International Development

Jersey’s overseas development programme aims to serve both the world's poorest and the islanders of Jersey.

Policy

The Chief Minister’s Ministerial letters , published on 10 August 2022, included a letter to the International Development Minister, the key part of which said –

It is particularly important to promote the island's international profile, continuing to be responsive to our global responsibilities. It is important that we devote attention to ensure the continuing success of JOA [Jersey Overseas Aid], allowing the organisation to deliver an effective aid programme that creates links, develops expertise and opens doors for Jersey globally. We must also ensure the best standards of governance for the Overseas Aid Commission, including its continuing independence.

Jersey must continue to provide an overseas aid programme that serves both the world's poorest and the islanders of Jersey; enabling the island to play its part in tackling the global pandemic and providing vital support for Ukraine and other humanitarian crises; and gaining international notice in areas chosen for their proven efficacy in making long-term improvements to people's lives, and for Jersey's ability to add value (dairy, conservation and finance). I hope that the work developing Jersey's offering in sustainable finance, impact investment and philanthropy continues, as does the work towards providing more and more opportunities for Islanders to volunteer and develop careers in international development.

The Ministerial plans for 2024, published on 19 September 2023, included a chapter for the Minister for International Development. This set out three priorities –

1. Ensuring that Jersey meets its obligations as a good global citizen, to help change the narrative about the Island, and to provide opportunities for businesses and individuals, by:

• Continuing to implement the 15 specific objectives of the Strategic Plan (published 2022) for Jersey Overseas Aid, and develop detailed, sector-specific strategies for financial inclusion and Emergency Funding, as have been produced for Dairy and Conservation Livelihoods.
• Continuing to focus on measuring impact of supported projects in the countries in which we operate.
• Playing to Jersey’s strengths by focusing our development aid on three areas where we add particular value, further increasing the size of our portfolio of ongoing dairy, conservation and financial inclusion projects.
• Further developing dairy programming in Africa, beginning new projects in Rwanda, Malawi and Zambia to build on successful recent programmes.
• Supporting Jersey’s financial services industry to develop its offerings in impact investment and sustainable finance and philanthropy, and deepening links with the World Bank, and Financial Regulators and Supervisors.
• Standing with Ukraine in its struggle to survive the Russian invasion, adding to the £3.4m of humanitarian assistance already provided by Jersey and ensuring it meets the needs of the civilians worst affected by the war, while responding to other global emergencies, including the Horn of Africa, Sudan and Syria.

2. Improving value for money in the delivery of our public services, by:

• Striving for best value
• Demonstrating continuous improvement

3. Improving the performance of departments and services by:

• Supporting an engaged and productive workforce
• Enhancing customer experience
• Progressing the effective management of risk and good governance
• Ensuring the efficient, effective and sustainable use of departmental resources
• Improving performance management
• Ensuring that the public service values are demonstrated in everything we do

Jersey Overseas Aid

Jersey Overseas Aid is the Island’s official publicly funded relief and development agency. It makes development grants in six countries, provides rapid response to emergencies, supports Jersey charities working abroad and provides volunteering and outreach opportunities for Islanders.

Its Strategic Plan 2022-26 set out four related general objectives, and 11

eleven more-specific goals.

A. To promote sustainable economic and human development in some of the poorest countries in the world

1. Jersey-funded projects make a measurable and lasting contribution towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals

2. Jersey-funded projects build the capacities of other actors to reduce poverty and suffering

B. To provide timely humanitarian assistance to victims of natural and manmade disasters

3. Jersey supports the emergency programming of the best international relief agencies

4. Jersey supports the effective coordination and efficient operation of the international humanitarian system

C. To facilitate the efforts of individuals and organisations in Jersey to provide assistance to the world’s poor

5. JOA provides opportunities for Islanders to pursue projects and work (paid or voluntary) in international development

6. JOA promotes understanding and disseminates knowledge in Jersey about international relief and development

7. JOA builds the capacity and reputation of Jersey-based development-oriented organisations through close coordination and privileged partnerships

8. JOA engages with Jersey Charities, regulators and donors to ensure charities follow high standards of good practice

D. To enhance Jersey’s international personality as a responsible global citizen and force for good in the world

9. JOA actively and positively engages with developing country governments, UN Agencies, charities and other donors

10. Jersey’s aid programme is widely known and highly reputed

11. JOA is engaged with public and private sectors, charities and individuals to develop and coordinate philanthropy on the Island

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