A Government amendment to allow EU delegated-cooperation

A Government amendment allowing the Italian cooperation offices on the field to receive financial transfers from the European Commission and EU member States was tabled for discussion in the lower house of Parliament. If approved, the Italian cooperation would be able to fully take part into various EU pilot experiences on delegated cooperation, otherwise forbidden by law. this amendment, Italy could propose itself as EU leading donor in different countries and sectors, as part of the full implementation of the EU Division of Labour proposal. The government-sponsored amendment is a clear evidence that after Accra the implementation of the EU aid effectiveness agenda is fully supported by the Government.

Commission of Inquiry into NGOs conduct proposed

A significant number of ruling coalition Senators presented a Bill to set up a Commission of enquiry into NGOs conduct. According to the text, the main objectives of the Commission will be to monitor the management, allocation and strategic planning of Italian NGOs. As stated within the bill introduction, the Senators are concerned by the excessive level of administrative expenditures, actually diverting relevant financial resources from Developing Countries.

MPs agree on setting up a bi-partisan Committee on MDGs

On September 17th, during a UN sponsored event, attending Members of Parliaments – less than 10 - agreed to set up a bi-partisan Committee to specifically deal with MDG and development issues. Membership to the Committee is open to any MPs , even if they are not sitting in the Foreign Affairs Committee. The main purpose of this new official body is to measure political interest in development related issues among MPs and to highlight development as a standing alone issue beyond foreign affairs. A similar Committee was set up following the signing of the Millennium Declaration in 2001, but had no real influence in the Parliamentary debate of the time.

Italian aid effectiveness: 2008 results

According to the 2008 Paris Declaration progress report survey, Italian development cooperation is performing below the EU average on every Paris declaration indicator, despite significant improvements since 2005 . Yet, on proliferation of parallel structures, use of country systems and percentage of programme based aid Italian records are poorer than three years ago. In Europe, Italy ranks last as for aid predictability, second last on joint analytical work, and third last for relevant number of parallel implementing structures. However it is second best EU country on coordinated technical cooperation. Within this generally poor performance scenario - the tied aid data was not reported - the predictability and joint work targets are the furthest to reach. Unlikely others EU donors, Italian poor results are partly due to the fact that Italy has not approved any "aid effectiveness" national plan.