Partner countries

The main emphasis in Denmark’s bilateral development assistance is the assistance granted to Denmark’s partner countries.

Partner countries are those countries where Denmark is present with a long-term perspective and with political and financial weight.

Long-term development cooperation with the government of the country is the point of departure for Denmark’s engagement in the majority of partner countries. In other countries cooperation is based on partnerships with non-governmental or international actors in the country who can further the freedom of the population and their access to democracy and better conditions. 

Results and impact require focus in the shape of greater engagement in a smaller number of countries. This also makes room for new interventions. Therefore, in the coming years the government will reduce the number of partner countries from the present 26. This will create greater impact in the remaining partner countries and create space for prioritised efforts in the priority areas of the strategy for Denmark’s development cooperation – including for example fragile states and the promotion of freedom, democracy and human rights – and for assisting countries to create the economic growth and increased employment that are decisive for them to work themselves out of poverty.

Development cooperation of seven partner countries is planned to be phased out, i.e. Bhutan, Vietnam, Nicaragua, Bolivia, Zambia, Benin and Cambodia. This means that Denmark in the future will focus its aid on 19 partner countries.