OECD Development Co-operation Peer Reviews: Greece 2019
The OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) conducts periodic reviews of the individual development co-operation efforts of DAC members. The policies and programmes of each DAC member are critically examined approximately once every five years. DAC peer reviews assess the performance of a given member, not just that of its development co-operation agency, and examine both policy and implementation. They take an integrated, system-wide perspective on the development co-operation and humanitarian assistance activities of the member under review.
Since its last peer review, a severe economic recession brought about significant cuts to Greece’s national budget – including official development assistance. However, Greece has maintained its commitment to development co-operation. In response to the refugee and migration crisis Greece mobilised resources and its population to provide significant support to asylum seekers and refugees, and adapted its domestic policies to create conditions for peaceful co-existence between refugees, asylum seekers and the Greek population. As the economy recovers and Greece considers stepping up its development co-operation, this review recommends a number of steps that the government might take including building a new vision for development co-operation and putting in place the structures and systems to achieve it.
Greece's structure and systems
This chapter reviews Greece’s organisational structures and management systems for its development co-operation and the extent to which they are fit for purpose, with appropriate capabilities to deliver on its development objectives. As the aid programme recovers, the Directorate General of International Development Cooperation-Hellenic Aid needs to implement its leadership role, develop a strategy for Greece’s development co-operation and convene the inter-ministerial co-ordinating committee. Greece needs to establish fit-for-purpose systems focusing on internal controls, risk management and due diligence. As Greece expands its bilateral programme, it will need such systems to deliver efficient and effective aid, and avoid grant mismanagement, as has occurred in the past. DG Hellenic Aid’s current structure is not appropriate for delivering its current activities. It needs to consider the expertise needed to implement a larger development and humanitarian programme, including an adequate mix of development and humanitarian experts.