Hungary is a relatively small, emerging donor country, but it strives to take an active role in the development efforts of the international donor community, in accordance with the country’s capacities. Related to the Hungarian “Global Opening Policy” launched in 2014, international development cooperation (IDC) is an integral part of Hungary’s foreign policy and external relations. Hungary’s IDC Strategy of 2014-2020 is in compliance with the objectives and directions of the national foreign, security and economic policy documents and corresponds to the internationally agreed development goals and principles, aiming at the following sectors:

• Institutional development: consolidating democratic structures and the rule of law, sharing the experience gained during transition and integration processes; good governance, institutional capacity building of central, local and sectoral administration, strengthening civil society);
• Green growth, environmental and climate protection (rural and urban development, food security, sustainable agriculture, sustainable water management, sanitation, climate change adaptation); and
• Human development (education, health, culture, equal opportunities, protection of minorities and vulnerable groups, social institution development, scientific cooperation).

As a growing donor, Hungary has been focusing its development assistance mainly on the neighbouring region (Western Balkans, Eastern Europe), some countries in Africa (in particular Horn of Africa), the Middle East and Asia. The majority of Hungarian official development assistance is allocated through multilateral channels, in the form of compulsory and voluntary contributions to international organizations and funds. Hungary has a strong comparative advantage in the field of technical and organizational knowledge and experience, in sectors of water management, agriculture, education, transport, and energy.