Putting Children First for Sustainable Development – The return on investment from child-related Official Development Assistance – World

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New World Vision report reveals only 5% of global aid targets children despite every $1 resulting in $10 benefits

· New research by World Vision and Ernst & Young finds that the impact of investment in children is 10 times what is put in. 

· But worryingly, only 5% of development aid targets children, with a further 7% spent on programmes that benefit children, despite them constituting 46% of aid-receiving populations. 

· The report recommends that the UK government and world leaders urgently deliver a 10% increase in development spending targeted for children. 

· World Vision is calling on a new UK government to show leadership by appointing a Special Envoy for Children within FCDO and committing to a Child Rights Strategy. 

7 May 2024

A new report conducted by children’s charity World Vision in collaboration with Ernst & Young Australia has revealed that every $1 invested in child-related Overseas Development Assistance (ODA) yields a staggering $10 return. The ‘Putting Children First for Sustainable Development’ report quantifies the strong social and economic benefits of ODA and long-term impact.  

However, shockingly, the report also found that despite the positive impact of investment, of the $207 billion annual global ODA investment1, only 5% is child-focused, with a further 7% allocated to broader child-benefitting programmes even though children constitute 46% of aid-receiving populations.  

This key disparity highlights a critical gap in global development efforts which needs to be urgently addressed.
With a general election looming, World Vision UK is using the report evidence and recommendations to call on the next UK government and world leaders, to advocate for a 10% increase in development spending targeted for children.  

The charity would like the next UK government to appoint a Special Envoy for Children within FCDO to prioritise children in all development policies and commit to developing a cross-FCDO Child Rights Strategy. The charity has launched a petition asking that the next government ensures children’s voices are heard in policy making. 

The new report delivers strong recommendations for all ODA-contributing countries: 

1. Increase child-related investment:
   A minimum of a 10% increase in child-related investment by each ODA-contributing country each year has the potential to double the impact of current funding. 
2. Put a child lens on all diplomatic and development policy and strategies:
   Children should be a priority for funding and key political polices. 
3. Be accountable to children:
   Young people should be consulted as part of donor policy making processes, and national and global forums discussing development issues.
   The UK government should use their influence at the upcoming G20 Summit and Summit of the Future to ensure children’s needs are not forgotten.

The report is set to be launched at an event hosted by Sarah Champion MP, the Chair of the International Development Select Committee (IDC). At the event Sarah will highlight the need for attention to child-focused development initiatives and the urgency of addressing the critical aid gap in global development. 

Sarah Champion MP said:
“Across the globe – from the Middle East to Sub-Saharan Africa and from Europe to the Indo-Pacific – children are bearing the brunt of a heartbreaking range of intersecting crises. Despite children being among those most affected by poverty, conflict and hunger, only 5% of global ODA spend is directly child related.  

“Prioritising investment for children makes sense and is the way to maximise the benefits from ODA programmes and I hope the publication of this report will be an important step in addressing the inequalities in ODA spending”.

Fola Komolafe, MBE DL, World Vision UK CEO said:
“Our report proves the enormous value and impact that development aid has on the lives of the world’s most vulnerable children. But worryingly, it also reveals a major problem with prioritising this vital assistance, with only 5% of ODA directly targeting children.    

“Today I’m setting the challenge for the next UK government to address this inequality and increase aid by 10%. I would also like to request a Special Envoy for Children appointed within FCDO to put young people’s rights at the heart of policy decisions.   

“This essential support will help millions of vulnerable children with vital access to healthcare, education, protection and emergency services. We risk failing the world’s children if they are not prioritised by world leaders. The next UK government must act immediately to stop the needs of children being overlooked”. 

ENDS

For more information or interviews, please contact karla.harvey@worldvision.org.uk or phone: +44 7889631613.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 1: No Poverty
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
• SDG 4: Quality Education
• SDG 5: Gender Equality
• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
• SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The issues highlighted in the article are connected to various SDGs, including poverty reduction (SDG 1), hunger eradication (SDG 2), improving health and well-being (SDG 3), ensuring quality education (SDG 4), promoting gender equality (SDG 5), fostering economic growth (SDG 8), reducing inequalities (SDG 10), and strengthening institutions (SDG 16).

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• Target 1.2: By 2030, reduce at least by half the proportion of men, women, and children of all ages living in poverty in all its dimensions according to national definitions.
• Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people, in particular the poor and people in vulnerable situations, including infants, to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food all year round.
• Target 3.2: By 2030, end preventable deaths of newborns and children under 5 years of age, with all countries aiming to reduce neonatal mortality to at least as low as 12 per 1,000 live births and under-5 mortality to at least as low as 25 per 1,000 live births.
• Target 4.1: By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable, and quality primary and secondary education leading to relevant and effective learning outcomes.
• Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
• Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value.
• Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
• Target 16.7: Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory, and representative decision-making at all levels.

The article’s content relates to these specific targets under the mentioned SDGs. The targets address poverty reduction, hunger eradication, child mortality reduction, education access and quality, gender-based violence elimination, decent work promotion, social inclusion, and inclusive decision-making.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Indicator 1.2.1: Proportion of population living below the national poverty line, by sex and age group
• Indicator 2.1.1: Prevalence of undernourishment
• Indicator 3.2.1: Under-5 mortality rate
• Indicator 4.1.1: Proportion of children and young people (a) in grades 2/3; (b) at the end of primary; and (c) at the end of lower secondary achieving at least a minimum proficiency level in (i) reading and (ii) mathematics, by sex
• Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls aged 15 years and older subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months, by form of violence and by age group
• Indicator 8.5.1: Average hourly earnings of female and male employees, by occupation, age group, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 percent of median income, by age, sex, and persons with disabilities
• Indicator 16.7.1: Proportions of positions (by sex, age group, persons with disabilities, and population groups) in public institutions (national and local legislatures, public service, and judiciary) compared to national distributions

The article implies these indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators assess poverty levels, undernourishment prevalence, child mortality rates, education proficiency, gender-based violence prevalence, wage equality, income inequality, and representation in public institutions.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Fuente: reliefweb.int

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