How to use the toolkit

This Toolkit is designed as a practical, flexible resource that can be used across different roles, institutions, and contexts. It is structured to support both quick decision-making and more in-depth programme design or policy development.

You can enter the Toolkit at different points depending on your needs. You do not need to read it from start to finish.

Start with the OECD Principles

The Toolkit is structured around the six OECD Development Co-operation Principles, which provide the overall framework for effective and responsible support.

The Guidance by Principle section explains each Principle, including:

• What it aims to address

• Common challenges and risks

• What effective support looks like in practice

This is particularly useful if you are looking to understand the overall approach or align a programme or strategy with recognised good practice.

Apply the guidance to your role

To translate the Principles into day-to-day practice, the Toolkit provides Guidance by Role.

Each role-based section shows how the Principles apply across different functions, such as strategy, policy, programme management, and communications. It highlights practical implications for decision-making.

For example, guidance may include recommendations such as: “Integrate safety and care costs - digital, legal, and psycho-social - as standard eligible expenses in media-support programmes.”

This is particularly useful if you are looking for targeted, actionable guidance relevant to your responsibilities.

Use the quick checklist

Each role section begins with a quick checklist, providing a fast way to assess whether key considerations have been addressed.

It can be used to:

• Sense-check ongoing or planned interventions

• Identify risks or gaps

• Support internal discussions and decision-making

The checklist is intended as a starting point, not a substitute for deeper analysis.

Explore key considerations

Following the checklist, each section outlines key considerations that explain why these issues matter and where common challenges arise.

These narrative sections draw on consultations, interviews, and practitioner experience and are particularly useful when designing or adapting programmes.

Go deeper with examples and resources

A separate section provides case studies, examples, and additional resources.

These illustrate how the Principles are applied in different contexts and support learning, adaptation, and internal discussions.

Use the Toolkit flexibly

The Toolkit is designed to support different workflows. For example:

• A Head of Mission or Ambassador may use the guidance to inform strategic positioning, political engagement, and decisions on visibility and risk

• A policy officer may begin with the Principles to inform strategy

• A programme manager may move between checklists and detailed guidance during design

• A communications team member may focus on guidance related to visibility, messaging, and risk

In all cases, the aim is to support more informed, coherent, and context-sensitive decisions.

Share Your Feedback

The Toolkit is a living resource, shaped by its users. Your insights help ensure it remains practical, relevant, and grounded in experience.

We’d love to hear from you:

• What’s missing or unclear?

• What would you like to see expanded?

• Are there examples or practices you think should be added?

Contact: [e-mail]