The Government of Flanders presented the Flemish ODA figures of 2018 on 5 April. Flemish development aid amounted to 47.8 million euros in 2018, which is 2.3 million euros less than in 2017. While development-related expenditure from other policy areas increased by 2 million euros, expenditure from development cooperation fell by 4 million euros.
The expenditures from the development cooperation budget represented 49.83% of the Flemish ODA in 2018. An analysis of the expenditures by sector confirms that maximum use has been made of the agreed focal sectors in the partner countries Mozambique, Malawi and South Africa (respectively health care, agriculture, and climate adaptation). By bundling the expertise on a limited number of sectors and countries, Flemish development cooperation can achieve a greater impact on development. It also leads to greater predictability of Flemish aid. In its report, OECD praises Flanders for this approach.
In 2018 an additional 5.8 million euros was added to the budget for development cooperation. A large part of these funds will be paid out in 2019. As a result, the Flemish ODA will in all probability in 2019 again amount to more than 50 million euros.