About the RDC
The RDC is an informal working group designed to provide a trusted space for candid, cross-institutional exchange between traditional and emerging development cooperation providers. It provides a rare, neutral forum where agencies can engage openly to build cross-agency relationships and learn from one another’s experience.
Background
The RDC was established in 2023 by leaders from the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), who craved a space for peer-dialogue with a diverse range of partners. They brought together representatives from the development agencies of seven countries - Colombia, Indonesia, Mexico, Norway, South Africa, South Korea, and Sweden - to participate in a seminar designed to discuss shared challenges and learn from each other's experience.
The group started from a blank slate - without expectation of reaching a formal agreement or future engagement. It has since evolved organically into an ongoing platform that is owned and directed by members and supported by a small Secretariat.
In 2024, the RDC welcomed its newest member - Global Affairs Canada - to the group. We have since invited several other agencies to participate as "observers" and are open to new members.
Why is the RDC needed?
In an increasingly complex and fragmented development landscape, effective cooperation increasingly depends on stronger relationships across institutions, regions, and traditions. Yet dialogue on development cooperation primarily takes place within “like-minded” silos, with few regular opportunities for meaningful exchange across providers from different backgrounds.
The RDC exists to help bridge this gap. By bringing together diverse agencies for two-way learning, we provide a unique platform for building trust and strengthening institutional ties.
Guiding Principles
The RDC operates according to the principles of co-creation, equality, and ownership, which enables a culture of trust and partnership.
Equality
Agencies participate on equal footing
Co-creation
Members shape our work plan and activities.
TRUST
Openness
We engage curiosly, transparently, and respectfully.
Our Comparative Advantage
The RDC's comparative advantage lies in four distinctive features
01
Cross-institutional Exchange
We foster regular exchange across agencies that previously had limited opportunities for engagement outside of formal settings.
02
Practitioner-level Dialogue
Our discussions are grounded in operational and strategic realities rather than diplomatic positioning.
Member-directed Program
03
Members collectively shape our annual activities, identifying themes and priorities for discussion to ensure relevance and shared ownership.
04
Trust-based Relationships
Repeated engagement fosters durable professional networks that enable partnership and informal coordination beyond the RDC.