Versatile cooperation between agencies and higher education institutions

Finland has strengthened the capacities of experts in developing countries and improved systems and services of public institutions.


 

The Institutional Cooperation Instrument (ICI) promotes cooperation and peer learning between Finnish state institutions and agencies and state institutions in developing countries. ICI projects enhance the capacities of experts and support organisational reforms. At the same time, the internationalisation, networking and development cooperation competence of Finnish institutions are promoted. ICI projects are typically related to climate change and the sustainable use and management of natural resources. In 2019-2021, this cooperation modality accounted for approximately 2 per cent of the total ODA funding.

According to evaluations, the ICI projects have succeeded in enhancing the capacities of experts in developing countries and improving systems and services provided by the institutions. The best results have been achieved through long-term work which is based on trust and confidential cooperation relationships.

The HEI-ICI programme coordinated by higher education institutions has funded cooperation projects between Finnish universities and universities of applied sciences, and the higher education institutions in developing countries during four-year programme periods. The projects develop the methodological, pedagogical and administrative capabilities of partner institutions. The Finnish National Agency for Education is responsible for the administration of the programme. HEI-ICI projects are planned on the basis of the needs of higher education institutions in developing countries and take into account partner countries' own development goals.

Supporting higher education in developing countries has improved the competence of higher education institutions and the quality of their teaching. The impacts of projects also extend increasingly beyond the higher education system, which is reflected, for example, in an increase in the number of qualified basic education teachers and the creation of new jobs. At the same time, the projects contribute to building a functioning, efficient and equal society, entrepreneurship, sustainable development and to reducing poverty.

One of the significant results of the programme period that ended in 2021 was related to leverage, i.e. attracting external capital. Finland's relatively small initial funding first succeeded in strengthening the competence and administrative capacity of partnering higher education institutions. Then the same educational institutions attracted further, notably higher funding from the World Bank, the EU, Germany and Britain.

Development policy research cooperation will be enhanced through both international and Finnish research institutes and universities. Examples of international research institutes supported by Finland include UNU-WIDER in Helsinki and the Nordic Africa Institute in Uppsala. Similar Finnish actors include the Academy of Finland and the UniPID network formed by nine universities.

Support allocated for research cooperation has increased the participation of Finnish actors in development cooperation and strengthened cooperation between Finland and developing countries. The projects have improved the ability of developing countries to produce research and innovation. Higher education institutions and research institutes have also been encouraged to utilise the multi-actor model, i.e. cooperation with companies, civil society organisations and other societal actors.

Cooperation between Finnish higher education institutions and Asian and African universities

Between 2020 and 2024, the HEI-ICI programme includes 10 cooperation projects focusing on climate change, the learning crisis or innovations.

Download data file Source: Finnish National Agency for Education

Research cooperation promotes sustainable development 

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Strengthening the capacity of researchers, research institutes and higher education institutions in developing countries increases their ability to set relevant questions and to collect, process and evaluate information. This information is useful in situations such as when efforts are made to reduce poverty or promote sustainable development. The development of higher education and research activities is also seen as part of strengthening society and democracy. 

Finnish actors, on the other hand, are encouraged to produce timely information and to engage in dialogue with actors in developing countries. 

Also difficult topics have been discussed in cooperation between the authorities

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Finnish government agencies have been utilising ICI funding to cooperate with their counterparts in developing countries since 2008. This peer cooperation has enhanced the capacities of authorities in developing countries and led organisations to reform their operating methods, including reforming research methods and developing monitoring systems. Although the promotion of gender equality is not usually emphasised in cooperation between authorities, the relationships that have been established during cooperation and build on trust have made it possible to discuss issues that are considered difficult, such as equality in the work organisation and the prevention of sexual harassment.