Development Cooperation

This section highlights key results in ILO technical cooperation and provides links to information on evaluation and financing.
Technical cooperation (TC) is one of the principal means of action for achieving Decent Work outcomes and meeting the MDGs. Within the framework of the Declaration on Social Justice for Fair Globalization (2008), the ILO is strengthening its TC programme with a focus on increasing its impact and efficiency through better results-based work planning, more rigorous programme and project design, enhanced resource mobilization, and improved knowledge sharing.

Outcome-based workplans

In order to enhance the impact of its technical cooperation, the ILO has in place Outcome-based workplans (OBWs) that specify how Office-wide resources are used to achieve Decent Work outcomes and assist in identifying the resource gaps faced in pursuing these outcomes, thereby providing a system for prioritizing the use of available resources and guiding resource mobilization efforts.

Quality and oversight

The ILO has established an appraisal mechanism whereby all extra-budgetary proposals are screened for quality control before their approval and submission to donors. This mechanism ensures that new proposals meet minimum ILO quality standards; are designed according to results-based management methodologies; and are based on clear needs as expressed in the Programme and Budget and Decent Work Country Programmes.
In addition to appraisal, support is provided to help improve implementation monitoring and results tracking, including their expected contribution to DWCP outcomes.

Enhanced resource mobilization

In line with the Declaration on Social Justice for Fair Globalization, resource mobilization efforts seek to ensure that funding is channelled to Decent Work Country Programmes (DWCPs) and Programme and Budget outcomes in order to reach established targets. More and more donors are moving towards more un-earmarked, predictable and inclusive multi-annual partnership agreements, either focusing on specific regions or themes or contributing to the Regular Budget Supplementary Account (RBSA).
Late in 2011 it is clear that ILO will have succeeded in meeting its target for 2010-11 for voluntary contributions of around US$ 450 million. In an overall context of pressure on ODA and reviews of multilateral aid being carried out by a number of donors, this is a reflection of the trust placed in the ILO, and of the clear recognition of the important role of the ILO in a reformed United Nations system. New donors are emerging, including both countries engaging for the first time in development cooperation as well as private sector entities. The ILO is therefore promoting public-private partnerships as well as South-South and triangular collaboration as new modalities to deliver Decent Work outcomes.

Background

The purpose of ILO technical cooperation is the implementation of the Decent Work Agenda at a national level, assisting constituents to make this concept a reality for all men and women. An extensive network of offices throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, Central and Eastern Europe and the Middle East provides technical guidance on policy issues, and assistance in the design and implementation of development programmes.
The ILO now conducts more than 1,000 technical cooperation programmes in over 80 countries with the help of some 60 donor institutions worldwide.
The ILO’s standard-setting and technical cooperation are reinforced by an extensive research, training, education and publications programme. It has established two specialized educational institutions: the International Institute for Labour Studies in Geneva, and the International Centre for Advanced Technical and Vocational Training in Turin, Italy.
The ILO’s strategic objectives of rights at work, employment, social protection and social dialogue are translated into capacity building and technical cooperation in several areas.