Bond statement in response to ICAI review of the CDC Group

Today, The Independent Commission for Aid Impact (ICAI) has launched a report looking at CDC’s investments in low-income and fragile states.

The report welcomed the changes planned by CDC but concluded that more progress should have been made to monitor development results’ or improve evaluation and learning in order to maximise the impact of its spending.

The review gave an overall amber/red rating on the traffic-light scale, meaning there was “unsatisfactory achievement in most areas, with some positive elements”.

Claire Godfrey, Head of Policy and Campaigns at Bond, UK network for NGOs said:

“The CDC has failed to prioritise and assess the real social and environmental impact of its investments. This means there’s little understanding as to whether it has been effective at delivering for people facing insecurity and poverty. CDC’s strategic shift towards working in low-income and fragile states is a welcome step, as is its commitment to evaluating and improving the development impact of its investments. But this needs to be backed up by an increased capacity to deliver results, such as pro-poor growth and environmental sustainability before any further public funding is provided.”

ENDS

Notes to editor

  1. The full review can be read here: CDC’s investments in low-income and fragile states: https://icai.independent.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/ICAI-CDC-review.pdf
  2. Bond is the UK network for organisations working in international development.
  3. Bond unites and supports a diverse network of over 400 civil society organisations and allies to help eradicate global poverty, inequality and injustice. For further information please contact Maryam Mohsin on 07555 336029 or [email protected]