OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Greece 2019

Conducting the Peer Review
Abbreviations and acronyms
Greece’s aid at a glance
Context of the peer review of Greece
	Notes
	References
The DAC’s main findings and recommendations
	A severe economic recession and the migration crisis have significantly impacted Greece’s development co-operation
		Greece engages in global processes, and addresses risks to peace and stability in its neighbourhood
	Greece faces several challenges
		Greece lacks a modern legal framework and vision for development co-operation
		Strategic engagement with stakeholders has stalled
		Greece does not have a coherent approach to scholarships and has not assessed their development impact
		Greece needs to use results and evidence to guide its development co-operation
		Greece’s systems for managing development co-operation are not fit for purpose
		DG Hellenic Aid’s structure and staff composition do not enable it to adapt to the evolving needs of Greece’s development co-operation portfolio
		DG Hellenic Aid is not building up its humanitarian capacity with the domestic crises
		Ensuring continuity of services to refugees as greater use is made of national systems
	Summary of recommendations
Secretariat’s Report
Chapter 1.  Greece’s global efforts to support sustainable development
	Efforts to support global sustainable development
		Greece engages in global processes and advocates to resolve challenges in its neighbouring region
		Greece’s national development strategy will reflect the SDGs
		Greece addresses risks to peace and stability in its neighbourhood
		Greece seeks regional and global solutions to its migration crisis
		Creating a safe marine environment in the Eastern Mediterranean
	Policy coherence for sustainable development
		Putting Greece’s commitment to policy coherence for sustainable development into practice
		Greece has intensified efforts to combat human trafficking
		Lessons from the past must inform Greece’s efforts to prevent corruption and illicit financial flows, and combat bribery
	Global awareness
		Greeks recognise that development co-operation is important, but only one-third think it should be a top priority for their government
		Broader efforts are needed to build public support
		The SDGs present an opportunity to increase global awareness and citizenship
	Notes
	References
Chapter 2.  Greece’s policy vision and framework
	Framework
		A vision is needed to guide Greece’s future development co-operation
		Greece’s development co-operation lacks a clear focus and priorities
	Principles and guidance
		Policy guidance on mainstreaming cross-cutting issues would enhance the impact of Greece’s ODA
		Greece delivers its support for least-developed countries through EU institutions
	Basis for decision making
		Greece has limited engagement with civil society and private-sector partners
		Greece might consider a co-ordinated approach to engaging with multilateral institutions
	Notes
	References
Chapter 3.  Greece’s financing for development
	Overall volume of official development assistance
		Greece has increased its ODA in response to the refugee crisis
		Reporting conforms to OECD rules, but there is room for improvement
	Bilateral ODA allocations
		Bilateral ODA mostly targets in-donor refugee costs
		Greece’s expenditure on cross-cutting issues is low by DAC standards
	Multilateral ODA allocations
		Multilateral co-operation forms a large share of Greece’s ODA
	Financing for development
		Greece should explore catalysing development finance in addition to ODA
	References
Chapter 4.  Greece’s structure and systems
	Authority, mandate and co-ordination
		DG Hellenic Aid struggles to implement its leadership role
		Greece’s development co-operation needs inter-ministerial co-ordination
	Systems
		DG Hellenic Aid needs systems that are fit for purpose
	Capabilities throughout the system
		DG Hellenic Aid’s structure and staffing are not appropriate for delivering its assigned activities
		Participation in DAC policy networks could help build staff capacity
	References
Chapter 5.  Greece’s delivery modalities and partnerships
	Partnering
		Results-oriented partnerships can help deliver future development co-operation
		Greece collaborated flexibly with partners in responding to the migration crisis
	Country-level engagement
		Greece should base its future country-level engagement on country strategies
		The impact of Greece’s scholarship programme is uncertain
		Greece’s bilateral co-operation is highly tied
	Notes
	References
Chapter 6.  Greece’s results, evaluation and learning
	Management for development results
		Greece lacks a fit-for-purpose, results-based management system
	Evaluation system
		An evaluation system would help Greece learn lessons about its development co-operation
	Institutional learning
		Knowledge management would improve accountability, communication, direction and learning
	Notes
	References
Chapter 7. Greece’s humanitarian assistance
	Strategic framework
		Greece has no humanitarian policy, but follows the humanitarian policy landscape
		Humanitarian aid has stalled
	Effective programme design
		A widening gap between government and civil society
		Greece can use this crisis time to build a comparative advantage
	Effective delivery, partnerships and instruments
		EU Civil Protection certification should be a priority
		The EU framework represents new opportunities to rebuild partnership with NGOs
	Organisation fit for purpose
		Greece keeps abreast of humanitarian policy development
	Results, learning and accountability
		Greece has established a good intergovernmental communication structure
	Notes
	References
	Overall framework for development co-operation
	Development beyond aid
	Aid volumes, channels and allocations
	Organisation and management
	More effective aid and achieving results
	Humanitarian assistance
Annex A. Progress with implementing the 2011 DAC peer review recommendations
Annex B. OECD/DAC standard suite of tables
Annex C. Organisational structure