Having your say on the UK International Development White Paper: A guide for smaller Civil Society Organisations (CSOs)
External Expert Analysis
Jake Barker; is a conflict analyst and development consultant focusing on governance and political reform, especially in Southeast Asia. He is a former diplomat, having worked at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in Myanmar as a Governance Adviser, as well as a senior programme manager on areas including state threats and China capability.
His previous experience includes policy and parliamentary expertise at the House of Commons, working with the International Development Committee and the Committees on Arms Export Controls. He holds a Masters degree in Conflict, Security and Development.
Tom Crofts; is an independent foreign affairs specialist and former British diplomat who focuses on conflict and geopolitics. He currently advises think tanks, NGOs, academic institutions and political advisory organisations on international issues. He specialises in foreign policy, international security, conflict, governance and peacebuilding, with a particular focus on democracy, good governance, human rights and security.
During his time in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Tom served in Afghanistan and Myanmar, and covered a wide range of other countries including Lebanon, Libya, Nepal, Russia, Somalia, Syria and Ukraine. He also served in the Foreign Office’s Policy Unit, where he was Deputy Head of Faculty for the International Policy Faculty of the (then) Diplomatic Academy.
In July, Minister of State for Development and Africa, Andrew Mitchell, announced plans to garner cross-party support for a fresh UK Government White Paper on development, accompanied by a public call for evidence. For Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), this is a rare chance to comment on UK overseas development policy following years of aid budget reductions that has decreased UK development spend from 0.7% to 0.5% of GNI.
Titled “Leading the Charge Against Extreme Poverty and Climate Change – A Roadmap for Reaching the Global Goals in a Changing World,” the call for evidence offers CSOs a direct opportunity to shape HMG policy across the entire development agenda. The scope of the White Paper covers: ending extreme poverty; responding to humanitarian situations; building resilience, nutrition and food systems; education; empowerment of marginalised groups; family planning, health, and pandemic preparedness; climate, nature, and sustainable energy; sustainable growth; private sector development, investment, and trade; tackling illicit finance; peace building and conflict prevention; state capability, fragility and stabilisation; and global migration.
With seven core questions and 15 sub-questions, submitting evidence can be a daunting for CSOs with limited capacity. For smaller organisations, or those responding to a White Paper for the first time, here are some key considerations for crafting an effective response and getting your voice heard:
1. Leverage evidence-backed arguments and case studies
While the government is inviting input from the general public and practitioner organisations, the frequent use of the word 'evidence' implies a technical or even legal bar for evidence requiring hard data to back every argument. While the numbers matter, this is not a statistical or legal inquiry, and CSOs are entitled to mount arguments based on first-hand experience even in the absence of extensive data sets.
Incorporating case studies enhances your argument by highlighting real-life experiences. The Call for Evidence will attract numerous responses, and civil servants will likely encounter recurring themes from CSOs. To add impact, include impactful quotes and personal stories (bearing in mind the evidence will be made public - see below).
2. Focus your evidence on the questions on which you have direct expertise
The scope of the call for evidence is broad, but CSOs are not obliged to provide evidence on every question. Focus on your organisation's areas of expertise. Smaller or more specialist organisations should concentrate their responses on the areas where they have relevant expertise. Leaving questions blank in areas outside the organisations core knowledge-base will enhance the impact of your completed responses.
3. Consider the political context and global goals
The questionnaire's final section is a free text box for open-ended responses, providing an opportunity for CSOs to share insights or propose fresh, innovative ideas. For some CSOs, this may be the most crucial section. Use it assertively and with conviction to make your voice heard.
UK Government policy makers are likely to be drawn to submissions that can clearly articulate ideas based around the UK’s stated global goals, and existing policies or commitments. Referencing previous white papers, policy documents, and parliamentary statements will enhance your submission's impact. Key documents include the Integrated Review (2023 Refresh), the UK government’s strategy for international development, and the International women and girls strategy 2023 to 2030.
Pro tip: The most persuasive submissions will examine the outputs of parliamentary committees, particularly those focused on international development or foreign affairs. Parliamentary scrutiny serves a purpose, and CSOs can leverage committee views to bolster their arguments. It's a powerful tool to make your case even stronger.
4. Consider public disclosure
Be aware that the Government plans to make responses public, although there's an option to anonymise organisation names. The fact that submissions are made openly can help to profile CSO engagement, but exercise caution with stakeholder or sensitive data. The Call for Evidence does not prominently highlight this, so be mindful of potential security risks when submitting information.
Key information
The call for evidence is open until 11:59pm on 16 September. There is a limit of 500 words for responses to each question. Respondents can opt in or out of providing details of their organisational affiliation in their submissions.