Effectiveness of demand-led technical assistance and cooperation on public sector reforms (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report).
This report identifies case studies that show PSR progress in the Middle East and North Africa and how further reform is possible
Abstract
Query
Identify evidence that demonstrates that the provision of demand-led technical assistance and cooperation helps support governments to undertake public sector reforms. Where possible, include evidence relating to supporting public sector reforms for improving economic governance and inclusive growth, and evidence applicable to supporting MENA governments’ public sector reforms in response to the changing political dynamics.
Overview
There is a large body of literature on technical assistance and cooperation, but no cases demonstrate that improved economic governance and inclusive growth has unambiguously been the result of demand-led technical assistance. There is, however, literature that evaluates technical assistance and the progress made in public sector reforms in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, and that argues that public sector reform (PSR) can remove constraints on inclusive growth. Whereas a direct causative link between a technical reform activity and inclusive economic growth would be difficult to demonstrate, it is possible to break down the causal chain and say that PSR in MENA has been and continues to be effective, targeted technical assistance helps reform, and PSR can contribute to inclusive growth. Consequently, this report identifies illustrative case studies that: document PSR progress in MENA and show how further reform is possible; make the case for technical assistance and identify parameters that make such interventions effective; and outline the thinking behind the contention that PSR can lead to inclusive growth.
Citation
Rao, S. Effectiveness of demand-led technical assistance and cooperation on public sector reforms (GSDRC Helpdesk Research Report). Governance and Social Development Resource Centre, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK (2012) 10 pp.
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