Building Coherence between sector reforms and decentralisation: do SWAps provide the missing link?

Sector-wide approaches (SWAps) are being used more and more by donor agencies and their country partners to achieve development objectives founded on principles of common interest and equitable partnership, national ownership and execution, of the aid donor harmonisation, capacity development and performance. Besides providing a framework for improving the quality relationship, SWAps are also seen as a means of translating the goals of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers (PRSPs) into operational plans that can facilitate a transition from project aid to forms of budget support.