Ireland

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland (MFA) commissioned an evaluation of Finnish Development Policy Influencing in the European Union. The purpose of this evaluation was to assess the relevance, effectiveness and coherence of the different development policy influencing activities of the Finnish MFA in relation to the EU and its institutions, and to provide guidance to the Ministry on further strengthening of the influencing activities for the future. The evaluation was mostly forward-looking and utilization focused, providing strategic information to inform future developments of the influencing agenda.

The objectives of this evaluation were:

• To assess how Finland has managed to promote Agenda2030, Building Back Better (and Greener), and Finland’s Development Policy objectives in the EU, as well as the common development cooperation practices and principles by the member states.
• To assess the effectiveness of various influencing activities, means and channels and Finland’s best opportunities to influence (intuitions and bodies, country delegations, interventions etc.) taking into account available human and financial resources.
• To analyze the factors (structures, processes, tools, capacity, other) that have facilitated/enabled or hindered the positive results of the influencing activities.
• To provide insight on the best opportunities and ways to engage and influence in the future, especially under the new EU funding instrument and the evolving development cooperation scene.
• To provide insight on how the Ministry together with other relevant stakeholders could develop their practices in order to maximize influence for the future, taking into account available human and financial resources.

The EC seeked to establish a Europe-wide Communication Network gathering EU and EU Member States’ development cooperation departments for enhancing their awareness building activities on development issues. The aim was to establish a more coordinated approach between EU and Member States towards communication on development, and to create the basis for more effective partnerships with stakeholders, civil society and partner countries.

The general objective of the assignment was to increase outreach to the general public on development cooperation policies and activities, with a focus on young people.

Specific objectives:

• Establish, manage and coordinate the EU Development Communication Network (incl. organisation of annual steering committee meeting and creation of a closed social media group);
• Design, creation and management of a password-accessed web-based digital platorm for the network members;
• Organisation of an annual Europe-wide event to promote development cooperation policies and activities of the EU, directed to the general public.