Development policy must not be reduced to short-term priorities!

One year after the new Federal Government took office, Terre des Hommes and Welthungerhilfe have taken stock of German development policy and humanitarian aid in the latest edition of Kompass – now in its 33^rd edition. The organisations welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to reform in the field of development cooperation – but at the same time warn against reducing development policy to mere rhetoric, debates in Berlin and short-term priorities.

Engaging local civil society and young people in a meaningful way

“The reform of development policy must not become a Berlin-based administrative project,” says Joshua Hofert, spokesperson for the Terre des Hommes Executive Board. “If you want to achieve effectiveness, you must engage partner countries, local civil society and young people at an early stage and in a meaningful way. A credible partnership thrives on responsible action, not fine words.”

The two organisations are calling for a strong development policy that steers Germany towards a balanced course between global responsibility and national interests. People in partner countries must also benefit from the planned cooperation with German industry.

ODA cuts are unacceptable

The organisations are particularly critical of the latest figures on official development assistance (ODA). German ODA funding has fallen by 17 per cent in real terms in 2025, whilst support for the least developed countries (LDCs) has recently (in 2024) even declined by around a third. Consequently, it is precisely those countries that are most severely affected by hunger, poverty, climate crises and conflicts – and which, according to the reform agenda, are supposed to receive greater support – that are coming under pressure.

“It is not credible to identify the LDCs as a priority but then fail to provide them with sufficient funding. This needs to be rectified in future. Anyone who promises transformation must also finance it – reliably, in the long term and in collaboration with partners. The German Government must decide whether, in times of growing challenges, it wishes to remain a reliable partner in the future,” emphasises Mathias Mogge, Chief Executive of Welthungerhilfe.

Do not undermine the principles of humanitarian aid

Cuts to humanitarian aid are also a cause for concern. Germany reduced its funding by 53 per cent to 1.05 billion euros in 2025. In 2026, funding is set to remain at the same level – the lowest it has been for ten years. At a time of multiple crises, this sends a dangerous signal.

In 2026, the German government’s expenditure on humanitarian aid accounted for just 0.2 per cent of the federal budget.
Source: Welthungerhilfe

Humanitarian aid must be consistently geared towards people’s needs and must not, as is increasingly the case, subordinated to security, migration or geopolitical interests, according to another demand set out in Kompass 2026. Its neutrality and independence must be safeguarded. The Federal Government should also better integrate development cooperation, peacekeeping and humanitarian aid (catchword: the HDP nexus) and secure them through multi-year funding.

Kompass 2026 thus makes it clear that the Federal Government must not only reform its humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peacebuilding, but must also underpin these fields politically and financially. Without genuine partnership, sufficient funding and a clear vision, aspirations will fall short of reality.

(tdh/whh/sri)

Kompass 2026 is themed “Finding a course between global responsibility and national interests”.

Download Kompass 2026 (in German)

Link to the Report’s development policy recommendations for Germany’s Federal Government