Since the late 1990s, a new paradigm of effective aid has emerged, that, at least in principle, is based on the concepts of country ownership, partnership, and mutual accountability. These principles are embraced in the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness, which includes a series of commitments from both donor and recipient countries to improve the quality of international development assistance.

Donors have come to recognise that recipient country ownership is essential to the effectiveness of aid and development efforts. It has become increasingly evident that ownership of specific policy measures or programmes, and good governance in general, can only be achieved if recipient governments begin to take a more proactive role in determining how aid is allocated and managed. Nevertheless, to date there are relatively few examples of recipient governments taking a lead in their relationships with donors.

This paper reviews the efforts of five countries seen as relatively successful examples of recipient-led aid policies and donor management. These countries are Afghanistan, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, and Vietnam.