Minister questioned on Jersey Overseas Aid, Development Projects and Departmental Funding

18th November 2022

The Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel has held a Quarterly Hearing on the Government Plan 2023 – 2026 with the Minister for International Development, Deputy Carolyn Labey and Simon Boas, Director of the Jersey Overseas Aid (JOA) Fund.

At the hearing on Tuesday (15 November), the Minister informed the Panel how the administrative costs of JOA , at about 5 per cent of the overall budget, compares well with the 7 per cent of most O.E.C.D. (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) international development budgets. She also informed the Panel of her belief that the JOA is the first - if not the only - international development agency that uses the Corruption Perception Index in selecting the six countries where the JOA focusses its overseas operations.

The Panel also heard about the JOA's intern programme, which will give young Islanders the opportunity for an internship with the United Nations (U.N.). The JOA's local volunteer programmes now includes the JOA's first ever specialised trip to Rwanda for 12 local teachers in July to run a summer school

The Panel learnt of JOA's discissions with representatives of Jersey's finance industry on impact funds (which seek to produce a defined social or economic benefit in under-developed countries overseas) in which JOA could possibly play a role in measuring the performance of such funds using JOA's expertise.

Deputy Moz Scott, Chair of the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, thanked Deputy Labey and Simon Boas for their time and contributions and said, 'Whilst the Panel is pleased that Jersey is playing its part in providing aid to those who need it, it is important that the aid is allocated prudently. We were interested to hear how the JOA has been rationalising the programmes in which it invests to increase impact whilst spreading the risk of investment.'

A full recording of the public hearing can be watched here

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