Malta’s AidWatch Working Group

Malta’s AidWatch Working Group (AWWG) has had a very busy second part of 2012. SKOP (National Platform of Maltese NGDOs ) was granted funds through CONCORD’s Sub-contracting Scheme to employ an AidWatch Research and Advocacy Officer for six months.

During this period, the AWWG managed to intensify its research capacities and thus enhance its advocacy actions. Malta’s AWWG aims to provide a detailed report and analysis of the Government’s Official Development Assistance programme. This would enable the AWWG to make recommendations aimed at a more efficient and effective national ODA programme. The necessity to focus more energies on this issue came after years of difficulties encountered in accessing data and information related to Malta’s ODA, as a result of lack of transparency.

The work carried out since June brought about a strengthened dialogue with the Development Unit within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as established new communication links with other Ministries and institutions involved in the management and allocation of Malta’s ODA. Communication with other national platforms, especially from the EU12, helped in identifying potential solutions. This was based on sharing of experiences, good practices and lessons learnt.

The research project has been helpful for SKOP’s AWWG and other civil society organizations and representatives (such as academia) to jointly advocate for an improved political framework and a clearer implementation strategy focused on poverty. A multi-stakeholder workshop was organized on the 8th November entitled, “A Review of Malta’s Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) through the past three years from a political, academic and civil society point of view”, during which representatives from political parties, academia, NGOs and other civil society backgrounds discussed how the quality and transparency of Malta’s ODA programme could be improved.

The next step is to gear up on advocacy actions with politicians, especially in view of the upcoming General Elections in Malta on 9th March 2013.

For further information, contact Ms. Paola Prinzis, AidWatch Research and Advocacy Officer: paola.prinzis@skopmalta.org  

Information provided by Philippa Arrigo, SKOP