Concerns are mounting over a shift in Germany’s development policy, spearheaded by Federal Minister for Development Cooperation Reem Alabali-Radovan (SPD), with critics warning of a concerning politicization of aid. The German Development Aid NGO Coordination Council, Venro, has voiced sharp criticisms of the recently unveiled strategy, alleging a move towards leveraging development assistance for geopolitical and economic gain, rather than genuine sustainable development.
Venro’s spokesperson articulated the core worry: the intensified emphasis on economic cooperation appears primarily driven by national economic interests, potentially undermining the fundamental purpose of development aid – the reduction of global inequalities. “Development cooperation must not become a tool for promoting these interests, but must continue to primarily aim at reducing global injustices” the spokesperson stated. This sentiment reflects a broader unease within the development sector that the new direction risks blurring the lines between humanitarian assistance and strategic political objectives.
The focus on promoting peace and stability, particularly within the European neighborhood, is also drawing fire. Venro argues that while fostering peace is vital, framing it as a geopolitical instrument to serve national interests represents a dangerous instrumentalization. The organization expressed disappointment that the government did not issue a more decisive statement affirming the intrinsic value of development cooperation as a standalone tool for global justice, sustainable development and universal human rights.
Minister Alabali-Radovan’s strategy, reportedly devised in response to planned budget cuts, aims to make German development policy “more strategic, focused and partnership-oriented”. The plan proposes a greater differentiation between forms of cooperation, including the provision of repayable loans to emerging economies, alongside a narrowing of regional focus towards the European neighborhood, the Middle East and North Africa, the Sahel and the Horn of Africa – regions often considered strategically significant for Germany.
While the aim of a more focused approach might appear pragmatic, critics in the development sector are raising legitimate questions about whether this recalibration risks sacrificing the core principles of impartial humanitarianism and a commitment to addressing the root causes of global poverty and inequality. The evolving strategy compels a crucial examination: is Germany’s development policy genuinely serving vulnerable populations, or is it increasingly a tool for advancing national geopolitical agendas?