Finland, NVP Year 2008

Development policy forms an integral part of Finland's foreign and security policy. It is planned, formulated and implemented by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in close cooperation with other ministries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and Finnish society as a whole. In October 2007, the Government of Finland adopted a new Development Policy Programme, which is based on a comprehensive approach to development and covers all policy sectors related to development. In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the primary aim of Finland's development policy is the eradication of poverty. This can only be achieved by means of promoting sustainable development. International development cooperation serves as the main instrument for implementing the Government's policy.  More >

Development policy forms an integral part of Finland's foreign and security policy. It is planned, formulated and implemented by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs in close cooperation with other ministries, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the private sector, and Finnish society as a whole. In October 2007, the Government of Finland adopted a new Development Policy Programme, which is based on a comprehensive approach to development and covers all policy sectors related to development. In line with the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), the primary aim of Finland's development policy is the eradication of poverty. This can only be achieved by means of promoting sustainable development. International development cooperation serves as the main instrument for implementing the Government's policy.

Finnish development policy is based on the principles of sustainable development and its three interrelated dimensions: economic, social, and ecological sustainability. This approach builds on the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio 1992 and subsequent international commitments. Accordingly, Finland promotes economically, socially, and ecologically sustainable development, with a special emphasis on issues related to climate and environment.

The MDGs, with their strong focus on social development and human well-being are at the heart of Finnish development policy. At the same time, Finland emphasises the need to see beyond the MDGs and address also all development challenges that arise from partners' development strategies or from other global development agendas. Some of these challenges, such as climate change, food security and environmental sustainability, are issues of global survival.

Finnish development policy is implemented bilaterally, at the European Union level, multilaterally, and in cooperation with NGOs. The development goals and guidelines adopted by the United Nations and the EU provide the principal framework for the implementation of Finland's development cooperation. In order to enhance the effectiveness of development assistance, Finland supports joint programming both in the EU and in the wider donor community. The Government of Finland considers the UN system the principal actor in international development policy and, to this effect, all efforts are made to strengthen its position.

The EU also plays an essential role in Finland's development policy. It provides the key framework for our influence on global policy setting; in 2005, the EU jointly adopted a development policy statement, the European Consensus on Development. In the EU, Finland is better able to influence the global development agenda. The primary and overarching objective of EU development cooperation is eradication of poverty in the context of sustainable development, including pursuit of the other MDGs. Together, the EU provides more than half of the world's official development assistance (ODA) and is also the most important development cooperation and trading partner for developing countries. Through Community assistance, Finland participates in poverty reduction and sustainable development also in areas where we do not have bilateral development programmes.  < Hide

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Browse policies provided by Finland, grouped by category.
National Development Strategies
Social justice and inclusion
Sustainable development
Governance
Development cooperation/Global partnership for development
Reducing poverty
Climate Change
Desertification
Energy
Forests
Sustainable consumption and production
Human rights
Bilateral development cooperation
Multilateral development cooperation
Non-governmental development cooperation
Private sector development cooperation
Public-private partnerships
Reducing inequality between countries
 

Policy Matters
How does the Belgian lottery feed the poor in Sub-Saharian Africa?
The Belgian Survival Fund is an original initiative that combines bilateral and multilateral cooperation instruments. The objective of the program is to improve the food security of the poorest population groups, primarily in sub-Saharian Africa. The Fund was established on 9 February 1999 by an Act which guarantees the Fund the sum of 250 million euros over approximately 10 years. The financial resources come directly from the National Lottery. [more...]
How did Belgium help to clean up the Tan Hoa-Lo Gom canal in Ho Chi Minh City?
Belgian development cooperation has invested since 1998 in a project for urban renewal and the sanitation of the Tan Hoa-Lo Gom Canal. This canal was used mainly by residents to dispose of garbage and wastewater. This project is a spectacular success having been to improve the living conditions of people residing along the Canal. The project was carried out by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and Cooperation Technique Belge. For ten years the two partners worked together at a local management unit sharing the total cost of the project €20 millions, half of which was supplied by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and the other half by the Cooperation Technique Belge. [more...]
How does Chile Solidario improve the lives of poor families?
In 2002 Chile made an important change in its social policies: it created the Sistema Chile Solidario, which targets families living in extreme poverty. This system has three fundamental components: a personalized support system whereby the poorest families receive psychological and social services; guaranteed subsidies; and preferential access to public social programmes. Under this system, the State seeks out families that belong to the target population; rather than acting on the basis of demand, it reaches out to serve those who are in the most precarious situation. This programme was implemented in a context of slower economic growth, a situation that has prevailed since 1999. Instead of falling back and stagnating, the social programmes of the Chilean State have continued to move forward, learning from the experience gained in previous years. [more...]
Why there are more children staying in school in Chile?
Educational policies envisage strengthening efforts to address school dropout rates, work of young people and standardization of courses. In 2003, a differentiated subsidy was provided to encourage children to stay in school; this consists of an additional payment to the educational establishment to encourage vulnerable students not to drop out and complete cycle. In the same context, a "preferential school subsidy" was created, as well as, a comprehensive system of scholarships to encourage student retention in the educational system. [more...]
How do Finnish partnerships promote sustainable projects?
Finnpartnership (FP) is a new aid instrument to promote partnerships and broaden the range of stakeholders in development cooperation. This instrument is been designed especially for the purpose of promoting partnerships. FP provides limited grant support aiming at stimulating Finnish investment in developing countries; all projects must be ecologically and socially sustainable. FP promotes also transfer of environmentally friendly, sustainable technology to developing countries e.g. through joint ventures or business-oriented technological cooperation. FP also operates a Matchmaking Service, which is targeted at developing country companies trying to find a Finnish partner (and vice versa). FP has already started identifying local partner organizations in some of the long partner countries to cooperate in matchmaking efforts. [more...]
How did Kazakhstan create 1.5 million jobs?
Thanks to the measure taken by the Government of Kazakhstan since 1999, there is now a steady increase in the numbers of employed people in the population, and a reduction in the level of unemployment. To solve the problem of unemployment in the Republic, and with a view to actively searching and selecting job opportunities (vacancies), a standard automated job placement system has been introduced in all regions. The level of employment is at 7.6 million in 2007, an increase of 1.5 million (19.7 per cent) since 1999. [more...]
Children in Kazakhstan today are learning better because.....
In accordance with the "education law" and the State program for developing education in the Republic of Kazakhstan over the 2005-2010, a set of measures were announced in order to develop the education system and improve the quality of education system. Kazakhstan has succeeded in providing a primary education for all children. In 2007, 99.6 per cent of primary school-age children were in education. In order to ensure children the skills they need in life, a subject taught in primary schools is "Learning about the world". In this regard, to ensure a high quality education, the proportion of primary teachers with higher education stood at 66 percent in 2007, compared with 36.9 per cent in 2001. In 2007 the provision of computers to schools had reached 1 computer for every 21 pupils, compared with 1 for every 62 pupils in 2001. [more...]
How did Lao increase the enrolment rates in primary schools from 58% in 1991 to 84% in 2005?
The NSEDP (National Socio-Economic Development Plan 2006-2010) has placed education as one of the four pillars of the poverty reduction strategy. The education strategy identifies three point of educational development in LAO PDR i) equity and access; ii) quality and relevance; iii) strengthened administration and management. Lao is committed to becoming a "Fast Track Initiative" (FTI) country. (FTI is a global partnership initiative between donor and developing countries). The Ministry of Education recently conducted the Education for All (EFA) Mid-Decade Assessment (MDA). Considering the involvement with the EFA and FTI, the Ministry of Education, with technical assistance from ADB and AsusAID, is developing a ten-year Educational Sector Development Framework (ESDF) for 2008-2018. [more...]
Why there are more female members of the National Assembly in LAO PDR?
The equality promotion between men and women is underlined by the Constitution which provides a fundamental basis for gender equality. In addition, Lao PDR has also ratified various international Conventions including the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW 1981), and the Beijing Platform for Action (1995). The Government's commitment to the implementation of CEDAW led to the establishment of the Lao Commission for the Advancement of Women (LaoNCAW) in April 2003 and the adoption of the Law on the Development and Protection of Women by the National Assembly in October 2004. Sub-Commissions for the Advancement of women (Sub-CAWS) have been established pursuant. [more...]
How did Luxembourg combat poverty and help the women while protecting the environment in Burkina Faso?
Luxembourg's cooperation programme addressed the water and sanitation problem with concrete solutions. The building of a modern large diameter well has breathed new life into the village of Chikafane, 350 people, supplying the population with adequate, safe water all year around. This project is an important component of Niger-Luxembourg cooperation programme helping ensure rural people's access to economic and social opportunities. Luxembourg's contribution to this project totals 8,459,556 euros. [more...]
How did Luxembourg boost the socio-economic development in rural areas of Niger?
The Luxembourg cooperation programme's project made possible that all the women who had been cutting wood illegally, were organized into 12 associations with a total membership of 450 women. They took some training courses: literacy training, management of associations and small business. Each association had chosen to set up alternative income-generation activities. With the access to microcredit each association had expanded their business, setting up alternative income-generation activities. [more...]
How did Tanzania reduce infant and child mortality?
The Government developed strategies to reduce infant mortality and child mortality through improved vaccination coverage and availability of services including drugs at the time of need. Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) has also rolled-over to all districts. These policies achieved the result of decreasing child mortality from 191 per a thousand live births in 1990 to 133 in 2005. Infant mortality declined from 115 (1990) to 68 (2005). [more...]
What is UK doing for greater aid effectiveness?
The UK’s official development assistance (ODA) has trebled since 1997, from £2.1 billion to £6.85 billion a year by 2006. The UK government took five steps to improve the aid effectiveness in line with all five of the Paris Principles: 1) Country ownership (agreeing ten-year Development Partnership Arrangements (DPAs) with partner countries). 2) Alignment, through three different "partnership commitments" to determine weather the UK has to use aid to support partner government policies and strategies. These three commitments are: i) poverty reduction; ii) respect for human rights; iii) commitment to strengthening public financial management, good governance and fighting corruption. 3) Harmonization developing "joint assistance strategies, joint donor offices, delegated cooperation or "silent partnership" agreements with other donors. 4) Managing for development results establishing an Independent Advisory Committee on Development Impact (IACDI) to help evaluate the impact of UK aid. 5) Mutually accountability between donors and partners in order to commit themselves to hold mutual assessments of progress in implementing agreed commitments in aid effectiveness. [more...]
Development strategies that work
Country experiences presented at the ECOSOC Annual Ministerial Review