Paper short abstract:

Building on previous research, this project seeks to understand what causes donors to divert from their stated policy when making funding decisions in conflict-afflicted states. This is important as aid commitments that divert from policy may exacerbate conflict, undermining sustainable development.

Paper long abstract:

Building on previous research (Lazell and Petrikova, 2017), this project seeks to understand what causes aid donors to divert from their stated policy when making funding decisions in conflict-afflicted countries. The research aims to optimise future development funding decisions with attendant development and politico-security benefits for the states concerned. This is important as aid commitments that divert from policy may overtime prolong or exacerbate conflict, thus undermining sustainable development. To avoid this, we need to know the rationale for donors' funding decisions in conflict-affected states. We also need a theoretical framework to understand the gap between policy and actual aid commitments. Through a series of interviews with key decision makers at the UK's Department for International Development and the United States Agency for International Development, this research aims to build a picture of how bureaucratic structures, incentives and interests inform donor funding decisions in a way that deviates from longer term development strategies based on conflict resolution through the establishment of democratic, inclusive societies. Further utilising this interview data the project will construct a transferable theoretical framework through which to conceptualise the gaps between donor development policy and actual aid commitments.