Aid

Official development assistance (ODA) has more than quadrupled in the past 25 years and is now a $50 billion industry.

The aid industry is changing too, as the number and diversity of funders increases. Though a majority of aid still comes from official donors, including emerging giants such China and India, this is being supplemented by new non-official providers, including private and corporate foundations, and social responsibility programmes. In addition, money is being spent in different ways, for example on global programmes to combat specific issues, such as the control of malaria or measles.

Despite this, the aid debate continues to be dominated by the numbers game – how much money is needed, compared to how much donors are contributing – rather than whether the aid system itself is fit for its purpose.

ODI is working to understand what makes aid effective in the face of these changes. Research has a crucial role to play in how aid should be managed and delivered, and our studies drill down through the aid architecture to find out what works, and what doesn't. Our work on aid is led by the Centre for Aid and Public Expenditure Programme, with more sector-specific research being undertaken in other programmes across the Institute.