theCzechRepublicwillfocusonactivitiescontributingtostructuralresilience,withemphasisongoodgovernanceatalllevels,stableinstitutionsandinclusivesocialandeconomicdevelopment.

Inthecountriesaffectedbylong-termconflicts,theCzechRepublicwillcontinueitsconsistenthuman-itariansupportincooperationwithotherdonors,especiallywithintheEU,withanemphasisonprotec-tionandstabilisationofthecivilianpopulation.Oncethecountryisreadytomovefromhumanitarianassistancetotherecoveryandreconstructionphase,itwillbeconsideredfortemporaryinclusionintheSpecificCountriescategorywithitsownadditionalresources.

InthecontextoftherelevantEUandUNpolicies,theCzechRepublicwillcontinuetointensivelysup-portsustainableconflictresolutionandconflictprevention,includingpreventionofconflictrecurrence.TheCzechRepublicwillprovideassistancetolong-termrefugeesandinternallydisplacedcommunitiesaswellastheirhostcountries,andtocontributetofacilitatingtheirsafereturntotheircountryoforigin.

Lastbutnotleast,theCzechRepublicwill,withinitscapacities,alsocontributetoreducingthefragilityofstatesandregionscausedbythenegativeimpactsofclimatechange.Inparticular,itwillhelptomeettheobjectiveofreducinghuman,environmentalandeconomiclossescausedbydisasters.Inthisarea,theCzechRepubliccanuseitsexpertiseindisasterriskreduction,preparednessandriskmanagement,whichhasalreadybeenreflectedinthedevelopmentoftheSendaiDisasterRiskReductionActionPlananditsindicators.

5Fragile(orfailed)statesarecountrieswithsignificantoverlapofthesecurity,political,economicandclimaterelatedriskfac-torsthatserveasindicatorsfortheFragileStatesIndex.


Multilateral development cooperation

The Czech Republic will pro-actively advance its national priorities and promote its ex-pertise, especially in the European Union and in selected international organisations.

MultilateraldevelopmentcooperationgivestheCzechRepublicanopportunitytouseitsexperience(in-cludingexperiencefrombilateraldevelopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistance)andtotakeaccountofCzechinterestsattheinternationallevel.Throughthemultilateralformats,theCzechRepub-lichas,inthelongrun,beenprovidingabout70percentofitsODA.

TheCzechRepublicwillpromoteitsnationalexperienceandobjectivesintheEUandinselectedinter-nationalorganisationsinanactive,comprehensiveandcoherentmanner.Itwilldefineitsstrategicandpoliticalpositionsinconsultationwithallrelevantnationalactorsincludinglineministries,non-gov-ernmentalorganisations,theprivatesector,localgovernments,educationalinstitutions,etc.Czechpo-sitionswillbepreparedandcoordinatedinCouncilonDevelopmentCooperation.ThecoordinationwillaimtoensurethatfundingallocatedtomultilateraldevelopmentcooperationisusedinaneffectiveandefficientwayandinaccordancewiththeforeignpolicyprioritiesoftheCzechRepublic.

European Union

TheEUiscollectivelythelargestproviderofdevelopmentassistanceintheworld,withlong-standingex-perienceandabroadnetworkofdiplomaticmissionsinmostdevelopingcountriesoftheworld.Develop-mentinterventionsoftheEUanditsmemberstateshaveanimportantandinsomecasescrucialimpact.

TheEUdevelopmentbudgetisfundedbytheMemberStates,whichmeansthatnationalinterestsandexperienceshallbesufficientlyreflectedattheEuropeanlevel.TheCzechRepublicstrivesforEuropeandevelopmentassistancetobedeliveredefficiently,withclearresultsandinlinewiththeEU’sforeignpolicyinterests.TheEuropeandevelopmentcooperationmustbeprovidedinacoordinatedandsyn-ergisticmannerwiththeEUMemberStates,includingthewideuseoftheircomparativeadvantages.

IssuesofessentialimportancetotheCzechRepublicareeffectivepartnershipswithdevelopingcoun-tries,strongerlinkagesandcoherencebetweendevelopmentcooperationandsecuritybuildingmeas-ures,developmentofinternationaltrade,andpreventionofforcedmigration.TheCzechRepublicsup-portsgreaterprivatesectorinvolvementindevelopment,includingtheimportantroleofdevelopmentbanksandofinnovativefinancialinstruments.

BesideitscontributiontotheEUpolicymaking,theCzechRepublicfocusesonitsactiveinvolvementintheimplementationofEUdevelopmentcooperation,especiallywithregardtoselectednationalprioritiesoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperation.TheCzechRepublicstrivesforopportunitiestodisseminateandmultiplytheCzechDevelopmentAgency’ssuccessfulprogrammesthroughdelegatedcooperationwiththeEurope-anCommission,andsupportstheAgencyasareliableandeffectivepartneroftheEuropeanCommission.TheobjectiveoftheCzechRepublicisalsotoestablishadevelopmentfinancialinstitution,whichwouldbeinvolvedinfundingforsustainabledevelopmentinpartnercountries,includingblendingandpro-invest-mentinstrumentsattheEUlevel.TheEUExternalInvestmentPlanandtheEuropeanFundforSustain-ableDevelopmentareimportantinstrumentsinwhichtheCzechRepublicwantstobeactivelyinvolved.


AtrelevantEUforums,theCzechRepublicwillcontinuouslyandactivelypromote,andregularlyeval-uate,theimplementationofpartnershipswithdevelopingcountries,thelinkingofdevelopmentcoop-erationwiththeabove-mentionedobjectivesandthecoherentuseofEUinstrumentsandprogrammes.

TheCzechRepublicwillcontinuetosupportEUJointProgrammingandjointimplementationofdevel-opmentcooperationwherevertheseprocessescontributetoapositiveimpact.

International organisations

IntheframeworkofmultilateraldevelopmentcooperationtheCzechRepublicwillfocusonpartner-shipswithorganisationsthatoperateinsynergywithCzechnationalprioritiesandinterestsandwheretheCzechRepubliccanbringavisibleaddedvalueandwhereitcanassertitsinfluenceeffectively.Byconcentratingonasmallernumberofpartnerorganisations,agreatereffectandincreasedimpactinspecificformatscanbeachieved.Onthebasisofexperiencegainedtodate,theCzechRepublicwillfo-cusitsinternationaldevelopmentefforts(includingrelatedfinancialandhumanresources)primarilyontheUNDevelopmentProgramme(UNDP),theUNFoodandAgricultureOrganisation(FAO),theWorldFoodProgramme(WFP),andUNVolunteers(UNV).TheseplatformsenabletheCzechRepublictomakethemosteffectiveuseofitsnationalexpertise,includingopportunitiesforCzechentitiestotakepartintheimplementationofthegivenUNprogrammes.Inaddition,theCzechRepublicwillcloselycooperatewiththeOECDDevelopmentAssistanceCommittee(OECD/DAC).

TheCzechengagementintheselectedinternationalorganisationswillinclude,primarily,financialsup-portforspecificprogrammes(earmarkedfunding)orcontributionstotrustfunds.TheCzechRepublicwill,asfaraspossible,continueitscontributionstothecorebudgetsofselectedinternationalorgani-sationsandinternationalfinancialinstitutions(corefunding)toreflectthecriticalimportanceofcorebudgets for the functioningof theseorganisations.TheCzechRepublicwill also strive for adequateinvolvementinthedecision-makingprocessesofinternationalorganisationsandtheuseofexpertiseofCzechexperts,non-governmentalorganisations,businesscompaniesandotherentities; includingsecondmentsofnationalexpertsinselectedinstitutionsortheirdirectinvolvementinthesestructures.

Inthemultilateralforums,theCzechRepublicwillsupportdevelopmentcooperationinstrumentsthatcontributeeffectivelyandtransparentlytothereductionofpovertyandinequalities.Theseinclude,inparticular,technicalassistance,localcapacitybuilding,sharingofexperience,andtransferofknowl-edgeandexpertise.TheCzechRepublicwillplaceemphasisoninnovativefinancialinstrumentsena-blingsustainableengagementoftheprivatesector,withanemphasisonsmallandmedium-sizedenter-prises.Inthesametime,theCzechRepublicwillmaintainitsreservedpositiononbudgetsupportforpartnercountries.


V. Instruments and partnerships

In line with Agenda 2030, the Czech Republic will strive for an effective and coherent in-volvement of the public, non-governmental and private sectors in the implementation of development cooperation. The aim is to use modern cooperation instruments in all areas of cooperation, reflecting the demand, capacity and degree of development of partner countries as well as the specificities of the given development partnership.

TheCzechRepublicusesabroadrangeofinstrumentsandformstoprovideeffectiveandvisiblede-velopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistance.Inthefuture,itwillseektofurtherenhancesyn-ergiesof these instruments, improve themand, ifappropriateandeffective, complement themwithnewinstruments,particularlyintheareaofprivatesectorinvolvement,andinterconnectionbetweenbilateral and multilateral cooperation.

TheCzechRepublicrecognisesthecontributionofpublicinstitutionstosupportpublicandlocaladmin-istration,theimportanceofnon-governmentalorganisationsforthedevelopmentofcivilsociety,andoftheprivatesectorfordevelopmentofthebusinessenvironment.TheCzechRepublicwillcontinuetosupporttheirspecificrolesinthehumanitariananddevelopmentfields.

Promotingpartnershipsandcoherentengagementofpublic,non-governmentalandprivatesectorswillbecrucialtoeffectivelyfulfilthejointvisionofastableandsustainablyprosperousworld.TheCzechRepublicwillthereforestrivetodeveloprelationsatthelevelofpartnergovernmentsandtheirpublicinstitutions,privateentitiesaswellascivilsociety.


Innovative support for private sector involvement in development

PublicresourcesalonearenotsufficienttofinancetheambitiousSDGsunlesssupportedbyprivatecap-ital.Privateenterpriseandinvestmentsarealsokeysourcesofeconomicgrowthandemployment.TheCzechRepublichashistoricalexperienceinbuildingtheprivatesector,includingtherelatedlegislativeand institutionalbackground.Currentmigrationpressures fromdevelopingcountriesdriven, inmanyinstances,bythesearchforeconomicopportunitiestestifytotheneedtoprovidecitizensinaffectedcoun-trieswithlivelihoodintheformofjobsthatcanbeensuredinparticularbytheresponsibleprivatesector.

TheCzechdevelopmentcooperationwillthereforesupportinvestmentsinchallengingandhigher-riskmarkets,notonlyattheleveloflargeenterprisesbutalsoofsmallandmedium-sizedcompanies.Thesupportwillbetiedtotermsandconditionssuchassustainabilityofinvestments,theirdevelopmentimpact,andclearaddedvalue(additionality).

Basedonitsownexperience,theCzechRepublicisalsoawarethatinvestmentswillnotthriveunlessthepartnercountryprovidesaclearlegalframework,effectivestateadministration,stableeconomicenvi-ronment,andpredictablesocialpartners.Itisnecessarytoremoveobstaclestobusinessandtobuildskilledandeducated localworkforce.Therefore, theCzechdevelopmentprogrammes in thepartnercountrieswillfocusonthesepriorities,seektocultivatethelocalbusinessenvironmentandusesyner-giestocreateanenvironmentconducivetoeffectiveeconomicdevelopment.

Project instruments

TheCzechbilateraldevelopmentcooperationhassofarbeenmostlyproject-based.Variousinstrumentsareusedaccordingtothetypeofimplementer:grants,publiccontracts,budgetarymeasures,andfinan-cialdonations.Awide-spreadformwithalargegeographicscopeofimplementationissocalledlocalsmallscaleproject.Trilateralandinsomeinstancesalsomultilateraldevelopmentcooperationisalsodeliveredthroughprojects.

Tosharetransitionexperienceandpromotesustainableinstitutionsandgoodgovernanceinpartnercountries,effectiveandwidelydemandedinstrumentsareused,suchastechnicalassistanceorsendingandexchangingofexperts,includingdevelopmentscholarships.

TheCzechRepublichasalsointroducedandexpandedvarioustypesofdirectbudgetsupportinstru-ments,whichwillbefurtherdevelopedwheredesirable.Intheinternationalcontext,theCzechRepub-licmakesuseofthetrustfundsofpartnerinternationalorganisations,inparticulartheEUandtheUN.Forthefuture,itintendstotakepartinthedelegatedcooperationwiththeEuropeanCommission.


Financial instruments

TheCzechRepublicwillpromote innovativefinancial instruments(guarantees,venturecapital,con-cessionalloansandothersoftinstruments)asawaytoincreasetheeffectivenessofdevelopmentcoop-erationandmobiliseadditionalfinancialresources.Thesetoolsusepublicresourcestostimulateandmultiplyprivatefinancing,andalsotostimulatehighersustainabilityofdevelopmentprojects.Theuseofinnovativefinancialinstrumentswillbeeffectivelylinkedtograntinstruments,especiallytechnicalassistance(blending).Involvingprivateinvestorsinsustainabledevelopmentwillbeoneoftheimpor-tantaimsforimplementingthefinancialinstrumentsinpractice.

Forthefuture,theCzechRepublicintendstoestablishitsowndevelopmentfinancialinstitutionwhichwillparticipateinsustainabledevelopmentfundinginthepartnercountries.

ForanoverviewoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationinstruments,seeAnnex2.


VI. Implementation of the Strategy

Throughout the implementation of this Strategy, the Czech Republic will continually evaluate its development and humanitarian activities and present the results achieved. If necessary, the Strategy will be updated to ensure that the Czech development coopera-tion effectively contributes to the implementation of Agenda 2030.

TheMinistryofForeignAffairsoftheCzechRepublic,whichisthecoordinatorofdevelopmentcoop-erationinaccordancewiththeAct151/2010Coll.,willberesponsiblefortheimplementationofthisStrategyinclosecooperationwiththeCzechDevelopmentAgency(responsibleforproject-basedde-velopmentcooperation)andwiththelineministriesimplementingspecificprogrammes.6TheMinistryofForeignAffairswillregularlyconsulttheimplementationofbilateralandmultilateraldevelopmentandhumanitarian activities, including funding and staffing,with allmajor actors in theCouncil onDevelopmentCooperation.FulfilmentoftheAgenda2030goalsintheCzechRepublic’sdevelopmentcooperationwillalsobecoordinatedwiththeGovernmentCouncilforSustainableDevelopment.

Financial framework

Financialfundsforimplementationofthebilateralandmultilateraldevelopmentcooperationandhu-manitarianassistanceundertheauthorityoftheMinistryofForeignAffairsandtheCzechDevelopmentAgency,includingbilateraldevelopmentprogrammesmanagedbythelineministries,willcontinuetobeprovided throughannualdevelopmentcooperationplanswithamedium-termoutlook, submittedannuallytotheCzechGovernmentbytheMinistryofForeignAffairs,thusreflectingODAcommitments.

Monitoring and evaluation

Consistent supervisionandresult-orientedmonitoring togetherwithproject, sectorandprogrammeevaluationsremainthekeytools formanagementandqualifieddecision-makingonfurthereffectivetargetingandorganisationofdevelopmentandhumanitarianactivities.TheoutputsofmonitoringandevaluationswillservetofurtherimprovethequalityoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationandtode-liveronthecommitmenttomutualaccountabilityandtransparentpartnershipwithpartnercountriesaswellaswiththeCzechpublic.

Thegroundworkforqualitymonitoringandevaluationmustbepreparedbycareful identificationofdevelopmentactivities,includingreliableinputdata,soundriskanalysisandaclearexitstrategy.

6“ProgrammeofgovernmentscholarshipsforstudentsfromdevelopingcountriesatpublicuniversitiesintheCzechRepub-lic”undertheresponsibilityoftheMinistryofEducation,YouthandSports(includingrelatedhealthcareservicesprovidedtogovernmentscholarshipholdersundertheresponsibilityoftheMinistryofHealth);“TransformationEconomicandFinancialCooperationProgramme”managedbytheMinistryofFinance;“AidforTrade”,tradepromotionprogrammemanagedbytheMinistryofIndustryandTrade;“SecurityDevelopmentCooperationProgramme”managedbytheMinistryoftheInterior;andmultilateralenvironmentalcooperationmanagedbytheMinistryoftheEnvironment.


Inaccordancewithinternationalrecommendations,theCzechRepublicintendstofurtherstrengthenthemonitoringandevaluationofactivitiesandoutputs,takingintoaccounttheirexpectedresultsandimpacts.Thefocuswillbeonlinkagesandsynergiesbetweenprojectsandprogrammesandtheirrela-tionshiptotherespectivethematicpriorityandSDG.

Acertifiedmethodology forevaluationofcross-cuttingprinciples (testedonapilotbasisduring the2016and2017roundsofevaluations)willbeappliedstartingfrom2018inordertoproducemorecom-parableresults.TheCzechRepublicwillcontinuetotakeanactivepartintheworkoftheOECD/DACEvaluationGroup,includingtheregularsharingofevaluationplans,lessonslearnedandopportunitiesforjointevaluations.

Communication and presentation of the Strategy

SuccessfulimplementationoftheCzechDevelopmentCooperationStrategyisassociatedwithagoodpresentationoftheobjectivesandresultsofdevelopmentcooperationandhumanitarianassistancetothepartnercountries,otherdonorsand,inparticular,totheCzechpoliticalrepresentation,theexpertcommunity,stakeholders,andtotheCzechpublic.

TheMinistryofForeignAffairs,asalegalcoordinatoroftheCzechdevelopmentcooperation,willreg-ularly informtheGovernmentandtheParliamentof theCzechRepublicandprofessionalpublic, inparticular through theCouncil onDevelopmentCooperation, about fulfilment of themain strategicobjectivesinthedevelopmentandhumanitarianfield.

ItwillalsostrengthenthepresentationoftheCzechdevelopmentcooperationtoprofessionalsandthegeneral public through electronic and socialmedia aswell as the presentation of development top-icsinformalandnon-formaleducationthroughglobaldevelopmenteducationandawarenessraisingactivities.TheCzechRepublicwillfocusinparticularonmoreeffectiveintegrationofsustainablede-velopmenttopicsintheeducationsystem,includingrelevantmethodologicalanddidacticsupportforteachers.Thisobjectivewillbeaddressedbypublicinstitutionsincooperationwiththenon-profitandacademicsectorsinlinewiththerelevantGlobalDevelopmentEducationStrategy.

Foreachprioritycountryofthebilateraldevelopmentcooperation,aseparatecommunicationstrategywillbedevelopedtoassisttheunifiedpresentationofallactorsoftheCzechRepublic’sdevelopmentcooperationintherespectivecountry.Attentionwillbepaidtopresentationactivitiesaimedataware-nessraisingoftheprofessionalandlaypublicabouttheobjectivesandresultsoftheCzechbilateralandmultilateral development cooperation.


Validity and revision of the Strategy

ThisStrategyprovidesastrategicframeworkfortheCzechdevelopmentcooperationuntil2030inlinewiththevalidityoftheglobalAgenda2030forSustainableDevelopmentandtheStrategicFrameworkCzechRepublic2030.

TheCouncilonDevelopmentCooperationwillreviewtheimplementationoftheStrategyatleasttwiceduringthisperiod,inboththeshortandmediumterms,toreaffirmthevalidityofthedocument.TheobjectivesandprioritiesoftheStrategymayberevisedifnecessarytoreflectessentialneedsandchang-esofthesituation.TherevisionswillberecordedinamendmentstotheStrategy.Anoverallevaluationof the Strategy will be carried out well in advance before the end of the framework period in order to provideinputforfurtherstrategicplanning.

VII. Annexes

1. ReviewoftheDevelopmentCooperationStrategyoftheCzechRepublic2010-2017

2. OverviewofCzechdevelopmentcooperationinstruments,bymainformatsandpartners


Strategic framework for Czech Development Cooperation Review sources

Development Cooperation Strategy (DCS) of the Czech Republic 2010 – 2017

Multilateral DCS of the Czech Republic 2013 – 2017

National Strategy for Global Development Education 2010 – 2015 + action plan in force until 2017

Strategy for Government Scholarships Programme for students from developing countries 2013 – 2018

Mid-term review of the Development Cooperation Strategy (2013-14)Mid-term review of the Multilateral Development Cooperation Strategy (2015)Two reviews of the National Global Development Education Strategy (2013, 2015)Project and programme evaluations (2011-16)Audit by the Supreme Audit Office of the Czech Republic (2015)OECD/DAC Peer Review (2016)

CZECH BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Category Conclusion Recommendations

Choice of countries Relevant Focus on fewer priority countries, especially on LDCs

Choice of sectors Relevant, transition experience is an added value

Move on to complex thematic priorities based on SDGs

Project cycle Continued improvement in identification, monitoring and evaluation, efficient and cost-effective implementation; limited scope and duration of projects with negative impact on sustainability

Concentrate activities into larger programmes covering longer periods.

Improve risk analysis and management, strengthen results-oriented monitoring, and define exit strategies more clearly.

Instruments Absence of instruments for direct cooperation in recipient countries

Interlink instruments more effectively, consider introducing instruments for direct cooperation in recipient countries

Partnerships Good partnerships with Czech non-governmental organisations, growing partnership with the Czech private sector, absence of partnership with local actors

Build presence in recipient countries, coordinate more consistently with other donors, and develop strategic partnerships with the public, non-profit and private sectors

Policy Coherence for Development (PCD) PCD is pursued consistently through the Council on Development Cooperation but with limited results

Transfer responsibility for PC(S)D to the Government Office and the Government Council on Sustainable Development, improve awareness raising (especially in the legislative process)

CZECH MULTILATERAL DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION

Thematic priorities Relevant Link up priorities with priority SDGs

Priority organisations Relevant Focus strategically on a smaller number of partners – those with long-term relevance

Linkages between bilateral and multilateral development cooperation

Partly successful Interlink bilateral and multilateral development cooperation more closely

Involvement in the EU and UN steering bodies and financial instruments

Partly successful Finalise the Czech Development Agency’s accreditation for delegated cooperation

Improve inter-ministerial coordination with a view to engaging in bodies and instruments of the EU and the UN

Annex 1: Review of the 2010 – 2017 Czech Development Cooperation Strategy


Annex 2: Overview of Czech development cooperation instruments by core formats and Partners

The instruments shown in italics have not been used to date; however, in the future their use is possible or desirable.

Dev–DevelopmentCooperation|Hum–HumanitarianAssistance|TRANS–TransitionCooperation

Partner Czech public sector

Czech NGOs

Czech private sector

Partner country public sector

Partner country NGOs

Partner country private sector

Other bilateral donors

EU International organisations

Instrument

Project and programme cooperation

Grants Dev Dev, TRANS, Hum

Public procurement Dev Dev Dev Dev

Budgetary measures Dev, Hum

Financial donations Dev, Hum Dev, TRANS, Hum

Dev Dev, Hum

Budget support

Direct budget support

Dev

Sectoral budget support

Dev

Trust funds Dev, Hum Dev, Hum

Co-funding Dev, Hum Dev Dev Dev, Hum Dev, Hum Dev, Hum

Technical cooperation

Sending experts Dev, Hum Dev Dev Dev Hum Dev, Hum Dev, Hum Dev, Hum

Sending teachers Dev Dev Dev

Scholarships Dev Dev Dev

Technical assistance Dev Dev Dev Dev

Other

Delegated cooperation

Dev Dev

Cash-based activities Dev, Hum Dev, Hum Dev, Hum Dev

Blending Dev Dev Dev Dev Dev

Documents

Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic · lic’s foreign policy. It builds closely on the Development Cooperation Strategy of the Czech Republic 2010-2017, including