External publications

Open Data on a Closed Shop? Assessing the potential of transparency initiatives with a focus on efforts to strengthen capacity development support

Keijzer, Niels
External Publications (2016)

in: Development Policy Review 34 (1), 83–100

Despite strong political commitment, actual gains in improving accountability in development co-operation have been limited. Main reasons for this include the low level of transparency and high number of actors, as well as the limitations of the self-reported and input-oriented OECD reporting system. Efforts through the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and related transparency initiatives are ill-equipped to change this given their decision to adhere to the same system. This article uses the specific area of support to capacity development to illustrate this. While further disaggregation of reporting on technical co-operation could respond to a transparency gap, overcoming the accountability gap requires moving beyond promoting ‘supply-side’ reform and re-engaging in efforts to promote collective action.