Towards A New Partnership: Evaluation of Evolving New Partnerships between Finland and Namibia

The evaluation assessed to what extent there has been a move from relations where the emphasis is on development cooperation, to more diversified cooperation and interaction.

The evaluation focused on the interventions Finland promoted in 2004-2007, selecting a limited number of them that were assessed in detail.
The evaluation subject was the 2004-2007 evolving partnership between Finland and Namibia. Upon independence in 1990 Namibia became one of the main recipients of Finnish development assistance. During 2004-7, the relationship entered transition, moving away from traditional development cooperation to more diversified cooperation and normal relationships.

This evaluation aimed to gather:
– An updated, in-depth knowledge about the Namibian context against which the present and future partnerships can be assessed and defined.
– An informed view on the implementation of the agreed recommendations of a 2004 evaluation (which was planned to support the transition).
– A realistic and innovative view on opportunities and new openings or strengthening of current activities.
– Recommendations on specific elements which could serve as drivers for further shaping pathways for normal country-to-country relations.

The evaluation assessed to what extent there has been a move from relations where the emphasis is on development cooperation, to more diversified cooperation and interaction. The evaluation focused on the interventions Finland promoted in 2004-2007, selecting a limited number of them that were assessed in detail. The evaluation took into account the wider Finnish-Namibian relationships not promoted by the MFA, relationships between Namibia and other countries and national and global developments. The evaluators assessed the starting point for the transition, its planning and implementation process and the relationships at its end.

Focus was on legislative level and on policy issues, private sector, business communities & trade, civil society, research, and innovative activities, taking into account possibilities of Finland to contribute to relevant institution and capacity building of the country. Instruments reviewed included bilateral projects, local cooperation funds, NGO cooperation & concessional credit. Provided recommendations for future activities and strategy, & final workshop with stakeholders in Finland.

Published by MFA. Evolving New Partnerships between Finland and Namibia, Evaluation Report 2008:3, Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland, Department for Development Policy, 2008. ISBN 978-951-724-699-6