What happens when the money shrinks, but the challenges don’t? In this podcast episode, we take a deep dive into the messy, political, and deeply human world of international development, with someone who’s spent years inside it.

Our guest, Peter J. Evans, (probably not the one you’re thinking), is a seasoned adviser on governance, inclusion, and aid strategy. He joins us for a reflective and nuanced conversation about the future of aid in an era of constraint. Drawing on his work with major donors like FCDO and his deep experience in political economy, Peter unpacks the realities behind the rhetoric and asks how we can still make aid matter.

Together, we explore the tensions between foreign policy and development goals, the risks of radical simplification, and why we need to treat context as more than just a slogan. From the legacy of “fat aid” to the fragility of anti-corruption efforts, this episode invites listeners to reconsider how effectiveness is defined and what a more grounded, politically aware model could look like going forward.

If you're a policymaker, donor, practitioner, or simply tired of one-dimensional aid debates, this conversation is for you. Lend your voice by signing a petition to reverse these cuts and push for a smarter, more responsible aid strategy. https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/719301

Special thanks to Peter J. Evans for sharing his insight and candour.

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