Development co‐operation by European regions: Introducing the subnational donor governance dataset

Abstract

SummaryMotivationInterest in the international development co‐operation activities of subnational governments like Catalonia, Flanders, and Scotland has grown in recent years. Beyond these well‐known cases, however, we currently lack systematic evidence on the scope of the phenomenon.PurposeThis article introduces a new dataset of 195 European regions to provide systematic information on which regions engage in international development co‐operation. The dataset includes information on institutional structures and governance modalities, aid motivations, aid modalities, and aid policies.Methods and approachTo demonstrate the utility of our dataset, we provide descriptive insights into the phenomenon of subnational development co‐operation while at the same time suggesting questions for future research that can be addressed with the help of the dataset.FindingsWe find that subnational development co‐operation extends far beyond some well‐cited cases, given that around 70 regions have some institutional structure for development co‐operation. With relatively small budgets, regional aid delivery primarily relies on non‐governmental organizations (NGOs) and supports a variety of purposes in the sustainable development agenda, including human rights, environmental affairs, fair trade, sustainable consumption, and development education at home.Policy implicationsBeing the first of its kind, the dataset advances our understanding of subnational governments as autonomous providers of development aid and their potential role in helping advance the Sustainable Development Goals in the multi‐level global development governance architecture.