kehitysyhteistyökomitea

Kehitysyhteistyökomitea, or Development Cooperation Committee, is a governance body found within Finnish municipalities and, in some cases, within other organizations. It is responsible for coordinating and overseeing international development cooperation activities conducted or funded by the municipality or organization. The committee serves as a forum for strategic planning, prioritization of projects, and approval of funding related to development cooperation, with the aim of supporting sustainable development, poverty reduction, human rights, and democracy.

Typical duties include reviewing and approving project proposals from municipal departments, schools, NGOs, universities, and partner organizations; allocating and monitoring budgets; supervising implementation; and evaluating results. The committee also ensures compliance with applicable policies, such as ethical guidelines, gender equality, environmental sustainability, and transparency, and it prepares reports for the city council or board.

Composition varies by organization but commonly includes elected municipal representatives, civil servants from international relations or development offices, external experts, and representatives from partner NGOs or community organizations. Meetings are held regularly, and decisions are made by majority or according to by-laws.

In practice, kehitysyhteistyökomitea helps translate national development policy into local action, coordinates city-to-city partnerships, volunteering programs, and education or awareness activities, and fosters collaboration between public sector, civil society, and the private sector. It operates under the governing statutes of the municipality or organization and in alignment with national development policy.