Drivers of Change and Development

Abstract

Weaknesses in development programmes are often blamed by donors on the ‘lack of political will’ shown by their partners in country governments. Drivers of Change (DoC) is the name being given to a learning exercise at country level that explores the factors underlying the ‘political will’ problem and how they can be taken more centrally into account in country assistance plans.

DoC analysis is distinguished by setting out in an open, evidence-based way what appear to be the most significant changes in the medium and long term and the underlying factors which shape the incentives for change. It is important to recognise that it is not an exercise in picking winners or a way of discovering decisive once-and-for-all solutions to problems.

This paper, an analysis of the drivers of change and development in Malawi, addresses three large questions: (a) Where is Malawi coming from? (b) Where is Malawi headed? (c) What are the challenges to the aid relationship? It draws upon the experience, knowledge and internal debates of a diverse multidisciplinary team of consultants; an extended literature search; and a series of key-informant and focus-group interviews carried out in Malawi during 17-28 January 2005. The method is considered effective and reliable because of the opportunities it provides for interactive learning and cross-checking of facts and perceptions.