Från input till output: En kvalitativ studie om hur resultatkrav inom biståndet påverkar svenska civilsamhällesorganisationer och mottagarens möjlighet till participation

Abstract

This bachelor thesis is based on the current discourse within the aid policy, which highlights and focuses on measurability and reporting of results within the development cooperation. The purpose of this study is to investigate how the Swedish CSOs Diakonia and Plan Sverige, both operating many of its activities through which Sida are directing Swedish aid, are influenced by the results agenda in it’s work, and to investigate which impact this has on participation of the recipient. The research is based on information collected through examination of relevant text such as documents from the organisations, agencies and from debate articles and inquires. Together with data collected through informant interviews with informants from the organizations this information has been analyzed through a qualitative content analysis. The study show that the demands occurring within the development cooperation mainly generates quantitative, short term results in order to maintain legitimacy as an organization. The focus has changed from a traditionally high reliance on the organizations activities to instead focus on which results the organizations can present as a result of its work. Furthermore these demands discourages the recipient to be involved, since the resultsbased management affects the building and establishment of relationships and intermediate relations negatively in favour of short term reporting of results. With this paper I provide a deepened understanding for how high demands of results affects the operators operating within the development cooperation.