News from EBA

Reports

Credible Explanations of Development Outcomes: Improving Quality and Rigour with Bayesian Theory-Based Evaluation

EBA has recently published a report which presents an innovative methodology to conduct theory-based evaluations. It retains several advantages of both qualitative and quantitative methods. This report contains both an in-depth theoretical...

Published 8 October 2021 – Read more

Webbseminarier

Credible Explanations of Development Outcomes with Bayesian Theory-Based Evaluation

This workshop introduces an innovative method to conduct theory-based evaluations presented in a new EBA report, Credible Explanations of Development Outcomes: Improving Quality and Rigour with Bayesian Theory- Based Evaluation, by...

Published 7 October 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New working paper about Swedish aid to Afghanistan

EBA has published a new working paper that reviews the lessons that can be drawn from Sweden’s development cooperation with Afghanistan from 2002–2020. The author also analyses the implications of these for Sweden’s future engagement with the country.

Published 29 August 2021 – Read more

Reports

New report (in Swedish): “What Do Evaluations Say About the Effectiveness of Swedish Aid Interventions?”

I denna studie undersöker författaren vad utvärderingar säger om måluppfyllelsen i Sidas biståndsinsatser. Författaren undersöker också i vilken grad dessa måluppfyllelseutvärderingar kan anses tillförlitliga. Studien baseras på en systematisk genomgång av den del som avser måluppfyllelse i 80 decentraliserade utvärderingar från åren 2017 till 2019 beställda av Sida, samt sex centralt genomförda ("strategiska") Sida-utvärderingar från perioden 2015-2019.

Published 12 August 2021 – Read more

Invitation for proposals

Invitation for proposals: Evaluation of Swedish CSO-aid focused on democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa

EBA hereby invites proposals for a study of the evaluation of Swedish CSO-aid focused on democracy in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Published 7 July 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Corruption and Aid: A Literature Review” (in Swedish)

Korruption inom biståndet är en återkommande fråga i samhällsdebatten. I denna underlagsrapport sammanställer rapportförfattaren slutsatser från akademisk och grå litteratur kring korruptionens omfattning inom biståndet. Översikten berör primärt korruption inom biståndet och inte korruption som utvecklingshinder.

Published 5 July 2021 – Read more

Invitation for proposals

Invitation for proposals: A study of the implementation of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy in partner countries

EBA hereby invites proposals for a study of the implementation of Sweden’s feminist foreign policy in countries where Sweden conducts development cooperation.

Published 2 July 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Forced Displacement and the Humanitarian‐Development Nexus: A Roundtable Anthology”

This Working Paper summarises three roundtable discussions arranged by EBA during Spring 2021 under the theme "Forced Displacement and the Humanitarian‐Development Nexus." The three roundtables looked at challenges and opportunities for working within the nexus, with a respective focus on internal displacement, livelihoods and financial health, and coherence between donor and host country measures. The latter roundtable was co-organised by EBA and the OECD Development Centre.

Published 21 June 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Relevant? Almost Always: Relevance in Development Cooperation”

In this Working Paper, Joel Samoff explores the use of the relevance criterion in evaluations of Swedish development cooperation. He critically investigates a number of recently conducted evaluations and a selection of other documents. Based on this investigation, he presents a number of suggestions for how the relevance criterion can be improved.

Published 1 June 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Mapping of Swedish Aid Addressing Menstruation”

Today on International Menstrual Hygiene Day (28 May), EBA is publishing the new Working Paper "Mapping of Swedish Aid Addressing Menstruation." In this paper, author Elin Berglöv examines to what extent menstruation is made visible and prioritised within Swedish development cooperation. She also maps existing contributions and interventions in the area.

Published 28 May 2021 – Read more

Rapport

New EBA report: “Data Science Methods in Development Evaluation: Exploring the Potential”

This study examines the potential of using data science and Natural Language Processing (NLP) in development evaluation. It looks at how such methods can be used produce reliable assessments of what past evaluations have concluded about aid projects and programmes (relating to OECD/DAC’s evaluation criteria relevance). It also discusses the strengths and weaknesses of these methods compared to approaches relying on manual techniques.

Published 27 May 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Like-Minded in Principle or in Practice? Priorities and Allocations in EU Member States’ Foreign Aid”

EBA has published a new Working Paper titled "Like-Minded in Principle or in Practice? Priorities and Allocations in EU Member States’ Foreign Aid." The paper presents a mapping of the development policies of the EU and all its member states and relates member states’ profiles to Sweden to identify “like-minded” states in development cooperation.

Published 25 May 2021 – Read more

Working paper

New Working Paper: “Circular Economy – a Conceptual Review and Analysis of Implications for Swedish Development Cooperation”

EBA has published a new Working Paper titled "Circular Economy – a Conceptual Review and Analysis of Implications for Swedish Development Cooperation." Circular economy is increasingly discussed in Swedish, European, and international public policy making. This report provides a review of the circular economy concept and discusses its potential implications for Swedish development cooperation.

Published 24 May 2021 – Read more

Annual report

The EBA Aid Review 2021 – now in English!

Our annual report The EBA Aid Review 2021 summarises insights and conclusions from our reports and seminars from the previous year. The report is written for a wide audience of policy makers, practitioners and students, as well as the general public with an interest in development issues.

Published 28 April 2021 – Read more

Utlysningar

Call for researcher-initiated proposals

EBA has decided to allocate funds for studies within any of its four prioritised areas (democracy support; SRHR and health; aid in fragile situations; environment and climate). Funds are available for researchers active at institutions...

Published 19 April 2021 – Read more

Webbseminarier

EBA på MR-dagarna 19-21 april

Under Mänskliga Rättighetsdagarna (19-21 april) anordnar EBA två miniseminarier om bistånd och mänskliga rättigheter. Ett handlar om "Avbrutna biståndsprojekt: hur påverkas de som bor där?", och det andra om "Sex, korruption & bistånd: hur bekämpar vi 'sextortion'?". Samtalen är gratis och skrivtolkas.

Published 13 April 2021 – Read more

Film

New EBA film: Sextortion: Corruption And Gender-Based Violence

EBA has produced a new short film presenting our study "Sextortion: Corruption And Gender-Based Violence". The report maps the phenomenon of "sextortion" and presents case studies of sextortion in Tanzania and Colombia. We hope you enjoy it!

Published 9 March 2021 – Read more

Films

New EBA film: Effects of Swedish and International Democracy Aid

EBA has produced a new short film presenting our evaluation, "Effects of Swedish and International Democracy Aid." This evaluation explores the effects of aid on countries' level of democracy and under what conditions it might work better. We hope you enjoy it!

Published 5 March 2021 – Read more

Webbseminarier

DDB Webinar: Listening to Locals in Peacebuilding – Experiences from Bosnia, Myanmar and International Peacebuilding Partnerships

Welcome to an EBA DDB webinar on the local–international relationship in peacebuilding, taking place on March 25 at 13:30–15:00 CET! The webinar will be based on three new EBA Development Dissertation Briefs (DDBs) that summarise recent doctoral dissertations on peacebuilding with examples from Bosnia, Myanmar and international peacebuilding partnerships.

Published 4 March 2021 – Read more

Webbseminarier

How Can Development Cooperation Support Climate Action?

Welcome to a webinar on international support to national climate change action. This webinar is organised in collaboration between Sida and EBA.

Published 8 February 2021 – Read more

Invitation for proposals

Invitation for proposals: Swedish development cooperation´s response to the HIV epidemic over time

The EBA hereby invites proposals for a study of Sweden’s development cooperation response to the HIV epidemic over time and what can be learnt from the process.

Published 21 December 2020 – Read more

Webinar

Democracy Aid – Are There Any Effects?

PRESS RELEASE 20201209 New study: Democracy aid has an impact Does development cooperation aimed at strengthening democracy work? A new study from the Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) addresses critical knowledge gaps on aid...

Published 9 December 2020 – Read more

Brief

How can cash transfer support during crisis?

The Covid-19 pandemic has had devastating consequences for people living in poverty. As a response to the crisis, several countries have initiated, or expanded cash transfer programmes directed at households. The EBA has contributed to a...

Published 2 December 2020 – Read more

Webinar

How to mitigate disasters: reducing risks, estimating needs and ensuring health system resilience

See an interesting webinar where new PhDs present their dissertations within the field of development. What challenges and opportunities characterize disaster risk reduction at the national level? How can needs be estimated during...

Published 1 December 2020 – Read more

Seminar

How to mitigate disasters: reducing risks, estimating needs and ensuring health system resilience

See an interesting webinar where new PhDs present their dissertations within the field of development. What challenges and opportunities characterize disaster risk reduction at the national level? How can needs be estimated during...

Published 26 November 2020 – Read more

Webinar

In Proper Organization we Trust –Trust in Interorganizational Aid Relations

A lot of people watched the seminar on trust in interorganizational aid relations. If you missed it, you can watch it here: https://youtu.be/UG9ruC5Y1VI   If you want to read the report, you can do it...

Published 19 October 2020 – Read more

Rapport

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Published 19 October 2020 – Read more

Rapport

We have evaluated Swedish Authorities´ Reform Cooperation

A new EBA-evaluation concludes, among other things, that Swedish government authorities contributed to sustainable results in terms of improving the capacity of their partner agencies in the Western Balkans – particularly in relation to...

Published 15 October 2020 – Read more

Seminarium

Swedish authorities’ Capacity building in the Western Balkans

Thanks all participants that followed our webinar and launch of a new EBA-evaluation about Swedish reform cooperation through government authorities in the Western Balkans. See the seminar here:   ...

Published 29 September 2020 – Read more

Aid review

The EBA Aid Review 2020 is here!

Our annual report is based on the studies that we have published during the last year. You can easily download it. Over arching themes in The EBA Aid Review this year are: Democracy, Risk, Corruption and mediatisation, Aid for sustainability and Anti-discrimination and gender equality.

Published 6 May 2020 – Read more

Seminarium

EBA-webinar: Aid in times of a changing climate

Watch this popular webinar at any time convenient for you. In 2009, the Swedish Government launched the Climate Change Initiative (CCI), a four-year programme of investments in climate change adaptation and mitigation measures, targeting some of the poorest countries.

Published 3 April 2020 – Read more

Utlysningar

Invitation for proposals: “Evaluation of Sweden’s application of internationally agreed principles for Engagement in Fragile States”

The EBA hereby invites proposals for an evaluation of Sweden’s application of internationally agreed principles for engagement in fragile countries. Deadline 14 April 2020.

Published 25 March 2020 – Read more

Seminar

EBA-seminar on blended finance

In connection to the release of a new report on blended finance in decelopment cooperation, we recently had this seminar: ”Financing Private Development Investments in Sub-Saharan Africa”. Please feel free to watch it...

Published 16 March 2020 – Read more

Utlysningar

Invitation for proposals: “Evaluation of the Folke Bernadotte Academy”

The EBA has decided to commission an evaluation of the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA) with a focus on effectiveness, impact and coordination. Deadline for submitting proposals: 19 April 2020.

Published 25 February 2020 – Read more

Interview

Social Safety Nets and Analysis of Masculinities explained in less than a minute

Watch Gary Barker explain key findings and conclusions from the report ”2019:07 Applying a Masculinities Lens to the Gendered Impacts of Social Safety Nets”. Video 1: Key findings Video 2: What is this report...

Published 12 November 2019 – Read more

Seminarium

Fish Stocks and Aid Flows: Poverty Reduction in Times of Resource Depletion

Watch our seminar "Fish Stocks and Aid Flows: Poverty Reduction in Times of Resource Depletion". This has long been part of Swedish development cooperation. However, knowledge about effects is limited. The new EBA report: ‘Fishing Aid:...

Published 21 October 2019 – Read more

Seminarium

Enhanced gender equality through social protection programmes – what do we know?

What impact can social safety programmes have on gender equality? Especially cash transfers provided to poor households in low- and middle-income countries have increased drastically during the past decades. EBA launches a new review that...

Published 30 September 2019 – Read more

Seminarium

Anti-discrimination and the fight against poverty

Many living in poverty belong to discriminated against groups. Anti-discrimination work are key to reduce poverty. Still, not enough is known about what gives the best effects in anti-discrimination. See the seminar here.

Published 14 August 2019 – Read more

Seminarium

Development assistance and migration – what do we know?

Little is known about the effects of aid in connection to migration in developing countries. See our seminar and launch of a new overview of the research in this field. In cooperation with The Migration Studies Delegation.

Published 8 August 2019 – Read more

Invitation for proposals

Invitation for proposals: Effects of Swedish and international democracy support

The EBA hereby invites proposals for a statistical study of the effects from Swedish and international democracy support.  Deadline September 11, 2019. More information here.  The study will systematically evaluate the effects of...

Published 27 June 2019 – Read more

Risk management in development cooperation – new report is out!

See our seminar "Risk management in development cooperation – the challenge to simultaneously act responsibly and responsively"...

Published 17 June 2019 – Read more

Invitation for proposals

Invitation for proposals: Evaluation of long-term development cooperation between Ethiopia and Sweden

The EBA hereby invites proposals for an evaluation of the long-term Development cooperation between Ethiopia and Sweden. More information here. Deadline August 9th 2019. The Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) is a government committee...

Published 21 May 2019 – Read more

Aid review

The EBA Aid Review 2019

Our annual report The EBA Aid Review 2019 has arrived! Here we gather findings and conclusions from our work last year, in an accessible, short format. Read about current challenges and trends in development cooperation, and also reflections for the future. The EBA Aid Review is available in English here and in Swedish here. For a printed version, please don’t hesitate to order from ud.eba@gov.se.

Published 6 May 2019 – Read more

Seminar

Swedish Aid to Bosnia and Herzegovina – An evaluation

Welcome to an interesting seminar and launch of our new evaluation of Swedish development cooperation to Bosnia and Herzegovina during 1995-2018. Friday April 26th at 2 pm - 3.45 pm (registration at 1.30 pm), at Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm.

Published 24 April 2019 – Read more

Blog

Prof Geske Dijkstra presents her main findings

Professor Geske Dijkstra presents her main findings in a short clip:...

Published 23 November 2018 – Read more

Blog

Aid in shrinking democratic spaces

We are living in an era where civil liberties are increasingly under threat. How does this trend affect forms and content of Swedish international development cooperation?

Published 18 October 2018 – Read more

Blog

“EBA – a platform for bringing researchers and practitioners together”

Notes from EBA:s panel at DevRes 2018 in Gothenburg. By Helena Lindholm, EBA:s Chair and Professor in peace and development research.

Published 31 August 2018 – Read more

Announcements

EBA-invitation for proposals: evaluate the NDF

EBA invites proposals for evaluate the Nordic Development Fund (NDF). Focus on institutional performances in accordance to mandate and potential future role as a joint Nordic financing instrument for development. Find more information...

Published 21 August 2018 – Read more

Blog

Working together in Syria – report release and seminar

On June 15 EBA in collaboration with the German Institute for Development Evaluation, DEval, held a seminar on "How can humanitarian and development aid work together? The case of Syria". The EBA report 2018:02 Building bridges between...

Published 27 June 2018 – Read more

Blog

EBA-seminarium: “The (fluctuating) value of aid”

On May 28 the report "How predictable is Swedish aid? A study of exchange rate volatility" was launched at a seminar at Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm. The report, which is written by Númi Östlund, shows that exchange rate volatility has...

Published 5 June 2018 – Read more

Blog

Financing the UN Funds and Programs – going behind the data

Ever since the very beginning of the EBA’s existence we have in our reports noted difficulties in undertaking evaluations and analyses because of data constraints. Data either don’t exist, or they are much too irregular. Quite often...

Published 5 December 2017 – Read more

Blog

How to evaluate the impact of aid? Three EBA reports discussed at SVUF conference

EBA arranged a session on evaluation methods on October 19th, 2017, at the biannual conference of the Swedish Evaluation Society. Under the steer of Kim Forss, member of EBA, three authors presented their own take and discussed that of the...

Published 30 October 2017 – Read more

Blog

Research cooperation in a new era

We need to talk more about research. About its intrinsic value, and its importance for development at large. Sometimes viewed as a costly subsidy of elites in poorer countries, aid to research has not always been a priority among donors....

Published 21 September 2017 – Read more

Blog

“Women are not dying of diseases we cannot treat. Women are dying because societies have yet to make the decision that their lives are worth saving.”

Mahmoud Fathalia, tidigare president i the International Federation of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (FIGO) genom Susanne Sjöström. Med EBA:s rapportserie Development Dissertation Briefs (DDB) ges nyligen disputerade doktorer...

Published 16 June 2017 – Read more

Blog

Three new members of the Expert Group

We are pleased to announce that the Minister for International Development Cooperation has, as of 1 June, appointed three new Expert Group members. We warmly welcome Helena Lindholm (chair), Johan Schaar and Fredrik...

Published 1 June 2017 – Read more

Blog

Do anti-discrimination measures reduce poverty?

Discriminatory structures tend to keep people in poverty since they are not given full access to e.g. service provision or the educational system. One of the strongest messages of the Agenda 2030 framework is that no one will be left...

Published 1 March 2017 – Read more

Blog

Hans Rosling, 1948-2017

A voice for knowledge and decency has fallen silent. During Hans’ three years as a member of EBA, we learnt to know him as a devoted and fearless defender of humanitarian principles and knowledge based decisions; a person with a warm...

Published 8 February 2017 – Read more

Blog

ODA displaced?

On February 2, EBA launched the report “Making Waves: Implications of the irregular migration and refugee situation on Official Development Assistance spending and practices in Europe ” (the report was launched during following...

Published 3 February 2017 – Read more

Blog

Is the Classification of Official Aid Data Responsive to Political Priorities? No (and Yes)

Good quality aid statistics are essential in order understand how, when, where and for which reasons aid is provided, and in order to properly evaluate the effects of aid. How reliable are the data currently available? In a new EBA working...

Published 7 December 2016 – Read more

Blog

Ends and Means: results in development management

International development cooperation has always been concerned with results. Whether there is an increased attention to results in recent years can be questioned, for those with good memory there has been successive waves of results...

Published 8 September 2016 – Read more

Blog

Aid and the private sector, JDI ≠ PPP ≠ PSD

The importance of the private sector for economic development is undisputable. Private actors - whether we talk about firms or other organisations - are an essential part of the web that forms a well-functioning society. In the process of...

Published 16 December 2015 – Read more

Blog

Three interesting seminars in Stockholm and Gothenburg

In the last few months I have as a new vice chairperson of EBA had the privilege of participating in three EBA seminars of which I have moderated two; one in Stockholm and one in Gothenburg. The attendance has more than met expectations...

Published 9 November 2015 – Read more

Blog

Support to PFM-reforms abroad starts at home

Most would agree that prudent and effective Public Finance Management (PFM) is essential in low- and middle income countries. Well-functioning institutions are key to economic growth and development and are a necessary (albeit not...

Published 9 October 2015 – Read more

Blog

Concentration difficulties? It´s politics, stupid!

Sweden has repeatedly been criticized for spreading its bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) thinly. For example, the OECD’s recent peer review of Sweden’s development assistance  concluded that “In the absence of clear...

Published 4 September 2015 – Read more

Blog

Inequalities challenge health progress

What would it take to reach a ”grand convergence” in global health by 2035? What actions are necessary in order to reduce mortality in low- and lower middle-income countries to the levels of the healthiest middle income countries of...

Published 13 November 2014 – Read more

Blog

The Grand Convergence in health and the role of Swedish aid

This week, the Expert Group for aid studies publishes a report on the future role of Swedish health aid. The report summarizes main finding from recent international work and elaborates on the implications for countries currently receiving...

Published 4 November 2014 – Read more

Blog

EBA and its “double independence”

How does EBA pursue its work on a daily basis? Well, we first try to find the most important questions to study, and then decide on who should get the assignment of writing reports on these issues. Some of the ideas come from the expert...

Published 19 June 2014 – Read more

Blog

Welcome to a new committee!

The Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) was set up by the Swedish government in 2013. The Terms of Reference announce that we "will continuously evaluate and analyse Sweden’s international development cooperation in order to improve...

Published 19 June 2014 – Read more