Next year the Danish aid budget will be frozen at the 2009 level - DKK 15.2 billion - and will remain there until 2013. The new Development Minister Søren Pind wants to focus on private sector aid to Africa. Simultaneously, he is plans to take DKK 225m out of IFU to fund a high-tech initiative in Copenhagen.

Personal attack on Ban Ki-moon weakened critique

There has been little reaction to the report by Inga-Britt Ahlenius, former head of the UN’s watchdog agency, in which she slams the UN’s failure to crack down on corruption in its own ranks.

Einar Stenstadvold

SN Power AfriCA aims for the driver’s seat

SN Power AfriCA wants to be in the driver’s seat when it kicks off hydropower projects with a total capacity of 700 megawatts in Africa and Central America. The firm will start up its first project in Panama next year.

Finland plans to grow aid budget in spite of hard times

When Finland faced a financial crisis in the early 1990s, aid was the first budget post to be slashed. This time round, things are different. According to the budget proposal for 2011, more than EUR 100 million in new aid funds will be available next year.

Pakistan flood triggers accelerated payment of new Danish aid

In response to the catastrophic flood in Pakistan, Denmark will accelerate the disbursement of funds for a new programme of development assistance to the South Asian country. (See DT 18/09)

New actors compete for Sida information grants

Four “new” NGOs have entered the competition for Sida information grants under the new rules that took effect this summer.

Icelandic aid portfolio shrinks to three countries

Iceland will terminate its development cooperation with Namibia at the end of this year. This leaves just three countries - Malawi, Mozambique and Uganda - in the Nordic island nation’s aid portfolio.

NIRAS dominates in Danida market in 2009

While the overall Danida market for consultants continues to shrink, NIRAS’ contract volume with the Danish aid agency has risen steadily in recent years.

Norway to launch guarantee scheme for hydropower

Environment and Development Minister Erik Solheim has announced that he will launch a new renewable energy initiative when he presents the Norwegian aid budget in October.

Opinions

George Gelder

Better information. Better aid

Aid transparency is essential for improving accountability, increasing aid effectiveness and providing better value for money. This is vitally important in maintaining public support for aid at a time of financial stringency.

Andreas Dolk

Funding for Swedish grassroots organisations at risk

The unique feature of Swedish civil society aid has been the diversity and broad scope of organizations involved. But changes in CSO aid is putting this at risk. Will small grassroots organizations soon be banned from official funding through Sida?

Editorial

Irrational

The Danish government will freeze aid at DKK 15.2 billion until 2013. As the economy is likely to grow, though at a slower pace in the coming years, the aid level measured as a share of GNI will go down, probably to around 0.8 per cent by 2013.

Telecom giant marks 10 years of low-key aid

Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant, has informed the United Nations that it is ready to assist the UN-led aid operations with telecom equipment and personnel in the areas of Pakistan hit by the catastrophic flooding.

DT Archive

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Quote: Inga-Britt Ahlenius on Ban Ki-moon

“Your actions are not only deplorable but seriously reprehensible. Rather than supporting the internal oversight, which is the sign of strong leadership and good governance, you have strived to control it, which is to undermine its position.”

- Inga-Britt Ahlenius, former Head of the UN Office for Internal Oversight Services, End-of-Assignment report.

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