DanChurchAid Report on Private Investments in Adaptation

Adaptation and resilience efforts to meet the negative effects of climate change in developing countries is massively underfinanced. Compared to climate mitigation investments, the desire and motivation for private investments in climate adaptation faces a number of challenges, in particular to serve rural communities and small-holder farmers, who are already today subjected to climate change.

This study, conducted on behalf of DanChurchAid, investigates how companies and investors can contribute to climate adaptation in developing countries, what is needed to make these investments successful, and which roles DCA and other actors can play in accelerating private investments in climate adaptation. Thus, the study explores opportunities for increased market based private investments in climate adaptation with a focus on the agricultural sector in developing countries.

Furthermore, the study points to three distinct private investment avenues as keys to unlocking private investments in adaptation:
  • Investments in blended finance development programmes with a focus on nature-based solutions (NBS)
  • Collaboration and financing by companies to de-risk their sector, supply chain and assets
  • Private investments, new technological solutions and showcasing climate services to serve the last mile

The study was carried out by NCG partners Jacob Fink Ferdinand and Jakob Kjærtinge Faarbæk on behalf of DanChurchAid

Swedish Aid in the Time of the Pandemic

 
The global shock caused by the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in a pressing need for adaptation and international cooperation. Yet, in a time of great uncertainty, the overall strategic direction of Swedish aid remained consistent. This is the main conclusion in a study NCG recently finalised on behalf of The Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA). Conducted between August 2021 to March 2022, the study provides detailed insight to how aid has been adjusted as a response to the pandemic, as well as identifying recommendations and lessons for future shocks and crises. 

Furthermore, the study concluded that: 
  • In 2020, financial support of SEK 2.6 billion is directly related to COVID-19, which makes up 6 percent of the total ODA. Evidence suggests that the financial support mostly focuses on the sectors of health and social infrastructure. 
  • Sweden has maintained a holistic view of the support to the health sector during the pandemic and Sweden’s close collaboration with multilateral organisations and Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) has ensured continued focus on long-term development. 
  • The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred a strengthening of the humanitarian-development-peace nexus in the Swedish support and there has been a tendency to interpret the boundaries more flexibly.
  • Overall, the systems have adapted well to the challenges, although with some critical shortcomings in the preparedness within the areas of communication, coordination, and human resource management.
The study was conducted by NCG partner and Team Leader Carsten Schwensen, NCG Partner Louise Scheibel Smed, and Independent Evaluation Expert Jonas Lövkrona.

DRC Needs Assessment in Ukraine

The large-scale escalation of conflict in Ukraine since 24th February 2022 has significantly changed the situation for the civilian population in many ways. The active hostilities have caused thousands of civilian casualties as well as severe destruction or damage to civilian infrastructure in the affected areas. Furthermore, millions of Ukrainians have left their homes temporarily or permanently either to other parts of the country or to other countries. As the conflict continues without a resolution and in a dynamic way, so do the needs for the most vulnerable people. The Danish Red Cross (DRC) have sought to support Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) by conducting a needs assessment to better understand the needs created by the conflict as well as the implications for the interventions implemented under the DRC-URCS partnership. The objectives of the assessment are to give a more detailed insight to the current needs of the civilian population, taking into consideration the mandate, capacities, and the following strategic priorities of the DRC and URCS: MHPSS, DM (humanitarian assistance, DRM, DRR), Recovery (CVA), Health, IHL/HD and Youth Engagement. The assessment will aim to produce a full written report answering all of the key questions outlined by DRC/URC with key findings and recommendations. The needs assessment is being undertaken by Dorte Busch (lead consultant) and Anastasia Bezverkha (consultant) from NCG Denmark.

Development of Communication Platform and SRHR Guidelines for Norad

Camilla Winther Kragelund has recently developed a SRHR communication platform and new SRHR guidelines for the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and staff of the Norwegian Foreign Service as well as the management level representatives in the MFA and Norad. Both deliverables cover topics such as access to safe abortions, elimination of harmful practices, promotion of sexual rights and gender equality, in line with Norway’s commitment to protect and promote sexual and reproductive health and rights for all.

Norad Review of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports

NCG has been selected to carry out an organisational review of the Norwegian Olympic and Paralympic Committee and Confederation of Sports (NIF) as a part of the Norad Framework Agreement for the Organisational Reviews of CSOs.

The focus of the review is on the organisation of NIF’s International Development Cooperation Unit within NIF’s wider organisation and in relation to its partners. NIF’s overall goal is to develop an environment of “sustainable, safe and equitable sport”. This is done by strengthening the capacity of the sport sector in the target countries, (mainly Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana) through partners by adopting and contributing to the use of rights-based governance, policies, and practices in making sports available, inclusive, and safe for everyone.

The project is led by a team consisting of NCG consultants Louise Scheibel Smed as team leader and Carsten Schwensen as team member.
  1. Report Launch at Folkemødet Bornholm
  2. Danida Mid-Term Review of Somalia Country Programme 2019 - 2023
  3. Sida Evaluation of the Kosovo Foundation for Cultural Heritage without Borders 2016-2022
  4. Evaluation of the Danish Support to Civil Society in the period 2017-2021