ODI is Britain's leading independent think tank on international development and humanitarian issues.

Centre for Aid and Public Expenditure

Cash transfers in the Oxfam Cash Programme, Somalia		© Oxfam GB

The ODI Centre for Aid and Public Expenditure helps to shape and drive the agenda for international development assistance, as well as efficient and effective public spending for development at country level.

Our recent focus has been addressing how the international financial system needs to be adapted to tackle financial instability in donor and developing countries, and how to better address demands for climate change financing. In addition, we aim to improve understanding of how aid effectiveness and public finance management principles can be applied, in fragile states and emergency situations. 

What we work on

Effective instruments and channels for aid delivery

 

Emerging economies and development cooperation

Tajikistan Parliament (Source: Gennadiy Ratushenko / World Bank, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/2074154122/)

  • Our work analyses the factors that influence aid allocation at country and sector level, to ensure development outcomes.

 

BRICs leaders holding Brazilian football shirt (Source: Zunia)

  • Emerging economies have long been an important topic in international development. What is relatively new is the interest in the role these economies are increasingly playing in promoting growth and development in poorer nations.

Reforming public finance management

 

The international aid system

Worker looks at files - Cape Town Port Authority (Source: Trevor Samson / World Bank, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/1128217609/)

  • We are a leader in research on public finance management issues in developing and transition countries, an issue at the very heart of how governments translate public resources into development results.

 

Name badges of attendees to Development Committee Meeting (WB/IMF) (Source: Simone D. McCourtie / World Bank, Flickr - http://www.flickr.com/photos/worldbank/3475824735/)

  • We promote ways to improve the effectiveness of aid and development co-operation. We approach this issue from three angles: at the supra-national, individual development agency and individual recipient government level.

How we work

Multidisciplinary research and analytical work

 

Evaluation and assessment

A d-ring holds papers in place in a file folder	Flickr	aWee	http://www.flickr.com/photos/entrospeck/7760134/We apply economic, political and social analysis in innovative ways to understand and respond to contemporary development initiatives in aid and public finance.

 

Gear stick - Aid is more than just a numbers game.	Flickr	Bashed	http://flickr.com/photos/enigmatic/2431902112/We use our knowledge of aid initiatives to support partner countries and donors in improving the quality of policy-making in international development.

Innovative policy advice

 

Effective dissemination, communication and training

Accounts clerk looking at accounts, ECWA Evangel Hospital, Jos, Nigeria	Flickr	MikeBlyth	http://www.flickr.com/photos/blyth/157323236/We provide practical and innovative advice to policy-makers around the world, including technical assistance to governments and strategic advice to donors.

 

Man reads detail of budget in newspaper, India	Flickr	prakhar	http://www.flickr.com/photos/prakhar/408940921/We work to disseminate research findings widely; to engage in international debates and thinking; and to provide and participate in training programmes.

About the programme