Publication

This paper sets out the shortcomings of the practices and processes of the aid business on which revised research has shed light, but which have not been adequately or explicitly incorporated into the donor community's reform agenda. The author outlines seven of the worst "sins" of failings of donors, including impatience with institution building, collusion and coordination failures, failure to evaluate the results of their support and financing that is volatile and unpredictable. The paper suggests possible short-term practical fixes and notes the need ultimately for more ambitious and structural changes in the overall aid architecture.