MYNSAM 2.0 – Guidelines for Strategic Sector Cooperation
The Strategic Sector Cooperation (SSC) Guiding Principles are updated to reflect the priorities of the Danish Government’s new strategies, in particular the Development Policy Strategy and Global Climate Action Strategy, and to incorporate lessons learnt since 2015. Moreover, the new Guiding Principles reflect the Government’s ambitious priorities for Danish Development Policy in relation to the green transition.
These new Guiding Principles only apply to those stakeholders who are part of a Framework Agreement. Stakeholders engaged in SSC projects not part of a Framework Agreement yet, should refer to the relevant previous guidelines, which can be found here.
A key change to the new SSC Guiding Principles is the Global Theory of Change and the Global Results Framework, underlining the importance of producing results that support a socially just green transition and contribute to sustainable growth and resilient development in the most effective, strategic, and impactful way. The Guidelines include three documents:
1. The Guiding Principles, incl. the Global Theory of Change and the Global Results Framework. The document lays out the overall vision and strategic objectives of the SSC and specific requirements for Danish Authorities to deliver under one Framework Agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA);
2. The SSC Manual for Administration. This gives guidance on the administration of the Framework Agreement, Framework Agreement management between Danish authorities and the MFA, SSC Project Administration between the Danish Authority and Partner Country, and Sector Counsellors; and
3. The Financial Annex, detailing the areas in which specific financial management rules apply, differing from the general MFA guidelines for development cooperation.
In addition to the above, there is also a document on best practices with 12 examples, focusing on the third outcome of the Global Results Framework: enhanced engagement of the Danish private sector. Best practice case studies on the first outcome (strengthening partner countries’ capacities) and the second outcome (increasing climate ambitions and ambitions for green transition and sustainable development), will also be uploaded to this page.
The latest version available on the internet should always be consulted for the most recent update.
The main changes to the Guiding Principles are:
Strategic green focus
The overall goal of SSC is to promote a socially just green transition and to contribute to sustainable growth and resilient development in partner countries, focusing on areas where Denmark has special strengths and demonstrates international best practices. These include climate and energy, environment and water, sustainable agriculture and food production, shipping and health. To better reflect the Danish Government’s new developmental and climate action strategic priorities, the Guiding Principles now include a Global Theory of Change and the Global Results Framework, to ensure that SSC implements this in the most cohesive and effective manner.
Strengthened use as a diplomatic dialogue instrument
In order to maximise the impact of SSC, it is important to lift the technical cooperation to the political level. Therefore, the new Guidelines clarify the engaged role of the embassies and bolsters the importance of SSC as an embassy priority.
Enhanced commercial value
As the private sector is vital for a green and long-term sustainable transition in partner countries, the new Guidelines include a clearer description of the private sector’s role, in relation to both the new Global Theory of Change and the new Global Results Framework.
Programme results and monitoring framework
To focus and expand the SSC through comprehensive, integrated programmes and to strengthen the linkage to the responsible line ministries in Denmark, the new Guiding Principles introduce a Global Results Framework for each Danish Authority. Now, Danish authorities involved in the SSC will have a four year Framework Agreement. The Framework Agreement will include all individual SSC projects in one agreement. This will further streamline SSC projects and free up time to focus on results, strategic dialogue, and strengthened communication between all involved parties.
The Guiding Principles
The SSC Manual for Administration
Best Practices Case Studies