Development co-operation by European regions: introducing the subnational donor governance dataset

Reinsberg, B. and Dellepiane, S. (2022) Development co-operation by European regions: introducing the subnational donor governance dataset. Development Policy Review, 40(6), e12608. (doi: 10.1111/dpr.12608)

Abstract

Motivation: Interest in the international development co-operation activities of subnational governments like Catalonia, Flanders, and Scotland has grown in recent years. Beyond these well-known cases, however, we currently lack systematic evidence on the scope of the phenomenon. Purpose: This paper introduces a new dataset of 195 European regions to provide systematic information on which regions engage in international development co-operation. The dataset includes information on institutional structures and governance modalities, aid motivations, aid modalities, and aid policies. Methods and approach: To demonstrate the utility of our dataset, we provide descriptive insights into the phenomenon of subnational development co-operation while at the same time discussion questions for future research that can be addressed with the help of the dataset. Findings: We find that subnational development co-operation extends far beyond some well-cited cases, given that around 70 regions have some institutional structure for development co-operation. With relatively small budgets, regional aid delivery primarily relies on NGOs and supports a variety of purposes in the sustainable development agenda, including human rights, environmental affairs, fair trade, sustainable consumption, and development education at home. Policy implications: Being the first of its kind, the dataset advances our understanding of subnational governments as autonomous providers of development aid and their potential role in helping advance the Sustainable Development Goals in the multi-level global development governance architecture.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Reinsberg, Dr Bernhard
• Authors: Reinsberg, B., and Dellepiane, S.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > School of Social and Political Sciences > Politics
• Journal Name: Development Policy Review
• Publisher: Wiley
• ISSN: 0950-6764
• ISSN (Online): 1467-7679
• Published Online: 03 November 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 The Authors
• First Published: First published in Development Policy Review 40(6):e12608
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy
• Data DOI: 10.7910/DVN/9CPF8J

Project Code	Award No	Project Name	Principal Investigator	Funder's Name	Funder Ref	Lead Dept
307208		Subnational development cooperation: A new research agenda	Bernhard Reinsberg	The Carnegie Trust for the Universities of Scotland (CARNEGTR)	RIG008615	S&PS - Politics