Conclusions

· Grants and credit facilities have become a major factor in promoting and supporting national strategic planning processes. Development assistance funds and credits have been used in all the case-study countries in formulating and implementing these plans.

· Development assistance contributions to environmental planning and institutional development will probably remain the main source of resources in many countries. However, for reasons of national pride - which has been hurt in many cases when funders unilaterally suspended aid - and institutional sustainability, reliance on development assistance funds must be reduced to a reasonable level.

· Development assistance support in particular, and international cooperation in general, is essential in developing the capacity for environmental management. But mutual understanding and agreement between funders and recipient countries with respect to priorities and policies is critical.

· A shift is needed in funder policy to accommodate changing circumstances and requirements in recipient countries. In particular, development assistance agencies must appreciate African norms and values, culture, and heritage as major influences on definition and management of the environment.

· Lack of continuity and uncertainty associated with external funding can be an overwhelming constraint in relying on such funds for national programs. Grants and loans tied to project outputs, for example, do not respect the planning process.