This chapter outlines the transformation of development cooperation from growth-centred aid to participatory frameworks stressing ownership, accountability, and sustainability. It tracks four ‘development decades’, from basic needs to the Washington Consensus and later global frameworks such as the MDGs and SDGs. It analyses the interplay between bilateral, multilateral, and non-state actors, highlighting the rise of civil society and private foundations. Successes and failures are illustrated through case studies, showing how context, participation, and alignment with local priorities determine outcomes. The chapter underscores that development cooperation is a dynamic, negotiated process shaped by power and ideas.