Multilateral Aid Review summary - Expanded Delivering as One Funding Window for the achievement of the MDGs (EFW)

The Expanded Funding Window for Delivering as One is a new instrument that has been active since 2009. It is a multi-donor trust fund that provides un-earmarked funding to UN country programmes that adopt a Delivering as One (DaO) approach.

	comment
Contribution to UK development objectives	Satisfactory
	+	The EFW strengthens the UN’s contribution to poverty reduction and MDGs by promoting a DaO approach.
	+	The EFW contributes to mainstreaming gender equality.
	+	The EFW spends a high proportion of its funding in low income countries.
	_	The EFW, due to its current size and scope, of itself is not critical in the delivery of MDGs or other development goals.
Organisational strengths	Weak
	_	The EFW’s main weakness is its inability to demonstrate results. It does not have an adequate results framework. Its objectives are unchallenging and are input focussed.
	_	The EFW has not established objectives for improvements in efficiency or cost effectiveness. It does not challenge and support development partners to think about VFM.
	+	EFW strengthens partnership behaviour across the UN country team. Supports alignment with national priorities and improves performance against Paris principles.
	+	Governance structure can hold management to account.
	_	Limited donor or recipient voice in decision making.
	+	EFW has clear systems for allocating aid and ensuring financial accountability. It has the ability to be flexible.
	+	As a multi-donor trust fund the EFW falls under UNDP accountability policy. UNDP has a disclosure policy and is an active member of the IATI.
	_	Project level information is not available through the EFW.
Capacity for positive change	Likely
	+	Good reason to believe that the key challenges to how EFW is managed and structured can be addressed.
	+	As a light organisation in terms of governance size, ‘mandate’ and strategy, there is, in principle, agility for reform.
	_	DFID’s influence as a donor is limited as the Steering Committee (of UN agencies) takes all decisions.