The Europeanization of the Netherlands' Development Cooperation Policy

Research question: “To what extent has the Netherlands implemented and internalized Policy Coherence for Development and the European Code of Conduct for the Division of Labour in its development policy?” Methods: The Netherlands was used as a single-case study. Data on the Netherlands' political discourse, institutional structure and development policy implementation was collected through a policy discourse analysis, a systematic review, and interviews. Results: The Netherlands’ development cooperation is gradually transforming due to PCD, but is has only absorbed the EU norms of The Code. Implications: The EC is an accepted norm entrepreneur for both PCD and The Code. However, the EU has so far failed to become a legitimate structure for the pro-active coordination of PCD and The Code as its MS consider the coordination for PCD and the selection of sectors and countries a nationally driven process.