1. Sarah Delputte Ghent University – Centre for EU Studies

2. Motivation Methods Results: perceptions from the field EC as a donor EC as a coordinator Explanations

3. 2 problems related to EUs ambiguity as a develeopment actor Double role of the EU : New season? Identity/self-image vs. Perception? Scarce academic attention Added value: empirical contribution Is the perception in the field consistent with leadership/engine role?

4. On behalf of the Community, the Commission will aim to provide added value through (…) facilitating coordination and harmonisation. The Commission will play an active role in implementation of the Paris Declaration on aid effectiveness and will be one of the driving forces to promote EU delivery of its commitments made in Paris on ownership, alignment, harmonisation results and mutual accountability. (European Consensus on Development, 2005) The European Commission has proposed a number of policy documents and actions to improve aid effectiveness at the European level which have been agreed by the 27 member states of the European Union. The European Commission federates and promotes a coordinated European approach to aid effectiveness. This coordination role is led by the Directorate General for Development with active involvement of EuropeAid. (European Commission, 2011)

5. 2 problems related to EUs ambiguity as a develeopment actor Double role of the EU : New season? Identity/self-image vs. Perception? Scarce academic attention Added value: empirical contribution Is the perception in the field consistent with leadership/engine role?

6. Explorative pilot study: preliminary results Perceptions of the EU Tanzania and Zambia Very recent data: January/February 2011 34 in-depth, semi-structured interviews Validity? => homogeneous results

7. Perceptions consistent with discourse Recognized as a major donor Recognized added value committed to aid effectiveness However: technocratic

8. Less consistent with discourse Much less developed role Added value not recognized EU is a follower EU coordination seen as superfluous To the extent that EC coordinates… = coordination light Information sharing Administrative (but important) issues

9. Coordination challenges Contextual factors support of recipient country amount of actors donors-government relations donors relations timing Political factors interests political influence visibility Bureaucratic factors procedures delegation of authority headquarters – field Additional EU coordination challenges Leader or follower? Nordic Plus WB Added Value? donor-wide platforms Nordic Plus Capacities? bureaucracy resources

10. Dual role of EC on the ground still unclear EC = ambitious promotor of EU coordination MS wachting suspiciously Reflects lack of unitary position within EU on future of EU development policy Lisbon Treaty/EEAS?