OECD DAC Peer Review: Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the Republic of Slovenia MEMORANDUM Ljubljana, November 2016

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Table of Contents List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................................ iii List of boxes, charts, tables and figures .................................................................................................. v Executive Summary ................................................................................................................................ vi 1. Towards a comprehensive development effort ............................................................................... 1

1.1. Global development issues ...................................................................................................... 1 1.2. Policy Coherence for Development ......................................................................................... 2

1.2.1. Political commitments and statements............................................................................. 2 1.2.2. Mechanism for ensuring policy coherence ...................................................................... 3 1.2.3. Systems for analysis, monitoring and reporting ............................................................... 4 1.2.4. Illustrations of policy coherence in specific areas ............................................................ 4

1.3. Financing for Development ...................................................................................................... 5 2. Policy vision and strategic orientations ........................................................................................... 6

2.1. Policies, strategies and commitments...................................................................................... 6 2.2. Decision-making processes ..................................................................................................... 6 2.3. Policy focus .............................................................................................................................. 8

3. ODA allocations ............................................................................................................................. 13 3.1. Overall ODA volume .............................................................................................................. 13 3.2. Bilateral assistance ................................................................................................................ 15 3.3. Multilateral assistance ............................................................................................................ 18

4. Organisation fit for the purpose ..................................................................................................... 20 4.1. Institutional system ................................................................................................................ 20 4.2. Adaptation to change ............................................................................................................. 22 4.3. Human resources ................................................................................................................... 23

5. Delivery modalities and partnerships for effective assistance ...................................................... 25 5.1. Budgeting and programming processes ................................................................................ 25 5.2. Partnerships ........................................................................................................................... 26

5.2.1. Partner countries ............................................................................................................ 26 5.2.2. Partnerships and stakeholders in Slovenia .................................................................... 27 5.2.3. Partnerships in the donor community ............................................................................ 29

5.3. Fragile states .......................................................................................................................... 29 5.3.1. Partner countries in the Western Balkans: BiH, Kosovo................................................ 30 5.3.2. Afghanistan .................................................................................................................... 30

6. Results management, transparency in accountability ................................................................... 32 6.1. Policies, strategies, plans, monitoring and reporting ............................................................. 32 6.2. Evaluation system .................................................................................................................. 32 6.3. Institutional learning ............................................................................................................... 33 6.4. Communication, accountability and development awareness ............................................... 34

7. Humanitarian assistance ............................................................................................................... 36 7.1. Strategic framework ............................................................................................................... 36 7.2. Effective programme design .................................................................................................. 38

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7.3. Effective delivery, partnerships and instruments ................................................................... 39 7.4. Organisational structure ......................................................................................................... 40 7.5. Results, learning and accountability ...................................................................................... 41

Annex 1. Organisational structure of MZZ ............................................................................................. 42

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List of abbreviations

2015 Resolution national resolution on development cooperation for the period until 2015 2030 Resolution future national resolution on development cooperation BiH Bosnia and Herzegovina BSF Bled Strategic Forum CEF Center of Excellence in Finance CEP Centre for European Perspective CMSR Centre for International Cooperation and Development DAC Development Assistance Committee (OECD) EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development ECDPM European Centre for Development Policy Management EC European Commission EDF European Development Fund EU European Union GEF Global Environment Facility GHD Good Humanitarian Donorship GNI gross national income GPEDC Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation HRBA Human Rights-Based Approach IATI International Aid Transparency Initiative IBRD International Bank for Reconstruction and Development IDA International Development Association ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross IDA-MDRI Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative IDB Inter-American Development Bank IFRC International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies KFOR Kosovo Force LDC Least Developed Countries MDGs Millennium Development Goals MDT Interministerial Working Body MSMEs micro, small and medium enterprises MZZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia NGO non-governmental organisation ODA official development assistance OECD Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development PCD Policy Coherence for Development PCSD Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development RS Republic of Slovenia SDGs Sustainable Development Goals SID Bank SID – Slovenska izvozna in razvojna banka, d.d. ( Slovene Export and

Development Bank) UN United Nations UNDP United Nations Development Programme UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNHRC United Nations Human Rights Council UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization UNRWA United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near

East

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URSZR Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief

USAID US Agency for International Development WBG World Bank Group WFP World Food Programme ZMRS International Development Cooperation Act

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List of boxes, charts, tables and figures BOX 1: NATIONAL VOLUNTARY REVIEW OF THE 2030 AGENDA ...................................................................... 1 BOX 2: SLOVENIA'S MEMBERSHIP OF THE HUMAN RIGHTS COUNCIL .............................................................. 2 BOX 3: PREPARATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF SLOVENIA ARISING FROM THE 2030 AGENDA ..... 4 BOX 4: PCD IN LINE MINISTRIES: MINISTRY OF DEFENCE .............................................................................. 5 BOX 5: ADDIS TAX INITIATIVE ...................................................................................................................... 5 BOX 6: DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE IN THE DECLARATION ON FOREIGN

POLICY OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA (2015) .................................................................................. 6 BOX 7: TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF WESTERN BALKANS COUNTRIES ........................ 8 BOX 8: COMPLEMENTARY ACTION IN THE AREA OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

COOPERATION IN HAITI ....................................................................................................................... 9 BOX 9: COMPLEMENTARY ACTION IN THE AREA OF HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT

COOPERATION IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ............................................................................................. 9 BOX 10: THE CENTRE FOR EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE (CEP) ...................................................................... 10 BOX 11: GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN’S EMPOWERMENT ........................................................................ 11 BOX 12: ASSISTANCE TO LDCS THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT ASSOCIATION (IDA) ............ 18 BOX 13: TASKS OF THE INTERMINISTERIAL WORKING BODY (MDT) ............................................................ 20 BOX 14: BLED STRATEGIC FORUM (BSF) .................................................................................................. 23 BOX 15: FRAMEWORK PROGRAMME 2016-2019 ........................................................................................ 25 BOX 16: COOPERATION WITH A PROGRAMME COUNTRY: MONTENEGRO ...................................................... 26 BOX 17: CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN FINANCE (CEF) ................................................................................ 27 BOX 18: PROMOTING THE ENGAGEMENT OF THE PRIVATE SECTOR IN DEVELOPMENT .................................... 28 BOX 19: WESTERN BALKANS – BRDO-BRIJUNI PROCESS ........................................................................... 29 BOX 20: "OUR RIGHTS" ............................................................................................................................ 29 BOX 21: SLOVENIA'S PLEDGE AT THE DONOR CONFERENCE IN BRUSSELS IN JULY 2014 ............................... 30 BOX 22: COOPERATION WITH FINLAND ...................................................................................................... 34 BOX 23: EVROPEAN YEAR FOR DEVELOPMENT 2015 (EYD 2015) .............................................................. 34 BOX 24: COMMITMENTS AT THE WORLD HUMANITARIAN SUMMIT IN ISTANBUL ON 23 AND 24 MAY 2016 ....... 37 BOX 25: REHABILITATION OF CHILDREN AND MINORS AFFECTED BY ARMED CONFLICTS ................................. 39 BOX 26: ADMINISTRATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA FOR CIVIL PROTECTION AND DISASTER RELIEF

(URSZR) ........................................................................................................................................ 40 No table of figures entries found. CHART 1: AMOUNT OF MULTILATERAL AND BILATERAL ASSISTANCE (IN MILLION EUR) AND PERCENTAGE OF

GNI FOR ODA IN THE 2005–2015 PERIOD COMPARED TO INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS .................. 13 CHART 2: SHARES OF TOTAL ODA FINANCING BY LINE MINISTRIES (2015) ................................................... 14 CHART 3: 15 PRINCIPAL RECIPIENTS OF BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE IN THE 2010–2015 PERIOD . 15 CHARTS 4 AND 5: BREAKDOWN OF BILATERAL DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE BY REGION AND INCOME CLASS

(2015) ............................................................................................................................................ 16 CHART 6: BILATERAL ASSISTANCE IN A MORE NARROW SENSE IN 2015 FOLLOWING THE THEMATIC PRIORITIES

OF THE 2015 RESOLUTION ............................................................................................................... 16 CHART 7: ALLOCATION BY SECTOR OF TOTAL BILATERAL ASSISTANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH OECD

CLASSIFICATION (2015) ................................................................................................................... 17 CHART 8: OVERVIEW OF TOTAL BILATERAL ASSISTANCE IN 2015 BY TYPE AS PER THE OECD DAC

CLASSIFICATION ............................................................................................................................... 17 CHART 9: ALLOCATION OF 2015 MULTILATERAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AMOUNT OF EUR 34.43 MILLION BY

BENEFICIARIES ................................................................................................................................ 18 CHART 10: TRENDS IN MULTILATERAL ODA FUNDING IN THE 2008–2015 PERIOD (IN MILLION EUR) ............. 19 CHART 11: HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE VOLUME AND ITS SHARE IN AVAILABLE BILATERAL ASSISTANCE......... 37 TABLE 1: MAJOR MULTILATERAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO MULTILATERAL ORGANISATIONS IN THE 2010–2015

PERIOD (IN EUR) ............................................................................................................................. 19 FIGURE 1: INSTITUTIONAL ORGANISATION OF SLOVENIA'S DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION .............................. 21

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Executive Summary Development cooperation is an integral part of Slovenia's foreign policy, which is also reaffirmed in the Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia and in the Slovenian Foreign Policy Strategy. The country is strongly committed to international processes that contribute to the elimination of poverty and to sustainable development in all its dimensions, to the reduction of inequalities and to the promotion of peace, security, human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Priority areas are defined in the International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia Act and in the first Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia of 2008: reducing poverty, combating AIDS and other diseases, ensuring peace and security, providing education for all, and ensuring sustainable development and good governance. Development cooperation is focused on efforts to strengthen social services (good governance, education, civil society and scientific and technical progress in partner countries), economic services and infrastructure (construction and reconstruction of public infrastructure, ICT development and support for small and medium enterprises) and multisectoral responses to challenges related to the environment, peace, security, and the protection and enforcement of human rights. Humanitarian assistance is an integral part of the national development cooperation system. Slovenia respects the Good Humanitarian Donorship principles and strives to respond to the needs of those affected by large-scale humanitarian crises around the world. It has undertaken to establish an institutional and organisational framework that enables a comprehensive approach to humanitarian and development action. One of the main challenges for Slovenia as a young donor was to strengthen its cooperation with priority countries. Owing to historical, cultural and economic ties, and the country's own comparative advantages, Slovenian development cooperation – in terms of geographical priorities – is focused on Western Balkan countries; programme-based cooperation has been established with Macedonia and Montenegro, while cooperation in Kosovo and Albania is project based. The priority countries in the other two priority geographical areas – (1) Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia, and (2) Africa – are Moldova and Cabo Verde. Slovenia channels most of its development and humanitarian assistance funds through international organisations (primarily through the European Union, World Bank and United Nations Funds). In the humanitarian field, Slovenia has established the closest cooperation with UNHCR, UNRWA, WFP, UNICEF and ICRC. Apart from national NGOs, international organisations are the main vehicles for fulfilling the commitments made to provide assistance to the least developed and Sub-Saharan countries. Since the OECD DAC special peer review in 2011, Slovenia has strengthened its national development cooperation system so as to measure outcomes more accurately, ensure greater transparency and predictability of assistance, as well as coherent planning and implementation, to formulate clearer strategic orientations with regard to priority areas, enhance partnerships in society and secure more complementarity in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation. In the framework of the EU, Slovenia undertook to gradually increase the volume of funds earmarked for ODA (to 0.33% of GNI); however, due to the impact of the global economic and financial crisis, this growth was stalled in 2009, and the previously achieved relative values were reached again only in 2015. In the last few years, humanitarian assistance has exceeded 10 per cent of total ODA. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development defines new strategic orientations for development cooperation, and in this context, new core documents are being drafted in Slovenia: a resolution, a

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new act and a strategy. Taking into consideration the comprehensive nature of the 2030 Agenda, the national coordinator of development cooperation changed its own organisational structure accordingly. The future challenges in development cooperation, of which the Slovenian Government is well aware, include: enhancing the efficiency of assistance along with more predictable financing and possible mobilisation of additional public and private resources; widening the geographical and thematic focus; ensuring measurable outcomes with clearly defined timeframes; optimising development cooperation implementation (with special attention devoted to technical assistance); enhancing cooperation with civil society and the private sector; and promoting strategic partnerships and multilateral cooperation with other stakeholders at home and abroad. Humanitarian assistance issues demanding more careful attention include: ensuring urgent response at the bilateral level; multilateral cooperation; and enhanced efforts to reduce risks of disaster and increase disaster resilience.

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1. Towards a comprehensive development effort 1.1. Global development issues

Slovenia's international engagements are based on a firm belief in the close interaction between development, human rights, rule of law, and peace and security. By joining the European Union (EU) and following graduation from the World Bank, Slovenia became an Official Development Assistance donor. Slovenian experience with development cooperation dates back to the period of the former Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The country strengthened its experience by assuming responsibility during refugee crises when the former federal state was collapsing, during the EU accession process and through cooperation in the international community, e.g. within the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe. Slovenia co-shapes the development policies of the EU, OECD, World Bank and UN, and in the EU framework had a special role during the presidency of the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council in the format of ministers for development (2008). It has also been a committed member of the UN General Assembly Second Committee, which is responsible for economic and financial issues, including development cooperation topics; during the 70th session of the UN General Assembly (2015), the Committee was chaired by the permanent representative of the Republic of Slovenia to the UN. A significant contribution to the attainment of MDGs was also made during Slovenia's membership of the UNICEF Executive Board (2002–2004 and 2009–2011), of the Executive Board of the UN Development Programme and the UN Population Fund (UNDP/UNFPA) (2010), and of the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (2001–2004). The country is also actively involved in other international organisations and forums, such as the UN Human Rights Council, the UN Commission on the Status of Women, the UN Commission for Social Development, the UN Economic and Social Council, the UN Security Council and the Human Security Network (chaired by the RS in the 2016–2017 period), and is party to several fundamental international instruments, such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Slovenia has been actively involved in various international activities and participated in several development conferences where the international framework for development cooperation was being set up, e.g. the High Level Plenary Meeting of the UN General Assembly on the Millennium Development Goals (2010), the Fourth UN Conference on the Least Developed Countries (2011), the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (2012), the Special Event convened by the President of the UN General Assembly on millennium development goals (2013), the 3rd World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction (2015), the 3rd UN Conference on Financing for Development (2015), the World Summit on Sustainable Development (2015), and the first World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul (2016). Slovenia supports and participates in the international community’s efforts to make assistance more effective, particularly within the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-Operation (GPEDC).

Box 1: National voluntary review of the 2030 Agenda The Slovenian Government plans to participate in the second set of voluntary national reviews of the 2030 Agenda foreseen for July 2017 in the framework of the High Level Political Forum. During the review, Slovenia will present the framework for implementing the 2030 Agenda and SDGs in the framework of its own long-term development strategy.

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1.2. Policy Coherence for Development

1.2.1. Political commitments and statements Slovenia is strongly committed to the efficiency of international processes and agendas aimed at policy coherence for development (PCD) – until 2011, within the High Level Forums (HLF), and after HLF-4 in Busan, within GPEDC. In its positions and statements in the international environment, Slovenia systematically underlines the importance of PCD, e.g. during the drafting of the 2030 Agenda. It participated in the UN General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals (OWG SDGs), co-shaped the EU Council's decisions with regard to these goals, and participated in the relevant OECD DAC processes. The Slovenian National Assembly was involved in the preparations for Slovenia's mandate for intergovernmental negotiations on the 2030 Agenda. In this process, Slovenia particularly emphasised the following priority areas: the elimination of all forms of poverty; gender equality and women's empowerment; peaceful and stable societies; the rule of law, good governance and democracy; food security and sustainable agriculture; water and sanitation; the promotion of health and prosperity for people of all ages; education; energy; inclusive and sustainable employment and economy; sustainable production and consumption; climate change; the sustainable management and protection of natural resources and ecosystems; oceans and seas; infrastructure and transport; and resilience to natural disasters. Slovenia has actively participated in revising the development cooperation policy at the EU level (revision of the 2005 European Consensus on Development), underlining the importance of policy coherence and coherence between the EU's internal and external action. It committed to PCD with the Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (2015 Resolution). Within the EU, where PCD is part of the acquis, Slovenia started reporting on the fulfilment of its commitments in 2008. The EU and Member States attach special importance to PCD in five areas: trade and finance; climate change; food security; migration; and security. Slovenia is one of the member states which, within the EU Council, systematically advocate respect for commitments and promote new policy elements in the framework of a special group set up within the EC (e.g. with regard to gender equality). The key national instruments for steering development cooperation are the International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (ZMRS, 2006) and the 2015 Resolution of 2008. At the level of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MZZ), planning and implementation are also directed by the guidelines and strategies for cooperation with NGOs (2013) and the guidelines on women's empowerment and gender equality (2016). The preparation of the new sectoral law and resolution for the new cycle of development (2030 Resolution) is underway. Furthermore, MZZ is preparing guidelines on humanitarian assistance, water, development cooperation through multilateral organisations and public awareness.

Box 2: Slovenia's membership of the Human Rights Council Slovenia is a member of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in the 2016–2018 period. During its membership, Slovenia's priorities are the rights of children, women and older persons, protection of various vulnerable groups, human rights education, and the right to a safe and healthy living environment, safe drinking water and sanitation. In the framework of the Council's activities, Slovenia regularly participates in the Universal Periodic Review mechanism with which – through questions and recommendations for improvement – the UN endeavours to promote and strengthen respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms in particular countries.

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ZMRS served as the basis for setting up an interministerial working body for development cooperation (MDT), which is an important instrument assisting in interministerial planning and the harmonisation of national policies related to global development. To achieve comprehensive implementation of the coherence principle, it is vital to consider PCD the starting point of all national policies. The Resolution on Legislative Regulation adopted by the National Assembly of the RS in 2009 contains the principles relevant to PCD implementation. The Resolution also explains the purpose of impact evaluation of regulations, i.e. verification of coherence between regulations and policies governing specific areas, and of assessing the impact of particular solutions on other areas. The Rules of Procedure of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Instructions on the implementation of the Rules of Procedure of the Government of the Republic of Slovenia No. 10, which were amended in line with the implementation of the Resolution, also take into account the PCD principle. In order to raise public awareness and to find the best possible solutions for establishing a system that would strengthen PCD in Slovenia, an expert debate took place in the framework of the 2013 Slovenian Development Days involving representatives of ministries, NGOs, universities and the OECD. Similarly, PCD will be addressed with appropriate care when preparing strategic documents for Slovenia's development cooperation in the coming period.

1.2.2. Mechanism for ensuring policy coherence In order to ensure PCD, it is vital to promote awareness of its importance at all levels. In its role of national coordinator of development cooperation, MZZ coordinates government bodies in all areas of development cooperation, including within the interministerial working body (MDT). PCD also periodically features in discussions within MDT. Presentations given by representatives of line ministries are subject to coordination with MZZ. This kind of coordination makes it possible to ensure one of the PCD elements, namely the coherence of development cooperation policies. The Resolution on Legislative Regulation (2009) and the accompanying guidelines on impact assessment preparation provide a basis for evaluating the compliance of other national policies with the fundamental objectives and principles of development cooperation. Similarly, in line with the Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs, the positions of the RS formulated for the negotiations within the EU Council must contain a properly defined impact assessment of the EU instruments concerned. At the EU level, impact assessments in the framework of draft policy preparation make it possible to prepare preliminary evaluations of drafts, whereby possible impacts on developing countries can be taken into account in an early phase of drafting a political initiative. Special and operative guidelines have been set for systematically assessing the impact of new policies on developing countries. Furthermore, the so-called Better Regulation Package of 2015 also includes guidelines and tools for assessing the possible effects of future EU initiatives on developing countries. The Package also contains guidelines on the subsequent assessment of the effect of EU policies on developing countries. An advanced system of regular coordination of Slovenia's positions on EU proposals (the coordinating body within MZZ in close cooperation with other line ministries) allows national monitoring of respect for the PCD principle at the European level. Furthermore, the system of government decision making, of which interministerial coordination is a part, also enables monitoring of respect for the PCD principle. The Ministry representatives responsible for development cooperation are members of interministerial bodies tasked with drafting national orientations, particularly thematic areas with international implications. Examples of such bodies are the horizontal group for the preparation of a new strategy for the development of Slovenia and the interministerial working group for adaptation to climate change. In the framework of PCD, an important role is also assigned to Slovenian diplomatic missions and consular posts, as they conduct dialogue and coordinate all forms of cooperation with partner states.

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NGOs are also important actors in integrating PCD into government policies, and are included through public debate in procedures for adopting new regulations. Furthermore, non-governmental development and humanitarian organisations as well as implementing foundations are encouraged to respect PCD, and this is also one of the guiding principles when preparing and reporting on projects. Feedback shows that the very process of adopting the 2030 Agenda contributed to higher PCD awareness in the country, which will be further enhanced during the preparation of the new sectoral law and the 2030 Resolution. These activities will strengthen the legal basis for a clear and precise delineation of tasks, competences and responsibilities among the institutions and working bodies (National Coordinator, Expert Council, Interministerial Working Body) responsible for PCD and expert solutions for the implementation of development cooperation. The real challenge in the framework of the 2030 Agenda will be even more systematic integration of PCD and/or PCSD principles in policy-

making both at the national and EU levels.

1.2.3. Systems for analysis, monitoring and reporting Slovenia also devotes a great deal of attention to policy coherence in the planning and implementation of development activities. Respect for the PCD principle is monitored at the level of development and humanitarian projects. Verification of programme and project coherence in Montenegro in the 2013–2016 period will be subject to external evaluation (expected to be implemented in the first half of 2017). With regard to PCD, Slovenia systematically submits reports on the basis of EU and OECD questionnaires, and regularly follows the reports and analyses of international organisations. Since 2010, significant progress has been achieved in harmonising the national reporting norms with the OECD standard, e.g. by including markers for gender equality, environment, Rio markers, participatory development/good governance and trade policy.

1.2.4. Illustrations of policy coherence in specific areas As an EU Member State, Slovenia points to the synergy effects of the coherence between development and other policies, and warns of the risks involved in subordinating development cooperation to other goals (e.g. in the area of peace and security). In relevant debates, Slovenia repeatedly underscores the importance of coherence between various policies and their impact on developing countries, particularly in the Western Balkans. Furthermore, Slovenia advocates greater policy coherence with regard to climate change. During the preparation phase, prior to the adoption of a new climate agreement, Slovenia staunchly supported the proposal for the EU's more active engagement in efforts to reduce pollution not only within the Union, but also in developing countries. The Ministry is involved in, or coordinates, processes related to particular global challenges at government level (e.g. in addressing the causes of irregular migration).

Box 3: Preparation of the Development Strategy of Slovenia arising from the 2030 Agenda Preparations for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at the national level are underway in the framework of drafting the Development Strategy of Slovenia. Unlike most other countries which conduct two parallel processes, i.e. preparation or adaptation of national development strategies, and monitoring of SDGs, Slovenia has adopted an approach combining the Strategy preparation with SDGs monitoring in a unified process. Furthermore, an interministerial debate is underway on the possible establishment of a coordination mechanism and on the implementation of the new Agenda objectives at the national level. The role of the Agenda 2030 implementation coordinator at the national level is assumed by the Government Service for Development and European Cohesion Policy.

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1.3. Financing for Development In accordance with ZMRS, development cooperation focuses on ODA, which in Slovenia is entirely allocated as grant aid. Other flows (other official and private flows) exist, but are not formally or systematically followed, encouraged or steered within the existing normative frameworks. Priority development cooperation areas are selected so as to reflect, inter alia, the comparative advantages of Slovenia’s society and economy. Development cooperation activities can act as a lever for private investments focused on local development. Efforts to enhance the non-governmental sector as well as promotion and raising awareness of its development activities can raise the profile of NGOs in Slovenian society, which can in turn mobilise private funding for their development and humanitarian activities abroad. Just as important are Slovenia's activities related to mobilising and utilising domestic development resources in the framework of the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF).

Key references: Chapter 1

- Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs (2004) - Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia (2015) - Evaluation policy of Slovenian international development cooperation (2014) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Guidelines on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia,

NGOs and the network of NGOs in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (2013)

- Guidelines on gender equality and women's empowerment in development cooperation (2016) - International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation) - Resolution on Legislative Regulation (2009)

Box 5: Addis Tax Initiative At the Third International Conference on Financing for Development held in Addis Ababa in July 2015, Slovenia advocated the importance of PCD and of countries' taking responsibility for their own development, and pointed out that gender equality and the exchange of the so called transition experience should be considered priority areas, particularly with regard to strengthening public financial systems in developing countries. Slovenia joined the Addis Tax Initiative, which underlines the importance of fighting tax fraud and tax evasion. The Initiative also emphasises the role of technical assistance in building development capacities in partner states' public financial management systems.

Box 4: PCD in line ministries: Ministry of Defence Within the scope of its own strategic documents and promotion of good practices, the Ministry of Defence takes into account the goals of PCD. For example, policy coherence in security and defence and in protection against natural and other disasters is illustrated by the systematic integration of the development and research system within the Ministry with the research, development and economic activities of civil organisations, resulting in synergy effects and the dual use of concrete results in the international environment in areas such as disaster relief, health care and sustainable energy use.

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2. Policy vision and strategic orientations 2.1. Policies, strategies and commitments

Development cooperation and humanitarian assistance are among the foreign policy objectives in the Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia (2015). In the Government's strategic document "The Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia" (2015), development cooperation and humanitarian aid are defined as integral parts of Slovenian foreign policy, which are to be considerably strengthened in the coming years. They demonstrate Slovenia's responsibility, solidarity, interest and awareness that the consequences of unequal and unbalanced development and crises endanger global peace, security and stability. At the secondary level, development cooperation contributes to enhanced bilateral political, cultural, scientific, economic and other relations, and helps to establish Slovenia's identity in the world.

The main development cooperation objectives are defined in ZMRS, while the 2015 Resolution defines the geographical and thematic priorities of development cooperation. In determining the thematic and geographical priorities, the 2015 Resolution, adopted by the National Assembly of the RS in 2008 as the first document of its kind, also took into account the basic orientations of Slovenian foreign policy and the Slovenian diplomatic presence in addition to the then international development framework. The new strategic document (2030 Resolution) is being drafted by taking into consideration the experience acquired with the implementation of the 2015 Resolution and on the basis of an inclusive approach involving all the relevant stakeholders: MZZ departments, other line ministries, the civil society and the private sector. The draft resolution will be harmonised by MDT and adopted by the National Assembly of the RS on the proposal of the Slovenian Government.

2.2. Decision-making processes In planning its bilateral development assistance, Slovenia respects the principles of effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of assistance and cooperation, as well as partner countries' ownership of development. Development cooperation planning is carried out at three levels: (1) at the strategic level by drafting the resolution on development cooperation; (2) at the planning level by preparing multiannual framework programmes; and (3) at the implementation level through particular programmes and projects. Bilateral ODA is planned within the multiannual framework programmes of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance of the Republic of Slovenia (Framework Programme). Multiannual framework programmes are prepared by MZZ as the national coordinator on the basis of the orientations in the Resolution and in accordance with partner countries' needs. The Programme is revised every year, following the adoption of budgets. Framework programmes are harmonised by the MDT and submitted to the Government. The first framework programme was adopted for the year 2010, and contained only the planned annual plans of MZZ; the next framework programme provided for a transition to multiannual planning, and with later programmes, other line ministries were involved in planning.

Box 6: Development cooperation and humanitarian assistance in the Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia (2015) One of the seven foreign policy objectives in the new Declaration is a consolidated multilateral system based on an effective United Nations, the sovereign equality of states, collective security, the peaceful resolution of disputes, the self determination of peoples, high human rights standards, a powerful role for international law, intensified international development cooperation, humanitarian assistance, and sustainable development.

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In 2010, upon introducing the programme budget, the funds were concentrated with the national coordinator for development cooperation, more specifically around half of bilateral development funds (approx. EUR 8 million), which facilitated the programming of an important part of Slovenia's bilateral ODA. Some of the funds previously planned by other competent ministries were thus transferred to MZZ. Neither the earmarked funds nor the numerous multilateral contributions that the legislation clearly defines as falling under the competence of particular ministries were transferred. Due to the financial crisis, the concentration of funds failed to achieve the desired outcomes. Framework programmes are instruments for the multiannual planning of ODA. In selecting thematic priorities in partner countries, Slovenia strives to take into account their ownership of priority areas defined in their national development strategies, while building on its own comparative advantages in fields where it has adequate capacities to provide assistance in the selected country as well as, or even better than, other donors. In order to achieve greater effectiveness and more sustainable results, Slovenia's first framework programme for 2010, on the basis of the experience gained, focused on the three development cooperation orientations defined in the 2015 Resolution: (1) strengthening good governance, the rule of law and social services; (2) environment protection, especially sustainable water management; and (3) empowerment of women as a cross-cutting development cooperation issue. In humanitarian and post-conflict assistance, further narrowing of the thematic priorities as defined in the Resolution was not necessary. Special attention is devoted to a smaller number of thematically comprehensive multi-annual programmes to stimulate greater effectiveness and more sustainable results. A special place in the Framework Programme is accorded to programme countries and other countries with which Slovenia has concluded bilateral agreements on development cooperation. On the basis of the 2015 Resolution, the accompanying strategy and bilateral agreements in force, the following countries were defined as programme countries: Montenegro, Macedonia, Moldova and Cabo Verde. Programme-based cooperation has been successfully established with Montenegro and Macedonia. In planning bilateral assistance within the framework programmes, the commitment to gradually increase ODA is taken into account. Slovenia is strongly committed to strengthening multilateralism and international institutions in the sphere of (sustainable) development. The principal factors in planning multilateral assistance are Slovenia's membership of the EU, the World Bank, the UN and other international organisations, previously assumed multiannual obligations (e.g. within the World Bank) as well as strategic orientations and priorities (e.g. gender equality and women's empowerment). Following a significant reduction in ODA in 2010 and the strict consolidation of public finance, the room for manoeuvre in voluntary contributions to multilateral organisations was significantly reduced. In 2013, MZZ drafted the Strategy for implementing development cooperation through multilateral organisations, but due to financial restrictions the debate on the strategic allocation of this type of assistance was stalled. The strategic orientations in the 2015 Resolution and the thematic priorities defined in it also apply to multilateral assistance. This area retains an important place, particularly in allocating assistance to LDCs, where the possibilities of bilateral development cooperation are modest due to Slovenia’s limited diplomatic presence, and where multilateral assistance usually is more effective. Slovenia's strategic cooperation with multilateral organisations will be addressed in the next sectoral law, which are foreseen to include the possibility of concluding strategic partnerships with selected international organisations. As an active member of the international community, Slovenia participates in topical debates and, in accordance with its thematic and geographical priorities, is involved in making decisions on the functioning of international organisations in the sphere of development; examples include Slovenia's membership of the UNDP and UNFPA Executive Boards (2010) and the UNICEF Executive Board (2011).

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2.3. Policy focus ZMRS defines the key objectives of Slovenia's development cooperation, which generally follow the international community's goals (MDGs) set at the time: - Combating poverty in developing countries by sustaining their economic and social development; - Ensuring peace and human security in the world, primarily by strengthening and promoting

democracy, the rule of law, human rights and good governance in developing countries; - Fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and other diseases, as well as reducing neonatal and maternal death

rates; - Enabling all people, regardless of sex, race or religion, to obtain general or primary education; - Guaranteeing sustainable development, thus maintaining a balance between the goals of

environment protection, the preservation of natural resources, economic growth and stability, and care for social inclusion and equity;

- Providing fundamental social services and good governance, taking into account social and personal security;

- Strengthening bilateral and multilateral cooperation with priority countries; - Other specific objectives of the Republic of Slovenia in this area in compliance with foreign policy

interests and the content of the Resolution on International Development Cooperation. In accordance with the principle of effective development cooperation, which emphasises comparative advantages, Slovenia focuses mainly on the Western Balkans, owing to the region's absorption capacity for know-how acquired during the transition period. The use of transition experience in development cooperation, particularly regarding good governance, remains a comparative advantage. In addition to fostering reform efforts in Western Balkan countries, Slovenia promotes such efforts in practical ways in Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova and Belarus. At the EU level as well, Slovenia has advocated development cooperation policies that stimulate the potential of those Member States which have successfully implemented social, political and economic reforms in the last few decades. The EU has integrated this area into development cooperation policy and into secondary legislation governing the Union's external instruments in the current multiannual financial period. In the implementation of the EU's commitments, some unexploited potential remains, and Member States are more or less left to their own devices to develop programmes in the bilateral framework. Slovenia strives to eliminate all forms of poverty and inequality, also in countries in its neighbourhood, in order for them to achieve a level of development and equality that would facilitate regional cooperation and development. In the 2015 Resolution, cooperation with LDCs in Africa is foreseen primarily through multilateral channels (EU and UN systems); Slovenia is a member of the Friends of LDCs group, but gives special attention to the poorest countries in its bilateral cooperation, which is why MZZ regularly earmarks funds for projects implemented by NGOs in these countries.

Slovenia is committed to complementary action in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation, particularly with regard to efforts to reduce risks of disaster and achieve sustainable

Box 7: Technical assistance for the development of Western Balkans countries Important aspects of Slovenia's cooperation with Western Balkans countries are exchange of experience and transfer of Slovenian know-how acquired while implementing the reforms needed for EU accession, the alignment of candidate countries' legislation with the acquis and strengthening their administrative capacity to implement the acquis (e.g. with regard to preventing corruption, money laundering and terrorist financing, border management, transport, economic and monetary policy, food safety, the environment and public health).

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development. The 2015 Resolution and ZMRS do not provide for complementary action in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation, but this complementarity has evolved over many years of responding to humanitarian crises. Links between humanitarian assistance and development cooperation were most strongly established in the countries dealing with sudden (natural) humanitarian disasters and where the security situation enabled complementary action, or during humanitarian crises in countries which are already listed as Slovenia's geographical priorities in terms of development cooperation. Slovenia was thus involved in complementary action during the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, when emergency assistance in 2010 was followed by development cooperation projects in the period between 2011 and 2013.

Slovenia also continues to support reconstruction and rehabilitation projects in the countries defined as priority areas in the 2015 Resolution which have had to cope with natural and other disasters. Such projects include rehabilitation for children from Belarus (since 2012) and Ukraine affected by the Chernobyl disaster (2005–2014), and for Ukrainian children affected by fighting in 2015. Additionally, in 2015 and 2016, Slovenia supported public infrastructure reconstruction projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) and Serbia, which were affected by catastrophic flooding in 2014. Slovenia has also provided complementary action in Sub-Saharan countries, especially in the Horn of Africa and Sahel regions, which have trouble securing a stable drinking water and food supply.

In addition to rehabilitation and reconstruction projects in the aftermath of humanitarian catastrophes, Slovenia supports projects aimed at reducing risks of disaster and increasing disaster resilience, particularly in the Western Balkans. The projects there are implemented by the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR). To further underline the importance of connecting humanitarian assistance with development cooperation, Slovenia made a national commitment – during preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit – to establish adequate institutional and organisational frameworks to enable a

Box 9: Complementary action in the area of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation in Sub-Saharan Africa Slovenia makes humanitarian contributions to the World Food Programme intended for countries in need of water and food security (2010: Niger, Chad, Ethiopia; 2011: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia; 2012: Kenya, Ethiopia; 2013: Mali; 2014: Central African Republic; 2015: Mali; 2016: Somalia and South Sudan). It has also supported humanitarian assistance and development cooperation projects in Somalia and Ethiopia that address food security. In October 2016, MZZ published a call for proposals for co-financing projects of NGOs focused on safe food and drinking water supply.

Box 8: Complementary action in the area of humanitarian assistance and development cooperation in Haiti In the immediate aftermath of the disastrous earthquake which struck Haiti in January 2010, Slovenia provided urgent humanitarian assistance in the form of a contribution through the IFRC, and aid in kind (tents) forwarded through the European Commission mechanism. Furthermore, at the UN international donors conference "Towards a New Future for Haiti" held in New York in March 2010, Slovenia pledged a donation, whereby half of the funds were intended for an urgent humanitarian contribution through international organisations. In the 2011–2013 period, half of the funds and Slovenia's activities were channelled into complementary action in reconstruction and rehabilitation. In this framework, the building of the so-called "Slovenian school in Haiti" was completed in 2011, where 300 children were able to continue classes interrupted after the earthquake. In the following years, Slovenia also supported projects to improve health care and the well-being of children, and a project aimed at ensuring food security for children and youth. Slovenia's activities in Haiti between 2010 and 2014 are thus among the country's most comprehensive responses to humanitarian crises. The "Slovenian school in Haiti" was part of the field visit when the diplomat responsible for humanitarian assistance travelled to Haiti in June 2016, where she assessed the general condition and operation of the school, and reviewed the good practices in the implementation of Slovenian activities as well as future challenges.

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comprehensive approach to humanitarian and development activities. Furthermore, Slovenia is planning these elements in the new 2030 Resolution, where assistance provided after humanitarian crises, rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes, activities to reduce vulnerability, preventive action and building resilience, among others, will be defined as future priorities in accordance with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030. Special emphasis will be put on assisting children after armed conflicts, assistance to mine victims, and ensuring a stable supply of drinking water and safe, adequate and good-quality food. Slovenia is the founder and key supporter of the not-for-profit organisation ITF Enhancing Human Security (in the 18 years of its operation, the state has allocated over USD 12.8 million of development funds for humanitarian demining and other activities related to human security in crisis and post-crisis countries), through which the majority of bilateral development activities in crisis and post-crisis countries is implemented. Most technical assistance in fragile states (e.g. BiH, Kosovo) is channelled into strengthening the rule of law, good governance and care for the security of citizens, as well as reducing other risks to peace, stability and development (e.g. intercultural dialogue, human rights, gender equality). In 2016, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia concluded an agreement with the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine on humanitarian demining; activities related to assisting victims, clearance of mine-contaminated areas, removal of ordnance and other demining projects will be carried out by ITF Enhancing Human Security. The Centre for European Perspective (CEP) is closely involved in implementing technical assistance, including in fragile states. The projects are goal-oriented and short-term, and respond to the needs expressed by partner countries.

In selected fragile states, Slovenia applies a comprehensive approach which relates humanitarian assistance to reconstruction and rehabilitation projects and to development cooperation. These are states where the security situation enables such an approach (e.g. Haiti), or they are listed as priority countries for development cooperation (Horn of Africa or Western Balkan countries). In these activities, Slovenia adheres to the international community’s guidelines on humanitarian assistance. In drafting the 2030 Agenda, Slovenia advocated including peace and security, the rule of law and respect for human rights as priority areas. When reviewing the eligibility criteria for support to the peace and security activities falling under ODA at the OECD (DAC) level, Slovenia called for retaining the definition of official development assistance and the existing clear distinction between civilian and military activities. Slovenia also systematically assumes the same position at the EU level.

Box 10: The Centre for European Perspective (CEP) The Centre for European Perspective is a Slovenian government organisation established in 2006 on the initiative of MZZ. Its main mission is to strengthen the European perspective and foster the economic, social and political development of the Western Balkans and other countries sharing the European perspective, with a special focus on democratisation, security and prospects for youth. To date, CEP has successfully implemented more than 100 projects.

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Gender equality, women's empowerment and human rights (including the human rights-based approach or HRBA) are cross-cutting issues in Slovenian development cooperation (in the ZMRS, human rights are listed as objectives of international development cooperation). Gender equality was included as a cross-cutting issue in the first development cooperation Framework Programme for 2010. Since then, special attention has been devoted to this issue, particularly in projects implemented by NGOs, and more contributions to multilateral organisations have been earmarked for gender equality projects. The Guidelines on gender equality and women's empowerment in development cooperation define this area both as a separate priority and as a cross-cutting issue. Gender equality is a topic to which Slovenia also devotes a great deal of attention at the political level. Furthermore, an important focus is on the HRBA, on which Slovenia insisted in the process of drafting the 2030 Agenda. The HRBA is also in the centre of calls for project proposals to be implemented by NGOs. In the call for project proposals for 2017–2019 period, HRBA is one of the principles that NGOs must take into account in project preparation and in reporting on their implementation. This principle is also included in the assessment criteria. Key references: Chapter 2

- Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Cape Verde (2011)

- Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Montenegro (2009)

- Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Moldova (2007)

- Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia (2006)

- Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia (2015) - Decree on Carrying Out Twinning Projects and Bilateral Technical Assistance (2009) - Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development

Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Guidelines on gender equality and women's empowerment in development cooperation (2016) - International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Memorandum on International Development Cooperation of the Government of the Republic

of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for the 2013–2015 Period (2013)

- Programme on International Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Montenegro for the period 2013–2015 (2013)

Box 11: Gender equality and women’s empowerment Promoting gender equality has been one of Slovenia's foreign policy objectives for many years, also in development cooperation. The basis for Slovenia's activities are international frameworks and objectives (particularly within the UN and EU) as well as domestic best practices and achievements (internationally, Slovenia ranks very high in ensuring gender equality), which can be capitalised upon in achieving goals in partner countries. Since 2010, in addition to multilateral financing, Slovenia has supported 21 bilateral projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Western Balkans and Afghanistan aimed at ensuring gender equality and the empowerment of women. The new Guidelines (2016) focus on economic, social and political empowerment, sexual and reproductive health, rights and violence against women. Activities in the sphere of gender equality and women's empowerment in Slovenian foreign policy and development cooperation were first defined in the Resolution on the National Programme for Equal Opportunities for Women and Men 2015–2020. Furthermore, Slovenia devotes special attention to all the elements of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, both at the national and international levels, as well as within the activities of the EU and UN; this topic is also the main theme of various events, such as the international seminar on mediation in the Mediterranean held in March 2014 and the panel on ending sexual violence in conflict at the 2015 Bled Strategic Forum. In 2013, the share of projects focusing on gender equality accounted for 8% of the available bilateral assistance, while the number of such projects was highest in 2015, when their total value exceeded EUR 1 million.

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- Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation)

- Resolution on the International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (2008)

- Slovenia: safe, successful, globally respected. The Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia (foreign policy strategic document), 2015

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3. ODA allocations 3.1. Overall ODA volume

In 2015, Slovenia allocated EUR 57.061 million for ODA, which is 0.15 per cent of its gross national income (GNI). The 23-percent increase in ODA compared to the year before is the result both of increased funds for development and humanitarian activities and higher in-donor refugee and migrant costs. The period of marked growth between 2004 and 2009, with trends indicating that the target volume of development cooperation financing would have been achieved, was followed in 2010 by a significant drop in this volume due to the global economic and financial crisis. In the 2010–2014 period, funding remained relatively stable, with modest nominal growth. A significant increase was noted in 2015, but still insufficient for Slovenia to fulfil its international commitments by the end of the 2015 Resolution implementation period and the final year of the MDGs era. Nevertheless, in 2015, Slovenia (along with Malta and Estonia) earmarked the highest percentage of its GNI for ODA of all the EU member states which committed to allocating at least 0.33 per cent of their GNI for ODA. Chart 1: Amount of multilateral and bilateral assistance (in million EUR) and percentage of GNI for ODA in the 2005–2015 period compared to international commitments

Due to the strict consolidation of public finances dictated by the Stability and Growth Pact, and the Fiscal Rule Act adopted in 2015, which foresees medium-term balancing of revenue and expenditure in the state budget or a structural surplus, modest nominal growth in ODA is foreseen in this period. The commitment to achieve the goals adopted by EU Member States during the preparations for the Third International Conference on Financing for Development in Addis Ababa in 2015 will be reaffirmed by the National Assembly in the new 2030 Resolution. The manner and dynamics of a 1 Slight deviation of the data from the figures contained in Slovenia's International Development Cooperation Report for 2015 is due to the final harmonisation of the data with the OECD DAC Secretariat.

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gradual increase in the GNI percentage for ODA in order to meet the target by 2030, which remains at 0.33% of GNI, will be determined at government level in 2017 in an action plan to be prepared by MZZ in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance. Reporting on the implementation of the plan to the National Assembly will be part of the annual reporting on the Resolution's implementation. Slovenia respects the EU's collective goal to channel ODA also to the world's least developed countries, including those in Sub-Saharan Africa, mostly in the form of multilateral assistance (EU and World Bank programmes). In the 2010–2015 period, Slovenia allocated between 0.02 and 0.03% of its GNI to LDCs. The share of multilateral assistance remains large, mostly owing to Slovenia's membership of the EU, which finances its development activities from the EU budget and from the extra-budgetary European Development Fund replenished by Member States’ contributions. The share of multilateral assistance, which in the past amounted to around 70% of total ODA, was reduced by 10 percentage points in 2015, mainly due to a significant increase in (bilateral) in-donor refugee and migrant costs. In future, Slovenia will strive to increase its share of bilateral ODA, primarily with targeted development and humanitarian programmes and with earmarked humanitarian contributions through international organisations. The 2030 Resolution is expected to define the target balance ratio between the two forms of assistance. Chart 2: Shares of total ODA financing by line ministries (2015)

ODA financing is the responsibility of budget users in accordance with their competences. The largest share is contributed by the Ministry of Finance, mainly owing to contributions to the EU budget and cooperation with the WBG and other international financial institutions. Furthermore, the Ministry of Finance manages a large proportion of the bilateral activities carried out through the Centre for International Cooperation and Development (CMSR), on which public authority has been conferred by the Government. The second largest contributor is MZZ, which manages an important share of bilateral development activities, provides humanitarian assistance funding and is responsible for contributions to the European Development Fund. The Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is responsible for student exchange programmes with imputed student costs and scholarships for students from ODA recipient countries. The Ministry of the Interior and the Slovenian Police participate in development cooperation primarily by deploying police attachés; in 2015, the two institutions played an important role during the refugee and migrant crisis. The Ministry of Defence participates through

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the secondment of civil experts in accordance with bilateral arrangements, and within multilateral missions, as does the Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief, particularly in the humanitarian field, and in 2015 also in managing the refugee and migration situation. Most of the activities of the Ministry of Economic Development and Technology are carried out as bilateral projects implemented through UNIDO. The remaining line ministries are actively involved in bilateral technical assistance programmes funded by MZZ, and in other multilateral and bilateral development assistance projects in accordance with their respective competences, albeit on a smaller financial scale. Due to the fragmentation of development cooperation among budget users and significant shares of non-programmed bilateral and multilateral assistance, projecting future volumes of assistance presents a challenge. Important progress in this field was made in 2010 by introducing multiannual programming with a gradual transition to multiannual programming updated annually, and by involving more line ministries in framework programme preparation, with framework programmes being publicly accessible to all stakeholders and representing a basis for reporting to the OECD in the framework of the Forward Spending Survey. The planning of funds for implementing programmes and fulfilling commitments remains unpredictable to a certain extent due to the inclusion of development cooperation in the integral state budget.

3.2. Bilateral assistance The total of Slovenia's bilateral assistance is allocated as grant aid. The 2015 Resolution defines the geographical and thematic priorities most consistently applied in bilateral assistance. To monitor the effectiveness of meeting these priorities, administrative costs are excluded, and the remaining bilateral assistance (i.e. the available bilateral assistance) divided into bilateral assistance in a more narrow sense (with defined geographical and thematic priorities), and humanitarian and post-conflict assistance (for which separate thematic priorities are set in the Resolution). During implementation of the 2015 Resolution, bilateral assistance was visibly concentrated on the three selected geographical areas. In the 2012–2014 period, the share of projects carried out in priority geographical areas has risen above 80%. During the implementation of the 2015 Resolution, on average 25 per cent of the available bilateral assistance was allocated to programme countries (as mentioned above, four countries had this status: Macedonia, Montenegro, Moldova and Cabo Verde, bilateral cooperation agreements being concluded with two of them). Chart 3: 15 principal recipients of bilateral development assistance in the 2010–2015 period

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The focus of Slovenian bilateral development assistance on Western Balkan countries is reflected in the high share of bilateral development assistance allocated to the European region and to upper middle-income countries. Charts 4 and 5: Breakdown of bilateral development assistance by region and income class (2015)

A trend is emerging in development cooperation in a more narrow sense, namely the rising percentage of available funds earmarked for priorities; in the period 2010–2015, this percentage averaged 73%, of which 66% on average was channelled into the development of social services, where two areas stand out in terms of the amount of funds spent: education and public financial management; 4% of the total was channelled into developing economic services, and 30% into multi-sectoral and horizontal forms of assistance, most notably access to safe drinking water, civilian-military cooperation and environmental infrastructure. Chart 6: Bilateral assistance in a more narrow sense in 2015 following the thematic priorities of the 2015 Resolution

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Chart 7: Allocation by sector of total bilateral assistance in accordance with OECD classification (2015)

The 2015 Resolution provided for 50 per cent of development activities to be carried out in priority countries by thematic priorities. This goal has been met since 2011. Furthermore, the Resolution provided for approximately 10 per cent of available bilateral assistance to be allocated for humanitarian assistance. Although this share fluctuates from year to year, the average for the 2008–2015 period meets the target foreseen in the Resolution. In addition to the assistance defined under parent code 700 of the OECD purpose code classification, Slovenian humanitarian assistance also covers certain other fields defined as priority areas in the Resolution. These include: (1) reduction of poverty and hunger; (2) mine action; and (3) assistance to children in post-conflict situations. For more information, see Chapter 7. Chart 8: Overview of total bilateral assistance in 2015 by type as per the OECD DAC classification

The pie chart 8 shows that in 2015, the largest share of bilateral assistance was allocated for in-donor refugee costs, followed by imputed student costs and project activities, which include infrastructure projects implemented through CMSR and UNIDO, and through NGOs selected in calls for proposals. The draft 2030 Resolution opens up possibilities for further strengthening bilateral development cooperation with countries in the regions defined as priorities also by the EU. The elements for the

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Chart 9: Allocation of 2015 multilateral assistance in the amount of EUR34.43 million by beneficiaries

ratios between geographical priorities will be defined in more detail in the strategy for implementing the 2030 Resolution.

3.3. Multilateral assistance In 2015, Slovenia allocated EUR 34.43 million, or 60%, of its total ODA for multilateral ODA. Following a drop in multilateral assistance in 2010, there was an upward trend in 2011, mostly owing to payments into the European Development Fund (EDF). The largest share of multilateral ODA in 2015 was the contribution for development cooperation within the EU in a total amount of EUR 28.13 million or 82%, namely Slovenia's contribution to the EU budget and the extra-budgetary European Development Fund intended for development cooperation with Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific, and overseas territories. The second set of multilateral ODA is comprised of contributions in the framework of the World Bank Group: the International Development Association (IDA), the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) and the Multilateral Debt Relief

Initiative (IDA-MDRI) in a total amount of EUR 2.74 million or 8% of multilateral development assistance in 2015. The third set of multilateral ODA consists of membership fees and contributions to agencies, funds and commissions in the framework of the UN, for which Slovenia allocated EUR 2.12 million or 6% of multilateral development assistance in 2015. These membership fees, in full or in part, are considered official development assistance according to the OECD rules (UN, WHO, FAO, IAEA, ILO, UNESCO, UNEP, UNIDO). The fourth set of multilateral ODA consists of other membership fees and contributions to international organisations in the field of development cooperation, for which Slovenia allocated EUR 1.33 million or 4% of multilateral development assistance in 2015, most notably the voluntary contribution to the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Box 12: Assistance to LDCs through the International Development Association (IDA) Slovenia became a member of the World Bank Group (WBG) in 1993. After graduation to the group of donor states in 2004, it undertook to participate in future replenishments of IDA resources as a full member by assuming its proportionate share of financing development projects in the world's poorest countries. Cooperation with IDA is the responsibility of the Ministry of Finance, which participates in negotiations on the harmonisation of the programme, the scope of financing and the replenishment process. As a donor, Slovenia can participate in formulating WBG policies and in the preparation and oversight of projects. With its share, Slovenia can exert formal influence on the economic regeneration and development of recipient countries, and thereby stimulate the volume and adapt the content of projects in its priority areas. Slovenia considers cooperation with IDA an appropriate and efficient method of delivering development assistance to the world's poorest countries, particularly those in Sub-Saharan Africa with which bilateral cooperation is more difficult to establish. Since the IDA14 replenishment, the financial contributions to IDA – in addition to the contributions to the EU – constitute one of Slovenia's major engagements in multilateral development cooperation.

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The fifth set of multilateral ODA consists of contributions to regional development banks, which in 2015 amounted to EUR 0.10 million or less than 1% of multilateral development assistance (IDB). Chart 10: Trends in multilateral ODA funding in the 2008–2015 period (in million EUR)

Table 1: Major multilateral contributions to multilateral organisations in the 2010–2015 period (in EUR)

Organisation Organisation Organisation EU 124,808,551 IDA-MDRI 1,030,000 IAEA-TCF 249,311 EDF 25,801,486 OVSE 1,003,517 CoE 244,809 IDA 10,036,000 UNESCO 969,415 CEB 225,955 IBRD 5,443,145 Montreal Protocol 787,892 IOM 184,569 GEF 4,437,500 UNIDO 613,814 UNICEF 173,672 UN 1,802,388 EBRD-WBJTF 500,000 EBRD 165,319 WHO 1,693,391 UNEP 396,556 EPPO 135,972 UNDPKO 1,639,555 EIB (EDF) 360,000 CERF 100,000 FAO 1,077,576 IDB 346,969 ILO 1,076,010 IAEA – Assessed 310,414 Key references: Chapter 3

- Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending)

- Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016)

- International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation) - Slovenia's International Development Cooperation Report for 2015 (2016)

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4. Organisation fit for the purpose 4.1. Institutional system

ZMRS defines the institutional structure of development cooperation, listing the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly as key stakeholders. On the proposal of the Government, the National Assembly adopts the Resolution on International Development Cooperation as a medium-term strategic document. The Foreign Minister presents annual reports to the Government, the National Assembly (its Committee on Foreign Policy) and the National Council: the annual reports include monitoring of the implementation of development cooperation objectives, i.e. the implementation of the Resolution. During the presentation of the annual report to the National Assembly, the Committee on Foreign Policy addresses topical issues and events pertaining to development cooperation. MZZ is the national coordinator of development cooperation; the State Secretary at the Ministry responsible for this field acts in the capacity of Minister for Development Cooperation. In terms of expertise, this field is covered by the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law, and its Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance. The Directorate is tasked with planning the policies of development cooperation at both national and international levels, the implementation, coordination and monitoring of the implementation of development cooperation, planning and delivery of international humanitarian assistance. The Government appoints the Interministerial Working Body (MDT), its main development cooperation coordination body, headed by an MZZ representative.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs has established an Expert Council for Development Cooperation, which drafts the Resolution, advises the Minister on development cooperation matters and participates in the preparation of efficiency evaluations. The expert council is composed of ministries' and providers' representatives, experts on development cooperation, representatives of chambers of commerce and other legal entities granted public authority for the technical and operative part of the implementation of the Resolution in accordance with ZMRS. Implementing development cooperation is the responsibility of the competent ministries and other direct and indirect budget users, legal entities of public or private law to which the Government can grant public authority for the technical and operative part of the implementation of the Resolution, foundations (co)established by the Government for particular thematic areas of development cooperation, and NGOs. The legal and strategic bases for development cooperation provide the foundation for coordination and complementarity of activities. The MDT, which is convened at the level of members (state secretaries at all the ministries) or at the level of deputy members (directors-general and other experts at the ministries), is the basis for the further development of the whole-of-government approach, where needed. The MDT oversees the coordination between government departments, both formally and informally, when necessary.

Box 13: Tasks of the Interministerial Working Body (MDT) In accordance with the International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act, the MDT is tasked with planning and coordinating development coordination, monitoring its implementation, discussing estimated funds for development cooperation, harmonising the draft Resolution and collaborating on the evaluation of its implementation efficiency. In practice, the MDT has also proved a useful instrument for promoting the line ministries' awareness of the specific nature of development cooperation and of the importance of policy coherence for global development.

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The national coordinator also ensures the internal coordination of all relevant organisational units within MZZ. Regular, general and theme-specific coordination is needed in the drafting of the Ministry's broader documents, consideration of particular issues and preparation of projects. Coordination is ongoing with regard to the themes pertaining to development cooperation, human rights, global challenges, international law and security, as well as with regard to European affairs and the common foreign and security policy. In partner countries, coordination is carried out with the help of diplomatic missions and consular posts through ambassadors and competent diplomats. In addition to foreign ministries and coordination bodies, other government departments in partner countries are also included in the dynamic process of coordinating development cooperation programmes. Bilateral technical assistance is particularly important in terms of achieving comprehensive approaches and synergies, and in this field, close – and partly autonomous – cooperation is being established between various departments in the Slovenian government and in partner countries. The traditional annual consultations of Slovenian diplomats and field visits, which also involve monitoring the implementation of development cooperation projects in partner countries, are important elements of the comprehensive approach. Similarly intensive is the cooperation between the headquarters and multilateral diplomatic representations, particularly representations to the EU, UN and OECD, especially with regard to policy coherence and cooperation between Slovenia and individual international organisations. The existing organisational structure provides a firm basis for policy formulation and implementation. Strengthening effectiveness remains an important goal, while new legal grounds will define in more detail the structure and system of development cooperation. Figure 1: Institutional organisation of Slovenia's development cooperation

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4.2. Adaptation to change With the creation of a new organisational structure, the establishment of the MZZ Directorate for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance in July 2011, the provision contained in the 2015 Resolution calling for integrating development cooperation within MZZ with an adequate level of autonomy was realised. The Directorate comprised two departments: a department for international development cooperation policies and a department for international development cooperation implementation and humanitarian assistance. The establishment of additional organisational units was foreseen, such as units for international humanitarian assistance and the evaluation of international development cooperation. By adopting the Act amending the Act on Internal Organisation and the Classification of Posts at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which entered into force on 1 October 2015, the Ministry was reorganised, the number of directorates was reduced and certain competences (fields of work) of particular directorates were redefined for greater rationalisation and optimisation. The Directorate for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law – and within it the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance – were established, retaining all the substantive areas, competencies and funding for the implementation of development cooperation. At the political level, the role of state secretary acting in the capacity of Minister for Development Cooperation was made more prominent. Furthermore, a special service was established for evaluating development cooperation. This change of organisational structure within the national development cooperation coordinator permitted the closer linking and coordination of policies related to development, human rights, the rule of law, peace and security and other global challenges, reflecting the multidimensional nature of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The Ministry has striven to strike a balance between the ambition for greater coordination between complementary aspects of foreign policy for the more efficient implementation of the universal, comprehensive 2030 Agenda and effective development cooperation. By establishing the evaluation service in 2015, the Ministry obtained an important source of information on the efficiency and effectiveness of development cooperation orientations and, above all, its implementation, and a vital element for effective and experience-based management of the programme cycle. Furthermore, the monitoring of implementation is constantly being improved. Cooperation with renowned professional organisations (e.g. ECDPM and the University of Ljubljana) and active involvement (workshops and round tables) in wider international community development-related activity (particularly within the EU) ensure regular monitoring of changes. Within the EU, Slovenia systematically calls upon the European Commission, in particular, to involve all member states in preparing proposals and backgrounds for changing EU approaches, which enables it to exert influence on changes in development cooperation in the EU and to apply good practices to improve its own system. Researchers and professionals from the University and from the non-governmental and official sectors who sit on the Expert Council advise the Minister and (as representatives of the external environment) contribute to the necessary adaptations of the development cooperation system. The efficiency of development cooperation is subject to audits carried out by the Court of Audit of the Republic of Slovenia (e.g. in 2011); the Ministry positively responds to the recommendations by introducing measures to eliminate the inefficiencies identified. On its own initiative in 2010, MZZ commissioned an independent efficiency review in foundations (co)established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia, and reached certain decisions based on its results (e.g. closure of one of the foundations). MZZ also requested an OECD DAC special peer review (2011), and responded to particular recommendations (e.g. with regard to awareness raising, the system of evaluation,

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strengthening strategic orientations, concentration on a smaller number of thematically comprehensive programmes). Innovations are adapted to trends in development cooperation, e.g. strengthening cooperation with the private sector. Development cooperation issues are also addressed in the framework of the annual Slovenian Development Days, the Bled Strategic Forum and other international events.

4.3. Human resources The first formal structure to deal with development cooperation and humanitarian assistance was the Office for International Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance established within MZZ in 2002 and employing two diplomats. In 2004, the Office was transformed into the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance (within the directorate responsible for multilateral affairs), which employed five diplomats. In 2008, to meet the needs of Slovenia's EU Council Presidency, the number of employees rose to ten, and four foreign diplomats were seconded, and when the Presidency ended, the number of staff was reduced to seven. In 2009, the Department became part of the Directorate for Economic Diplomacy. The 2015 Resolution called for the establishment of such an organisational structure which could effectively lead to the implementation of Slovenia's commitments in this field. In 2010, upon introducing the programme budget, MZZ also assumed the implementation of individual line ministries' programmes, which required more employees in the Department – from 9 in 2009, the number of staff thus rose to 15 in 2011. In 2010, two divisions – for policies and their implementation – were established within the Department. In July 2011, the Department was transformed into the Directorate for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance. In April 2012, the two divisions were transformed into two departments for the policies and implementation of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. In 2012, the Directorate employed 22 people, in 2013, 21 people, in 2014, 19 people, and in 2015, 24 people. With the reorganisation of MZZ in October 2015, the Directorate for Development Cooperation merged with the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs and the Directorate for International Law into the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law. At the moment, the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance employs 13 people, which poses a challenge to the functioning and advancement of the development cooperation system. In addition to the department's staff, the area of development cooperation falls within the competence of experts working in the offices of the Director-General, the State Secretary and the Minister. The broadened scope of the 2030 Agenda foresees a wider circle of diplomats dealing with (sustainable) development matters. At the Ministry, the competencies relevant to SDG policies are distributed across a number of units, e.g. those responsible for economic diplomacy, global

Box 14: Bled Strategic Forum (BSF) The BSF is Slovenia's central international annual forum for addressing current global challenges, and is attended by prominent experts from politics, the business sector, professional circles and civil society. The 2015 Bled Strategic Forum high-level panel, entitled Development is a Global Partnership, addressed the importance of development partnerships and policy coherence in the framework of the new global Agenda for Sustainable Development. To implement the Agenda efficiently, citizens’ awareness and the engagement of all segments of society will be essential. Meeting the first of the SDGs – "End poverty in all its forms everywhere" – is a precondition for achieving all other goals.

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challenges, common foreign and security policy or priority geographical regions, and their work is complemented by other experts.2 Development cooperation and humanitarian assistance are fields requiring in-depth knowledge of specific development and humanitarian issues and their implementation in partner countries. Due to the nature of diplomatic activities, transfers of staff between the internal and foreign services are frequent, which has a negative effect on the continuity of work. In the past, possible solutions to address this problem were often discussed at the Ministry and considered during its reforms (e.g. creating technical and official posts in this area along with the diplomatic posts). In addition to the current employees in the Department (six diplomats, and seven official and technical employees), the development cooperation field is covered by diplomats at permanent representations and diplomatic missions and consular posts. In partner countries, the implementation of development cooperation at the operative level is the responsibility of economic attachés. The staff working in the area of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance are encouraged to participate in training, work groups, conferences, professional seminars, workshops and other events in Slovenia and abroad (EU; OECD). They regularly take part in technical training (e.g. in the sphere of anti-corruption measures). Since 2015, contract managers and the diplomat responsible for humanitarian assistance have also monitored the implementation of activities through field visits, which contribute not only to strengthening these activities, but also to improving know-how and the system itself. Furthermore, the Ministry organises internal workshops in which the participation of economic attachés from partner countries is encouraged. Before diplomatic postings to these countries, candidates undergo obligatory training on development cooperation. Key references: Chapter 4

- International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development

Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Organisation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia, Ljubljana (2016)

2 In the framework of OECD DAC in 2015, Slovenia, in addition to the employees in the directorate (department) for development, reported the inclusion of 8.3 employee/per year at MZZ, and 5.3 employee/per year at diplomatic missions and consular posts in development cooperation at the national level (entered under administrative costs).

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5. Delivery modalities and partnerships for effective assistance 5.1. Budgeting and programming processes

The programming is carried out within the preparation of the Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the Republic of Slovenia, whereby special attention is devoted to a smaller number of thematically comprehensive, usually multi-annual, programmes and projects to stimulate the focus on results and effectiveness. MZZ draws up the framework programme in cooperation with other Government departments for a period of up to four years. The current framework programme's validity is from 2016 to 2019.

The framework programme, of which the Government takes note, represents the basis for planning funds for development cooperation in Slovenia's total budget. By adopting the budget for two years, the actual volume of available funds can be determined. In the budgeting process, priority is given to obligations arising from Slovenia's membership of international organisations. The budget for the current year allows for some flexibility (but only within the volume of funds for development cooperation and, to a smaller extent, within the Ministry's financial plan) in reallocating funds between development cooperation projects and drawing on the budgetary reserve in the event of unexpected humanitarian crises. On the other hand, flexibility also opens up the possibility of drawing on development cooperation funds for other purposes. Budget rules determine the timeline according to which responsibility for the majority of activities needs to be assumed (contracts signed) in the first half of the year; otherwise, the Ministry of Finance, due to public finance reasons, may intervene in the already approved budgetary commitments. In the framework of the action plan on gradually increasing ODA by 2030 foreseen in the 2030 Resolution, Slovenia will develop a mechanism intended to neutralise, among other things, the effects of cyclical economic and public financial developments on development cooperation funding. The framework programme serves as the basis for annual contracts with foundations and for MZZ's calls for proposals inviting NGOs. Foundations draw up project proposals on the basis of the agreed annual programmes, which take into account the partner countries' needs (bilateral memorandums and programmes). MZZ, in cooperation with diplomatic missions and consular posts, evaluates the proposals in terms of risks, economy, efficiency and effectiveness, feasibility, sustainability and partner countries' ownership. Concrete annual proposals for technical assistance and assistance projects aimed at enhancing social and economic infrastructure are finalised together with competent institutions in partner countries (in programme countries, the latter projects are coordinated with coordinating bodies). The project documentation obtained is the basis for signing a contract with the relevant foundation. Coherence between the activities and development strategies in programme countries is ensured through bilateral memorandums and programmes. With regard to other partner countries, project coherence is ensured by MZZ with the help of embassies in partner countries. In most OECD member states, tied aid requires special attention. A large share of bilateral ODA is channelled in the form of technical assistance provided by Slovenian experts, and the secondment of experts from partner countries in Slovenia. The calls for project proposals invite only Slovenian NGOs,

Box 15: Framework programme 2016-2019 Framework Programme in the total amount of EUR 34.3 million covers the planned expenditure on bilateral ODA in the budgets adopted for the years 2016 and 2017, and expenditure projections of eight Government departments and one body affiliated to the Government for the years 2018 and 2019. It encompasses programmable aid (in accordance to the OECD definition), the part of humanitarian assistance which can be planned in advance, and public awareness raising and capacity building. The Programme takes into account the framework set by the Resolution in force; with the upcoming 2030 Resolution, the programme will be adapted to new orientations during the next regular update.

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which usually acquire goods and services, needed to implement projects, in partner countries. In the least developed countries and heavily indebted poor countries, Slovenia carries out bilateral projects of very limited scope through Slovenian organisations, while most of its humanitarian assistance is channelled through international organisations. The co-financing of assistance projects aimed at enhancing social and economic infrastructure is normally implemented through public tenders in partner countries and is therefore considered untied aid. Slovenia does not impose any additional conditions apart from those set in the projects. Larger assistance projects for enhancing social and economic infrastructure usually require co-financing by the partner country.

5.2. Partnerships

5.2.1. Partner countries In planning and implementing development cooperation in partner countries, Slovenia cooperates with the governments of the countries concerned so that their development priorities and other donors' activities in the field can be taken into consideration. Diplomatic missions and consular posts in partner countries coordinate activities with other donors, particularly in the framework of EU-level coordination. In planning bilateral technical assistance, Slovenia takes into account as far as possible the needs of partner countries and its own comparative advantages, both in terms of the manner of implementation and project content. Slovenia's technical assistance is highly valued in partner countries. Slovenia has concluded bilateral partner agreements on development cooperation with Western Balkan countries (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Macedonia, Kosovo, Serbia), Cabo Verde and Moldova. Cooperation with Ukraine is also carried out in accordance with an agreement, which has not yet been ratified. The agreements define thematic priorities, determine the conditions for implementing projects and foresee the establishment of joint committees. The committees discuss current cooperation between the two countries under the cooperation programme/memorandum for the next multi-annual period. They also monitor and oversee the implementation of programmes. Joint committees have been established with Montenegro and Macedonia, while with other countries cooperation is project-based, the main factor being the amount of bilateral assistance available.

Box 16: Cooperation with a programme country: Montenegro The wider framework of programmes (priorities and objectives) is defined in the bilateral agreement on development cooperation. Since the launch of programme-based cooperation, Slovenia has signed three bilateral programmes with Montenegro (one-year programme for 2010, two-year for 2011–2012, and three-year for 2013–2015). In planning the programmes, the starting point is Montenegro's development needs (e.g. with regard to grant aid, the priority tasks of Montenegro's economic policy). The Programme comprehensively covers assistance for enhancing social and economic infrastructure (grant aid) and determines the amount of funds for bilateral technical assistance and NGO projects. Proposals for assistance to enhance social and economic infrastructure and for technical assistance are prepared by Montenegro's coordination body for development cooperation, while the annual priority list is adapted to Slovenia's financial capacities. With regard to technical assistance in particular, Slovenia's response during the Programme’s implementation is flexibly adapted to Montenegro's changing needs. The Programme also takes into account the countries’ bilateral cooperation through international organisations (UNIDO). Most of the technical assistance is channelled into the necessary normative and institutional modernisation of Montenegro to facilitate its EU accession process. On the Slovenian side, the principal role in implementing the technical assistance programme is assumed by line ministries and CEP; ensuring the compliance of technical assistance with other elements of the agreed programme and the partner country's needs is the responsibility of MZZ (with the Slovenian embassy in Podgorica playing an essential role). With regard to the technical aspects of the assistance for enhancing social and economic infrastructure, MZZ consults with the CMSR, which is also the formal donation mediator. Public procurement for infrastructure projects funded by Slovenia's grant aid is provided by the partner state, while Slovenia issues calls for project proposals for NGOs.

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5.2.2. Partnerships and stakeholders in Slovenia In planning and implementing development cooperation, Slovenia cooperates closely with a group of foundations, which have been (co)founded by Slovenian governments since 1998, with NGOs, and with international governmental and non-governmental organisations. Special attention has recently been devoted to the private sector engagement.

5.2.2.1. Foundations The group of foundations is comprised of ITF Enhancing Human Security, the Centre for European Perspective (CEP), the Centre for International Cooperation and Development (CMSR) as an institution with public rights and vested with public authority for development cooperation, and the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF), which was transformed into an international governmental organisation in 2015. Slovenia as their (co)founder provides part of the funding for these institutions, and – in the case of the CMSR – the commission for the implementation of development cooperation projects. The Government steers and oversees these institutions through its representatives on their management boards.

Each institution focuses on specific thematic and geographical priorities within the national development cooperation set of priorities. The legal basis for funding these foundations is contained in the Implementation of the Republic of Slovenia’s Budget Act and the Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance.

5.2.2.2. Non-governmental organisations and local communities NGOs' operations are important in Slovenia's development cooperation both at the national level and in partner countries. MZZ endeavours to enhance its partnership with NGOs in development cooperation policy planning and implementation. A representative of the non-governmental sector is thus a member of the Council of Experts for International Development Cooperation. In 2013, guidelines were prepared on the cooperation between MZZ and Slovenian NGOs and networks active in development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. The aim of the guidelines is to improve cooperation with a view to increasing the efficiency, coherence and quality of development cooperation at the national, regional and global levels. The guidelines define NGOs as partners, providers and watch dogs. Cooperation between MZZ and NGOs is carried out through regular dialogue at multiple levels (Head of Department, Director-General, State Secretary, and Minister). The role of NGOs in Slovenian development cooperation is also important due to their presence in the field, where the state's developmental reach through its institutions is limited, and due to their cooperation with local partners. They also complement MMZ's public awareness-raising and global learning activities. Every year, NGOs carry out activities throughout Slovenia which are coordinated by the Sloga NGDO and co-financed by MZZ from development cooperation funds. MZZ supports the employment of one person in an NGO that deals exclusively with global learning. In the international community, Slovenia strives for more inclusive dialogue with NGOs (e.g. within UNHRC), and includes Slovenian representatives in national delegations (e.g. UN Sustainable

Box 17: Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) The CEF was established by the Government of the Republic of Slovenia in 2001, and has operated since 2015 as an international organisation based in Ljubljana. It is a central organisation for providing training in public financial management and central banking in the Western Balkans, and – in the framework of Slovenian development cooperation in partner countries – carries out special training programmes on auditing and accounting in the public sector. Through CEF programmes, Slovenia – as a co-founder of CEF as a regional foundation and a founding member of the CEF as an international organisation – pursues one of the development cooperation priority goals as defined in the 2015 Resolution, thus promoting the mobilisation of partner countries' domestic resources and their responsible, transparent and effective management as one of the fundamental sources of financing for development, which enhances the partner countries' ownership of their own development.

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Development Summit 2015). It also promotes and engages in dialogue with international NGOs active in priority areas (e.g. with ONE). Most Slovenian NGOs are small. In order to build their capacity, MZZ annually issues calls for co-financing NGO projects selected under EU external aid instruments. Within the EU, Slovenia systematically points out the added value of support for small European NGOs (e.g. in the framework of the European Commission programme of development education and awareness raising). The state is striving to maintain a high level of funds to co-finance projects implemented by NGOs. Contracts are concluded on the basis of calls for project proposals issued annually by MZZ. Calls contain the criteria on the basis of which the commission composed of MZZ representatives and an external member, on the proposal of NGOs, submits to the Minister proposals for projects to be co-financed. MZZ efforts are channelled into reducing fragmentation by tendering for two- to three-year higher-value projects in priority geographical and thematic areas. Since 2016, participation in calls for proposals has also been open to new NGOs without the appropriate experience in the tendered area, which was one of the conditions in previous public calls for proposals. Local communities cooperate with MZZ on raising public awareness; in the 2015 Slovenian Development Days, for example, a representative of a local community participated in the discussion. According to MZZ estimates, Slovenian municipalities in the framework of town twinning in partner countries carry out many activities that fall under development cooperation, but these are not systematically tracked at the moment.

5.2.2.3. Private sector The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, following the development trends dictated by the 2030 Agenda, is strengthening its dialogue and cooperation with the private sector. The Addis Ababa Action Agenda will require not only additional resources, but also new means of implementation; financial aspects (domestic and international public financing) will have to be complemented by enhanced PCSD, fostering fair trade, solutions generated by linkages between science, technology and innovation, and capacity building. A new partnership between state- and non-state actors, including the private sector

and the civil society, will be vital in achieving the transformative development effects of the 2030 Agenda in practice. In defining its orientations, Slovenia attaches great importance to the OECD. In recent years, Slovenia has endeavoured to strengthen cooperation with the private sector. Since joining UNIDO in 1992, it has invested in UNIDO projects aimed at achieving the goals in developing countries. Public tenders also provide an opportunity for Slovenian companies. Bilateral cooperation (particularly in the Western Balkans) is implemented through the Centre for International Cooperation and Development. Opportunities for enhanced cooperation are also opening up within the EU. Awareness-raising activities on SDGs and the possibilities of cooperation at the EU and bilateral levels targeting Slovenian companies are also underway (e.g. establishment of a focal point with the Permanent Representation of the Republic of Slovenia to the EU to facilitate the engagement of companies in EU development cooperation, activities of economic diplomacy and economic advisers at diplomatic missions and consular posts, and access to relevant information on the so-called sector seminars in Brussels).

Box 18: Promoting the engagement of the private sector in development In February 2016, MZZ organised an international conference on including micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in development cooperation, which was intended to promote awareness of the opportunities for engaging the Slovenian private sector in the development cooperation of the EU and Slovenia. The conference was attended by approximately fifty representatives of Slovenian companies and interested institutions. Slovenia also initiated the recent joint initiative on enhancing the role of SMSEs in the Union's development cooperation, submitted to the European Commission by 11 Member States.

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5.2.3. Partnerships in the donor community In implementing development cooperation, Slovenia also cooperates with other donors in partner countries (e.g. USAID through the Emerging Donor Challenge Program and, in the framework of the Alpine Quadrilaterale, with Switzerland, Austria and Liechtenstein), as such cooperation enables the implementation of multiannual projects. Slovenia will continuously strive to enhance this kind of cooperation, but existing legislation prevents it from being deepened. A more adequate system will be established with the new sectoral law.

MZZ is interested in participating in processes of so-called joint programming in partner and other countries (e.g. in Ukraine and Moldova), but they have not yet been established at the EU level. It is also open to this type of cooperation in priority areas (e.g. transition management) in regions where no bilateral cooperation exists (e.g. in Libya).

5.3. Fragile states Slovenia's foreign policy is based on the Declaration on Foreign Policy of the Republic of Slovenia, the Slovenian foreign policy strategy and the MZZ action plan for the current year. The country does not prepare strategies for particular countries, but its approach to individual countries – including fragile states – reflects the objectives, priorities and activities defined by the core documents. Slovenia's activities thus focus on the thematic areas of security, peaceful policy and prosperity, which cover a range of issues requiring special attention when cooperating with fragile states. Slovenia takes into account the specific features of the fragile states with which it cooperates, addressing the risks of instability and fragility. An important principle of Slovenian development assistance is the HRBA. In areas with identified sources of instability in the form of ethnic tensions, Slovenia promotes strengthening intercultural dialogue and cooperation. Furthermore, it supports programmes for promoting security, and – as a board member of ITF Enhancing Human Security – strives to develop a comprehensive approach to human security. Close cooperation with fragile partner countries in diverse thematic areas makes it possible to prepare responsive projects to enhance their institutional capacity (e.g. through technical assistance). As an EU Member State, Slovenia is involved in the programming and implementing of cooperation in fragile states within the New Deal for engagement in fragile states (2011).

Slovenia's cooperation with fragile states is most intensive in the Western Balkans, largely because of historical, cultural and economic ties, the size of partner countries and Slovenia's own comparative

Box 19: Western Balkans – Brdo-Brijuni Process Slovenia and Croatia initiated a forum to serve as a natural platform conducive to open debate, linking cooperation between Western Balkan countries in all areas of common interest and addressing outstanding issues in the region. To further assist in the development of the region, Slovenia launched the initiative "Positive Agenda for Youth" to enhance mobility, education and the exchange of experience, promote job creation, strengthen pro-European orientation and deter young people from negative options prevalent in societies where they see no prospects for themselves. The "Positive Agenda for Youth" has become the central platform for strengthening the mobility of young people between the EU and the region and within the region itself. In order to enhance economic cooperation with EU- and region-based companies, Slovenia also hosts SUMMIT100 meetings.

Box 20: "Our Rights" One of Slovenia's foreign policy priorities is the empowerment of children. With the Our Rights project and teaching materials, Slovenia has enabled education on children’s rights for more than 180,000 children since 2005 in a number of countries in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Latin America and Africa. The teaching materials are available in 22 languages and are also used in some other EU member states in the framework of their cooperation with developing countries. MZZ also addresses the education of children in the framework of calls for project proposals for NGOs.

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advantages. Through its development assistance, Slovenia thus contributes to the peace, security, stability, prosperity, and sustainable economic, environmental and social development of the countries in the region.

5.3.1. Partner countries in the Western Balkans: BiH, Kosovo Slovenia supports BiH in its reform efforts within the EU integration process, respect for human rights, psychosocial assistance to children and the empowerment of women. BiH is still heavily contaminated with mines and other unexploded ordnance, and Slovenia has for many years supported mine clearance by funding the ITF Enhancing Human Security office in Sarajevo. In 2014, Slovenia responded to the appeals of BiH (and Serbia) for assistance in mitigating the consequences of severe flooding and increasing disaster resilience (also in the wider region). For this purpose, on an initiative of the Slovenian Prime Minister that was submitted to the European Council, Slovenia, France and the European Commission held a donor conference for the flooded areas in BiH and Serbia. The donor conference was held in Brussels in July 2014. Slovenia pledged a contribution of EUR 1 million, of which EUR 707,000 was earmarked for BiH. Altogether EUR 809 million was pledged to assist Bosnia and Herzegovina, EUR 995 million to assist Serbia, and EUR 41 million for cross-border activities.

With development cooperation projects in Kosovo, Slovenia assists in strengthening reforms and meeting the conditions for progress to Euro-Atlantic structures. In addition to contributing importantly to ensuring safety in the region (through KFOR), it devotes special attention to projects aimed at institution building and the training of public administration staff, border control and illegal migration. Kosovo is also included in regional projects providing training courses on public financial management and central banking. In Kosovo, Slovenia supported a number of Slovenian NGO projects in human rights and psychosocial assistance to children. It participated in a joint donor project (within the Alpine Quadrilaterale) to improve the living conditions and social inclusion of Roma, Ashkali and Balkan Egyptian communities in the municipality of Đakovica/Gjakovë.

5.3.2. Afghanistan In keeping with its international commitments and the principle of solidarity, Slovenia actively participates within its capabilities in international efforts to stabilise and develop Afghanistan. Particularly during the initial phase of stabilisation, Slovenia strove for a comprehensive approach and close cooperation between the security and development activities (cooperation between civilian functional experts and Slovenian NGOs in the field). Regarding security issues, efforts focus primarily on assistance and counselling for security institutions in order to ensure sustainable security in Afghanistan. Regarding development, Slovenia carries out bilateral projects in various fields, including the reintegration of Afghan refugees, assistance with food, the use of solar energy, development of agriculture, etc., and has financed a number of projects involving professional training on the introduction and development of central population registers, thus contributing to demographic planning, the establishment of public records and registers, and security in the country. Projects implemented by ITF Enhancing Human Security and NGOs focus on mine action and mine victims’ assistance, psychosocial rehabilitation and the economic empowerment of women, and provide support in ensuring access to health services and health care for underprivileged groups of Afghan society (women, children and victims of war). Slovenia also offers scholarships for Afghan post-graduate students.

Box 21: Slovenia's pledge at the donor conference in Brussels in July 2014 On the basis of the commitments made, Slovenia implemented four projects in Bosnia and Herzegovina: a demining project through ITF Enhancing Human Security, two projects involving the renovation of public buildings through Slovenian NGOs Caritas Slovenia and Institute Circle (renovation of three damaged primary schools and adjacent playgrounds, two health-care centres and a fire station), and a project involving the regulation of torrents in cooperation with CMSR.

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Key references: Chapter 5 - Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs (2004) - Agreement between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Council of Ministers

of Serbia and Montenegro on Development Cooperation (2005) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Government of Cape Verde (2011) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Kosovo (2010) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Government of Montenegro (2009) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Moldova (2007) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina (2006) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia (2006) - Agreement on Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of

Slovenia and the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine (2009) - Agreement on Establishing the Center of Excellence in Finance (CEF) (2014) - Decree on Carrying Out Twinning Projects and Bilateral Technical Assistance (2009) - Decree on the requirements for allocating funds to legal entities of public or private law, which

on the basis of public authority carry out the technical and operative activities of international development cooperation (2011)

- Decree on the requirements for allocating funds to providers of services of general interest for international development cooperation projects (2010)

- Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending)

- Foundations Act (2005) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Guidelines on cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia,

NGOs and the network of NGOs in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (2013)

- International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Memorandum on the International Development Cooperation of the Government of the

Republic of Slovenia and the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for the 2013–2015 Period (2013)

- Programme on International Development Cooperation between the Government of the Republic of Slovenia and the Government of Montenegro for the period 2013–2015 (2013)

- Public Finance Act (2011) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation)

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6. Results management, transparency in accountability 6.1. Policies, strategies, plans, monitoring and reporting

During the validity of the 2015 Resolution, Slovenia focused primarily on establishing a functioning system of funding, planning and implementing development cooperation, and on determining a limited set of geographical and thematic priorities. Accordingly, the efficiency evaluation of the 2015 Resolution implementation focuses on fulfilling the commitments with regard to ODA funding and on the concentration of development cooperation by priority. Annual reporting on development cooperation, which includes the annual evaluation of the Resolution implementation, is based on the OECD's Creditor Reporting System and measures the value of invested resources. The interim and final assessments of the Resolution implementation based on the provisions of ZMRS encompass the evaluation of Slovenia's development cooperation and the effects of its multiannual activities on priority regions and countries. Measuring results on the basis of indicators and defined starting and target values is already established in the budget process, which in recent years has been upgraded in terms of programming. In the budget, development cooperation is a separate programme under the foreign policy heading. The latest update of objectives and indicators further steered the measurement of outcomes, which for now nevertheless remain at the level of system’s functioning (regular attendance at meetings to co-shape policies, number of active multiannual projects, number of signed agreements on development cooperation, etc.) and achieving target values relative to inputs (target GNI value for ODA). In the common programme, target values are foreseen for all budget users, but certain ministries plan their activities under other budget lines. What is measured with regard to foundations and NGOs is the efficiency of achieving project objectives and outcomes. The project documentation contains concrete indicators measured during mid-term reporting and upon the project's completion. Indicators provided by partner countries or other sources (e.g. other donors) are the necessary foundation for selecting and implementing projects. Project outcomes and assessments serve as the basis for deciding whether it is sensible to continue activities. All the information about the projects, including on the outcomes achieved, is publicly accessible and regularly published on the websites of relevant ministries. Slovenia is well aware of the need to continuously develop a system that enables a transition from measuring inputs to measuring results. It estimates that the current efforts of the international community to measure progress in the implementation of SDGs, in which the OECD plays an important role, will contribute to more comprehensive monitoring of partner countries' progress in particular thematic areas.

6.2. Evaluation system The report on Slovenia's readiness for OECD DAC membership of November 2013 stated that Slovenia would gradually set up an evaluation system. As the majority of Slovenian ODA is multilateral, it is already evaluated by international organisations. Furthermore, projects co-funded by the EU and other donors also involve evaluation. By joining the DAC Network on Development Evaluation, Slovenia is now included in the network of evaluators and can apply other DAC members' experience when establishing its evaluation system. In the initial phase of setting up an effective system for evaluating development cooperation, MZZ – in cooperation with Finland – organised a workshop on Slovenia's development cooperation project evaluation in September 2013 which was attended by representatives of ministries, implementing

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foundations, NGOs, the Expert Council and other stakeholders in order to improve understanding of the importance, role, principles, criteria, standards and good practices of evaluation. The workshop made an important contribution both to promoting the evaluation culture and to preparing the principal documents – the Evaluation Policy of Slovenian Official Development Cooperation and the Evaluation Guidelines on Slovenian Official Development Cooperation – which are based on OECD DAC evaluation standards and the Finnish evaluation model. The Slovenian Evaluation Society, NGOs, Expert Council and the Interministerial Working Body also participated in their preparation. The Evaluation Policy was adopted by a Government decision in 2014. The Evaluation Guidelines, adopted by the Foreign Minister in 2015, contain more detailed evaluation instructions, which will be updated in accordance with practical experience. Development cooperation evaluation is the responsibility of the National Coordinator. Within the Ministry, the preparation of evaluations by programmes and themes is the responsibility of the independent evaluation service within the Directorate for Multilateral Affairs, Development Cooperation and International Law reporting to the Foreign Minister. The responsibilities and tasks of the service are determined in the Evaluation Policy document. The evaluation service is separate from the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance, which is responsible for policy making and delivering development assistance. The evaluation service prepares an annual plan of evaluation activities with an indication for the two subsequent years. The first evaluation plan for 2015 with an indication for 2017 and 2018 foresees the evaluation of development cooperation with Montenegro (in 2017) and evaluation of one of the thematic priorities in 2018. Financial resources for the evaluation are earmarked in the financial plan of MZZ. For this purpose, EUR 30,000 is foreseen annually. Slovenia is currently undertaking a mid-term evaluation of its cooperation with Montenegro in the 2013–2016 period. The evaluation framework has been coordinated with the Montenegrin foreign ministry.

6.3. Institutional learning The Evaluation Policy sets out the activities for the systematic and transparent dissemination of evaluation results. As a rule, evaluation reports are publicly accessible and published on the MZZ website. Access is also possible via the OECD DAC Network on Development Evaluation. After every evaluation, a press statement is released. Invitation to a public presentation of the evaluation report is published on the Intranet, in the MZZ cable system and on the MZZ website, and is sent to target addressees. Evaluation outcomes are presented by members of the evaluation team. Brief abstracts of the presentation are published on the Intranet, in the MZZ cable system and on the MZZ website. In order to take into account the findings and recommendations in the evaluation report, an action plan (Management Response) is prepared for every evaluation, defining the measures needed to improve the quality of a concrete project, programme or policy, and to resolve problems. The action plan is drawn up by the evaluation service, coordinated with implementing partners (ministries, sectors, etc.) and approved by the Foreign Minister. If any of the recommendations is rejected by the implementing partner, clear reasons for the rejection must be stated. The implementing partners report on the implementation of the Management Response in progress reports.

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Learning from experience and the integration of lessons learnt in order to improve the development cooperation system, programmes and projects are preconditions for effective implementation and sustainable results of development cooperation. In order to produce good-quality strategic documents and ensure their implementation, regular training and the acquisition of know-how must be ensured both at ministries and at Slovenian representations in partner countries. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish a system that enables the application of this know-how in practice to improve the efficiency of development cooperation.

6.4. Communication, accountability and development awareness Annual reports are considered by the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia. Deputies of the National Assembly address issues and initiatives at plenary sessions or at Foreign Policy Committee meetings. When considering the annual report on the situation in the international community and the status of foreign policy activities, they can make recommendations for future action. The MZZ official website contains pages on the system and implementation of development cooperation; on its site, MZZ publishes relevant documents, framework agreements, annual reports on development cooperation, international agreements, cooperation programmes, public tenders and calls for proposals, decisions on responding to humanitarian crises, the implementation of bilateral programmes (objectives, main activities, financial value) and their results. The website is available in the Slovene and English languages and is regularly updated. Slovenia has not yet fully embraced the IATI Standard, so some challenges still remain, particularly with regard to predicting assistance. Slovenia regularly reports on the development cooperation realisation and plans via established EU and OECD reporting systems. Public awareness activities have been strengthened in recent years, mostly as a result of regular updates of the website, the organisation of events and relevant publications. MZZ also publishes development cooperation news via its official Facebook and Twitter accounts. Public awareness raising was in focus particularly in 2015, the European Year for Development. Since 2009, MZZ has annually organised Slovenian Development Days aimed at promoting

Box 22: Cooperation with Finland Close cooperation with the Finnish foreign ministry in the field of international development has been ongoing since 2010. Slovenia capitalised on Finnish know-how and experience when establishing the development cooperation system, developing a strategy for implementing development cooperation through international organisations and designing the evaluation system. At the political level, opportunities for cooperation in the framework of development cooperation were also identified in certain other areas (e.g. response to humanitarian crises).

Box 23: Evropean Year for Development 2015 (EYD 2015) The EYD 2015 was included in pre-school, elementary and secondary school annual work plans for the 2014/2015 school year. A music and theatre piece "Changing the World – Chord by Chord" was created, presenting the values of development cooperation in a humorous and entertaining way. Experts compiled lists of films, references and performing art pieces related to development cooperation, and all the pertaining teaching materials were collected at a single website. The "Europe at School" competition involved 572 schools, 653 mentors and 9,607 students, with a total of 8,981 submissions. The activities included six more competitions, lectures at faculties, professional debates, conferences intended for companies and art exhibitions. MZZ publishes the journal World's Best News dedicated to development cooperation. The song "One World" in Slovene by the group Slove'n'aid, founded specifically to promote development cooperation, topped the charts 36 times on six Slovenian radio stations; the song has recently been released in English as well. Development cooperation was presented at mass running events in Ljubljana, and internationally renowned athletes acted as EYD 2015 ambassadors. The MZZ website published press releases, 116 of which were exclusively related to EYD. Furthermore, cooperation was established with public and commercial radio stations.

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development cooperation in the expert and general public. Slovenian Development Days are usually organised in cooperation with NGOs; in 2015, they were held in cooperation with the National Assembly and received broad political support. In 2015, the sixth and seventh Slovenian Development Days were held in the spirit of the European Year for Development, the 10th anniversary of Slovenia's development cooperation, the 2030 Agenda and the World Humanitarian Summit, with the attendance of EU Commissioners for Development and Humanitarian Aid. MZZ promotes global learning. It issues a calls for proposals for NGOs every two years. The objectives of the latest call were: promote greater support for global learning among pedagogical staff, contribute to better understanding of sustainable development and humanitarian assistance goals among children and youth, and foster coordinated action by NGOs and other stakeholders. In the field of global learning, MZZ, through the informal inter-ministerial working group, will continue to strive for closer cooperation with the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport and other key stakeholders involved in integrating global learning into the school system. The 2030 Strategy will also address public awareness raising, transparency and accountability. Key references: Chapter 6

- Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs (2004) - Evaluation Guidelines on Slovenian International Development Cooperation (2015) - Evaluation Policy of Slovenian International Development Cooperation (2014) - Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development

Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Guidelines on the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of

Slovenia, the NGOs and the network of NGOs in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (2013)

- International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation)

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7. Humanitarian assistance 7.1. Strategic framework

International humanitarian assistance is an important part of national development cooperation. In the 2015 Resolution, international humanitarian assistance is defined as one of the special priorities. The assistance is divided into emergency assistance provided in the event of natural disasters or other major crises, and regular humanitarian and post-conflict assistance. The objectives of the latter are 1) reduction of poverty and hunger; 2) mine action; and 3) assistance for children in post-conflict situations. Neither the Resolution nor ZMRS define humanitarian assistance in more detail. The practice of providing aid has gradually moved away from the division into regular and emergency humanitarian assistance as per the 2015 Resolution, and started approaching the OECD standards. It now encompasses: a) urgent assistance during, or in the aftermath of, humanitarian crises aimed at saving lives, which is primarily channelled in the form of contributions through international organisations in response to humanitarian appeals; b) rehabilitation and reconstruction activities in the aftermath of humanitarian crises, implemented in the form of bilateral projects carried out by implementing institutions and NGOs; and c) activities for disaster risk reduction and increasing resilience, carried out in the form of bilateral projects by foundations and NGOs. The objectives of Slovenian humanitarian assistance are to save lives, alleviate suffering and maintain human dignity during, and in the aftermath of, man‐made crises and natural disasters. Special attention is devoted to preventive action, reducing the risks of disaster and increasing disaster resilience (Principle 1 of Good Humanitarian Donorship, GHD1). In allocating international humanitarian assistance, Slovenia consistently applies the fundamental humanitarian principles of impartiality, independence, neutrality and humanity (GHD2), which is also in accordance with the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid, and takes into account all the other GHD principles. Furthermore, Slovenia is committed to complementary action in humanitarian assistance and development cooperation, although this is not explicitly stated in its core documents. The integrative and comprehensive approach was developed in practice during major humanitarian crises in which the security situation permitted integration with humanitarian assistance (Haiti), or where crises emerged in priority geographical areas and follow-up was possible through rehabilitation and reconstruction projects (Ukraine, Belarus, BiH, Serbia). Assistance is always channelled in keeping with the needs of the affected population and local communities in cooperation with local partner organisation. In order to institutionalise the goals of international humanitarian assistance and to honour the principles and forms of humanitarian response, the draft 2030 Resolution defines objectives, reaffirms the commitment to humanitarian and GHD principles, provides for various forms of humanitarian response, underlines the commitment to reducing the risk of disaster and to increasing disaster resilience, and interlinks urgent humanitarian assistance with rehabilitation and reconstruction programmes. International humanitarian assistance will be defined in more detail in the guidelines on humanitarian activity, which will cover the basic principles of planning and implementation of humanitarian aid, methods of delivery, priorities and providers. Reducing risks of disaster and increasing disaster resilience are part of Slovenia's humanitarian action, promoted above all by the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR). For these activities, particularly in the Western Balkans, Slovenia annually allocates between 5 and 15% of its total humanitarian assistance, which supports the implementation of bilateral projects, experts deployed or activities within the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative for South Eastern Europe (DPPI SEE).

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Furthermore, in 2015, MZZ began to promote activities to reduce the risk of disasters and increase disaster resilience, particularly with regard to securing a safe drinking water and food supply, through public calls for proposals for co-financing NGO projects in Sub-Saharan Africa. These activities will also be subjects of calls for project proposals in the 2017–2019 period. Slovenia has committed to reducing risks of disaster and increasing disaster resilience in the framework of preparations for the World Humanitarian Summit, where it pledged to allocate at least 10

per cent of its humanitarian assistance to these efforts. In accordance with the 2015 Resolution and the strategy of development cooperation 2015, Slovenia is to earmark approximately 10% of its available development assistance for humanitarian aid. The 2008–2015 average meets the target foreseen in the Resolution. There is a visible upward trend in this share of humanitarian assistance, although the percentage fluctuates considerably. Although Slovenia doubled the bilateral development assistance in 2015 compared to the year before, it managed to allocate a high percentage of humanitarian assistance, which exceeded the target share in total development cooperation both in 2014 and 2015. Chart 11: Humanitarian assistance volume and its share in available bilateral assistance

According to the targets set in the 2015 Resolution, Slovenia should channel 75% of its humanitarian assistance funds into regular humanitarian and post-conflict assistance, and 25% into emergency assistance. In previous years, humanitarian assistance funds did not quite reach the 25% target for emergency assistance. In 2011, this percentage stood at only 14% of the total humanitarian assistance. Together with an increasing number of humanitarian crises in the form of sudden armed

Box 24: Commitments at the World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul on 23 and 24 May 2016 Slovenia aligned itself with all the 32 core commitments and pledged a further 22 national commitments related to upholding the norms that safeguard humanity, the empowerment of women and girls, and humanitarian financing: investing in humanity. Slovenia's national commitments include support for international humanitarian law and humanitarian principles at the national and international levels, promotion of human rights education and assistance to victims of armed conflicts, with a special focus on children, protection of civilians and civilian buildings in armed conflicts, particularly protecting schools from military use, fast and effective delivery of assistance, investments in preventive action and reducing vulnerability to disasters. Additional commitments are related to the empowerment of women and girls in humanitarian assistance, particularly in education, enjoyment of sexual and reproductive rights and support for women's organisations. The commitments undertaken will be fulfilled through cooperation within competent departments of the Ministry and within the Permanent Coordination Group for International Humanitarian Law, which is comprised of representatives of other ministries and the professional public. Regular progress reports will be submitted by the above-mentioned coordination group. In the aftermath of the World Humanitarian Summit, Slovenia officially committed to the Grand Bargain package.

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conflicts and major natural disasters, the emergency aid percentage was on the rise, reaching 53% in 2014, to drop again to 11% in 2015. Recently, Slovenia has striven to address all major humanitarian crises around the world, where some of the contributions via international organisations could be planned ahead due to long-lasting conflicts, so these figures can no longer be considered emergency assistance. When responding to sudden crises, if the funds are not available under the regular assistance MZZ budget line, an effort is made to secure financing from the budgetary reserve (e.g. Macedonia and Ecuador in 2016; Nepal in 2015). Due to the problems caused by allocating funds either as regular or as emergency assistance, it would be sensible to change this division in the future so that funds can be planned for i) emergency assistance during crises; ii) reconstruction and rehabilitation; and iii) preventive action, reducing disaster risks and increasing disaster resilience.

7.2. Effective programme design Slovenia allocates its humanitarian assistance in accordance with the needs of the affected population and its own capacities, taking into account the effectiveness of the humanitarian response, as follows: - Urgent responses to major humanitarian crises, whereby Slovenia strives to address all L3

emergencies and other large-scale crises (both planned response to protracted crises and response to sudden crises): assistance is channelled on the basis of humanitarian appeals or UN humanitarian response plans in the form of contributions to one of the international humanitarian organisations with which Slovenia has established regular cooperation (ICRC, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP). Slovenia's preference is soft earmarking, whereby only a crisis region or country is selected;

- Rehabilitation and reconstruction projects, channelled mostly to geographical priority areas based on the assessment of needs in accordance with the 2015 Resolution: projects are carried out by Slovenian foundations, depending on their comparative advantages, and Slovenian NGOs on the basis of calls for project proposals;

- Preventive action, reducing risks of disaster and increasing disaster resilience, particularly in geographical priority areas: projects are carried out by the URSZR, and MZZ also earmarks funds for NGOs in the framework of its calls for proposals.

The funds for urgent response, rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and partly for preventive action are planned by MZZ within the framework programmes of development cooperation. In planning its response to humanitarian crises, Slovenia takes into account the appeals of the affected countries, international organisations' calls and reports of its diplomatic missions and consular posts (the latter particularly in the Western Balkans and Ukraine). Furthermore, URSZR receives information on sudden natural disasters through the Emergency Response Coordination Centre, and based on this information takes decisions on deploying emergency rescue teams to the affected areas. In the case of secondment, experts prepare for missions shortly after a crisis. In emergencies, Slovenia provides urgent assistance in the form of contributions through international organisations. The assistance is channelled in approximately 30 days after the crisis. A possible response in the form of bilateral projects takes longer, as the funds intended for the projects (primarily for NGO projects) can only be allocated on the basis of a public tender/a call for project proposals. In order to ensure a prompt response to humanitarian crises also in the form of bilateral projects, Slovenia is already drafting legal bases for setting up strategic partnerships with selected providers. Part of Slovenia's humanitarian assistance is provided in the form of bilateral projects carried out by foundations and selected NGOs. Project providers always team up with local partners so that

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assistance recipients can be involved in the planning, implementation and follow-up of projects and thus retain ownership of them. The requirement to include local partners is an integral part of calls for project proposals. Slovenia reaffirmed its commitment to include the affected population in all project phases at the World Humanitarian Summit.

7.3. Effective delivery, partnerships and instruments The commitment to reconstruction and rehabilitation activities arises from the 2015 Resolution and will continue into the next period, as these activities are an important component of Slovenia's response to humanitarian crises. The funds are planned within framework programmes. Activities are focused on projects carried out by foundations, most notably by ITF Enhancing Human Security, and by Slovenian NGOs. At the World Humanitarian Summit Slovenia made a commitment to continue promoting the rehabilitation of children after humanitarian crises.

Due to legal restrictions (public procurement procedures and restrictions regarding payment deadlines), Slovenia has so far not been able to respond to emergencies with bilateral projects, which has been a hindrance. In order to address this problem, the introduction of strategic partnerships is foreseen as explained in Section 7.2. Slovenia recognises the central role of UN agencies and the special role of the International Committee of the Red Cross in implementing humanitarian action (GHD10). Furthermore, Slovenia has established closer cooperation with selected humanitarian organisations, such as UNHCR, UNRWA, WFP, UNICEF and ICRC, through which it addresses the majority of humanitarian crises by responding to their appeals (GHD14), whereby the funds are planned in advance or, in the event of sudden crises, provided from the budgetary reserve, so that funding of humanitarian action in new crises does not adversely affect the meeting of needs in ongoing crises (GHD11). As the funds are planned in advance within the framework programmes, the decision on the response is taken by MZZ and the contribution transferred within 30 days of the decision. The procedure takes longer if the funds were not planned in advance or have to be provided from the budgetary reserve, in which case the decision on the allocation – on the proposal of MZZ and in cooperation with the Ministry of Finance – is subject to a Government decision. However, additional efforts will be needed in order to shorten procedures when an emergency response is required (GHD12). Slovenia strives to achieve the highest possible degree of flexibility with regard to contributions to international organisations, and its preference is for soft earmarking. Furthermore, Slovenia has already introduced the practice of longer-term funding arrangements with international organisations, e.g. UNRWA for 2015–2017, ICRC in 2016 and 2017, and UNHCR in 2016 and 2017, which also increases predictability (GHD12). Rehabilitation and reconstruction activities and preventive action are carried out by selected foundations and non-governmental organisations. While the activities of foundations can be carried out after the harmonisation of the project documentation and signing of the contract (within a month of

Box 25: Rehabilitation of children and minors affected by armed conflicts Since 2004, Slovenia has been providing rehabilitation for more than 1,200 children from Ukraine, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Palestine. Slovenia's efforts to ensure the well-being of children are aimed at providing medical rehabilitation and psycho-social assistance to children affected by humanitarian disasters. The rehabilitation was carried out by ITF Enhancing Human Security and Slovenian NGOs in cooperation with the Debeli Rtič Youth Health and Holiday Centre and the Soča University Rehabilitation Institute.

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the decision), a call for proposals is needed to allocate funds to NGOs (issued by MZZ every two or three years). The procedure is protracted, and this issue will be dealt with in the new law. The central coordination of Slovenian humanitarian activities is implemented at the EU level within the Working Group on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid. At the national level, regular coordination is carried out with the URSZR, and – in the event of humanitarian crises and during the response planning phase – with relevant diplomatic missions and consular posts. A certain level of coordination and exchange of information has also been established with NGOs. In practice, calls for NGO project proposals also foresee appropriate coordination in the field and take into account the activities of other donors so that a more effective response can be planned. To achieve better coordination with NGOs implementing activities financed by private funds, the Ministry will introduce coordination meetings after humanitarian crises with the closer involvement of NGOs (such as during the catastrophic flooding in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia in May 2014). More effort will also be channelled into coordinating with other donors.

7.4. Organisational structure In its role as development cooperation coordinator, MZZ makes proposals and coordinates urgent humanitarian assistance and rehabilitation and reconstruction activities. Activities and funding are planned in advance within framework programmes of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, which are harmonised by all the relevant line ministries and approved by the Government. In the event of a sudden crisis, the coordinator makes a proposal and – upon the consent of the Ministry of Finance – submits it to the government procedure. During major natural disasters and in case of a planned response (e.g. earthquake in Nepal and floods in Macedonia), the Ministry informally and formally coordinates Slovenia's response with the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief. Conversely, the activities carried out by the Administration for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief are coordinated with MZZ, whereby the

documentation for the Government is always forwarded to the relevant body for formal harmonisation. There has been little overlap between Slovenian humanitarian activities and engagement in peace and stability missions, as Slovenia mostly makes use of multilateral routes to deliver humanitarian aid to crisis areas (e.g. Mali). With enhanced engagement, however, the coordination of these activities will require closer attention. Slovenia actively promotes the application of international humanitarian law. The Permanent Coordination Group for International Humanitarian Law has been established within MZZ, and at the World Humanitarian Summit, Slovenia made a commitment to include the Lucens Guidelines on Protecting Schools and Universities from Military Use during Armed Conflicts in all manuals of the Slovenian Armed Forces by 2017. It will continue to promote respect for international law, e.g. by establishing a focal point at MZZ. MZZ (or more specifically, the Department for Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance) coordinates international humanitarian assistance, monitors policies, coordinates and

Box 26: Administration of the Republic of Slovenia for Civil Protection and Disaster Relief (URSZR) The URSZR provides urgent relief in major disasters, and carries out some of its activities in developing countries in the form of aid in kind and teams deployed to assess needs and deliver emergency relief. In 2014, the URSZR responded to the catastrophic floods in BiH and Serbia, and in 2015, it delivered aid in kind to Ukraine. In addition to urgent response and rescue activities, the URSZR carries out projects aimed at reducing disaster risks and increasing disaster resilience, particularly in the Western Balkans.

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prepares for urgent response, coordinates rehabilitation and reconstruction projects and issues calls for project proposals for NGOs. The workload is distributed between a diplomat coordinating humanitarian assistance and other Department employees who, in addition to other tasks, are responsible for monitoring projects and preparing calls for project proposals. At the national level, humanitarian assistance efforts are complemented by the activities of URSZR experts. Furthermore, humanitarian assistance activities are regularly followed by competent experts at Slovenia's diplomatic representations – particularly in New York and Geneva – and by qualified diplomats at Slovenia's diplomatic missions and consular posts, especially during natural and other large-scale crises (e.g. floods in the Western Balkans and the Ukraine conflict). The Ministry has increased its investment in the professional training of personnel in the field of humanitarian assistance, and it also supports participation in joint field missions.

7.5. Results, learning and accountability Slovenia monitors and reports on results in the field of humanitarian assistance according to the categories defined in the 2015 Resolution (regular and emergency assistance). MZZ monitors and reports on activities in its annual report on development cooperation and humanitarian assistance, also by thematic priorities (regular assistance and rehabilitation). In monitoring the effectiveness of its assistance, Slovenia relies mainly on reports received from international organisations. In the coming period, progress will have to be achieved in monitoring and reporting on the results, and the Ministry – in its strategic documents – will define particular humanitarian assistance goals/standards, such as the share of funds earmarked for humanitarian assistance, for preventive action and for thematic priorities. In accordance with the GHD principles, Slovenia reports on its humanitarian activities at the national and international levels in a consistent and transparent way. At the national level, national decision with regard to the response and support for projects are regularly published on the MZZ website, along with periodic progress reports on individual projects. At the international level, Slovenia regularly reports on particular activities within the EDRIS information system and on an ad-hoc basis using the European Commission reporting table. Its decisions concerning humanitarian responses are also communicated in the framework of participation in the EU Council Working Party on Humanitarian Aid and Food Aid. Key references: Chapter 7

- Act on Cooperation between the National Assembly and the Government in EU Affairs (2004) - Final assessment of the implementation of the Resolution on International Development

Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the period until 2015 (pending) - Framework Programme of Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Assistance of the

Republic of Slovenia in the 2016–2019 period (2016) - Guidelines on the cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of

Slovenia, the NGOs and the network of NGOs in the field of development cooperation and humanitarian assistance (2013)

- International Development Co-operation of the Republic of Slovenia Act (2006) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2015 (2008) - Resolution on International Development Cooperation of the Republic of Slovenia for the

period until 2030: working together for prosperity and a sustainable future (in preparation)

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Annex 1. Organisational structure of MZZ