[Interview] ODA Model Country Sweden "Real-Time Reporting... Need for Post-Monitoring System"

ODA Status Analysis [K Wonjo Tracker] ⑦
Interview with Allen Atkinson, Deputy Director of SIDA

Sweden is regarded as a model country in Official Development Assistance (ODA). This is because it sets the aid goal as ‘global responsibility and wealth redistribution’ and focuses on humanitarian aid, while the government has established a unified process to maximize the effectiveness of ODA projects. Currently, Sweden’s Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, oversees the entire ODA process from implementation to evaluation.

Allen Atkinson, Deputy Director of SIDA, advised in a written interview with Asia Economy on the 31st, "For efficient ODA, the evaluation structure that reviews projects after completion is most important," emphasizing the need for a comprehensive post-monitoring mechanism.

Allen Atkinson, Deputy Director General of the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). (Photo by SIDA)

Sweden has subdivided the post-monitoring process that evaluates ODA projects after implementation. Through this, inefficiencies or problems arising during the project are quickly corrected, creating a structure where projects improve year by year. Atkinson explained, "Sweden conducts individual reports by ODA officers in recipient countries, official evaluations, and large-scale strategic evaluations that examine the impact of ODA projects over several years on specific themes such as poverty reduction or gender equality."

He continued, "SIDA is also continuously working to improve its evaluation programs," adding, "Recently, we have been experimenting with a process that allows evaluators to report on ODA projects in real time after implementation." This is to respond to the rapidly changing international situation.

He said, "Even if we do our best in implementing ODA projects, there are many factors that affect the outcomes," noting, "Uncontrollable events such as climate anomalies caused by global warming or Russia’s invasion of Ukraine occur. Because of this, SIDA puts a lot of effort into distinguishing between successful projects, unsuccessful ones, and what we can do to improve."

Regarding fragmentation, a major problem in Korean ODA projects, he avoided specific comments, saying, "SIDA cannot comment on decisions made by other countries. We are a specialized agency, after all." However, he mentioned that inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination are relatively smooth in Sweden’s ODA implementation process.

Atkinson said, "In the ODA process, SIDA cooperates with various agencies. Explaining each of these agencies might bore readers," adding, "The important thing is that we aim to work together. Heads of various agencies meet regularly to discuss, SIDA creates forums for discussion and cooperation, and the government establishes policies and budget environments where everyone can operate. It is a complex process, but it seems to work well." This contrasts with Korea, where dozens of ministries divide the ODA budget among themselves.

He also advised that the entities implementing ODA projects should have a clear philosophy to avoid being swayed by changes in administration. Atkinson emphasized, "Sweden’s development cooperation policy is based on core values that clearly reflect Sweden’s history, laws, and domestic policies," and added, "SIDA’s work is carried out within a framework that has been consistently maintained despite several changes in government."

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This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.