Aid in Unstable Times: Afghan Experiences and Future EU Engagement

Abstract

Over two decades, Afghanistan received USD 13 billion in EU development aid. Following the Taliban’s return in 2021, the German government's Study Commission (SC) and Committee of Inquiry (CI) examined the failures and lessons to be learned. In addition, Afghan stakeholders, former officials, NGOs, and civil society actors shared insights on aid intervention that EU policymakers should consider. The SC and CI reports highlight several critical challenges, such as a lack of contextual knowledge, warlords, widespread corruption, the Afghan government's incapacity, and inadequate coordination both among donors and with recipients. Supporting interviews, based on lived Afghan experiences, shed light on the broader picture to the EU's aid intervention. The Bloc's over-reliance on off-budget aid created a feeling among Afghans of being left marginalised in the state-building and national-reconstruction process. However, increased on-budget aid between 2014 and 2019 proved a positive experience, significantly enhancing coordination, cooperation, and consultation between the EU and Afghan stakeholders; as such, it should be closely considered when crafting future aid policy. Furthermore, the interviewees, considering the limited success of the 1990s, provided insight into the EU's possible future engagement with Afghanistan. They highlighted that ideological change is a gradual process and the Bloc, through its established benchmarks, can support the Afghan people and bring positive change in the long run.