Effective development cooperation is a fundamental goal for all actors in the development sector. However, current international and national debates on aid effectiveness are more focused on the efficiency of aid in a technocratic manner. CIDSE takes a broader view on aid effectiveness that not only aims at delivering aid efficiently but also focuses on achieving sustainable impact and social change.

CIDSE strives for increased effectiveness and impact of aid through impact assessment, coordination and strengthening of Southern partners’ advocacy, informed and inspired   by values derived from Catholic Social Teaching. CIDSE agencies define effective aid as aid that:

• Delivers positive impact felt in people’s lives.
• Is accountable and promotes learning.
• Focuses on equality of opportunity and rights and reaches the most marginalised / poor.
• Is empowering.
• Is delivered in coordination with all stakeholders.
• Is sustainable.