ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses the analysis from the overarching state building policy at headquarters level to consider British policymaking and programming at the country level. It presents findings from a central element of the project methodology which entailed field visits to three fragile and conflict affected countries at different stages of recovery Afghanistan, Sierra Leone and Nepal to conduct in-depth interviews with officials and researchers. Its research found little evidence of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) engaging with deeper, academic research at the country level. Department for International Development's (DfID) overarching state building policy is formulated at headquarters level by the relevant teams within Policy Division. It works closely with colleagues in Research and Evidence Division (RED), with whom they are now collocated. Serious deficiencies are apparent in terms of knowledge management, institutional memory and the sharing and awareness of research across government departments working in fragile states.
