Europaudvalget 2019
KOM (2019) 0037
Offentligt
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EUROPEAN
COMMISSION
Brussels, 31.1.2019
SWD(2019) 12 final
PART 1/2
COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT
Accompanying the document
Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council
Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's instruments for
financing external actions in 2017
{COM(2019) 37 final}
EN
EN
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Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION: EU response to world developments in 2017 ............................................................. 6
1. DELIVERING ON GLOBAL COMMITMENTS .......................................................................................... 8
1.1.
EU as a stronger global actor .................................................................................................. 8
International Cooperation and Development................................................................. 9
European Neighbourhood Policy .................................................................................. 11
Humanitarian aid and Civil protection .......................................................................... 12
EU Enlargement ............................................................................................................ 14
Security and Defence .................................................................................................... 15
External dimension of EU policies ................................................................................. 16
Making a difference: new instruments and aid modalities .......................................... 17
1.1.1.
1.1.2.
1.1.3.
1.1.4.
1.1.5.
1.1.6
1.1.7.
1.2.
Fostering sustainable development...................................................................................... 19
Implementing the 2030 Agenda comprehensively and coherently.............................. 19
The means of implementation of the new Agenda ...................................................... 19
Working better together with Member States
–
Joint Programming .......................... 20
Policy Coherence for Development .............................................................................. 21
Development effectiveness and Joint Programming .................................................... 22
1.2.1
1.2.2.
1.2.3.
1.2.4.
1.2.5.
1.3.
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ......................................................................... 22
Human Development .................................................................................................... 22
Gender equality and women's empowerment ............................................................. 24
Migration, forced displacement and asylum ................................................................ 25
Culture, Education, Research, Innovation and Health .................................................. 27
Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture ............................................ 29
1.3.1.
1.3.2.
1.3.3.
1.3.4.
1.3.5.
1.4. PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling climate
change .............................................................................................................................................. 30
1.4.1.
1.4.2.
1.4.3.
1.5.
Climate Change ............................................................................................................. 30
Environment and sustainable management of natural resources ............................... 32
Sustainable Energy ........................................................................................................ 33
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .................................................... 35
Poverty and inequality .................................................................................................. 35
1.5.1.
1.5.2.
Working with the private sector, investments, business environments and responsible
behaviour ...................................................................................................................................... 36
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1.5.3.
1.5.4.
Agricultural growth ....................................................................................................... 38
Infrastructure, cities and ICT ......................................................................................... 39
1.6. PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all.............................................................................. 41
1.6.1.
1.6.2.
1.6.3.
1.6.4.
1.6.5.
1.6.6.
1.7.
Democracy, Human Rights and Good Governance ....................................................... 41
Fragility.......................................................................................................................... 42
Crisis response and preparedness ................................................................................ 44
Security, including global and regional trans-border challenges .................................. 47
Nuclear Safety ............................................................................................................... 48
Actions under CSDP....................................................................................................... 50
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ............... 52
Cooperation with civil society organisations and local authorities .............................. 52
Cooperation with the donor community ...................................................................... 54
Cooperation with international organisations .............................................................. 55
Macro-financial Assistance ........................................................................................... 56
1.7.1.
1.7.2.
1.7.3.
1.7.4.
2.
RESULTS FOR PROJECTS CLOSED BETWEEN JULY 2016 AND JUNE 2017 ...................................... 57
2.1.
2.2.
2.3.
Development progress in partner countries......................................................................... 59
EU Contributions to results in partner countries: aggregated results .................................. 63
European Commission's organisation performance as the manager of EU aid ................... 79
3. IMPLEMENTATION: Working towards people, planet, prosperity, peace, partnership and
responding to crisis in each region ....................................................................................................... 95
3.1.
African continental, Sub-Saharan Africa & all ACP programmes .............................................. 95
3.1.1. Sub-Saharan Africa .................................................................................................................. 95
3.1.1.1
3.1.1.3
Introduction (Policy Developments) ............................................................................. 95
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ................................................................. 96
3.1.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 103
3.1.1.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 109
3.1.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 113
3.1.1.7
3.1.2.
3.1.2.1
3.1.2.2
3.1.2.3
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 121
South Africa ..................................................................................................................... 124
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 124
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 124
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 125
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3.1.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 127
3.1.2.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 129
3.1.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 131
3.1.2.7
3.2.
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 132
Latin America & the Caribbean ............................................................................................... 135
Latin America .................................................................................................................. 135
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 135
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 136
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 137
3.2.1.
3.2.1.1
3.2.1.2
3.2.1.3
3.2.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 140
3.2.1.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 144
3.2.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 147
3.2.1.7
3.2.2.
3.2.2.1
3.2.2.2
3.2.2.3
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 151
Caribbean ........................................................................................................................ 154
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 154
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 154
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 155
3.2.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 158
3.2.2.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 161
3.2.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 163
3.2.2.7
3.3.
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 167
Asia, Central Asia, Middle East/Gulf and Pacific ..................................................................... 169
Asia .................................................................................................................................. 169
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 169
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 170
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 171
3.3.1.
3.3.1.1
3.3.1.2
3.3.1.3
3.3.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 177
3.3.1.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 180
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3.3.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 183
3.3.1.7
3.3.2.
3.3.2.1
3.3.2.2
3.3.2.3
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 187
Central Asia ..................................................................................................................... 189
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 189
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 190
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 191
3.3.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 194
3.3.2.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 197
3.3.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 201
3.3.2.7
3.3.3.
3.3.3.1
3.3.3.2
3.3.3.3
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 204
Middle East / Gulf Region ............................................................................................... 207
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 207
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 208
PEOPLE
–
Human Development, dignity and education ............................................. 209
3.3.3.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 212
3.3.3.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 214
3.3.3.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 216
3.3.3.7
3.3.4.
3.3.4.1
3.3.4.2
3.3.4.3
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 220
Pacific .............................................................................................................................. 223
Introduction (Policy Developments) ........................................................................... 223
Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination ...... 223
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity ............................................................... 224
3.3.4.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change ............................................................................................................................ 228
3.3.4.5
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs .......................................... 232
3.3.4.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all........................................................................ 235
3.3.4.7
3.4.
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda ..... 240
Enlargement ............................................................................................................................ 243
Introduction .................................................................................................................... 243
Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination...................... 243
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3.4.1
3.4.2.
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3.4.3.
3.4.4.
3.5.
Examples of support to the implementation of the fundamentals of Enlargement Policy
247
Implementation .............................................................................................................. 250
European Neighbourhood ...................................................................................................... 256
European Neighbourhood East ....................................................................................... 256
3.5.1.
3.5.1.1. Introduction (Policy developments) ........................................................................... 256
3.5.1.2. Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination.................. 256
3.5.1.3. Working towards People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership ........................ 257
3.5.1.4. Implementation .......................................................................................................... 261
3.5.2.
European Neighbourhood South .................................................................................... 267
3.5.2.1. Introduction (policy developments) ........................................................................... 267
3.5.2.2. Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination.................. 269
3.5.2.3. Working towards People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership ........................ 270
3.5.2.4. Implementation .......................................................................................................... 274
3.6.
4.
OCTs ........................................................................................................................................ 278
MANAGING AID........................................................................................................................... 281
4.1.
Monitoring Systems ............................................................................................................ 281
Evaluation: review of the work programme ............................................................... 281
Lessons learned ........................................................................................................... 284
4.1.1.
4.1.2.
4.2.
Aid delivery modalities........................................................................................................ 287
Budget support, Public finance management / Domestic Revenue Mobilisation ...... 287
Using EU grants strategically via blending .................................................................. 290
European External Investment Plan............................................................................ 291
4.2.1.
4.2.2.
4.2.3.
4.3.
Improving ways of working ................................................................................................. 293
Simplification of procedures ....................................................................................... 293
4.3.1.
4.4.
Communication & transparency ......................................................................................... 294
Communication ........................................................................................................... 294
Transparency............................................................................................................... 294
4.4.1
4.4.2
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INTRODUCTION: EU response to world developments in 2017
The
Eu opea U io s EU e te al a tio is guided
the Lis o T eat a d take fo a d
the
EU Global Strategy on foreign and security policy
1
. In its engagement in world affairs, the EU
promotes a joined-up approach, bringing together all available instruments from the EU institutions
and Member States, to work towards a more peaceful and prosperous world. In 2017, Europe
continued to be confronted with a range of significant challenges. Conflicts and instability were
developing both globally and in our Southern and Eastern borders. Terrorist attacks were
perpetrated inside and outside Europe. As in previous years, the EU responded comprehensively,
using the entire breadth of its policies and tools that span diplomatic, security, financial, trade,
development actions and humanitarian aid.
In the
Western Balkans,
the EU is stepping up efforts and political engagement to move forward
with credible and irreversible EU integration steps for all the Western Balkans and mitigating
regional frictions. The
Eastern Partnership
Summit in November took stock of past achievements
a d p o ided guida e fo futu e oope atio ased o the
deli e a les fo
.
The EU
supports all efforts for a lasting peaceful solution respecting the unity, sovereignty and territorial
integrity of the
Ukraine
through the complete implementation of the Minsk Agreements and it
continues to condemn the illegal annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol by the Russian Federation.
This principle and those agreed at the Foreign Affairs Council in March 2016 continue to guide our
relations with
Russia.
We are addressing foreign policy and global issues of interest to the EU with
Russia while supporting civil society and enhancing people to people contacts.
In the
Middle East and North Africa,
the EU promotes stabilisation and regional integration in the
Mediterranean as a strategic region for engagement. The crisis in
Syria
is an important focus of our
work, not least through the Brussels process High Representative/ Vice President (HR/VP) Mogherini
launched at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) and the Syrian conference. The EU
supports the stabilisation of
Iraq, Libya
and
Yemen
in close cooperation with the United Nations
(UN) and regional partners. The two-state solution and its existing policies, including on Jerusalem,
remains the basis for our engagement in the
Middle East Peace Process.
The EU will continue to
work with both Israelis and Palestinians as well as the international community towards this aim.
Implementing and preserving the
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran
remains an
important priority. It is a prime example of the EU's ability to deliver conflict prevention through a
negotiated international agreement, crucial for regional as well as global stability.
The EU promotes stabilisation and regional integration in
Africa
and is strengthening its strategic
partnership with the African Union following the AU-EU Summit (29-30 November 2017). This
stronger alliance between the two continents encompasses: peace and security; governance;
mobility and migration; investment and job creation, knowledge and skills. Building on the universal
2030 Agenda, the negotiations for a renewed partnership with ACP states after the expiry of the
Cotonou Agreement are ongoing as well as the support to the G20 Compact with Africa initiative.
Key progress was achieved pursuing the integrated approach to Sahel combining all our instruments
in the area of security and development, including the partnership with the G5 Sahel, and in
promoting closer cooperation within the Horn of Africa and the broader Red Sea region.
1
https://europa.eu/globalstrategy/en/global-strategy-foreign-and-security-policy-european-union
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On transatlantic relations, the EU focus is on strengthening the partnership with the
US, Canada,
Brazil and Mexico.
The EU works strategically with the US in all areas of mutual interest and seeks a
constructive relationship with the US Administration and other stakeholders within the US, including
in areas where differences have emerged. We continued to highlight European security and defence
efforts as an enhanced EU contribution to transatlantic burden-sharing and EU-NATO cooperation as
a means of strengthening transatlantic security. In 2017 the EU looked at ways to shift the focus of
its cooperation with
Latin America and the Caribbean
from development cooperation to a
diversified model giving a more prominent role to trade, investment, research and innovation,
education and the digital agenda, forging a stronger partnership on foreign policy and global issues,
including the shared 2030 Agenda, in defence of common values.
The EU is committed to ensure an active EU security presence and engagement in and with
Asia
at
bilateral, regional and global level as well as to engage with partners based on a
sustainable
connectivity
between both regions.
EU's support to furthering the diplomatic process in the
De o ati People s Repu li of Ko ea
DPRK)
is combined with sustained pressure through severe
sanctions. The EU believes that a multilateral process will be necessary to address the DPRK nuclear
issue in its entire complexity and achieve lasting peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. The
European Union has a huge expertise on nuclear non-proliferation, particularly thanks to the talks
with Iran, and is ready to support these processes, in close consultations with key partners, in any
possible way.
In 2017, as much as ever, the EU engaged to boost multilateralism. The Global Strategy on the EU's
Foreign and Security Policy affirms that the EU will strive for a strong United Nations as the bedrock
of the multilateral rules-based order. The EU works closely with partners to advance the agenda on
climate diplomacy
and driving forward the
UN 2030 Agenda for sustainable development.
The EU is
also engaged actively in the work on the UN process leading the adoption of a
Global Compact for
Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration and the Global Compact on Refugees
as well as in
implementing the external aspects of migration, notably through our
strategic partnerships with
countries of origin and transit of migrants.
The UN brings unique value-added to our citizens. The key priority for the EU, together with like-
minded partners, is to support the UN through a period of change. The EU is a strong supporter of
the UN Secretary General's ambitious reform agenda, has a strategic interest to see reforms
unfolding this year, and vigorously supports its implementation. The EU is and will be at the
forefront of a more effective UN, building
bridges in support of multilateralism.
In a rapidly evolving
global context, conflicts have deepened, and new dangers have emerged. The EU and the UN are
indispensable partners to deliver peace and security.
In addition, we have made important headway on the conceptual work on
the Integrated Approach
to Conflict and Crises.
On
Resilience
work on a coherent policy framework will continue following
the
Joint Communication on Resilience
adopted in 2017. The focus will continue to be on the
neighbourhood. During 2017 EU continued to promote external policies and cooperation that
enhance the security of the EU and its citizens, focusing on the internal/external security nexus. The
EU is engaging with partners inter alia in the areas of counter-terrorism, non-proliferation and
disarmament, cyber security, maritime security and sanctions.
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1. DELIVERING ON GLOBAL COMMITMENTS
1.1.
EU as a stronger global actor
The EU Global Strategy (EUGS) on foreign and security policy sets out EU core interests and
principles for engaging in the world and provides a vision for a more credible, responsible and
responsive EU in the world. Implementation of the EUGS started on the five priorities endorsed by
the European Council of December 2016, namely investing in the resilience of states and societies to
the East and South and an integrated approach to conflicts and crises; strengthening security and
defence; reinforcing the internal/external policy nexus, with special attention to migration; updating
existing or preparing new regional and thematic strategies; and stepping up public diplomacy efforts.
Progress in implementing the EUGS in the area of security and defence was swift and substantial
with the work on a Coordinated Annual Review on Defence (CARD)
2
, the establishment of the
Military Planning and Conduct capability (MPCC)
3
, the implementation of the European Defence
Action Plan and of the EU-NATO Joint Declaration or the agreement on Permanent Structured
Cooperation (PESCO)
4
. Intense work continues on the European Defence Fund and the proposal of
the HR/VP with the support of the Commission for a European Peace Facility financed by the
Member States. The Defence Union Task Force is operating and adds coherence and coordination to
the ongoing work. It is also necessary to focus on the civilian aspects of security and defence, on
partnerships and on establishing a truly European strategic culture.
The EU also continued to pursue its strategic interest through fostering dialogues on values and
global challenges with key partners across the world. Since 2017, two overarching priorities have
been added to the work to implement the EU Global Strategy, support to a global order based on
international law with the UN at its core and focus on Cooperative Regional Orders.
The EUGS acknowledges the importance of an international system based on multilateralism. The
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be a cross-cutting dimension in all the work to
implement the EUGS. The EU works with partners around the globe to implement the SDGs) and the
Paris Agreement on tackling Climate Change. Human Rights and Gender Equality as well as support
for Women Peace and Security are a central part of all EU policies. One key priority for the EU is to
support the UN through a period of change. This means translating the EU commitment to
multilateralism into a proactive multilateral agenda. The EU seeks to broaden conversations, defend
and promote European values, build new cross-regional alliances and project influence.
The EU and the United nations (UN) are indispensable partners to deliver peace and security, both
organisations promoting an integrated approach to conflicts and supporting prevention and
mediation. An overarching EU-UN strategic partnership is needed for the future, working closely
with regional and/or sub-regional organisations, for example with the African Union (AU). The
ground breaking joint trilateral AU-EU-UN work on Libya/migration aims to pave the way for
2
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-Homepage/36453/coordinated-annual-review-defence-
card_en
3
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/27763/military-planning-and-conduct-
capability-mpcc_en
4
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-Homepage/34226/permanent-structured-cooperation-
pesco-factsheet_en
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enhanced cooperation in the wider peace and security agenda. The support being provided to the
G5 Sahel Joint Force shows the importance of investing in global-regional security partnerships. For
example, the EU will also consolidate its interaction with the League of Arab States and continue its
already strong collaboration with the Union for the Mediterranean.
The EU continued to promote external policies and cooperation that enhance the security of the EU
and its citizens, focusing on the internal/external security nexus
inter alia
in the areas of counter-
terrorism (capacity building and upgraded dialogue inter alia with Turkey, the Western Balkans,
Lebanon, Tunisia, Egypt and Jordan), non-proliferation and disarmament, cyber security, maritime
security and sanctions. It worked tirelessly with its international partners against the activities of
Da'esh. Under the Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP), the EU operates civilian and military
missions worldwide. These missions carry out a variety of tasks, ranging from supporting border
management to training local police.
The EU continued work to tackle existing high levels of vulnerability due to humanitarian crisis,
drought, and insecurity funding operations for more than EUR 2.2 billion in over 90 countries outside
the EU. The EU and its Member States remain the world's largest donor of humanitarian aid
providing life-saving aid to the victims of disasters, refugees and others in dire need. The EU and its
Member States are also the largest donor of development assistance providing more than half of
Official Development Assistance (ODA) globally. In 2017 Commission services alone disbursed EUR
13.34 billion in ODA. This contribution makes a huge difference to millions of people's livelihoods
around the world.
The Eu opea U io is the o ld s la gest t adi g lo . It o ks ith i te atio al pa t ers
everywhere to promote a free and fairer international trading system, underpinned by the World
Trade Organisation (WTO). Implementation of regional strategies and action plans continued,
together with promoting the economic and investment aspects of our relations. The attractiveness
of EU membership and the political and economic stability it brings have meant that many European
countries continue to aspire to join
–
although they must first pass through EU membership tests,
including on democracy and the rule of law.
1.1.1. International Cooperation and Development
In 2017 the European Union remained the world's largest provider of Official Development
Assista e, hi h sho s the EU s o
it e t to the SDGs a d to the e adi atio of po e t . The
EU s
collective ODA reached EUR 76.6 billion in 2017, representing 0.50% of the EU's GNI. This
constitutes a 1.4% decrease compared to 2016 levels and the Commissioner expressed strong
concerns over the reduction of EU collective ODA and of development assistance worldwide. The EU
also sent a strong message on its commitment to the implementation of the 2030 Agenda with the
adoption of a renewed development policy framework, the New European Consensus on
Development
5
, in June 2017. The Consensus provides a framework for a common approach to
development policy for the EU institutions and the Member States, in support of the implementation
of the 2030 Agenda in developing countries (see chapter 1.2.1.). It approaches development
cooperation from a broad perspective as part of the EU external action.
5
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/policies/european-development-policy/european-consensus-
development_en
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The Commission continued to play a key role in supporting the EU objective of eradicating poverty
and promoting sustainable development in developing countries, in the context of the
implementation of the SDGs. It also remained strongly committed to strengthening EU and Member
States' collective voice and global influence, helping to shape common positions on development
matters in international fora, contributing to effective multilateral discussions and strengthening the
role of development policy in the EU's external action.
Since the adoption of the Consensus, the Commission has continued to develop tailored
partnerships for effective development cooperation. It continued to be a strong supporter of least
developed countries in 2017, contributing to the provision of basic services, including through
budget support. The Commission also continued its support for middle-income countries, taking
account of country capacities and resources available. The Commission services in collaboration with
the External Action Service (EEAS) started to develop a new approach for engagement with more
advanced developing countries, an issue discussed at the informal meeting of EU Development
Ministers in Tallinn in September 2017. The Commission also continued to foster multi-stakeholder
partnerships to support implementation of the SDGs in developing countries, in particular
supporting the role of civil society organisations.
2017 was an important year for the Strategic Partnership with Africa. A Joint Communication for
renewed impetus of the Africa-EU Partnership
6
was adopted in May, followed by the fifth African
Union-EU
Su
it, held i A idja i No e e u de the the e I esti g i Youth fo a
Sustai a le Futu e . The Co
issio se i es, togethe ith the EEAS, sta ted p epa atio s to a ds
a new relationship with the countries of the African, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP),
based on the universal 2030 Agenda. The proposed negotiating directives set out the main
orientations for a true modern political and targeted partnership between equal partners. This
Annual Report also provides information about the implementation of the European Development
Fund (EDF) in all three ACP regions in 2017. This encompasses some financial data; a state-of-play of
commitments and payments; a presentation of outputs, outcomes and impacts; a presentation of
the evaluation exercises undertaken, and lessons learned from them.
In 2017, the Commission also continued efforts to boost sustainable and inclusive growth in EU
partner countries, and to contribute to prosperous and peaceful societies, including through the new
External Investment Plan (EIP), which aims at contributing to the attainment of the SDGs in partner
countries. The EU remains committed to aid-for-trade as a key element of development cooperation,
as reflected in the Communication of November 2017 on Achieving Prosperity through Trade and
Investment
7
.
The EU and its Member States continue to be global leaders in promoting gender equality and
women and girls' empowerment across all EU development activities. The first report on
implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 was published in 2017, highlighting
progress in its first year. 2017 also marked the launch of the Spotlight Initiative
8
, a new partnership
between the EU and UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls.
6
7
JOIN (2017) 17 final, 4.5.2017
COM (2017) 667 final, 13.11.2017
8
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sectors/human-rights-and-democratic-governance/gender-
equality/spotlight-initiative_en
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Together with the High Representative, the Commission produced the Joint Communication on a
Strategic Approach to Resilience in the EU's external action
9
, which expands the previous approach
to resilience to include the adaptability of states, societies, communities and individuals to political,
economic, environmental, demographic or societal pressures in order to sustain progress towards
the SDGs. This approach is being tested in a number of pilot countries.
The implementation of the EU's external action and the external dimension of the EU's research and
innovation policy share complementary objectives, for example in so far as they both contribute
towards the EU's international commitments such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development,
the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Research and innovation international cooperation is a key
vector for sustainable economic, social and environmental development, which are also key
objectives of the EU's external action.
1.1.2. European Neighbourhood Policy
In 2017, the EU continued to roll out its revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), aiming to
give to the EU greater leverage to achieve its common goals of stabilising Neighbourhood countries
and developing more tailor-made partnerships. In this context, revised Association Agendas were
concluded with Georgia and Moldova, and the Association Agreement with Ukraine, including the
Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, entered into force in 2017. A Comprehensive and
Enhanced Partnership Agreement was adopted with Armenia. Partnership priorities for 2017-2020
were also agreed with Algeria and Egypt, while progress was made on identifying similar joint
priorities with Armenia, Tunisia, Palestine, Azerbaijan and Belarus. Single Support Frameworks were
adopted for Armenia, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in the East and Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and
Tunisia in the South. The EU support to Palestine is framed by the European Joint Strategy in Support
of Palestine 2017-2020, the first ever joint programming document in the Neighbourhood agreed by
the EU, its Member States and like-minded countries. The Multiannual Indicative Programme for
Regional East 2017-2020 was also adopted.
The EU continued to engage with all neighbourhood countries through bilateral political dialogues
and provided additional guidance and support in their reform efforts. A Joint Communication on
developments in the Neighbourhood and implementation of the ENP review
10
was adopted in May
2017.
Financial assistance continued via the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI) to support the
Eastern Partnership and the Southern Neighbourhood with ongoing and new reforms in the areas of
good governance, democracy, human rights and the rule of law, enhancing economic governance,
stronger cooperation on security and cooperation on migration and mobility.
The Ele e ts fo a EU st ateg fo S ia: Rei fo i g effo ts to uild pea e
11
was adopted in
March 2017. It set the core objectives for EU action in helping to bring an end to the war and in
promoting a genuine political transition. The Communication served to guide the EU's work as host
of the international conference on the Future of Syria and the Region, held in Brussels in April 2017,
9
JOIN (2017) 21 final, 7.6.2017
JOIN (2017) 18 final, 18.5.2017
11
JOIN (2017)11 final, 14.3.2017
10
11
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which looked at challenges inside Syria as well as in Jordan and Lebanon, and which was funded and
co-organised by Commission services. The EU restated its pledge for 2017 and pledged an additional
EUR 560 million for 2018 for Lebanon, Jordan and Syria, with the ambition to maintain this sustained
level in 2019. The Strategy also fed into the continuing role of the Commission as Chair of the Core
Donors Group on Syria.
In 2017, the focus of migration shifted to the Central Mediterranean route as the main challenge and
Libya remained the main country of departure towards Italy. The Commission responded quickly to
the e o
e datio s of the Co
u i atio Ce t al Medite a ea Route –
Managing flows,
12
sa i g li es
issued on 25 January 2017 asking the EU to step up efforts towards the protection of
highly vulnerable migrants in Libya, as well as engaging with Libyan municipalities to promote
alternative livelihoods and support the resilience of local communities hosting migrants. The pace of
implementation of the North of Africa window of the EU Emergency Trust Fund (EUTF) for Africa
13
increased considerably with eight new programmes approved for a total amount of EUR 232.5
million, as well as one cross-window programme for EUR 8.6 million. In 2017, around 120 000
persons arrived in Italy along the Central Mediterranean route, a 34 % decrease compared to 2016.
I the Southe Neigh ou hood a ea, a i easi g sha e of the EU s o
-humanitarian aid for
S ia s eigh ou i g ou t ies is p o ided th ough the EU Regio al T ust Fu d i Respo se
to the
Syrian crisis. The Fund primarily addresses long-term economic, educational and social needs of
Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries. In 2017, the Fund passed the EUR one-billion goal, set by
President Juncker in September 2015 at the informal meeting of the European Council on migration
and in the Communication on Managing the Refugee Crisis
14
.
2017 was also marked by the EU's continued efforts to strengthen the Eastern Partnership and
support regional cooperation between southern neighbours, including through the Union for the
Mediterranean. The Brussels Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2017 reconfirmed the joint
commitment by EU Member States and the six Eastern Partnership countries to the importance of
strengthening common resilience along the four key priority areas of cooperation: economic
development, good governance; connectivity and people-to-people contacts. Relations with the
Union for the Mediterranean further developed in key strategic sectors, with several ministerial
meetings held on water, sustainable urban development and on women.
1.1.3. Humanitarian aid and Civil protection
The European Union together with its Member States is the world's leading donor of humanitarian
assistance and is consistently at the forefront of the response to humanitarian crises and disasters.
2017 was another challenging year and humanitarian needs continued to expand, not least in
Europe's immediate neighbourhood. There was little or no improvement in the most severe large-
scale crises, with 27 % of the people in need concentrated in only three crises: Yemen, Syria and
Iraq. The Syrian conflict has created the worst humanitarian crisis of our time with a hundred
thousand people dead, more than eleven million displaced and close to 19 million Syrians in need of
assistance. An additional man-made crisis that affects the Rohingya population
12
13
JOIN (2017) 4 final, 25.1.2017
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/regions/africa/eu-emergency-trust-fund-africa_en
14
COM (2015) 490 final, 23.9.2015
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(Myanmar/Bangladesh), rapidly took dramatic proportions and by the end of the year, affected close
to one million people.
Overall, more than 95 million people needed humanitarian assistance in 2017, and almost 65 million
people (half of them children) were forcibly displaced. In several countries and regions, the impact
of conflict has fed into and been compounded by severe food crises. In 2017, four countries or
regions faced an alarming risk of famine: Yemen, north-east Nigeria, Somalia and South Sudan, with
about 20 million people considered as being at risk of starvation in these four countries.
Figure 1. EU Humanitarian Aid in 2017
EU humanitarian aid funded operations for more than EUR 2.2 billion in more than 90 countries
outside the European Union. A significant proportion of this supported the conflict-affected
populations inside Syria and refugees in the neighbouring countries and regions. The Commission
has also continued to be a leading donor in other parts of the world, with Africa continuing to
account for a large share of funding.
Support for innovation and digitalisation has, moreover, emerged as a major focus for maximising
the impact of EU humanitarian aid. In addition, education in emergencies remains a flagship policy
and 6 % of the EU's humanitarian aid budget was devoted in 2017 to education in emergencies. In
line with its commitment to support cash as a delivery modality whenever possible, the Commission
has encouraged the use of the cash in its programme throughout the world and has now surpassed
its initial target of supporting one million of the most vulnerable refugees in Turkey with regular cash
allocations.
The Commission's humanitarian interventions mainly consist of funding for the work of operational
humanitarian actors. The Commission does not, with some exceptions, intervene directly on the
ground. EU humanitarian aid funding is managed by Commission services headquartered in the
Brussels and with a field network of 45 offices globally. EU humanitarian aid financing is managed
through individual agreements with partner organisations such as United Nations agencies, non-
governmental organisations or International Organisations.
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1.1.4. EU Enlargement
With its enlargement policy, the Commission continued to work on improving the readiness of the
enlargement countries to join the EU. A key political event in 2017 in this area was President
Juncker's reinforcement of a clear enlargement perspective for the Western Balkans in his State of
the Union address.
As announced in 2016, the Commission moved the adoption of the annual Enlargement Package
from autumn to spring. The new timing allows for alignment with the Economic Reform Programme
cycle and with the calendar year as a basis for gathering statistical data. The adoption of the next
Enlargement Package was therefore rescheduled for April 2018.
The Co
issio s fi a ial assista e e ai ed fo used o fu da e tal efo s, i ludi g a strong
emphasis on the rule of law, fundamental rights and civil society, economic governance and socio-
economic development, as well as improved good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans
region with a view to overcoming the legacy of the past. Given the complexity of the reforms
required,
all countries need to make substantial reform efforts, both in terms of the political criteria
(including issues such as judiciary, fighting organised crime, freedom of expression, fight against
corruption and public administration reform), and on alignment with economic criteria.
With regard to Turkey, 2017 saw a further deterioration of the rule of law and fundamental rights.
These negative developments, as well as the degradation of relations with some Member States,
have meant that accession negotiations have remained de facto on hold. Despite these negative
developments, the EU-Turkey dialogue was maintained on crucial issues of common interest,
including on migration, with a key role played by the implementation of the March 2016 EU-Turkey
Statement
15
.
The Facility for Refugees in Turkey (FRIT), established in January 2016, continued to provide for a
joint coordination mechanism of existing instruments and to ensure that the needs of refugees and
host communities in Turkey are addressed in a comprehensive and coordinated manner. Despite
challenging circumstances, the Commission services succeeded in committing and contracting EUR
three billion and disbursing EUR 1.85 billion as humanitarian and non-humanitarian assistance in
2017. The mobilisation of the full Facility envelope in approximately 18 months is a remarkable
a hie e e t a d o stitutes ajo p og ess i a hie i g the EU s o je ti es.
Throughout 2017, Commission services continued to work in favour of improved connectivity within
the Western Balkans and between the Western Balkans and the EU and improved good neighbourly
relations in the region with a view to overcoming the legacy of the past. The EU supported
substantial investments in the 'Western Balkans Six' (WB6) transport and energy networks with the
purpose of creating a regional environment conducive to economic growth and job creation. The
connectivity package endorsed at the Trieste Summit in July 2017 included seven new projects
financed by the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) for a total grant size of EUR 194
million, leveraging EUR 500 million in investments. There was also progress in the framework of the
WB6 cooperation at political and working level.
15
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/18/eu-turkey-statement/pdf
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1.1.5. Security and Defence
Following up the EU Global Strategy of 2016, important progress was achieved in the area of security
and defence. Several substantive steps were taken in 2017 to pursue the objectives set out by the
EUGS and to fulfil the new level of ambition as agreed by Council in November 2016, in line with
subsequent Council Conclusions adopted in March, May and November 2017 as well as guidance by
the European Council in March, June and December 2017.
To make CSDP missions and operations more effective, the Military Planning and Conduct capability
(MPCC) was set-up in the EU Military Staff of the EEAS. In June 2017 it assumed the command of the
EU's non-executive military CSDP missions. The MPCC will work closely with its civilian counterpart,
the Civilian Planning and Conduct Capability, through the new Joint Support Coordination Cell.
Situational awareness will be improved through the joint work of the Single Intelligence Analysis
Capacity (SIAC) of the EEAS. Steps were also taken to improve the responsiveness of civilian CSDP
missions and the Council agreed in November 2017 on a three-stage process to strengthen civilian
CSDP, by developing a new strategic approach, presenting a Civilian Capability Development Plan
and agreeing a Civilian CSDP Compact later in 2018. To further address rapid response of civilian
CSDP missions, Member States decided in November 2017 to create a Core Responsiveness Capacity
(CRC) consisting of a reinforced Mission Support Platform (MSP) as well as resources placed in
existing CSDP Missions. The overall objective of the CRC is to speed up operational planning
processes and deployment in theatre. The CRC can be used when starting a new Mission as well as
to provide temporary reinforcement to current Missions.
The review of the Athena mechanism for the funding of the common costs of EU-led military
operations was launched, including the common funding of the deployment costs of EU Battlegroup
operations. Agreement was also reached with a view to Member States making their EU
Battlegroups more flexible and modular to improve their usability.
To develop the right military capabilities, through closer defence cooperation, the Council agreed in
December 2017 on the launch of the Permanent Structured Cooperation
16
–
a Treaty-based
framework and process for willing and able Member States to jointly develop capabilities and
improve their operational availability. 25 Member States decided to join the Permanent Structured
Cooperation by undertaking the more binding commitments required between one another, as
foreseen in the Treaty. Furthermore, agreement was reached to launch the trial run of the
Coordinated Annual Review on Defence in 2018 with a view to enhancing transparency and
coordination of national defence spending plans. Moreover, important steps were taken towards the
establishment by the Commission of a European Defence Fund, in particular the new European
Defence Industrial Development Plan, to be launched in 2018 with a view to the start of the
programme in 2019.
In December 2017, an amendment to the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) was
approved to add an element of Capacity Building in Support of Security and Development that will
allow the European Commission to support military actors, in exceptional circumstances, and only in
cases when the military performs a development objective. This will be a useful tool to support EU's
partners in addressing their own security needs and to prevent and manage crises on their own.
16
https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-Homepage/34226/permanent-structured-cooperation-
pesco-factsheet_en
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As regards EU-NATO cooperation, the implementation of the first common set of proposals (42
actions) agreed under the Joint Declaration signed by EU and NATO leaders in Warsaw, in July 2016,
was taken up in 2017 as reflected in the two progress reports submitted by HR/VP Mogherini and
NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg to their respective Councils in June and December 2017.
Moreover, in December 2017, the two Councils endorsed a common set of new proposals, consisting
of 32 additional actions and expanding cooperation to key areas such as counter-terrorism, women,
peace and security and military mobility.
1.1.6 External dimension of EU policies
The Partnership Instrument (PI) contributes to EU external action by articulating and implementing
the external dimension of internal policies, interconnecting between different policy areas. Actions
cover challenges of global concern like climate change and environmental protection; the
international dimension of the Europe 2020 strategy for smart, sustainable and inclusive jobs and
growth; improving access to markets and boosting trade, investment and business opportunities for
EU companies with particular emphasis on small and medium-sized enterprises; and public
diplomacy. It targets actions with priority strategic partners of the EU such as India, China, US,
Mexico, Brazil, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia and other G20 countries.
The mid-term evaluation finalised in December 2017 confirmed that the Instrument is fit for
purpose. Despite its relatively limited envelope and novelty, the PI is effective in delivering results.
The PI acts as an enabler, opening up areas for dialogue and cooperation in practical terms. Political
dialogues combined with technical assistance related to EU norms and standards have proven to
have a positive impact on decision making with partners, enabling talks and negotiations with the
EU.
In 2017, the PI saw 23 stand-alone actions adopted for a budget of EUR 116.9 million covering the
following areas: climate change action post COP-21; sustainable environment and energy; economic
empowerment of women; trade and market access, fair competition and transparency; and public
diplomacy.
FPI Specific objective 1.6: EU and partner countries have developed joint approaches and responses
to challenges of global concern. Under this objective, 13 new stand-alone actions were adopted in
2017, for a total of EUR 64.15 million. Activities underpin the growing recognition of the EU's key
role on climate change, environment and energy while also advancing cooperation on responsible
business conduct and security.
FPI Specific objective 1.7: Partner countries take up measures and actions towards the
implementation of the international dimension of the EU 2020 strategy. In 2017, PI enabled and
supported policy dialogue and cooperation with a wide range of partners for the realisation of the
external dimension of the Europe 2020 strategy as well as strengthening of the EU's political
relationship with partners more broadly. Under this objective, six stand-alone actions were adopted
in 2017, with a special accent on the themes of Responsible Business Conduct and Economic
Empowerment of Women.
FPI Specific objective 1.8: Understanding and visibility of the Union and its role on the world scene is
enhanced and widened. In 2017, PI public diplomacy actions allowed the EU to engage with a broad
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range of stakeholders in key partner countries to build trust and mutual understanding. Activities
targeted students, academia, policymakers, civil society and cultural operators. The actions
contributed to enhancing knowledge and understanding of the EU. Under this objective, one public
diplomacy action was adopted in 2017.
FPI Specific objective 1.9: Improved fulfilment of EU's economic interests (trade, investment and
business). In 2017, the PI strengthened engagement between the EU and economic and business
stakeholders with a view to opening market access and ensuring a level playing field for EU
companies. Under this objective, three actions were adopted in 2017 covering the areas of
involvement of civil society organisations in trade agreements and business-related policy dialogues.
Legal and Illegal Trade in Wildlife Species between the EU and Mexico (Policy Support Facility):
Comprehensive analysis of the trade of CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) listed species between Mexico and the EU (whether legally or
illegally traded), in order to pave the way towards the development and implementation of actions
to ensure their conservation, and guarantee that their trade is legal, sustainable and traceable.
EU-India cooperation on Information and Communications Technology (ICT-) related
standardisation, policy and legislation: India is a strategic economic partner for the EU and a key
player both in the South Asia region and at global level. Significant market access barriers exist in the
Indian ICT sector and there is a risk that additional India-specific ICT standards could result in further
market access barriers for European companies. The action is a clear example of how the PI supports
mutually beneficial objectives. The project helped facilitate collaboration on standard setting and
capacity building with a view to supporting the realisation of a digital society / the Digital Agenda.
Furthermore, it acted as a catalyst for an active dialogue between EU and Indian experts from the
public and the private sectors, leading to the identification of priority areas (including 5G and
Intelligent Transport Systems) for cooperation.
1.1.7. Making a difference: new instruments and aid modalities
In 2017, the EU began its implementation of the EIP. The adoption of the EIP represents a watershed
moment for EU external action. The EIP intends to catalyse private sector involvement to achieve
development impact and pursue EU policy priorities in Sub Saharan Africa and the EU
Neighbourhood countries. Those are set in the UN 2030 agenda, the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on
Financing for Development, the 2017 European Consensus on Development, the EU Communication
The St o ge Role of the P i ate Se to i A hie i g I lusi e a d Sustai a le G o th i De elopi g
Cou t ies
17
and in the EU Neighbourhood Policy (as revised in 2015).
This new instrument aims at contributing to the attainment of the SDGs in partner countries. It
addresses the many challenges faced by our global community, from climate change to instability, by
developing projects with these priorities in mind and in so doing create an environment of
Prosperity and therefore Peace. It is an important contribution to the implementation of the Addis
Ababa Action Agenda on development financing, as it aims at mobilising additional resources for
17
COM (2014) 263 final, 13.5.2017
17
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development, and it contributes to the implementation of the Paris Agreement on climate change to
protect our planet.
The EIP structure includes three pillars combining development finance (under the framework of the
European Fund for Sustainable Development), technical assistance and policy dialogue to mitigate
the risk of investments in partner countries with the aim of stimulating growth and job creation. The
new Guarantee Facility that has been set up will initially address five priority areas (or investment
windows): connectivity (renewable and clean energy as well as energy efficiency and sustainable
transport connections); affordable finance for micro, small and medium enterprises; agriculture;
digitalisation; and sustainable cities. Crucial objectives such as creation of employment and climate
change adaptation and mitigation are addressed horizontally.
After the initial stages of implementation, the EU invited partner Financial Institutions to submit
innovative Proposed Investment Programmes: portfolios of investments covering the European
Neighbourhood and Sub-Saharan Africa. Together with partner countries, partner financial
institutions and in collaboration with EU Delegations, the EU will ensure that actual investments will
materialise in partner countries in sectors and regions that are most in need. In addition to the
Guarantee Facility, in 2017 the EU approved a contribution of approximately EUR 1.3 billion for
blended finance operations, with the aim of unlocking a total of around EUR 11 billion of public and
private investment.
Synergies are sought with the budget support modality to offer platforms for policy dialogue and
provide incentives for reforms towards an improved investment climate in partner countries. Budget
support contracts are implemented in 91 countries or territories across the world. They offer a
o p ehe si e f a e o k to ake su e that i est e ts se e the ou t ies de elop e t age da,
with due considerations for issues such as policy coherence, social and environmental progress,
macroeconomic stability, domestic revenue mobilisation, asset management and maintenance, or
accountability. These are preconditions for returns on investment to be sustainable and of benefit to
all.
The EU has also further developed modalities to strengthen its engagement in partnering with civil
society organisations. At global and regional level, 23 Framework Partnership Agreements have been
implemented with global and regional platforms for civil society. At country level, support to smaller
civil society organisations has been used more frequently than in previous years.
In September 2017, the EU also launched the first Policy Lab in External Relations, which is a tool
based on participatory leadership methods stimulating open conversations and active engagement
between local stakeholders, youth, public experts and EU representatives. The selected topic was
employment policies for young people who are not in employment, education or training (NEETs),
for the benefit of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. This creative and innovative approach was extremely
well received by the participants, who showed an extraordinarily high level of engagement. Using
their mapping and analysis, the participants formulated policy recommendations for youth
employment initiatives for the next programming cycle of the EU bilateral cooperation with Tunisia,
Morocco and Algeria. A new Lab will soon be launched in the Western Balkans.
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1.2.
Fostering sustainable development
1.2.1 Implementing the 2030 Agenda comprehensively and coherently
In 2017, further to the Commission proposal, the new European Consensus on Development was
signed on 7 June 2017 as a Joint statement by the Council and the representatives of the
governments of the Member States, the Parliament and the Commission. The new Consensus built
on the Commission's extensive policy analysis and multi-stakeholder consultation.
The new Consensus constitutes a comprehensive common framework for European development
cooperation. For the first time, it applies in its entirety to all EU Institutions and all Member States,
which commit to work more closely together.
The new Consensus is the EU's response to today's global trends and challenges in the area of
international cooperation and development. It aligns EU external action to the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by setting out the main
principles which will guide the approach of the EU and its Member States to cooperation with
developing countries, as well as a strategy for reaching the SDGs. The Consensus reflects the
framework of external action provided by the Lisbon Treaty, and also relates to the EU Global
Strategy on Foreign and Security Policy.
Structured around the '5 Ps' framing the 2030 Agenda (People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and
Partnership), the Consensus puts forward a balanced and integrated approach to the economic,
social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development. Poverty eradication remains the
primary objective. The Consensus highlights the contribution of development policy to the objectives
of EU external action, as set out in Article 21 of the Treaty on European Union. It underlines the links
between development and other policies, particularly, but not exclusively, humanitarian aid,
environment, climate change, migration, security and trade policies.
The Consensus integrates a comprehensive approach to implementation, drawing on the framework
agreed in the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, combining aid with other resources with sound policies
and a strengthened approach to Policy Coherence for Development. It includes a more coordinated
approach to development by the EU and its Member States, promoting joint programming and joint
actions. It puts emphasis on better-tailored partnerships with a broader range of stakeholders and
partner countries and highlights the importance of development effectiveness, transparency, mutual
accountability and ownership by all partners involved, as well as ensuring that all means are used to
deliver on the SDGs.
1.2.2. The means of implementation of the new Agenda
Consistent with the new Consensus, the 2030 Agenda and the Addis Ababa Action Agenda, the EU
continued to play a leading role in UN financing for development negotiations in 2017. This included
high-level participation at the UN Financing for Development Forum, which reviewed progress
against the Addis Ababa Action Agenda on development financing, as well as work to strengthen the
UN follow-up processes and support the Inter-Agency Task Force on financing for development.
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The EU has continued to emphasise the key elements of the Addis Agenda in multilateral and
bilateral discussions. These include public, private domestic and international financial sources, as
well as a commitment to good policies and policy coherence, all of which are needed to fulfil the
Sustainable Development Goals.
The EU has been active in working towards its own Addis Ababa commitments in 2017
(see the
Investing in sustainable development report).
The EU a d its Me e States e ai the o ld s
largest ODA donor. ODA provided by the EU and its Member States reached EUR 76.6 billion in 2017
representing 0.50 % of EU Gross National Income (GNI). This constitutes a 1.4% decrease compared
to 2016 levels. This decrease is explained by a reduction in the amounts of debt relief operations, of
in-do
o efugee osts, a d of a i ease i eflo s of Eu opea I est e t Ba k s loa s. The
EU
expressed strong concern about the reduction of EU collective ODA and development assistance
worldwide. The EU remains however significantly above the 0.21% ODA/GNI average of non-EU
countries that are members of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC).
The EU's actions in 2017 have also helped to bring together aid, investment, trade, domestic
resource mobilisation and good policies. Examples include the EU External Investment Plan with a
European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD) that is expected to leverage EU contributions of
EUR 4.1 billion into at least EUR 44 billion of extra investment to improve economic and social
development in Africa and in the countries neighbouring the EU. Given the importance of the private
sector as a contributor to growth and job creation, the EU has taken strong measures to promote
private sector development through assistance for investment climate reforms, lending and venture
capital facilities, and technical assistance to businesses, including Micro, Small & Medium
Enterprises (MSMEs). Support to domestic resource mobilisation has helped improving the
transparency, fairness, effectiveness and efficiency of tax systems in partner countries.
Better knowledge of the array of resources available for sustainable development is crucial to
promote synergies and coordination to implement the 2030 Agenda. The EU has been supporting
the use of Development Finance Assessments as a diagnostic tool for partner countries. Additionally,
the EU has been supporting the process of ODA modernisation and the development of the
statistical measure Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) that aims to improve
the transparency about available means of implementation, such as investment, private mobilised
resources, technical and south-south cooperation and financial flows from emerging donors.
1.2.3. Working better together with Member States
–
Joint Programming
The e Eu opea Co se sus o De elop e t pla es Joi t P og a
i g at the e t e of the EU s
effort to work better together with Member States to implement the 2030 Agenda through support
to pa t e ou t ies atio al de elop e t pla s. B
i gi g togethe esou es a d apa ities,
Joint Programming increases the collective impact and visibility of European development
cooperation and external action. Programming together and the trust that this process builds, also
facilitates at country-level a general more joined-up approach by European partners on broader
issues. The new Consensus also strengthens the European commitment to inclusive joint
implementation based on shared objectives and promotes joint working with a large set of like-
i ded pa t e s i ludi g Me e States age ies a d fi a ial i stitutio s, p i ate se to , i il
society and academia.
20
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In May 2017, an independent strategic evaluation of EU Joint Programming process of development
cooperation (2011-2015)
18
was published. It concluded that the Joint Programming exercise has
been instrumental in increasing coordination between the EU, Member States and other associated
de elop e t pa t e s, i so e ases e ha i g the EU a d Me e States oi e a d le e age at
country level. Despite the short history of Joint Programming, the evaluation also concluded that it
can positively deliver on the predictability of development assistance and promote better
complementarity and synergy within the European group thus contributing to development
effectiveness. The mid-term review of the external financing instruments in 2017 also concluded
that through the use of Joint Programming with Member States and other donors, a more coherent
and visible EU response to partners countries development has been created.
At the end of 2017, twenty-six Joint Programming documents existed, of which seven were
completed during the year. A Joint Programming process was ongoing in an additional thirty-six
partner countries during the period, implementing different approaches and at different stages of
advancement.
1.2.4. Policy Coherence for Development
The EU takes account of the objectives of development cooperation in all the policies that it
implements which are likely to affect developing countries. This is known as Policy Coherence for
Development (PCD) and is enshrined in the Treaty of the Functioning of the European Union. The EU
aims to minimise contradictions and build synergies between its different policies to the benefit of
partner countries and to increase the effectiveness of development cooperation.
In 2017, the Commission continued promoting PCD, including by embedding it in the new European
Consensus on Development, which reaffirmed the EU and its Member States' commitment to PCD
and highlighted PCD as an important contribution to the achievement of SDGs by partner countries
and to the broader objective of policy coherence for sustainable development.
Given that the implementation of the 2030 Agenda requires a whole-of-government approach and
coordination efforts at all levels, the PCD approach needed to be reviewed to better integrate the
work on PCD into the overall EU effort on sustainable development. As a consequence, work on PCD
has been integrated in the work of the Commission inter-service group on the overall follow-up of
the 2030 Agenda, involving all Commission services and EEAS.
Regular contacts were maintained with focal points in other Commission services. A continued
dialogue with Member States, the European Parliament and civil society helped inform the
Commission's work.
Reporting from EU Delegations on PCD issues was further reinforced. A consolidated feedback was
sent to EU Delegations.
Work on the strategic evaluation on PCD, covering the period 2009-2016, started in 2016. This
intensified in 2017 with desk reviews, targeted consultations with Member States, Commission line-
18
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/evaluation-eu-joint-programming-process-development-cooperation-2011-
2015_en
21
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DGs, EEAS and EU Delegations, and closer examination of some policies taking account of their
impact on developing countries, including field visits.
1.2.5. Development effectiveness and Joint Programming
In 2017, Development Effectiveness (DE) was confirmed as a core principle of EU development
oope atio
the e Eu opea Co se sus: it is fu da e tal fo a hie i g the SDGs a d should
u de pi all fo s of de elop e t oope atio
.
The European Commission attended two Steering
Committee meetings, representing also the EU Member States; the April Steering Committee
meeting approved the new 2017-2018 Programme of Work of the Global Partnership for Effective
Development Cooperation (GPEDC).
At the end of 2017, seventeen Joint Programming documents existed, and six more were being
negotiated during the year. A Joint Programming process was ongoing in an additional thirty-six
partner countries during this period, implementing different approaches and at different stages of
advancement.
The Commission is directly engaged in its implementation, through direct funding to the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP)/ Organisation for Economic Co-operation and
Development (OECD) Joint Support Team, in the areas of implementing and enhancing development
effectiveness at country level; and in reviewing the scope of the monitoring framework and
unlocking bottlenecks. Also, based on the experience in Joint Programming in 2017, development
pa t e s sho good alig e t ith ou t ies de elop e t st ategies. The e has ee i itial
work
in use of country-led results frameworks and monitoring and evaluation systems which needs to
continue.
In 2017, the Commission was also involved in some of the Global Partnership Initiatives (GPIs)
stemming from the GPEDC: as lead, on transparency (International Aid Transparency Initiative - IATI)
and Joint Programming; and, as partner, in Results and Accountability, Role of Local and Regional
Governments in effective development, civil society organisations (CSO) enabling environment and
New Deal for Engagement in Fragile States among others.
1.3.
1.3.1. Human Development
PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
Eradicating poverty (SDG 1), tackling inequalities and discrimination (SDG 10) and leaving no-one
behind are at the heart of EU development cooperation policy. The Human Development objectives
pursued under the Global Public Goods and Challenges aim to foster economically, socially and
environmentally sustainable development in an integrated and holistic way, through coherent,
coordinated and focused action, in complementarity with the geographic programmes, in the key
area of human development, such as health, education, social protection, sustainable agriculture,
food and nutrition security, contributing particularly to achieving SDGs 1 (no poverty), SDG 2 (zero
hunger), SDG 3 (good health and well-being), SDG 4 (quality education) and SDG 5 (gender). In 2017,
22
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thematic programmes were very active in promoting inclusive and sustainable growth for human
development, through numerous actions in each sector.
EU contributions to global initiatives on health and education, such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM), the Vaccine Alliance (GAVI), and the Global Partnership for
Education (GPE), and Education cannot Wait, have allowed the EU to play a significant role in
shaping the international policy agenda, both in financial terms and through proactive involvement
in defining strategies and policies, and in the overall governance of these organisations. Support
through these initiatives have, for instance, ensured that 18.5 million children could go to school,
helped put 11 million people on life-saving HIV-treatment, detected and treated 17.4 million cases of
tuberculosis, and distributed 7 953 million bed nets to prevent malaria.
Numerous activities were carried out in the areas of Education and Culture (SDG 4). An innovative
action to support inter-cultural and inter-religious dialogue in countries with fragile situations was
launched in March and five initiatives were identified (implementation to start in 2018). At the end
of 2017, the EU also adopted a new programme supporting investment in culture and creativity
aimed at strengthening cultural and creative industries, public governance and valorisation of
cultural heritage in key partner countries. Concerning education, it is worth noting progress made in
addressing the global learning crisis, in particular regarding vulnerable groups in low income
countries (LICs) and for children in situation of crises, whose access to education improved.
The 'Global Report on Food Crises' was launched officially in March reporting on over 108 million
people in food crisis situations globally, and several hotspots at risk of famine, notably in South
Sudan, Somalia, Nigeria, and Yemen, in addition to Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Malawi, and Syria.
Resources were allocated in time for responses to specific crises and for global initiatives, tackling
SDG 2. As the needs identified largely exceeded the available resources, the technical partnership
producing the Global Report played an increasing strategic role in promoting the Global Network
against food crises, resulting in United States Agency for International Development (USAID)
becoming an active member of the strategic discussion.
Activities in Social Protection were also carried out as planned. An agreement was signed in
November with a consortium of Member State Agencies to implement the vocational education and
training (VET) Toolbox Facility. The VET Toolbox aims to deliver high quality expertise and capacity
building to public and private stakeholders with a view to enhance labour market intelligence,
increase the involvement of the private sector in VET as well as to foster inclusion of women and of
vulnerable groups in VET programmes, addressing both SDG 4 (quality education) as well as SDG 5
(gender equality). Concerning SDG 10 (reduced inequality), the Research Facility on Inequalities was
launched in mid-2017 and, in line with its work plan, the SOCIEUX+ project on EU Expertise on Social
Protection, Labour and Employment set up its governance and management structure. In addition,
SOCIEUX+ received 34 new eligible requests, and implemented 18 actions (ongoing / completed) in
13 countries, while preparing an additional 22 actions.
In the area of vocational education and training, the European Training Foundation (ETF) supports
the European Commission's global actor role, notably by disseminating and applying EU policies in
the partner countries of South East Europe and Turkey, the East and South Neighbourhood, and
Central Asia. The ETF actively promotes policy learning by facilitating sharing of expertise and
country self-assessment in the policy areas of good quality human capital development,
employment-oriented lifelong learning, and employability more broadly. The ETF opens and sustains
23
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debates in the partner countries in innovative areas such as skills for the future, digital skills,
entrepreneurial learning, work-based learning, skills financing and governance.
A p oje t o P o oti g espo si le alue hai s i the ga e t se to
ith a fo us o De e t
Work and Transparency and Traceability was financed, with the aim of improving work and
sustainability conditions in global garment value chains. It includes three modules: the first two
focus on decent work and compliance with labour standards and the third on transparency and
traceability efforts.
In the area of conflict minerals and a responsible supply chain, enhanced and progressive
formalisation of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector has been promoted, in partnership with
other downstream economic operators, in compliance with the provisions of the new EU Regulation
on Conflict Minerals. The action is expected to increase socio-economic conditions of miners in
Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas through capacity building and adoption of responsible mining
practices that mitigate the various circumstances of vulnerability.
A EUR
illio p oje t o Wo e 's E o o i E po e e t i ludi g suppo t fo i o, s all
and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in developing countries was approved in the context of
blending operations. It aims at promoting women's economic empowerment and financial inclusion
in Sub-Saharan countries by improving access to suitable financial products and services, essential
critical skills, digital enablers and capacity building services for financial institutions and end
beneficiaries. The action will leverage public and private resources through blending and contribute
to defining scalable and replicable approaches in other cooperation programmes such as the EIP.
In March, the EU adopted revised EU Guidelines on the Promotion and Protection of the Rights of
the Child. This revision, which sets out the EU's overarching strategy, aims to ensure that EU policies
and actions support the strengthening of partner countries' systems, including child protection. A
all fo p oposals o De-i stitutio alisatio a d alte ati e a e fo hild e to e lau hed i
February 2018) was also prepared.
1.3.2. Gender equality and women's empowerment
Gender equality and women's empowerment is a key component of EU development policy as well
as of international agreements, featuring prominently in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development and its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Commission services contributed substantially to the operationalisation of the 2030 Agenda in the
field of gender equality. The year 2017 was marked by the beginning of The Spotlight Initiative (SI), a
new partnership between the EU and UN to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls,
including harmful practices. The SI is backed by an unprecedented amount of EUR 500 million from
the EU and aims at achieving transformational change at the regional level, concentrating efforts in
Asia, the Pacific region, Africa (particularly Sub-Saharan Africa), Latin America and the Caribbean.
Based on evidence, the Initiative will focus on particular forms of violence against women and girls
that are prevalent or prominently emerge in specific regions: Femicide in Latin America; Trafficking
in human beings and sexual and economic (forced labour) exploitation in Asia; Sexual and gender-
based violence (including harmful practices and sexual and reproductive health and rights) in Sub-
Saharan Africa; Domestic violence in the Pacific region and Domestic and family violence in the
24
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2008294_0026.png
Caribbean. A first commitment of EUR 25 million of programmes was finalised end of 2017 on
Migrant/Domestic female workers in ASEAN countries. In addition, a EUR 32 million global Call for
Proposals on gender-based violence was launched.
The Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 (GAP II) implementation is fully underway and the first report
covering the year 2016 was published in 2017. This report highlights the progress made in the first
year through continued action for instance with regard to commissioning or updating gender
analysis studies or profiles; coordinating for the identification of thematic objectives as well as the
preparation of the reports contributing to the current review; the nomination or appointment of
gender champions and continuous renewal and reinforcement of the Gender Focal Persons network;
training on integrating gender dimensions; a move in the right direction for gender mainstreaming of
core training curricula for EU staff; and greater collaboration on gender equality and women's
empowerment between Delegations and Member States in partner countries. Furthermore, the
commitment to mainstreaming or integrating gender analysis and perspectives across all
instruments and modalities is gaining prominence within the Commission, even if the practice is not
yet as robust as intended. The figures regarding the new decisions and contracts for 2016 indicate a
further increase in the ODA gender sensitive allocation: EUR 9 400 million are marked with OECD
Gender Marker G1 indicating actions that are gender mainstreamed, while EUR 419 million have
ee allo ated to spe ifi a tio s fo ge de e ualit a d o e s e po e e t a ked OECD
Gender Marker 2).
The Commission monitors closely developments with regard to gender equality and the fight against
gender-based violence in the Enlargement Region. These issues are also addressed in the context of
accession negotiations under chapters 19 and 23 and the Stabilisation and Association Process.
Developments over the last year were reported in the 2017 Enlargement package
19
. The EU
accession process has also prompted legal reforms in the field of gender equality. It is positive that
all countries except Kosovo have ratified the Council of Europe Istanbul Convention on Combating
Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.
1.3.3. Migration, forced displacement and asylum
While only representing roughly 3 % of the world population, the number of international migrants
has increased in recent years, reaching 258 million in 2017
20
- compared to 220 million in 2010 and
173 million in 2000. Global forced displacement figures remain at all-time high. During 2017 the EU
as a whole received over 600 000 first-time asylum claims, registering a significant reduction
compared to previous years
21
. At the same time, the vast majority of worldwide refugees continue
to be hosted by developing countries. While the total number of recorded deaths of migrants has
decreased compared to 2015 and 2016, the numbers are still deplorable with more than 5 400
estimated to have died or gone missing in 2017 while trying to cross international borders. The
journey on the central Mediterranean route including the crossing of the Mediterranean is by far the
most dangerous route, with one death for every 42 arrivals.
19
20
http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-18-3342_en.htm
United Nations - International migration report 2017
21
Eurostat,
Asylum and first time asylum applicants by citizenship, age and sex Monthly data (rounded)
25
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2008294_0027.png
In this context, migration and mobility remained high on the EU agenda in 2017, including for EU
development policy. Migration is now incorporated in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable
Development, which recognises international migration as a multidimensional reality of major
relevance for the development of countries of origin, transit and destination, requiring coherent and
comprehensive responses. Supporting partner countries to better address the challenges, but also
seize the opportunities of migration, is now strongly anchored in EU development policy as
expressed in the European Consensus on Development.
The EU continued its active multilateral involvement in the process of elaborating two Global
Compacts for Migrants and Refugees, as a follow-up to the UN Summit on large movements of
refugees and migrants in 2016. The Global Compacts represent a unique opportunity to ensure
improved governance of migration and forced displacement at international level. Balanced,
concrete and action-oriented results are sought, firmly rooted in a long-term vision, fully aligned and
supportive of the migration-related targets of the 2030 Agenda.
In January, the Commission and the HR/VP presented a Joint Communication
–
Migration on the
Central Mediterranean Route, Managing flows, saving lives
22
, outlining a comprehensive strategy to
strengthen EU engagement along this route, with a focus on Libya. EU focus is first and foremost on
continuing to save lives and improving the lives of migrants and refugees in Libya and neighbouring
countries, on fighting smuggling of migrants and trafficking in human beings and to improve the
overall management of migratory flows on this route. The joint African Union-European Union-
United Nations Task Force, established in November reiterated these commitments and support was
reinforced with a focus on protection and return and reintegration assistance to vulnerable migrants
in Libya.
The Partnership Framework
23
with third countries under the European Agenda on Migration,
adopted in June 2016, remained the main framework for political and operational engagement with
partner countries on migration. All instruments and tools available to the EU and its Member States
are pooled to deliver on jointly agreed targets and commitments, including in areas such as
resilience and job creation, infrastructure, investments, protection of vulnerable migrants,
assistance to refugee hosting countries, border management, combatting migrant smuggling and
trafficking in human beings and addressing the root causes of forced displacement. Among a range
of EU tools available, the EU Trust Fund for Africa has effectively contributed to ensure that the EU
approach is delivering concrete results, having reached close to EUR 2.4 billion in approved support
programmes at the end of 2017. By creating large numbers of decent jobs and addressing poverty in
Africa and in the Neighbourhood, including in Least Developed and fragile countries, the European
External Investment Plan, launched in 2017, will contribute, in the long term, to address some of the
root causes of irregular migration. It will do so by leveraging some EUR 44 billion of private
investment by 2020.
In the context of the European Commission's Knowledge Centre on Migration and Demography
(KCMD) and in support of the Migration Partnership Framework, a series of Migration Profiles
24
has
been issued providing up-to-date and context-specific information and analysis of key third countries
of origin and transit. Also, complementarities with the World Bank's Global Knowledge Partnership
22
23
JOIN (2017) 4 final, 25.1.2017
COM/2016/0385 final, 7.6.2016
24
https://ec.europa.eu/jrc/en/migration-and-demography/knowledge/profiles
26
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2008294_0028.png
on Migration and Development (KNOMAD) have been sought linked to the migration-development
nexus for improved and more evidence-based policymaking and better-informed public debate on
migration and forced displacement at global and EU level.
1.3.4. Culture, Education, Research, Innovation and Health
The EU continued its proactive engagement towards achieving SDG 4
25
, supporting more than 45
countries in their efforts to strengthen education systems. The EU also worked with the Global
Partnership for Education (GPE) that supports basic education focussing on the poorest countries
and/or those in fragile situations. The priority is to provide all children access to education and
ensuring that they learn when in school. Through EU support to the GPE, 72 million more children
were in primary school in 2015 in GPE partner countries compared to 2002. Primary school
completion rate was 76 % in GPE partner countries in 2015 compared to 63 % in 2002. For girls, the
rate increased from 56 % to 74 %. Completion rate for lower secondary education increased from 35
% in 2002 to 50 % in 2015 in GPE-supported countries.
The EU maintains a special focus on education in emergencies and crises. It adopted a EUR 21 million
programme with the objective to support education needs in protracted crisis, focussing on
improving quality of education in safe learning environments and building global evidence base to
inform future support.
Through the Erasmus+ programme, the EU sustained support to partner developing countries to
enhance employability of individuals through roughly 40 500 mobilities for university students and
staff from higher education institutions, and scholarships for joint Master degree programmes as
well as 149 projects to modernise higher education programmes, institutions and systems through
capacity building projects. In addition, in 2017, there were approximately 350 international
participations in Horizon 2020 collaborative research and innovation projects, supported with an EU
contribution of about EUR 40 million.
The EU continued to support the Global Fund, and GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance, and in coordination
with the EU instruments for financing external actions, through its Framework Programme for
Research and Innovation, Horizon 2020
26
, continued support was given to research fighting poverty
related and neglected infectious diseases as well as regional initiatives, like the second European and
Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership programme (EDCTP2)
27
, and other multinational
initiatives. The three main communicable diseases, HIV/AIDs, Tuberculosis and Malaria, as well as
child and maternal health remain a major challenge for many EU partner countries in their efforts to
achieve the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG 3) on health and well-being.
The EU's support to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, Tuberculosis (TB) and Malaria has contributed to
impressive results
28
: 22 million lives saved; 11 million people on life-saving HIV-treatment in 2017; a
decline by more than one-third in the number of people dying from HIV, TB and malaria since 2002
in the countries where the Global Fund invests; 17.4 million people have received TB treatment and
795 million mosquito nets distributed through programmes for malaria. EU support for GAVI
25
Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all
http://ec.europa.eu/research/participants/data/ref/h2020/legal_basis/fp/h2020-eu-establact_en.pdf
27
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32014D0556&from=EN
28
https://www.theglobalfund.org/media/6773/corporate_2017resultsreport_report_en.pdf
26
27
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contributed to 339 million additional children being vaccinated between 2010 and 2016. The great
progress in vaccinations is an important contributor to the decrease in under-fives mortality from 52
deaths per 1 000 live births in 2010 to 41 in 2016.
The EU has continued to play a leading role in ensuring women's access to health and family
planning services around the world. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are an
integral part of our bilateral health programmes and our commitments to gender equality. The
Commission also supported the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) to increase the availability
of quality reproductive health services, contraceptives, condoms and maternal health medicines
through the strengthening of national capacity and systems, including the in-country supply chain.
The programme benefits 46 mainly low-income countries.
By the end of 2017, Horizon 2020 had supported 104 research projects in the area of poverty related
and neglected infectious diseases for EUR 431 million. In addition, under EDCTP and EDCTP2 31 calls
for proposals were launched resulting in 125 project grants accelerating the development of medical
interventions in this area with a total estimated value of EUR 263.71 million. These included 35
multi-centre clinical research grants with a total estimated value of EUR 223 million. Sustained
investment in clinical research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa remains a central priority for the
EDCTP including preparedness for (re-)emerging epidemics. To date, 58 individual fellowships (39
male and 19 female African fellows) have been funded to promote scientific excellence and
leadership, an Alumni Network platform was launched and renewed funding for four regional
networks of excellence focused on research capacity development was provided. EDCTP continued
to fund projects to strengthen ethics reviews and the regulatory framework for conducting clinical
research, for which an additional eight grants were recently awarded.
Renewed emphasis is placed on the cultural dimension of development and international
oope atio follo i g the adoptio of the Eu opea Cou il Co lusio s of Ma
o a EU
St ategi App oa h to I te atio al Cultu al Relatio s . The e Eu opea Co se sus o
Development recognised the role of culture as an important component and enabler to facilitate
social inclusion, freedom of expression, identity building, civil empowerment and conflict prevention
and to strengthen economic growth.
The EU adopted a number of programmes during the year to implement this new vision. The
p og a
e I esti g i Cultu e a d C eati it ai s to i p o e ultu al go e a e i pa t e
countries; stimulate job-creation and reinforce cultural heritage. The creative industries and cultural
sector programme for African, Caribbean and African countries (ACP Cultures+) ended in 2017.
Overall the programme reached 422 308 young people, impacted the regulatory framework of 17
ACP countries, trained 8 062 people and reached via social networks more than 20 million people.
The EU continued to implement the EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity Programme II,
ai i g to suppo t the ultu al a d eati e se to s o t i utio to sustai a le hu a ita ia , so ial
and economic development in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine.
In 2017 ten third countries participated in Creative Europe, the EU programme financing
transnational cooperation projects in the cultural and audiovisual sectors. Cultural and audiovisual
organisations from these countries have been involved in 174 Creative Europe grants: 106 projects
involving Western Balkan countries, 15 projects in Eastern Partnership countries, and 53 projects in
28
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Norway and Iceland. In May 2017 an agreement was signed with Tunisia for participation in Creative
Europe.
1.3.5. Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture
Following a few years showing improvements in reducing global hunger, food and nutrition
insecurity was again on the rise as the year began with an additional 38 million people suffering from
hunger. Today, about one in nine people suffer from food and nutrition insecurity. Challenges such
as conflicts, climate change, environmental degradation, and economic slowdown contribute to
hinder people from accessing affordable, sufficient, safe and nutritious food, with the poorest
countries being the hardest hit. Chronic child malnutrition, or stunting, has been declining although
one in four children under five years of age are still affected. The SDGs, and in particular SDG 2, seek
to e e
o e tu a d all ou t ies a ou d ta gets to e d hu ge , a hie e food se u it a d
i p o e ut itio a d p o ote sustai a le ag i ultu e
. Ha d i ha d ith the SDGs, the
new Consensus for Development underlines the EU's commitment systematically to integrate
resilience and gender equality in its policies and programmes.
At the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit in Istanbul, the EU helped to spearhead an initiative to
develop the Global Network against Food Crises. Together with the Food and Agriculture
Organisation (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP), the EU helped galvanise support and attract
additional partners to produce the Global Report on Food Crises, which is considered to be the
reference document on the subject. Released in March 2017, the report demonstrated
inter alia
the
need for analysis of the main drivers of food insecurity and for efforts to tackle the challenges
indicating that nearly 108 million people would be in a food crisis or emergency situation.
Consequently, joint work on strategic responses from the Commission and its partners has been
catalysed. In 2017 those efforts resulted in targeted thematic and bilateral support, especially to
address fragile and emergency contexts in countries including Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, Syria,
the Central African Republic and Nigeria, with EUR 140 million allocated in synergy with EUR 750
million to help avoid famines in four countries considered at risk: Somalia, South Sudan, Yemen, and
Nigeria.
In August, the EU published its second progress report on the implementation of the Action Plan on
Nutrition. Throughout several initiatives and programmes, the EU demonstrated that it is dedicated
to help reduce the number of stunted children under the age of five by at least seven million by
2025, with a EUR 3.5 billion allocation over 2014-
. The Co
issio s Food Fo tifi atio Ad iso
Services (FFAS) supports the strengthening of institutional and technical capacities regarding food
fortification. Technical support has been provided to carry out research in relation to
food/biofortification in Chad, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, The Gambia, Kenya,
Madagascar, Niger and Sudan. 2017 also saw the start of the implementation phase of the National
Platforms for Nutrition (NIPN), which strengthens country level information systems for nutrition to
make better informed strategic decisions to prevent malnutrition and its consequences. In this
context, the NIPN was officially launched in Guatemala, Niger, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Côte
d I oi e, Ethiopia, Ke a, Laos a d Uga da.
Towards the end of the year, the EU held a Strategic Dialogue on its partnership with the FAO.
Emphasis on collaboration between the two partners focuses on agricultural investments and
29
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sustainable value chains, resilience and food crises, climate change and natural resource
management as well as nutrition and sustainable food systems. With EU financial support, the FAO
has worked on the ground, for instance in Yemen, to help 150 000 people improve food production
and nutrition.
Models were developed on micro-level impacts and national level impacts of selected national agri-
food policies and EU cooperation programmes on food security, poverty alleviation and welfare in
Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) countries. Related to the above modelling studies, eight trainings were
organised in 2017, involving around 60 participants, in Niger, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Ethiopia, Kenya,
and Tanzania. These countries are considered strategic for the EU in terms of agri-economic
development and food and nutrition security. Furthermore, in view of analysing the impact of
relevant CAP Scenarios on SSA countries' farming sector, the micro and macro approaches started to
e i teg ated. The Cou t fi hes a
interactive web dashboard for depicting the profile of
developing countries under agro-economic, macro-economic and food and nutrition security
pe spe ti es, as lau hed i
. As a o t i utio to the Glo al Repo t o Food C ises
,
methodologies were developed for analysing the situation in the food crisis hot spot areas described
the epo t. The A o al hotspots of Ag i ultu al P odu tio ASAP , a de isio suppo t s ste
for early detection for food crises prevention and response planning was launched in 2017.
Co
issio se i es also e plo ed the pote tial use of the i i u dieta di e sit
-
o e
(MDD-W) in programmatic action. The MDD-W is a global indicator to monitor nutrition-sensitive
actions and programmes aimed at improving the diet of women of reproductive age. In addition,
support has been provided to EU Delegations to integrate the indicator in the Monitoring and
Evaluation Framework of projects and programmes on the Agriculture and Food and Nutrition
Security sector. Innovative Earth Observation data provided by COPERNICUS were used for
monitoring the performance of large-scale land investments in remote areas of Ethiopia as part of
the EU s suppo t to the i ple e tatio of the Volu ta Guideli es o the Respo si le Go e a e
of Tenure on Land (VGGT). Continued support was provided to the Global Soil Partnership by
promoting soil awareness measures in the Asian Soil Partnership, Near East and North African Soil
Partnership, and Central Asian Soil Partnership through the development of the Soil Atlas of Asia. A
session was organised as part of the 2017 EDDs, focusing on the implementation of sustainable soil
management practices and climate smart agriculture in Africa. In December 2017, the
implementation of the MEKROU project for the establishment of a Transboundary Cooperation
Framework and an Integrated Water Resource Strategy for green growth in the Mekrou River basin
was completed with the organisation of four technical workshops and the implementation of the E-
WATER software.
1.4. PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and
tackling climate change
1.4.1. Climate Change
Climate change continues to be one of the major threats affecting global sustainable development
efforts. The new European Consensus on Development underlines the EU's commitment to
contribute to the global fight against climate change in line with the Paris Agreement and SDG 13.
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The EU sees global partnerships and increased cooperation as essential to advancing the Union's
strategic interests and to tackling global challenges. The EU is backing up its political commitment
with concrete actions: cooperating more closely with major economies to implement the 2015 Paris
Agreement on Climate Change and environment-friendly practices more broadly.
Through the European Consensus on Development, the EU has committed to increase its efforts to
build resilience and adaptability to change, consistent with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Reduction. In 2017, the Caribbean region was struck by several intense hurricanes
–
illustrating the
important devastating impacts that more frequent extreme weather events can have on countries,
their people, their economies and their resources. It is therefore critical to broadly integrate disaster
risk reduction into development strategies. Besides such calamities, climate change also has adverse
effects through slow-onset events, such as progressive changes in rainfall and temperature patterns.
It also impacts natural resources (water, soil, vegetation), which remain the main basis for economic
activity in many partner countries. Beyond adapting to this challenge, it is also crucial that EU
external action supports the shift towards a low-emission, climate-resilient, green economy,
consistent with SDG 8 on growth and SDG 12 on sustainable consumption and production.
Mitigation efforts benefit from EU funding in a varied set of sectors across the SDGs: principally in
energy, agriculture and forestry, transport and urban development.
All Parties to the Paris Agreement have prepared their Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs), indicating their expected input to the global effort to reduce emissions. INDCs
also include strategies to adapt to climate change impacts and to reduce climate-related risks.
Support to INDC implementation
–
translating these intended efforts into strategies, plans and
actions - is now central to the EU external action investments in the climate sector.
At the global level, the EU continues to sustain the INDC Support programme implemented by
UNDP. The majority of beneficiary countries (over 40) are still in their INDC preparation phase and
undertake activities related to monitoring of INDC implementation, databases of emissions-,
institutional framework, allocation of national targets to sectors and, last but not least, how to
better link sub-national and private sector climate actions.
In 2017, INDC Regional Dialogues continued in Latin America (Ecuador), Africa (Morocco) and Central
Asia and Eastern countries (Turkey).
In the countries covered by the enlargement and neighbourhood policies, support continued
through regional and bilateral assistance on the implementation of the Paris Agreement and their
commitments, including through capacity building and promotion of reforms related to energy
efficiency. Moreover, these countries are progressing in their alignment to the Energy Union and its
climate policies, which includes reforms fostering renewable energy.
Adaptation is the climate top priority for most developing countries, in particular for the Small Island
Developing States (SIDS) and the Least Developed Countries (LDCs). In this regard, the Global Climate
Change Alliance (GCCA+) EU flagship initiative has continued to focus on SIDS and LDCs as priority
beneficiaries. While also supporting INDC implementation, thus also covering mitigation actions, its
main efforts have continued to target adaptation and disaster risk reduction. As main donor, the EU
also supported the Global Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, an important global initiative that,
through carrying out Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNAs), contributed to deliver support to
the Caribbean just a few days after the hurricanes struck.
31
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The EU continues to provide a larger share of its climate finance to adaptation, accurately reflecting
the priorities set by partner countries. In the 2014-2016 period, the biggest share of EU climate
funding went to adaptation actions (41 %), followed by synergy actions addressing both adaptation
and mitigation (31 %) and by mitigation actions (28 %).
1.4.2. Environment and sustainable management of natural resources
With the growth of world population, rapid urbanisation, and unsustainable production and
consumption patterns leading to the depletion of natural resources, the need to invest in protecting
the environment is very clear. Natural capital, including productive land, water resources, forests,
fish stocks and biodiversity are the backbone of many of our partner countries' economies and
contribute eno
ousl to peoples li elihoods. The a e ke e a le s to deli e o the EU's othe
external goals and policies.
This is reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which is calling for enhanced
efforts to protect global environmental public goods and support the transition to a low carbon,
pollution-free, resource efficient, green economy. The EU is also committed to help stop global
biodiversity loss by 2020. To achieve these objectives, the EU works on different fronts: at global
level by supporting multilateral environmental agreements; at national level by encouraging policy
changes and the transformation to greener economies in partner countries; and by mainstreaming
environment into all actions.
For example, the EU engaged and took strong commitments at the third session of the United
Nations Environment Assembly convened in Nairobi in December under the overarching theme
To a ds a pollutio
-f
ee pla et . The EU has also ee pa ti ula l a ti e i p ote ti g o ea s ith
participation at the UN Oceans Conference for the implementation of SDG 14 in June 2017 in New
Yo k a d the o ga isatio of the Ou O ea s Co fe e e i Valletta i O to e
.
The EU supported the efforts of partner countries to integrate environment and climate change in
their policies, plans and budget, notably through the UN Poverty and Environment Initiative and the
Global Climate Change Alliance. Since 2016, in line with the new European Consensus and the Paris
Agreement, the EU has also enhanced its efforts to integrate environment and climate change more
systematically across all EU financing instruments and programmes.
Environment and sustainable management of natural resources has remained a priority in both the
Neighbourhood South and East, as clearly framed and reiterated in the Union for Mediterranean and
the Eastern Partnership. Complementary to EU continued support on, among others, water
resources management, depollution and transboundary cooperation, a shift in EU action to support
further circular, low carbon and resource efficient economies has been confirmed. This has been
notably characterised by further integration of various bilateral, regional (such as EU4Environment)
and multilateral approaches as well as new investments possibilities, such as through the EU
External Investment Plan.
With the livelihood of 1.6 billion people are dependent on forests, the EU is also active in sustainable
forest management. Progress has been made in implementing the EU Action Plan on Forest Law
Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT). Voluntary Partnership Agreement (VPA) negotiations
have been concluded with Honduras and with Guyana, leading to better forest governance and
32
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2008294_0034.png
management. Beyond illegal logging, other drivers of deforestation have been addressed, with on-
going programmes focusing on reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation
(Reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation - REDD+). In 2017, the EU also
successfully led the facilitation of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership.
As shown in SDG 15 on terrestrial ecosystems, forest and biodiversity are two major resources under
threat that need to be protected for their intrinsic value, as well as for the enormous opportunities
they represent for sustainable development. There is also a close link between wildlife protection
and stability and development. The EU action plan against Wildlife Trafficking has been implemented
a d se e al e p oje ts adopted, i ludi g a a tio elated to La e fo e e t a d o atti g
wildlife
a d fo est i e .
Water being crucial for development but also for stability, EU actions have aimed to improve trans-
boundary water management and water security. The EU has also supported policy dialogue on the
energy, water and food security nexus between riparian countries in Africa, Central Asia, Latin
America and the Neighbourhood region and is encouraging investment in
ultipu pose
i f ast u tu es, full o siste t ith SDG o ate a d sa itatio .
Today we are seeing unprecedented land degradation and the loss of arable land at 30 to 35 times
the historical pace. In this context, the EU took an active political role at the 13th Conference of the
Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 13). Several
initiatives for instance on scaling-up sustainable land management, particularly through evergreen
agriculture, were launched in 2017 in support of the UNCCD agenda and of the Great Green Wall
Initiative. The EU is also an active supporter of the Global Soil Partnership and its Intergovernmental
Technical Panel on Soils, hosted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation.
The EU has also been engaged in supporting the transition to green and circular economy with the
promotion of Sustainable Consumption and Production practices through the SWITCH to Green
initiative, that is delivering economic benefits, including financial savings by firms adopting more
efficient production processes, and environmental benefits, including reduced energy consumption
and associated greenhouse gas emissions.
1.4.3. Sustainable Energy
The importance of sustainable energy is reflected in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development
and in SDG 7: ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all by 2030.
Increasing sustainable energy services offers the opportunity to address poverty, create additional
jobs, allow for better education, reduce pollution, improve human health and preserve ecosystems
while contributing to climate change mitigation and fighting root causes of irregular migration. A
Staff Working Document (SWD) on 'Empowering Development'
29
was issued in December 2017,
delineating how energy cooperation contributes to the implementation of the new European
Consensus on Development.
With energy demand in developing countries rapidly increasing due to the fast population growth,
traditional development aid in the form of grants is insufficient to meet the objectives of 2030
Agenda and SDG 7 of universal access to sustainable energy: it is therefore fundamental to stimulate
29
SWD(2017) 482 final, 15.12.2017
33
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2008294_0035.png
private sector investments in the sustainable energy sector. The EU is a pioneer in this regard with
its blending instruments, such as the Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI) and the EU External
Investment Plan (EIP).
At the end of 2017 Zambia, Benin, Ivory Coast and Nigeria had allocated a total of EUR 85 million
from their respective National Indicative Programmes to ElectriFI. While the implementation phase
is at an early stage, it is expected that the projects will provide connection to electricity to 452 000
new household, generate an additional capacity of 88 MW of new renewable energy, and reduce
emissions by approximately 200 000 tons of CO2 equivalent per year.
Three ElectriFI projects have been launched: Sigora in Haiti, Mera Gao Power in India, and Azuri in
Kenya. In 2017, Sigora Haiti connected 3 420 households to renewable energy in the remote
northern part of the country and is expected to connect up to 10 000 by the end of 2018. ElectriFI
invested USD one million in the Mera Gao Project, which will support the provision of energy to 55
000 additional households. ElectriFI's involvement in Azuri commenced during 2017 and is expected
to contribute to providing electricity access to 125 000 people.
The EIP was laun
hed i
o e ti it .
a d has a spe ifi i est e t
i do
o
sustai a le e e g a d
The EU has a strong partnership with Africa, reflected through the Africa-EU Energy Partnership
(AEEP), which celebrated 10 years of existence in 2017. The AEEP is a platform for dialogue between
Af i a a d the EU to set politi al p io ities a d e ha ge e pe ie es. The EU lau hed its E e gise
Af i a st ateg i
. This
consists of three main initiatives. The first is EU support to the Africa-
owned and led African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI). 19 projects with an estimated EU support
of EUR 315 million have already been endorsed by the AREI Board, which is expected to leverage
total investments amounting to EUR 3.9 billion, adding 1.8 GW of renewable energy generation that
will cover the needs of some 1.3 million families. The second is the Africa-EU High-Level Public-
Private Platform on sustainable energy investments. The high-level platform will build on the
outcome of the successful EU Africa Business Forum (EABF) in November 2017, where African and
European public and private sector leaders met to shape the path towards a more investment
friendly African sustainable energy sector. The third initiative is the AU-EU Partnership on Research
and Innovation, which aims offers a long-term cooperation framework on climate change and
sustainable energy with three phases, from capacity building, research cooperation to
commercialisation of research results.
Th ough the i itiati e Wo e & Sustai a le E e g lau hed i
, the EU has suppo ted th ee
projects with a contribution of EUR 18.1 million to promote women entrepreneurship in the energy
sector, in nine countries in Africa.
African local authorities and cities have also been supported to promote clean energy and climate
action, through the Covenant of Mayors Sub-Saharan Africa initiative (CoM SSA), an initiative that
reached close to 100 signatory States by the end of 2017 with six cities getting support from the EU
for local climate and energy action in 2017.
In 2017, with funding from the Partnership Instrument, the European Commission widened its
engagement in the Global and Regional Covenants of Mayors
30
that aims at mobilising climate and
30
https://www.globalcovenantofmayors.org/
34
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energy actions by cities and local governments. It supports various regions (Easter and Southern
Neighbourhood, North and South America, South and East Asia) to implement the initiative,
providing capacity building and validation of cities' energy and action plans (through the Joint
Research Centre), and through in-kind contributions to the Global Covenant Secretariat.
Energy is also a major focus of EU co-operation with its neighbours, with a focus on regulatory and
market reforms, promoting the use of renewable energies, energy efficiency and enhanced
electricity and gas interconnections. This is the case in the Energy Community, where the EU is
helping to create a regional energy market in line with EU regulatory standards. In the Southern
Neighbourhood, the process of establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean market for electricity and
gas is ongoing, and in the Eastern Neighbourhood, the EU4Energy project offers support for reforms
in the energy sector. These are all designed to create a favourable environment for investments in
renewable energies, energy efficiency and interconnections. In particular, EU support helps create
the regulatory framework for renewable power to be traded across borders.
In addition, the EU is actively engaged with strategic partners, including China, India, the Gulf
Countries Council (GCC) states and Japan, through dissemination of best practices and experience
towards energy transition and energy efficiency. In particular, the EU uses its leading industrial
expertise in clean energy and energy efficiency to show case best technologies available and thus
contribute to the economic diplomacy efforts of the EU. In particular, in 2017, workshops and study
tours were organised on offshore wind, smart grids and integration of renewable energy, biofuels,
and energy efficiency in buildings for the India public and private sectors. Several business to
business and business to government meetings were organised in Mexico, Brazil, Japan, South Korea
and other countries to promote green technologies across the world, including energy efficiency and
clean energies.
1.5.
PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
1.5.1. Poverty and inequality
In 2017 Commission services launched a research facility to analyse inequality. Preliminary results
indicate that within developing countries, the level of income inequality is high and, on average,
higher than 30 years ago. This average hides a wide variety of trajectories, as income inequality
appears to have decreased in some countries of Latin America (Brazil, Peru, Mexico), while it has
increased in some Asian countries (China and Vietnam); yet the upward rise in the overall average is
undisputed and a major source of concern internationally as reflected in the 2030 Agenda with SDG
10 on reduced inequalities.
Latin America, and Sub-Saharan Africa are the most unequal regions in the world. Latin America has
been the most successful worldwide in reducing inequality in recent times. However, progress in
shared prosperity (measured as income growth of people in the bottom 40 per cent of the income
distribution) has decreased, and inequality reduction has stagnated since 2010, as a consequence of
the global financial crisis and the end of the commodity boom. The Gini coefficient in Latin America
still remains at high levels
–
out of the 10 most unequal countries in the world, seven are Latin
American countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, Mexico and Panama), with Gini
indexes in excess of or close to 50.
35
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2008294_0037.png
Sub-Saharan Africa encompasses 10 out of the 19 most unequal countries globally. Between 1990
and 2011, 17 countries (predominantly agricultural economies from West Africa and a few from
other regions) experienced declining inequality, whereas 12 countries, predominantly in Southern
and Central Africa and economies characterised by important oil and mining sectors, recorded an
inequality rise.
The variation between countries explains more than two thirds of the total global variance in the
Gini coefficient. The international development agenda and related global initiatives on tax
transparency and compliance, trade, technology transfer and the environment aim, amongst other
things, to reduce inequalities between countries. However, the primary focus of most development
policies and programmes is at the country level.
Inequality at the national level remains an important obstacle to fast growth and poverty reduction.
Data suggests that income inequality measured by the Gini coefficient spans a wide range in
developing countries with values from 0.25 to 0.63. Data aggregated by region indicates that income
inequality is highest in Sub-Saharan countries, followed by Latin American and Caribbean countries.
The European Consensus on Development recognises the importance of addressing inequalities,
calling for the EU and its
Me e States to a t to edu e i e ualit of out o es a d p o ote e ual
oppo tu ities fo all, [… to] di e tl assist the poo est a d ost ul e a le se tio s of so iet a d
[…] to p o ote o e i lusi e, sustai a le g o th that does ot o p o ise the a
ility of future
ge e atio s to eet thei eeds . The Co se sus also alls the EU a d its Me e States to assess
the determinants of and trends in economic and social inequalities and [to] strengthen their tools
and approaches to make them more effective
i add essi g i e ualit .
The reduction of inequality explicitly appears in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in
SDG 10 - Reduce inequality within and among countries: in particular, aside from the targets related
to the inclusion of the most vul
e a le, a ta get is set to p og essi el a hie e a d sustai i o e
g o th of the otto
pe e t of the populatio at a ate highe tha the atio al a e age . The
SDGs also highlight the interlinkages between inequality and other dimensions throughout other
goals and targets, namely with: poverty and growth (SDGs 1, 8, 9); gender equality and inclusion
(SDG 5); environmental sustainability (SDGs 6, 7, 11-15, 17); health, nutrition and education (SDGs 2,
3, 4); and conflict and access to justice (SDG 16).
Extreme poverty continues to shrink worldwide, but remains widespread in Africa, especially Sub-
Saharan Africa. In 2013, 767 million people were estimated to have been living below the
international poverty line
31
. This corresponds to 10.7 % of the global population, down by 1.7 % from
the 2012 headcount ratio and a decline of around 14 % in the global poverty population. The
substantial decline is mostly due to the lower number of the extreme poor in East Asia and Pacific
(71 million fewer) and South Asia (37 million fewer), while the number in Sub-Saharan Africa fell by
only four million (1.6 %).
1.5.2. Working with the private sector, investments, business environments and
responsible behaviour
In line with the objectives of the EIP, the EU continued working with the private sector both in Sub
Saharan Africa and in the EU Neighbourhood. In Africa it has been implementing a new Private
31
USD 1.90 per person per day
36
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2008294_0038.png
Sector Engagement approach to collaborate with the business community for the achievement of
the Sustainable Development Agenda in line with SDG 17 (Partnerships for the goals).
Sustainable and inclusive development, which includes both European and local business in partner
countries, has been promoted. . In the context of SDG 8 (Decent work and economic growth) and
SDG 9 (Industry, innovation and infrastructure), the Commission is working on the concept of
Sustainable Business for Africa (SB4A) platform, linked to the EIP and beyond, to create a conducive
platform where private sector stakeholders are able to identify investment constraints. SB4A will
operate at global, country and sectorial level and will be the umbrella framework under which
public-private dialogue takes place, either for existing dialogue structures (such as existing EU-Africa
Business Forum or European Business Fora at country level), or by setting up new ones where
needed. EU Delegations have a key role to play in this regard by facilitating the dialogue between
the private sector and the government at local level.
In relation to trade, in November
, the Co
issio adopted a Co
u i atio o
Achieving
32
P ospe it th ough T ade a d I est e t
, which updated the joint EU Aid For Trade Strategy. The
Council endorsed the updated Strategy in its conclusions in December 2017. The updated strategy
builds on 10 years of EU Aid for Trade interventions, and operationalises the revised European
Consensus for Development, which calls for activating cross-cutting drivers with transformative
potential such as trade and investment. It is also in line with the EU Global Strategy for the EU's
Foreign and Security policy, as Aid for Trade will seek to encourage a more strategic mobilisation of
the various policy instruments at EU's disposal. The updated Strategy seeks to encourage a more
coherent mobilisation of EU Aid for Trade with a view to helping developing countries to take full
developmental advantage from various EU policy instruments, notably EU trade agreements
(including Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs)) and unilateral trade preference schemes (the
Generalised Scheme of Preferences).
I elatio to t ade, the EU adopted a e Aid fo T ade st ateg i No e e
o Helpi g
de elopi g ou t ies to a hie e p ospe it th ough t ade a d i est e t . It uilds o
ea s of
EU Aid for Trade interventions, and operationalises the revised European Consensus for
Development, which calls for activating cross-cutting drivers with transformative potential such as
trade and investment. It is also in line with the EU Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security
policy, as Aid for Trade will seek to encourage a more strategic mobilisation of the various policy
instruments at EU's disposal. The EU trade agreements/unilateral trade preferences with developing
countries, will notably assist these countries to fully benefit from these new development
instruments.
The EU has also launched a Structural Reform Facility to contribute towards the development of
sustainable and equitable economic growth models in the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries, which
can generate more investments and improve socio-economic conditions and employment
opportunities for citizens. To this end, the Facility will support the design and implementation of
structural reforms in the following areas: business and investment climate and financial
infrastructure; human capital, including labour market and social protection; and economic
governance and sustainability of public finances.
32
COM(2017) 667 final, 13.11.2017
37
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This will be done by leveraging the unique technical expertise of International Financial Institutions
and International Organisations, which will also better align policy messages to beneficiaries,
facilitating engagement in a coherent and coordinated policy dialogue in view of supporting the
implementation of structural reforms in the region. In so doing, the Facility will also contribute to
Pillar 3 of the EIP supporting the improvement of economic policy, business and the institutional
environment in EIP countries, which are critical factors to ensure that investment under the EIP can
materialise.
Both the 5th AU EU Summit and the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum in November 2017 have
acknowledged the critical role that agri-food and agribusiness can play for growth and jobs, and
therefore the need to strengthen AU-EU agriculture business relations through an AU-EU
Agribusiness platform. The Platform will work within the overarching framework of the SB4A and, in
li e ith so e Af i a ou t ies spe ifi Jo s a d G o th Co pa ts. It ill ai to step up the
already existing dialogue with the private sector via the EU Delegations, the National Chambers of
Commerce, the European Business Organisations and the local private sectors actors.
In the Southern Neighbourhood the EU is currently implementing and has planned to start regional
programmes covering several areas including technical assistance and capacity building with the
IMF on public finance, banking supervision, macroeconomic statistics (METAC); investment
legislation and investment promotion agencies with the OECD; business environment and financial
sector reforms (ongoing call for tender); and, capacity building in sectoral reforms on energy
efficiency and renewable energy in the context of the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM).
1.5.3. Agricultural growth
Sustainable agricultural growth, together with sustainable fisheries and aquaculture, remains a key
driver for poverty eradication and it is indispensable to ending hunger and ensuring food and
nutrition security, the two main SDGs of the 2030 Agenda. Two-thi
ds of the o ld s poo depe d o
agriculture for their livelihoods and many developing countries remain highly dependent on trade in
a few commodities. Support to smallholders, including pastoralists, remains of central importance,
contributing substantially to food security, to the fight against soil erosion and biodiversity and
water loss, while providing sustainable and decent jobs.
Working with the private sector to end hunger is important. Together with the launch of several
programmes under the Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI), the launch of the European External
Investment Plan in the autumn has provided a dedicated investment window for sustainable
agriculture, rural entrepreneurs and agri-business. Through this, the EU will help to build capacities
to access markets, and support partnership frameworks and foster Africa-EU business fora, all aimed
at promoting agricultural growth. Young farmers and smallholders will primarily benefit from EU
support. Investments in the smallholder sector yield the best returns in terms of poverty reduction
and growth. For this reason, EU support in this area focuses on inclusive value chains that can
leverage private investment and generate sustainable growth and new jobs. For example, this year
the EU supported a value chain analysis of the green bean sector in Kenya, which showed that
investing in green bean production generates income and cash flow, supporting the livelihoods of
about 52 000 smallholder farmers. Earlier in the year, the EU also supported analysis of the cassava
alue hai i Côte d I oi e a d lau hed fu the i itiati es.
38
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Sustainable agriculture does not just make sense for improving food and nutrition security: the EU
also considers its impact on climate change, thus also contributing to SDG 13 (Climate action).
A al sis of the EU s suppo t to food a d ut itio se u it a d sustai a le ag i ultu e sho s that the
share of climate-relevant actions jumped from 13 % in 2007 to 47 % in 2016. This rising trend
demonstrates the EU is more than stepping up to its commitment to allocate at least 20 % of the
budget to this area. Support was also provided to put research into use at scale in sustainable
agricultural systems, with large potential impacts on nutrition and resilience. On top of this, the EU
has sought to address threats posed by pests in the agricultural sector. Pests, such as the Fall
Armyworm, are spreading rapidly across Africa and cause extensive damage to staple cereals. Aside
from economic losses, food security is also in peril. To combat this, the EU is kick-starting a
programme that seeks to enhance through research support the resilience of smallholder maize
farmers in eastern Africa through enhanced preparedness and eco-friendly management of the
invasive Fall Armyworm.
The EU is presently supporting land governance actions in about 40 countries with a total budget of
almost EUR 240 million. In Africa, the EU mainly contributed to secure land rights to increase the
food and nutrition security of small-farmers and enable a peaceful environment for sustainable
investments. In Malawi, Angola and Namibia for example, the EU consistently contributed to map
and register land rights, especially in areas where informal land prevails and focusing mainly on
women. In Namibia, 40 % of land titles issued with EU financial support have been registered in the
name of women. In Peru and Honduras, the EU funded actions to respect and protect the land
rights of indigenous peoples help tackle and/or prevent land disputes but also secures the basic
assets for these populations.
1.5.4. Infrastructure, cities and ICT
Infrastructure
In a context where the global demand/supply gap of transport infrastructure and transport modes is
a bottleneck for strong, sustainable and inclusive growth, the EU continued to support quality
infrastructure delivery and investments through the EU investment facilities. Accompanying
governance reforms were encouraged in the move towards an integrated multi-modal corridor
approaches to boost connectivity.
The EU ensured the coordination of the Joint Africa-EU infrastructure (JAES) agenda and engaged in
the Board of the Africa Transport Policy Programme, which is of relevance for policy and strategy
support to African Governments and Regional Economic Communities.
As part of the climate change agenda, the promotion of urban mobility solutions aiming at the
de a o isatio of t a spo t ul i ated i EU s pa t e i g a d fi a iall o t i uti g to the
Mo ilise You Cit flagship lau hed
F a e a d Ge a at the COP21.
Commission services
actively participated at the COP23 discussions in Bonn in November 2017.
In support to the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the International Telecommunications Union (ITU)
has set out Global ICT Strategic Goals for telecommunications and Internet access worldwide. To
improve ICT infrastructure for Internet and broadband access, evidence is needed on network
coverage and quality of connections. Most public bodies lack resources to collect such statistics at
39
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2008294_0041.png
the national level. The NetBravo mobile app enables users to monitor their mobile network coverage
and quality of internet connection. Information from all users is aggregated and made available on a
website (netbravo.eu) on an interactive map. This can help policy makers in analysing gaps and
setting priorities for future investment in the ICT infrastructure at national, regional and local levels.
The app was released for general use by AU citizens at the sixth EU-Africa Business Forum in Abidjan
in November 2017. It is available in the official languages of the African Union. Through the GHSL
(Global Human Settlement Layer), technical specifications have been developed for a potential
Copernicus Human Settlement Service, an update of the European Settlement Map, and the support
to the voluntary commitment by the OECD, WB and EU to develop a global, people-based definition
of cities and settlements. The working group of EU, OECD and the WB have developed pilot studies
in South Africa, Morocco and Brazil using the global GHSL grid.
Cities
Continued rapid urbanisation, particularly in Asia and Africa, pose major development challenges for
affected countries and cities, including provision and financing of basic municipal infrastructure
services, upgrading of slums, dealing with traffic congestion and improving environmental quality.
The Agenda 2030 with its SDG 11 on sustainable cities and communities, the New Urban Agenda
33
and the new EU Consensus for Development have set the scene for enhanced focus on cities and
urbanisation. A Staff Working Document on cities and local authorities was finalised during the year.
In relation to programme implementation, the focus during the year has been on enhancing the
impact of urban intervention, e.g. through various thematic facilities, such as Mobilise Your City
(sustainable mobility), Resilient Cities, Participatory and Slum Upgrading.
The EU s I te atio al U a Coope atio
IUC p og a
e
34
boosts international urban
cooperation with EU partners in Asia and the Americas. With a budget of over EUR 20 million, the
IUC effectively supports Habitat III goals as well as the Paris Agreement and the Agenda 2030
Sustainable Development Goals.
A critical development at the end of the year was the inclusion under the European External
Investment Plan of a spe
ifi i est e t i do fo Sustai a le Cities . Addi g to e isti g le di g
operations, this will further strengthen the EU support to attracting finance to underpin sustainable
urbanisation.
Digitalisation
Operationalisation of digital actions envisaged in the Staff Working Document (SWD) on
Digital De elop e t
35
for the 2017 period included:
the Multinational Trans-Saharan Backbone Optical Fibre Project will lay optical fibre cables
to interconnect Algeria, Niger, Nigeria and Chad;
ii) the Central Africa Backbone
–
Central African Republic Terrestrial Fibre ICT backbone project
interconnecting countries of the Central African region;
iii) the Cyber Resilience for Development, aiming to increase the security and resilience of
critical information infrastructure and networks;
33
34
i)
http://habitat3.org/wp-content/uploads/NUA-English.pdf
http://ec.europa.eu/regional_policy/sources/cooperate/international/pdf/iuc_leaflet_en.pdf
35
SWD(2017) 157 final, 02.05.2017
40
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iv) iv) the Policy and Regulation Initiative for Digital Africa aiming to foster universally accessible
and affordable broadband across the continent;
v) Support to financial inclusion in ACP through the promotion of inclusive and responsible
Digital Financial Services, aiming to deepen financial inclusion in ACP countries including by
use of digital tools;
vi) budget support to the digital strategy of Wallis and Futuna territory, aiming to open up
Wallis and Futuna through digital channels and improve the socio-economic conditions of
the population.
In 2017, several thematic units examined how best to reflect digitalisation in their respective sectors
of competence (from governance to agriculture, energy, health, education etc.) to operationalise the
SWD, ith a fo us o p io it i digital as e a le fo sustai a le de elop e t . Mo e spe ifi all i
the area of e-governance, a mapping of readiness of African countries for deployment of e-
governance solutions was launched in July 2017. Commission services also financed a Feasibility
Study to assist the Kyrgyz Republic in implementation of the Taza Koom (Smart Nation) programme,
aimed at improving the livelihood of the people of the country by the use of information and digital
technologies.
Finally, the European EIP includes a Digital4Development investment window for the
Neighbourhood and Africa. Operations envisioned include support to digitalised public services
intended to increase the performance of public services towards citizens and business; venture
capital funds, business angels and other non-institutional investors for the financing of digital
innovative solutions; local operators in the field of Digital Payment Systems and Digital Financial
Services as well as de-risking last mile connectivity.
1.6. PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and
accountable institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
The 2030 Agenda was ground-breaking in incorporating in the global agreement SDG 16 on peaceful
and inclusive societies, access to justice and accountable institutions. Nevertheless, achieving this
goal requires increased attention.
1.6.1. Democracy, Human Rights and Good Governance
In the current context of shrinking civic and democratic space, the EU has reaffirmed its
unconditional support to these values worldwide, while confirming its central role on international
fora.
This commitment took shape under various forms including political and policy dialogue both at
Head ua te s a d EU delegatio le el,
visibility and communication events, and outreach activities
including those of the Special EU Representative for Human Rights Stavros Lambrinidis or through
our financial support with our development cooperation or our dedicated European Instrument for
Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) support.
41
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In 2017, a Mid-Term Review (MTR) of external financial instruments was finalised, which included
specific evaluations of the Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI), the EIDHR, the Instrument
for Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC) and the IcSP. This MTR showed insufficient progress in
mainstreaming democracy and human rights, including gender. The EIDHR instrument has overall
p o e to e fit fo pu pose : the id-term
review concluded that the EIDHR was and has remained
enabling, flexible and responsive and thanks to its focus on the most pressing and emerging human
rights and democracy challenges is more than ever relevant to the political priorities of the EU. As
result, there was no need identified for major adjustments or corrective action.
Throughout the year, policy and methodological support were provided towards a rights-based
app oa h that u s th oughout the
Age da ith its pledge to lea e o o e ehi d . We ha e
been working from various angles to progressively integrate the rights-based approach (RBA) into
training and procedures. This includes: integrated RBA into programme and project cycle
management training, the organisation of over 30 trainings in Headquarters and Delegations,
briefings held with all thematic units, further integrated RBA guidance in the updated budget
support guidelines and content on RBA on internet and intranet sites.
During 2017 the global EIDHR call for 2016 was finalised and contracts were signed in the areas of
Human Rights Defenders (HRD) and Women, Torture & ill treatment, Business and Human Rights,
Minorities, Impunity & transitional Justice. A new global call in 2017 was launched with the following
lots: Land and environmental rights HRDs, extra-judicial killings and enforced disappearances, forced
labour, persons with disability, and Freedom of Belief and Religion. We also finalised the call on
politi al pa ties, the hose p oje ts ai at oosti g o e s pa ti ipatio a d de o ati
pluralism in politics.
At Delegation level worldwide, all country allocations for 2016 were contracted and part of the 2017
allocations: a total of 371 contracts were signed.
During 2017 the implementation of the Democracy and Human Rights action plans continued with a
first implementation report published by EEAS in July 2017.
The guidelines 'Beyond election day' were established in close collaboration with EEAS. Support to
EU Delegations was provided via two facilities: Supporting Democracy and Media4Democracy,
aiming to build capacity in the areas of democracy support and, respectively, freedom of expression.
An EU4Democracy Campaign was also conducted in September 2017.
1.6.2. Fragility
Overall context and results
As indicated, the 2017 European Consensus on Development strengthens the fight against fragility in
line with the 2030 Agenda, by putting a priority focus on resilience and sustainability and citing them
as the glo al halle ge a d t e ds i all a eas of f agilit i li e ith the
Age da. The p io it
areas "five Ps", People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership, are development priorities
compatible with the revised international framework defined for fragility by OECD
36
and also with
36
See table 1.1
http://www.keepeek.com/Digital-Asset-Management/oecd/development/states-of-fragility-
2016_9789264267213-en#.WK6zWP6QyUk
42
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the JRC ethodolog fo isis o o fli t isks. The
Co
u i atio o Resilie e has e a led,
in line with this multi-dimensional aspect of fragility, to take into account the extended EU multi
sectorial commitment on resilience.
Cross-cutting results
During 2017, work continued both on the refinement of the political background and on the
substantive implementation.
Commission services contributed to the Global Strategy for the EU's Foreign and Security Policy in
the reinforcement of the existing framework on resilience and tackling fragilities in four areas.
The resilience framework was reinforced with the approval in June of the New Resilience
Communication with subsequent adoption in November of Council conclusions setting out the EU
policy framework on resilience resting on four building blocks: joint assessment and planning, better
monitoring of fragilities, integration in programming, and international cooperation.
The development of an Integrated Approach to external conflict and crises built upon the existing
Comprehensive Approach and the experience gained in the implementation of its Action Plan 2016-
2017 (adopted during 2016). Discussions were held on the development of the Integrated Approach
with Member States at the Political and Security Committee in June 2017 and in December 2017.
The importance of resilience in conflict and crises affected areas was reinforced through the co-
organisation by the Commission , the World Bank hosted Global Facility for Disaster Risk Reduction
(GFDRR), and the UN of the 3rd edition of the World Reconstruction Conference under the theme
Buildi g Ba k Bette f o
to Ju e
i B ussels.
The International Dialogue for Peacebuilding and State building (IDPS) was supported, notably the
Ne Deal i itiati e fo the f agile ou t ies led
the f agile ou t ies the sel es, th ough a
number of events and collegial results with other partners, leading to the adoption of the IDPS
Strategy 2017-2020. In 2017 the EU has been nominated co-chair of the Implementation Working
Group of the Dialogue, moreover the operationalising of the Dialogue tripartite methodology has
begun at the country level, in particular through activities with Sierra Leone and Somalia.
From a more operational point of view
The a ual isis de la atio o list, also k o
as the fle i le p o edu e , hi h e a les f agile
countries to benefit from easier and faster procedures due to local difficult conditions, was adopted
within the set deadline.
A pilot process was launched to test the broader nexus of humanitarian, development and
diplomatic/security work in six pilot countries (Chad, Iraq, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sudan, Uganda) with
processes for a shared assessment of fragilities, analysis of gaps and suggested actions, engagement
with EU Member States, and other donor and partners. The pilot process advanced in most of the
pilot countries in 2017.
The i ple e tatio o ti ued of the Co
Cou t ies hi h i lude:
issio
A tio
Pla
fo Resilie e i
C isis P o e
Integration of resilience into programming and actions, and cooperation on the ground
between the EU institutions and Member States.
43
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2008294_0045.png
The publication of eight case studies on operationalising the strategic approach to resilience
from which EU development practitioners and policy makers can take example; The Global
Alliance for Resilience in the Sahel and West Africa (AGIR), Enabling resilient pathways out of
poverty in Bangladesh, EU resilience building in Ethiopia (RESET), Drought Contingency Fund
(DCF) in Kenya, Strengthening resilience to food and nutrition insecurity in Northern Mali,
Pro-Resilience Action (PRO-ACT), Sector reform contraction on food and nutrition security
a d sustai a le ag i ultu e i Se egal a d Suppo ti g the Ho of Af i a s esilie e
(SHARE).
In some areas such as private sector development or innovative risk financing in vulnerable,
fragile and conflict affected environments the work was just starting in the framework of the
external investment plan.
Launch of the State and Resilience Building Contracts as part of the EU Budget Support
policy.
Sectoral results
Because more than 60 % of the Commission services commitments and expenditures in this area
have been dedicated to fragile countries in 2017, this means that a significant proportion of results
are related to the resilience of fragile countries in their weakest sectors to help them to overcome
their specific fragilities.
The five dimensions of risks and related fragility are covered by Commission services through both
thematic and geographic programming.
1.6.3. Crisis response and preparedness
The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) is a key external relations instrument,
primarily enabling the EU to react quickly with targeted actions in situations of crisis or emerging
crises. The IcSP is the fourth largest of the eight budgetary instruments of the Union for financing
external action. When defining and mobilising IcSP crisis response actions (with a maximum 18
months duration), the Commission's Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) works in close
collaboration with the EEAS and other relevant EU institutions. Many of the measures adopted
under this instrument are part of an overarching EU Integrated Approach to conflict and crisis
response based on jointly developed strategic frameworks.
2017 witnessed the adoption of the
Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD) amendment
37
to the IcSP, a major policy
development allowing for engagement with military actors in pursuit of development aims. The
CBSD is a vital new tool that will further strengthen the implementation of the EU Integrated
Approach.
Crisis response measures adopted in 2017 included support related to all major ongoing crises
worldwide, including activities in the 10
least pea eful
countries of 2017 according to the Global
Peace Index
38
: Ukraine, Central African Republic, Sudan, Libya, Somalia, Yemen, South Sudan, Iraq,
Afghanistan and Syria. The IcSP contributed also to accompanying peaceful political transitions, such
as those in Kenya or The Gambia, to investing in conflict prevention and the consolidation of peace
37
38
Regulation (EU) 2017/2306 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 December 2017
Global Peace Index 2017, Institute for Economics and Peace
44
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2008294_0046.png
agreements,
inter alia
via continued support to the Colombian Peace Process, as well as initiatives
related to the Kosovo-Serbia Dialogue, mediation initiatives in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria,
between
Tebou and Touareg communities in Niger and between Guatemala and Belize.
Furthermore,
new actions in Afghanistan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo
39
, Libya, Niger and
Somalia directly complement the work of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions.
Combined with ongoing programmes in the Central African Republic, Georgia, Mali and Ukraine, the
IcSP
directly complemented 12 of the 16 ongoing CSDP missions.
In addition to crisis response actions, the IcSP is also committed in activities supporting conflict
prevention, peace building and crisis preparedness. To this end, the 2017 Annual Action Programme
continued supporting civil society in third countries, the promotion of peace-building in particular in
mineral-rich fragile areas and assisting third countries in their efforts to recover after a conflict or a
disaster. New actions launched included support to third countries' justice processes during conflict
and transition periods, promoting a gender-sensitive approach in the prevention of violent
extremism and support to preventing and reducing the vulnerabilities of the education sector in
crisis-situations.
In 2017, IcSP stepped up its efforts to promote the work of the instrument both at global and project
level. The online map
40
remains the corner stone of the visibility efforts, including information about
a total of 277 ongoing/recently ended IcSP projects as of January 2018.
The Co
issio has o ti ued de elopi g poli a d the asso iated tool o to st e gthe the
impact of our actions in fragile contexts in a conflict-sensitive manner. Following the adoption of the
EU Global Strategy in 2016, a process for implementing the Integrated Approach to External Conflicts
and Crises was discussed throughout 2017 with Member States in relevant Council bodies as well as
in the Political and Security Committee. The Integrated Approach will succeed the Comprehensive
Approach following the completion of the 2016-2017 Comprehensive Approach Action Plan. The
objective of the Integrated Approach is to bring EU institutions and Member States closer, across
policies and instruments to better promote human security and sustainable peace abroad. In this
context, a number of actions were prioritised either under cross-cutting themes (shared analysis and
conflict sensitivity, mediation and security sector reform) or in relation to EU's engagement in
specific phases of the conflict cycle (conflict prevention, response to conflicts and crises, and
stabilisation). The first principle of international engagement in fragile states and situations is to take
the context as a starting point to develop a shared understanding of objectives to be pursued. The
EU is o ti uousl i p o i g tools to that effe t, i ludi g Co fli t A al sis a d a o fli t Ea l
Warning System (cEWS) while also taking part in Recovery and Peace Building Assessments (RPBAs)
and Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNAs) together with the United Nations and the World Bank.
A C isis De la atio list p o edu e o ti ued du i g
hile a se ies of se i a s a d t ai i gs
were organised on several issues, the highlights of which are summarized below:
a)
-Conflict
analysis:
Six conflict analyses were organised in 2017; one of which was co-
organised with the United Nations, and a Recovery and Peacebuilding Assessment was also
concluded on the Northern and Eastern parts of Cameroon.
This designation is without prejudice on status, and is in line with the UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration
of independence
40
https://icspmap.eu/
39
45
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b)
Crisis Declaration:
To se u e ou t ies p epa ed ess, the EU suppo ted the p o ess of
establishment of a list of "fragile' countries" or "countries in crisis" to benefit from specific
procedural measures according to needs. The 2017 list included 54 countries.
c)
cEWS:
In August 2017, the Commission services and the Division for the Prevention of
Conflicts, Rule of Law and SSR, Integrated Approach, Stabilisation and Mediation (PRISM) of the EEAS
revised the Joint Staff Working Document on the EU Conflict Early Warning System adopted initially
on 14 January 2016. This revision allowed movement from a bi-annual to an annual exercise thereby
facilitating decision-making to transit more effectively from early warning to early action by focusing
more on implementation and monitoring rather than on prioritisation. It also allowed for the
creation of an informal network on Early Warning/Early Action to have a more structured
conversation with EU Member States and institutions.
d)
Security-Development Nexus:
An informal technical seminar on the implementation of the
Co p ehe si e App oa h
-
A tio Pla took pla e i Ja ua
ith the pa ti ipatio of
Me e States e pe ts a d ele a t EU I stitutio s a d Co
issio se i es. Lesso s lea t du i g
the event were used to info
a d defi e the I teg ated App oa h to Co fli ts a d C ises a d ho
the latter will be implemented and reported upon.
e)
-Guidelines,
staff development work for operating in situation of conflicts and fragility:
Several trainings were held to increase in-house knowledge and skills on fragility, resilience and
conflict prevention in development assistance. An EU online course on conflict sensitivity was
developed jointly with the European Investment Bank (EIB), Saferworld, Swisspeace and
International Alert. About 200 people from EU institutions (EEAS and Commission services), EU
Delegations, Member States, EU Agencies and EIB, were trained on conflict sensitivity, resilience,
comprehensive approach, early warning systems, humanitarian and development nexus,
RPBAs/PDNAs or risk management during 2017.
f)
Other activities include:
Pu li atio of the guida e o
Ope atio alisi g the EU St ategi App oa h to Resilie e
EU online course on conflict sensitivity
Pre-deployment training for EU staff deployed to EU Delegations in fragile and conflict-
affected countries
staff.
Participation in pre-deployment training of Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
Monitoring the Security Situation in Ukraine
Context
Since March 2014 there has been an ongoing armed conflict in the Donbass region of Ukraine
Throughout 2017, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special
Monitoring Mission (SMM) supported by the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP)
continued to operate with monitoring teams throughout Ukraine.
Objectives
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The SMM s ole is to gathe i fo atio a d esta lish fa ts i elatio to the se u it situatio ,
monitor and support respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms and keep contact with
authorities at all levels, as well as with civil society and local communities.
The use of technical surveillance assets such as unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), surveillance
cameras and satellite imagery/analysis has become even more important in conditions where
security and freedom of movement restrictions limit ground patrols by monitoring teams.
Impact
I SP suppo t, th ough the EU s SatCe , allo ed fo the deli e of
i age p odu ts i
suppo t of SMM s o ito i g effo
ts in 2017, including the identification and description of
military activity and equipment, change detection, monitoring of contact line, training areas and
rail stations as well as battle damage assessments.
Supporting stabilisation in Libya
Context
The EU has been supporting stabilisation actions in Libya since the beginning of the crisis focusing on
rehabilitation of key infrastructure, humanitarian demining, and the building of a national consensus
through mediation support. In addition, where no other funding was available to provide an
adequate and timely response, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) has been
mobilised to provide flexible support.
Objectives
IcSP support has focused on mitigating the migration crisis inside Libya in line with the EU
political priorities on the external dimension of migration.
In particular, assistance to voluntary return of migrants trapped inside Libya was piloted through
the IcSP before being incorporated and expanded under the EU Trust Fund.
Impact
Results in 2017 included a decrease in tensions and prevention of armed violence in the cities of
Sebha and Zintan, as well as increased exchanges between the Government of National Accord
and communities throughout the country.
IcSP funding allowed the Government of National Accord to advance with the rehabilitation of
schools and hospitals, water supply, sewage and waste management systems.
22 projects throughout the country helped improve the delivery of basic services to conflict
affected communities including in areas liberated from Da'esh.
In addition, demining activities helped identify mine free areas, cleared contaminated sites, and
increased risk awareness in the cities of Tripoli, Sirte and Benghazi.
1.6.4. Security, including global and regional trans-border challenges
2017 has once again demonstrated the key role of the European Commission in the field of security
through the mobilisation of its financial instruments in support of third countries, active
47
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participation in the definition of EU policy and adaptation of the EU's response capacity to various
threats.
Commission services have continued to place a stronger emphasis on security in its Neighbourhood
and beyond, building on a substantial cooperation portfolio from various financial instruments
(mainly the ENI and IcSP), complemented with CFSP/CSDP and Enhanced Political Dialogues.
The Commission was an important contributor to the drafting of the Council Conclusions on the EU's
external action on counter-terrorism, adopted on 19 June 2017
41
. The Conclusions call to further
strengthen a network of counter-terrorism experts in EU Delegations, achieve greater coherence
between internal and external actions in the field of security by strengthening the role of Justice and
Home Affairs agencies with regard to third countries.
In addition, the Commission successfully negotiated with the Council and the Parliament the
amendment to the IcSP legislation called Capacity Building for Security and Development (CBSD),
which came into force on 16 December 2017. The amendment to the IcSP will allow for assisting
military actors to perform development and human security-related tasks, under exceptional and
clearly defined circumstances. The assistance provided through this amendment reduces risk of
other EU actions and establishes a more comprehensive EU engagement. First support measures
under the CBSD amendment are expected to materialize in the Central African Republic, Mali and
Somalia.
Commission services have also mobilised their dedicated instruments to contribute to the different
key sectors of the new European Consensus on Development, with a focus on Peace. Examples
include support to the G5 Sahel Joint Force (EUR 50 million) through the African Peace Facility, and
the launch of a project to combat terrorist financing in the Middle East and South-East Asia
(AML/CFT, EUR 16 million) through Article 5 of the IcSP. The increased maturity of the established
network of eight Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence and their
network of 56 countries gave rise to more operational activities, table tops, testing and real time
cross border exercises, for example, table top exercises in Central Asia which reinforce the standard
operating procedures in case of theft of a radioactive source within hospitals.
EU a tio i the E la ge e t Regio e ai s fo used o the fu da e tals i ludi g effe ti e a d
rule-of-law compliant law enforcement and justice, and on peace-building and reconciliation.
1.6.5. Nuclear Safety
Through its multidimensional approach that touches on the interlinkages between nuclear safety,
health, the environment, and related issues, the INSC programme contributes to various other key
areas of the European Consensus on Development.
Some recent noteworthy achievements in this context are to be found in Central Asia, Iran and
Turkey:
The Central Asian states have inherited one billion tons of hazardous processing waste: highly toxic
chemical and radioactive residues left behind and unsafely stored in uranium legacy sites. The EU
flagship programme for the remediation of the legacy sites is now mature for implementation, with
41
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2017/06/19/conclusions-counterterrorism/
48
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the completion of the necessary feasibility studies and environmental impact assessments. The
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), upon request of the European
Commission established in 2015 a dedicated multi-donor Environmental Remediation Fund. The
European Commission organised in 2017 a very successful side event during the 72
nd
United Nations
General Assembly in New York, opened by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Estonia on behalf of the
EU Presidency. The President of the Kyrgyz Republic, three Foreign Ministers from Central Asia, The
Minister of Emergency Situations of the Kyrgyz Republic and the EU Special Representative attended
the event which created the momentum for a successful donor's conference to be held on 8
November 2018. The environmental remediation programme in Central Asia is closely interlinked
with the goal of Climate Change Adaptation in its meaning of anticipating the adverse effects of
climate change and taking appropriate action to prevent or minimise the damage this can cause or
taking advantage of opportunities that may arise. The project supported by the INSC aims at
preventing serious ecological and environmental risks (disasters) by remediating fragile and
unsecure toxic tailings sites located next to rivers. The risk of serious incidents has increased over
the last few years since these rivers are experiencing more spring flash floods due to rapidly melting
glaciers in Central Asia. Climate change generates natural hazards including rain fall, landslides, and
mudflows, that disperse toxic materials, if not properly remediated.
The INSC has been instrumental in putting the diplomatic agreement with Iran, the Joint
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), into practice, which is a milestone for international non-
proliferation and a strong contribution to peace in the region. The first project supporting the
Iranian Nuclear Regulatory Authority was kicked-off in July 2017 and is running smoothly in a very
cooperative atmosphere. A second project supporting the implementation of the stress tests
exercise at the Bushehr nuclear power plant has been contracted at the end of 2017 and will start in
April 2018. A follow-up project has been agreed with Iran in 2017, in compliance with the EU
commitment to the implementation of the JCPOA, and will be contracted in the second half of 2018.
Successful engagement with Turkey has been achieved in 2017 with the contracting of a project
supporting capacity building for the nuclear regulatory authority in view of the Turkish decision to
introduce nuclear in the national energy mix. Introducing nuclear energy into Turkey in a safe way is
a technological and regulatory challenge. The support of the INSC in this context is central for
ensuring a safe environment while providing economic benefits for the public.
The European Commission continues to implement the EU CBRN Centres of Excellence (CoE). During
2017, the needs assessment exercises and the development of CBRN National Actions Plans were
continued, with a strong involvement and motivation of the partner countries. The implementation
and preparation of capacity building projects, with now over 60 projects implemented or ongoing,
was also continued in areas such as the fight against illegal traffic of falsified medicines and medical
products (in the Eastern and Central Africa region), the sound management of chemicals and their
associated wastes (in Southeast Asia), and the provision of specialised CBRN equipment for the
training of personnel in charge of cross-border control (in North Africa and Sahel). An ESARDA
safeguards and non-proliferation pilot course took place in Beijing in 2017. Around 80 participants
from 18 Chinese Universities, nuclear industries as well as foreign students from the UK, South Africa
and South East Asia attended the course. To define an additional project, a meeting with the
Co
issio se i es Chi ese pa t e s took pla e o
-26 October 2017 in Beijing.
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1.6.6. Actions under CSDP
There are currently 16 CSDP missions and operations. These consist of three executive military
operations (Op SOPHIA/ Op ATALANTA and EUFOR ALTHEA) and three non-executive military
training missions (EU Training Missions Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia). There is one
executive civilian mission (EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) Kosovo), one civilian monitoring mission
(EU Monitoring Mission (EUMM) Georgia), a confidence building measure (CBM) mission (European
Union Integrated Border Management Assistance (EUBAM) Rafah), four capacity building missions
EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS), EU Capacity Building Missions
(CAPs) Somalia, Mali and Niger and two advisory missions (EUAM Ukraine and EUAM Iraq). The
oldest currently deployed CSDP engagement is EUFOR ALTHEA in Bosnia which was launched in 2004
and stood originally at 7 500 troops and which now fields 600. The newest is EUAM Iraq.
Most of the 16 CSDP Missions and Operations were reviewed during the report period and covered
areas which aim to address the local situation and appropriateness, but also to tackle the security
challenges outlined in the EU Global Strategy. Where appropriate, mandates and operational
planning were re-calibrated to focus on new priorities agreed by Council and which include, amongst
others: CBSD, cultural heritage, closer coordination between CSDP missions and EU Delegations as
part of the Integrated Approach and closer ties between the internal and external nexus on security.
One new civilian CSDP mission was launched in Iraq in the autumn of 2017. EUAM Iraq provides
advice and assistance in civilian aspects of security sector reform to the Iraqi authorities and will
inform planning for potential further EU engagement as well as assist in the coordination of EU and
Member State assistance in the civilian Security Sector domain. The Mission supports the
implementation of the Iraqi National Security Strategy and the civilian aspects of Security Sector
Reform work led by the Office of the National Security Advisor with particular focus on strategic
advice to the Ministry of Interior on countering terrorism and organised crime. The Mission reached
full operational capability in March 2018.
A continued effort has been made to draw together the impact of the several CSDP Missions and
operations currently
in situ
in Africa. The regionalisation concept has been implemented in the Sahel
regio
, the esults f o
hi h a e a ti ipated i the late Sp i g/ ea l su
e th ough the Regio al
Implementation Plan possibly leading to further EU action supporting regional security cooperation
in the Sahel. As outlined in the last annual report, regionalisation of the three CSDP missions in the
Sahel (EUCAPs Sahel Mali and Niger and EUTM Mali) is in line with the emphasis in the Global
Strategy on strengthening specific capacities for regional cross border cooperation within the G5
countries. This has now been complemented with work to enhance the G5 Joint Force through
training and coordination support. The three CSDP Missions in the Sahel will however continue to
remain mainly focused on building capacities of Nigerien and Malian internal security and defence
forces. Closer cooperation between EUCAP Sahel Niger and EUBAM Libya Missions is on the way to
enhance EU action addressing the threats of terrorism, organised crime and irregular migration
more effectively.
The three CSDP engagements in the Horn of Africa (EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA, EUCAP and
EUTM Somalia) were subject to a holistic review in late 2017 the outcome of which has seen all
mandates extended until December 2020. As regards the Central African Republic CSDP military
mission EUTM RCA, the strategic review conducted in 2017 extended the current mandate for two
50
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extra years demonstrating the added value of this action within an EU integrated approach in the
Central African Republic.
EUFOR Althea in Bosnia and Herzegovina, the oldest of the EU's on-going CSDP engagements
underwent its first Strategic Review in late 2017. The subsequent six-monthly review of the
operation reflects the new political dynamics in Bosnia as it embarks on its EU and NATO accession
path. Its executive mandate in securing the Safe and Secure Environment (SASE) remains extant
while the non-executive capacity building and training elements are to be re-configured over the
coming year. The EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX) in Kosovo was subject to a Strategic Review in late
2017 and Member States agreed to extend the mandate until June 2020 and to the transition of a
number of EULEX Kosovo tasks by June 2018.
I itiall lau hed i
, EUNAVFORMED ENFM Ope atio SOPHIA is pa t of the EU s
comprehensive approach to migration. The Operation complements EU action, which includes
regional cooperation, policies on migration and asylum, humanitarian aid, diplomatic action, conflict
prevention and crisis management. ENFM Operation SOPHIA also contributes to enhancing security
by training the Libyan Navy and military Coast Guard, implementing the UN arms embargo on Libya
and gathering information on illegal trafficking, including oil smuggling. The Operation will host a
Crime Information Cell (CIC) as part of a pilot scheme to identify lessons on CSDP-Justice and Home
Affairs cooperation which will see Justice and Home Affairs (JHA) agency personnel from EUROPOL
and FRONTEX deployed at sea and in the operational HQ in Rome in the coming months. Thereafter,
consideration will be given to the veracity and expediencies of rolling out further opportunities for
collaboration between CSDP and JHA agencies. On 17 July 2017, the Council extended EUBAM
Libya's mandate until 31 December 2018 to assist in a comprehensive civilian security sector reform
planning process with a view to preparing for a possible civilian CSDP Mission, and to engage with
and assist the Libyan authorities in the fields of border management, law enforcement and the
broader criminal justice system.
On 5 December 2017,
EUBAM esta lished a light p ese e i T ipoli, hi h has e a led the Missio
to enhance its mapping of the relevant Libyan actors and to increase its overall engagement with the
Libyan partners on the ground.
Finally, in the Middle East, the EU Police Mission for the Palestinian Territories (EUPOL COPPS)
continues to assist the Palestinian Authority in building the institutions of a future State of Palestine
in the areas of policing and criminal justice. The EU Border Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing
Point (EUBAM Rafah), currently located in Tel Aviv, with a standby operational capacity to provide a
third-party presence at the Rafah Crossing Point as part of the 2005 Agreement on Movement and
Access (AMA agreement) forms part of confidence-building measures between the Government of
Israel and the Palestinian Authority. The EU has reiterated its readiness to redeploy EUBAM Rafah,
once conditions allow, to support efforts to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under one single and
legitimate Palestinian Authority.
51
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2008294_0053.png
1.7.
PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030
Agenda
SDG 17 on means of implementation of the 2030 Agenda includes a wide range of measures on
finance, technology, trade and other means, consistent also with the Addis Ababa Action Agenda.
The EU is committed to achieving SDG 17, both through its own external actions and resources and
by facilitating implementation by others.
1.7.1. Cooperation with civil society organisations and local authorities
Building on EU political commitments to support civil society organisations (CSOs) and local
authorities (LAs), the CSO-LA Thematic Programme of the DCI adopted in July 2014 aims to
strengthen these actors in partner countries and in the EU when their actions relate to Development
Education and Awareness-Raising (DEAR) of European citizens. The Instrument for Pre-Accession as
well as the European Neighbourhood Instrument also provide substantial support to strengthen and
promote the role of civil society in building stronger democracies, improve accountability systems
and ultimately achieve better policies and positive socio-economic development.
The Report on EU engagement with Civil Society
42
, published in 2017, presents the achievements
since 2012 featuring numerous examples of EU-funded projects. The related Council conclusions of
June 2017 underline the crucial importance of CSOs for the successful implementation of the EU
Global Strategy and the 2030 Agenda, including in achieving the SDGs. The June 2017 Joint
Communication on A Strategic Approach to resilience in the EU's external action underlines as well
the link between inclusive and participatory societies, with sustainable development and the
prevention of violent conflict. It argues for attention to be given to the involvement of communities
and civil society stakeholders.
The EU roadmaps for engagement with civil society (validated by the Council through the 2012
Communication
43
) and attached to the human rights and democracy country strategies (HRDCS)
have given a thorough analysis of civil society in most countries in the world, a common analysis of
priorities for the EU and an assessment of the concrete actions taken or to be taken to support civil
society. At the end of 2017, 105 EU Roadmaps have been completed and endorsed by EU Member
States present in the respective countries. The implementation reports of the HRDCS have also
reported on the actions undertaken by EU Delegations and Member State missions to achieve the
objectives established in the roadmap for engagement with civil society.
The Policy Forum on Development, the multi-stakeholders dialogue platform established and
supported by the European Commission to foster debate on European development policies and
global agendas, held two meetings in 2017: in Belgium (global) and in Jordan (regional). An
important outcome of these fora was the joint Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities
(CSO-LA) conclusions and recommendations amongst them, to take advantage of the forum as a
42
43
https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/policy-forum-development/documents/eu-cso-report-1
The oots of de o a a d sustai a le de elop e t: Eu ope s e gage e t ith Ci il So iet i e te al
relations, Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions, (COM(2012) 492).
52
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model to encourage a permanent dialogue with governments and stakeholders and to learn from
each other and replicate successful collaborations.
To further strengthen and deepen the Commission's partnerships with key networks of CSOs and
Associations of LAs worldwide, a Partnership Forum was organised in June 2017 to debate over two
days on key issues linked to the 2030 Agenda and the implementation of the European Consensus.
With more than 400 participants, the event had three interwoven threads: 1) Building momentum
around key issues such as means of implementation, shrinking space and fulfilling the New Deal in
Fragile States and resilience; 2) Building multi-actor synergies to plan and build around upcoming
summits and 3) Building initiatives to addressed relevant Commission financial tools and
mechanisms and consult participants on the CSO and LA programmes and EU External Investment
plan.
Civil society fora with partners from the Eastern Partnership countries and from the Southern
European Neighbourhood were also held in 2017 to discuss the specific challenges for these regions.
The 19th edition of the EU-NGO
Fo u Hu a Rights u de th eat: e plo i g e app oa hes i a
halle gi g glo al o te t took pla e i B ussels o
a d De e e
. It gathe ed a se
ies of
high-level speakers from the EU (including HR/VP Mogherini), the UN and around 250
representatives of civil society from around the globe. The geographical discussions on the first day
served as a basis for three thematic discussions on the second day: early warning/early action;
communicating human rights; and trade, business and human rights.
The Assises of Decentralised Cooperation, organised in cooperation with the Committee of the
Region, gathered 700 local authority representatives who discussed their contributions to
development cooperation and to SDGs achievements. The EU encouraged and supported global
associations of local authorities to organise the first ever AU-EU Local and Regional Forum of Local
Authorities in the margin of the AU-EU Summit in Abidjan. Key outcomes of the Assises included i)
the acknowledgment that SDGs are becoming one of the main drivers for decentralised cooperation,
b) the recognition of development cooperation led by local authorities as complementary to
traditional development aid in achieving the SDGs, and 3) the emergence of a new generation of
decentralised cooperation partnerships that mobilise all relevant actors in a territory.
Activities conceived and implemented by CSOs and LAs in partner countries managed primarily by
EU Delegations represent around 75 % of the budget of the CSO-LA Thematic Programme. In 2017,
103 countries benefitted from CSO-LA country allocations for a total of EUR 249 million (EUR 192.4
million CSO and EUR 56.6 million LA). CSO initiatives contribute to reinforcing governance,
accountability and inclusive policy-making. LA actions included operations complementing sector
budget support actions on decentralisation reforms, municipal public services delivery initiatives,
reinforced local governance, accountability of sub-national governments and inclusive policy-making
at the local level. All in accordance with the principle of subsidiarity and tested pilot actions to
promote local development through a territorial approach.
Support to CSOs from the Instrument for Pre-Accession as well as the European Neighbourhood
Instrument amounted to EUR 38.3 million and EUR 50.3 million respectively. This support aimed
primarily to promote dialogue between civil society and authorities at national and regional level, as
well as at strengthening CSOs' management, dialogue and advocacy capacities.
53
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Related to the DEAR Programme, in 2017, 23 new projects were concluded with 18 civil society
organisations and five local authorities for a global amount of approximately EUR 92 million. These
23 new projects deal with issues such as the implementation of the SDGs, integrating the Agenda
2030 into local policies, global education, responsible production and consumption and climate
change and environment. They consist of development education and awareness raising activities
aiming to mobilise the European public (being citizens, decision makers, schools and other target
groups). In addition, adequate follow-up was ensured for the approximately 50 ongoing projects.
1.7.2. Cooperation with the donor community
Several strategic dialogues on development took place in 2017 with non-EU providers of assistance
against the backdrop of the UN 2030 Agenda and its SDGs. The second Senior Official Development
Dialogue with Australia took place in March 2017. Respective development priorities, in particular in
the Indo-Pacific region, as well as the 2030 Agenda, the post-Cotonou process, private sector
development, gender equality, and other topics were on the agenda.
During the 7th EU-China Strategic Dialogue in April 2017 both sides re-confirmed their respective
commitment to engage in a bilateral development policy dialogue, including for implementation of
the 2030 Agenda, on which discussions are ongoing.
The EU-Japan Development Policy Dialogue took place in May 2017. The Commission and its
Japanese counterparts jointly organised a side event at UN General Assembly session in New York on
ualit i f ast u tu e i est e t .
The EU-US Development Dialogue at senior official level took place in June 2017: it was agreed to
further exchange information given the interim situation in USAID. The 5th EU-Korea Development
Dialogue also convened in June to discuss EU and Korean development priorities and humanitarian
policies, among other things. At the 14th EU-Korea Joint Committee in December both parties
agreed to strengthen cooperation through exchange of information on development instruments
and tools.
The 17th Meeting of the EU-Brazil Joint Committee in September adopted the establishment of new
policy dialogue on the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Contacts have been further
developed with Mexico to establish similar policy development dialogues.
At the 2017 EU-I
dia Su
it i O to e the EU a d I dia eite ated their
commitment to
collaborate on common priorities and looked forward to exploring the continuation of the EU-India
De elop e t Dialogue . The
EU-India
Summit had identified areas of cooperation, including
implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
The EU signed a Strategic Partnership Agreement with Canada in October 2016. The Agreement
foresees a regular dialogue on international development policy. The first EU-Canada High Level
Policy Dialogue on Development took place in November 2017.
The EU has a leadi
g ole i
i gi g togethe do o s espo ses to halle ges i the eigh ou hood
and enlargement regions. This has continued to be the case in 2017, in the aftermath of the refugee
crisis and migration related issues and in view of the development of a new strategy for the Western
Balkans.
54
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1.7.3. Cooperation with international organisations
In 2017 the EU continued to be engaged in development-related United Nations processes, including
the High-Level Political Forum and the Financing for Development Forum. Contributions were
coordinated for annual sessions of ECOSOC Functional Commissions and major UN Conferences, as
well as input for relevant UN General Assembly and the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC)-
resolutions. At the UN General Assembly, the EU launched the Spotlight Initiative to eliminate
violence against women and girls.
Important discussions took place at the OECD on development issues (OECD SDG Action Plan) and
decisions on the modernisation of the development finance measurement framework (Peace and
Security, Private Sector Instruments) in which the Commission had a pivotal role. Other topics were
the reform of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), the development of a definition of
blending operations, the modernisation of the ODA definition and the launch of the EU Peer Review
which continues in 2018.
Throughout 2017 the EU continued to engage in close collaboration with International Financial
Institutions, in particular with the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF), but also
with European Financial institutions and regional development banks on a range of topics including
inter alia
domestic resources mobilisation, public finance management, private sector and energy
efficiency. In health research, an interesting initiative was the InnovFin Infectious Diseases Finance
Facility (IDFF), which provided financial products for amounts typically between EUR 7.5 million and
EUR 75 million, with the contribution of the European Investment Bank. The blending platforms with
financial institutions for Africa and the Neighbourhood were substantially revised, with the launch of
the European External Investment Plan in September 2017. Contacts have been further developed
with some Arab financial institutions as well to establish policy development dialogue.
The EU continued to play an active role helping G7 leaders to take development issues into account,
reflecting the 2030 Agenda. The G7 launched initiatives
inter alia
on food security, education and
environment.
The EU activel
o t i uted to taki g fo a d the G
A tio Pla o the
Age da ota l
de elop e t of the Ha u g Update –
a list of G20 agreed commitments and collective action
relating to the 2030 Agenda -
a d the i itiati es Ru al Youth E plo e t a d #eSkills gi ls . The
EU also contributed to development of the G20 Compact with Africa to promote private investment
in Africa.
Furthermore, through the activities of the Horizon 2020 programme, the Commission contributes to
the development of the Global Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Research and Development Hub. This
initiative originated from the G20 and aims to further strengthen research efforts and coordination
on a global level. It will build on initiatives like the Joint Programming Initiative on antimicrobial
resistance (JPIAMR), via which 27 countries from the EU, Argentina, Egypt, India, South Africa and
elsewhere are already pooling their efforts in the area of AMR research and development.
55
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1.7.4. Macro-financial Assistance
Macro-financial assistance (MFA) is an EU financial instrument designed to address exceptional
external financing needs of countries that are geographically, economically and politically close to
the EU. Its prime objective is to restore macroeconomic and financial stability in the Enlargement
Region and in countries in the European neighbourhood, while encouraging macroeconomic
adjustment and structural reforms. MFA complements and is conditional on the existence of an
adjustment and reform programme agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). It takes the
form of loans or grants, and is released in tranches strictly tied to the successful implementation of
st o g efo
easu es ai ed at etu i g the e efi ia
ou t s e o o
to a lo g-term
sustainable path.
In 2017, the status of implementation of MFA programmes was the following:
Georgia MFA II
(EUR 46 million, half in loans and half in grants): The first tranche (a EUR 13
million grant and a EUR 10 million loan) was disbursed in 2015. The disbursement of the second
tranche was delayed due to the lack of progress under the programme agreed with the IMF, but
was disbursed in May 2017.
Jordan MFA II
(EUR 200 million in loans): The first tranche of EUR 100 million was disbursed in
October 2017.
Moldova MFA
(EUR 100 million, EUR 40 million in grants, EUR 60 million in loans): The co-
legislators adopted this decision on 13 September 2017. The Memorandum of Understanding
between the EU and Moldova was signed on 24 November 2017. The assistance will be
disbursed in three instalments.
Tunisia MFA I
(EUR 300 million in loans): The first two tranches (EUR 100 million each) were
disbursed in 2015. The last tranche, postponed due to delays by the Tunisian authorities to
implement the agreed policy measures, took place on 20 July 2017.
Tunisia MFA II
(EUR 500 million in loans): The first tranche of EUR 200 million was disbursed on
25 October 2017.
Ukraine MFA III
(EUR 1 800 million in loans): The first two tranches (of EUR 600 million each)
were disbursed in July 2015 and April 2017, respectively. As several measures attached to the
disbursement of the final tranche were not implemented before the availability period of the
programme expired, the disbursement of this final tranche was subsequently cancelled on 18
January 2018.
In addition, the continuing difficult political and economic situation in the neighbourhood triggered
new requests for assistance. This resulted in the adoption of proposals for two follow-up operations
in Georgia and Ukraine.
Georgia MFA III:
On 29 September 2017 the Commission submitted a proposal to provide
additional MFA to Georgia of EUR 45 million (EUR 35 million in loans and EUR 10 million in
grants), to be disbursed in two tranches in 2018.
56
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2008294_0058.png
2. RESULTS FOR PROJECTS CLOSED BETWEEN JULY 2016 AND JUNE
2017
EU International Cooperation and Development Results Framework
For the fourth year, Commission services present selected results which were achieved with EU
support in partner countries. It uses a number of key indicators which have been defined in the EU
International Cooperation and Development Results Framework (EU RF)
44
. The EU RF is part of the
European Commission's wider efforts to strengthen its focus on performance and results and to
enhance accountability, transparency and visibility of EU aid. Since its launch in 2015, Commission
services have implemented systematic results measuring and reporting and undertaken specific
efforts to collect results from EU funded interventions.
The results represent the combined efforts of a variety of partners including EU, Member States,
partner country governments and public institutions, local communities, donors, international and
finance agencies, civil society organisations, non-profit entities, and private companies.
The EU RF is structured around three levels of results. Level 1 corresponds to development progress
in partner countries; Level 2 focuses on partner country results and corresponds to the outcomes
and outputs to which the EU has directly contributed; and Level 3 reports on Commission services
organisational performance.
Level 1 Development progress of partner countries: Presented in the first part of this chapter, it
provides an overall picture of the development progress made by EU partner countries, i.e. the
longer-term development results (outcomes and impact). The results presented in this section are
based on a limited number of quantifiable indicators and thus provide a snapshot of EU partner
ou t ies p og ess i de elop e t. Al ost ea h of the i di ato s sele ted a e eithe di e tly
or
indirectly related to the SDGs. This level of the EU RF consists of 32 indicators.
Level 2 Partner country results supported by the EU: Covered in the second section of this chapter, it
gives an overview of results achieved in more than 100 partner countries with the EU support. It
covers results from EU-funded interventions above EUR 750 000 of value that ended between 1 July
2016 and 30 June 2017. Results recorded have been achieved during the full period of project
implementation and are reported on a contribution basis. This level of the EU RF consists of 32
indicators.
Level 3 Commission services organisational performance: This third section informs on how the
European Commission services are managing their operational processes and resources in order to
contribute to achieving development results. Data reported are based on the financing decisions
taken by the European Commission from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017. Level 3 of the EU RF
consists of 13 indicators.
The presentation of the EU RF indicators at level 1 and level 2
is alig ed ith the P's
- People,
Planet, Prosperity, Peace, Partnership - of the Agenda 2030 endorsed by UN General Assembly in
September 2015 and in the New European Consensus on Development adopted in June 2017.
44
Lau hi g the EU I te atio al Coope atio a d De elop e t Results F a e o k , SWD
fi al
57
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2008294_0059.png
Revision of the EU RF and results reporting exercise
The contribution to this year's Annual Report constitutes the last reporting against the results
framework as it was introduced in 2015. This is due to two changes: Firstly, the EU RF has been
updated to ensure alignment with the SDGs of the 2030 Agenda and the Consensus
45
. Secondly, the
exercise of results reporting at level 2 will broaden its scope considerably and cover results from
ongoing EU-funded interventions. It follows the aim of increasing data coverage and obtaining more
timely information to inform decision making.
The revised EU RF will continue to be used to improve accountability, transparency and to
communicate the EU's international cooperation and development achievements.
Further information
More detailed results tables and methodologies can be found in the following annexes in chapter 5
of Part 2 of this Staff Working Document.
Methodology
Annex 1: Methodological basis for the report on selected results
Level 1 Development progress
Annex 2: Regional averages
Annex 3: List of partner countries grouped by region
46
Annex 4: Averages by instrument
Annex 5: List of partner countries grouped by instrument (Country List)
Level 2 Partner country results supported by the EU
Annex 6: List of countries covered by the reporting exercise broken down by region
Annex 7: Results disaggregated by sex
Annex 8: Results by country, regional and thematic programmes
Annex 9: Results broken down by region
Annex 10: Results broken down by financing instrument
45
46
The Ne Eu opea Co se sus o De elop e t COM
OECD definition
fi al.
58
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2008294_0060.png
2.1.
Development progress in partner countries
This section presents the development progress made by partner countries against EU RF level 1
indicators and sets the context in which the EU's contributions to results should be understood. It
focuses on the longer-term development outcomes and impact in the countries and reflects the
results from the collective effort of partner countries, donors and other development actors.
The aggregated values include data from all countries with which the EU has bilateral cooperation
programmes over the 2014-2020 period (see Figure 2). Countries with which the EU used to have
bilateral programmes under programming period 2007-2013 but no longer has similar bilateral
programmes under the current period (e.g. India) are not reported here. Data have been obtained
f o i te atio al statisti al sou es e.g. U ited Natio s age ies, the Wo ld Ba k, the
International Monetary Fund and others). A complete list of the data sources for the indicators
presented is provided in Annex 1 In Chapter 5
Baseline values refer to data available in the first year of results reporting as of May 2015- the
majority of the data available at the time referred to 2013. The latest values use data available as of
November 2017- the majority of the data points are from 2014, 2015 and 2016
47
.
Figure 2: Development progress in EU bilateral cooperation - Map of countries grouped in
regions
48
47
Detailed information on data sources and calculations for each of the indicator can be found in their
individual methodological notes at:
http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/eu-rf
59
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2008294_0061.png
Table 1: Development progress in EU partner countries
–
Summary
PEOPLE
POVERTY REDUCTION
Proportion of population living below the international poverty line (%)
24.6*
23.2
17.9
Baseline
49
Latest
value
50
Income share held by the lowest 40 % of income distribution (%
17.7
income, period averages)
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
Prevalence of stunting (moderate and severe) of children aged below
34.4*
five years (%)
Prevalence of undernourishment (%)
EDUCATION
Primary Education Completion Rate (%)
Lower Secondary Education Completion Rate (%)
Literacy rate of 15-24-year-olds (%)
HEALTH
Under-five mortality rate (per 1 000 live births)
Maternal mortality ratio (per 100 000 live births)
HIV prevalence among population aged 15-24 years (%)
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
Proportion of employed people living below the international poverty
26.4*
line (%)
Share of older persons receiving pensions (%)
GENDER EQUALITY AND WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT
Proportion of seats held by women in national parliaments (%)
Percentage of women aged 20-24 years old who were married
29.5
before their 18th birthday
before their 15th birthday
7.6
19.2
25.8*
60.5*
381.8*
0.7*
77.9
54.5
80.6
16.1*
32.1
15.7
79.5
56.9
81.4
56.4
355.8
0.8
22.1
37.3
51
21.9
28.8
8.0
49
Baseline values marked * have been updated since the first reporting for comparability across years. See
chapter 6, annex 1 for further information.
50
The latest values use data available as of November 2017- the majority of the data points are from 2014,
2015, 2016
51
While the value has increased the extent of the increase is largely driven by data availability
60
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2008294_0062.png
PLANET
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Baseline
49
Latest
value
50
Number of deaths per 100 000 from climate-related and natural
2.3
disasters (average over ten years)
CO2 equivalent emission (kilo tons)
Proportion of population using an improved drinking water source (%)
Proportion of population using an improved sanitation facility (%)
Rate of net forest cover change, since 2000 (%)
State of biodiversity
Number of global species
Percentage change
2 948 725*
78.4
32.1*
-4.0
3 038
-52.0
(1970-
2010)
2.3
3 148 000
79.1
32.7
-5.80
3 706
-58.0
(1970-
2010)
ENERGY
Percentage of the population with access to energy services
Renewable energy production as a proportion of total energy
production (%)
PROSPERITY
INCLUSIVE GROWTH
Real GDP growth, latest available year (%)
Real GDP growth, average over five last available years (%)
TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
Average Global Competitiveness score (range 1-7)
Exports of goods and services as percentage of GDP
AGRICULTURE
Cereal yield per ha (kg)
TRANSPORT
Road density (km. of road per 100 sq. km of land area)
PEACE
GOOD GOVERNANCE
12.0
Baseline
49
12.5
Latest
value
50
2 523
2 546
3.7
31.9
3.8
26.6
3.8
4.5
3.3
4.2
62.3*
25.1*
Baseline
48
70.7
24.3
Latest
value
49
61
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2008294_0063.png
Average Rule of Law score (Worldwide Governance Index, ranges
from approx. -2.5 (weak) to approx. +2.5 (strong) performance)
Average Control of Corruption score (Worldwide Governance Index,
ranges from approx. -2.5 (weak) to approx. +2.5 (strong)
performance)
Average Voice and Accountability score (Worldwide Governance
Index, ranges from approx. -2.5 (weak) to approx. +2.5 (strong)
performance)
-0.5
-0.5
-0.4
-0.4
-0.4
-0.3
Public Finance Management, taxation, transparency and oversight of the budget (Good
Governance)
-1.6*
Change in domestic revenue mobilisation as a percentage of GDP
over the last three years
CONFLICT PREVENTION, PEACE BUILDING AND SECURITY
Number of violent deaths per 100 000
9.0*
8.8
(2011-
2014)
-2.4
(2013-
2016)
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2008294_0064.png
2.2.
EU Contributions to results in partner countries: aggregated results
The results presented in this section are reported from EU-funded interventions over EUR 750 000
that ended between July 2016 and June 2017 against EU RF Level 2 indicators. These results are
complemented by examples of achievements in interventions funded by the EU.
The interventions covered in this report are funded by financing instruments managed by
Commission services: the European Development Fund (EDF)
52
, the Development Cooperation
Instrument (DCI)
53
, the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI)
54
, part of the Instrument
contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP)
55,56
, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human
Rights (EIDHR)
57
, the Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation
58
and the Instrument for
Greenland
59
.
In total, around 780 interventions with an overall expenditure of EUR 5.18 billion were included in
the results collection sample. Of these, interventions that reported on at least one of the 32
indicators at EU RF level 2 indicators had a total expenditure of EUR 2.81 billion. The expenditure by
sector is reported in Figure 3.
The main results from 2016-2017 are presented in Box 1. Table 2 is the summary of aggregated
results achieved with EU support for the EU Results Framework Level 2 indicators. This is followed by
Table 3 which illustrates the results achieved by Budget Support interventions.
Detailed information on definitions and methodology, including how double counting is minimised,
can be found in Annex 1 in Chapter 5. Individual indicator methodological notes can be found at
http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/eu-rfi
.
Chapter five also includes other more detailed information on partner country results, namely:
Annex 6: List of countries covered by the reporting exercise broken down by region
Annex 7: Results disaggregated by sex
Annex 8: Results by country, regional and thematic programmes
Annex 9: Results broken down by region
Annex 10: Results broken down by financing instrument
52
Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 on the implementation of the 11 EDF, and Council Regulation (EU)
th
2015/323 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11 EDF
53
Regulation (EU) No 233/2014 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation for the
period 2014-2020
54
The ENI instrument is no longer managed by DEVCO. Nonetheless, the result reporting is still dealt with by
DEVCO, based on a commitment taken with the Council in relation to the EU Results Framework and on the
fact that the results reporting takes place using the Results Oriented Monitoring launched by DEVCO in this
perspective
55
Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 establishing an instrument contributing to Stability and Peace
56
Key data refer only to activities under Article 5 of the IcSP, which represents a small proportion of the overall
financial envelope. The remainder is managed by the FPI under Article 3 (crisis response) and Article 4 (conflict
prevention, peace building and crisis preparedness)
57
Regulation (EU) No 235/2014 establishing a financing instrument for democracy and human rights
worldwide
58
Council Regulation (EURATOM) No 237/2014 establishing an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation
59
Council Decision 2014/137/EU on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland
and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other
th
63
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2008294_0065.png
Figure 3: Expenditure by sector for interventions reporting results against EU RF level 2 indicators
Box 1 - Partner country results supported by the EU
EU-funded interventions that ended between June 2016 and July 2017 contributed to the
following results:
Food Security and Nutrition
1 492 000 women of reproductive age and children under five years old benefited from nutrition-
related programmes
2 679 000 food-insecure people received assistance through social transfers
Education
12 437 000 children were enrolled in primary education
3 377 000 children were enrolled in secondary education
321 000 teachers were trained, all providing a foundation for future learning and skills
64
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Health
3 096 000 births were attended by skilled health personnel, helping to reduce maternal mortality
1 399 000 children under one year were immunised, helping to reduce child mortality
1 949 000 women had access to a method of contraception
11 000 000 people with HIV infection received antiretroviral therapy
60
136 000 000 insecticide-treated bed nets were distributed, to prevent the spread of malaria
57
Employment and Social Protection
166 000 people benefited from Vocational and Educational Training (VET)/skills development and
other active labour market programmes intended to improve employability, productivity and
competitiveness in partner countries
Natural Resources, Environment and Climate Change
61 countries developed and/or implemented climate change strategies, to help them adapt to global
changes such as climate change and ecosystem degradation
16 140 000 hectares of protected areas were managed, to help ensure biological diversity and to
preserve natural heritage
Energy
3 438 000 people were provided with access to sustainable energy services
4 200 km of transmission/distribution lines were built or upgraded, as part of efforts to provide
access to secure, sustainable energy services
Trade and Private Sector Development
10 countries improved their capacity to trade across borders
13 000 firms gained access to credit, to help them avoid risks and make investments
ualit e tifi atio s e e issued to i p o e pa t e ou t ies atio al ualit
infrastructure to
meet international standards and thus reap the benefits of the multilateral trading system
Three countries improved their business environment thereby enabling private enterprises to
develop, leading to economic growth
6 600 micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) applied sustainable consumption and
p odu tio p a ti es to suppo t a g ee e o o
that ge e ates g o th, eates jo s a d helps to
reduce poverty
60
The EU ongoing support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) contributed to
the results
65
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Sustainable Agriculture
228 000 hectares of agricultural and pastoral ecosystems were managed by sustainable land
management practices to reverse the degradation of agricultural ecosystems in partner countries
caused by factors such as climate change
1 065 000 people received rural advisory services to add value to their produce and improve the
links between farmers and markets
757 000 people secured tenure of land, building up their assets in order to enjoy sustainable
livelihoods
Transport
1 700 km of roads were constructed, rehabilitated or maintained to provide better access to
transportation, particularly for the most disadvantaged groups
1 844 000 people were provided with access to all-season roads
Good Governance
8 600 human rights defenders were supported in promoting civil, political, economic, social and
cultural rights
Five elections were supported where the electoral process was perceived by independent observers
as free and fair
57 000 individuals benefited directly from justice, rule of law and security sector reform programmes
309 000 people benefited directly from legal aid programmes, central to ensuring equality before
the law by providing the right to counsel and the right to a fair trial
Conflict Prevention, Peace Building and Security
1 420 000 people benefited directly from programmes that specifically aimed to support civilian
post-conflict peace building and/or conflict prevention
Public Financial Management
19 countries improved their overall public financial management, which is critical to the efficient
management of public resources and delivery of services in partner countries
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Table 2: Level 2 Results achieved with EU support 2013 - 2017
61
EU
Results
indicator
Framework
Results
2013-14
Results
2014-15
PEOPLE
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
Number
of
women
of
reproductive age and children
4 544 000
under five benefiting from
nutrition-related programmes
Number
of
food-insecure
988 000
people receiving assistance
through social transfers
EDUCATION
Number of children enrolled in
19 447 000
primary education
Number of children enrolled in
9 562 000
secondary education
Number of teachers trained
HEALTH
Number of births attended by
skilled health personnel
Number
of
one-year-olds
62
immunised
Number of women using any
method of contraception
63
Number of people with HIV
infection
receiving
anti-
64
retroviral therapy
Number of insecticide-treated
bed nets distributed
65
33 000
Results
2015-16
Results
2016-17
Aggregated
Results
2013-17
5 025 000
916 000
1 492 000
11 976 000
1 858 000
8 635 000
2 679 000
14 159 000
10 635 000
7 603 000
175 000
5 290 000
550 000
84 000
12 437 000
3 377 000
321 000
47 763 000
21 087 000
613 000
1 160 000
934 000
43 053 000
4 233 000
8 104 000
5 548 000
13 238 000
8 100 000
6 852 000
5 373 000
70 000
10 000 000
3 096 000
1 399 000
1 949 000
11 000 000
19 211 000
13 253 000
57 302 000
11 000 000
150 000 000
204 000 000
111 000 000
136 000 000
601 000 000
61
Total aggregated results may not equal the sum of results from individual years to avoid double counting, or
because of rounding, or both
62
The EU support to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance for which contracts ended in 2014/15 and 2015/16 contributed
to the results presented
63
The 2013/2014 result is related to EU support to UNFPA Trust Fund to enhance reproductive health
commodity security covering 46 countries that ended in the given period; this support currently continues in
an ongoing project phase
64
The EU support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) contributed to the
results presented. No EU contract with GFATM ended in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 and EU ongoing
support to GFATM contributed to the results reported for these years.
65
The EU support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) contributed to the
results presented. No EU contract with GFATM ended in the 2015/2016 and 2016/2017 and EU ongoing
support to GFATM contributed to the results reported for these years. The 2015/2016 value was corrected
from 165 million to 111 million, a redistribution of results between the last two years to ensure numbers are
associated with the correct EU RF reporting period. The overall cumulative result is unaffected, and remains at
601 million
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EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
Number of people who have
benefited
from
VET/skills
326 000
development and other active
labour market programmes
195 000
198 000
166 000
882 000
PLANET
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Number of countries/regions
with climate change strategies
either being developed and/or
implemented with EU support
Number of hectares of
protected areas managed with
EU support
ENERGY
66
Number of people provided
with access to sustainable
energy services
Kilometres
of
transmission/distribution lines
built or upgraded
49
12
30
61
100
13 785 000
3 951 000
12 694 000
16 140 000
46 572 000
-
-
1 103 000
3 438 000
4 541 000
1 300
2 600
PROSPERITY
3 300
4 200
11 000
TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
Number of countries whose
capacity to trade across
-
borders has improved
Number of firms with access to
450
credit
Number of quality certifications
140
issued
Number of countries where the
business environment has
7
improved
Number of micro, small and
medium-sized
enterprises
3 900
(MSMEs) applying sustainable
consumption and production
practices
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Agricultural
and
pastoral
ecosystems where sustainable
2 883 000
land management practices
have been introduced (in ha)
Number of people receiving
528 000
rural advisory services
Number of people who have
51 000
secure tenure of land
66
9
10 000
80
7
1
13 000
430
16
10
13 000
880
3
19
37 000
1 500
29
6 200
10 000
6 600
27 000
184 000
381 000
228 000
3 675 000
1 130 000
5 900
1 118 000
1 300
1 065 000
757 000
3 841 000
815 000
There is insufficient reliable data to report on renewable energy production supported by the EU.
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TRANSPORT
Total
length
of
road
constructed/
rehabilitated/
maintained (km)
Number of people with access
to all season roads
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Number of human rights
defenders who have received
EU support
Number of elections supported
by the EU where the electoral
process is perceived by
independent observers as free
and fair
Number of individuals directly
benefiting from justice, rule of
law and security sector reform
programmes funded by EU
external
assistance
programmes
Number of people directly
benefiting from legal aid
programmes
CONFLICT PREVENTION
Number
of
individuals
benefiting directly from EU-
supported programmes that
specifically aim to support
civilian post-conflict peace
building
and/or
conflict
prevention
PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT
Number of countries where
overall
public
financial
management has improved
11 000
8 431 000
27 000
8 905 000
PEACE
4 100
1 795 000
1 700
1 844 000
43 000
20 975 000
32 000
87 000
9 600
8 600
138 000
19
4
10
5
38
197 000
80 000
125 000
57 000
459 000
372 000
78 000
923 000
309 000
1 682 000
651 000
404 000
314 000
1 420 000
2 789 000
16
12
12
19
30
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Level 2 Results achieved with support from EU Budget Support operations
Table 3 below presents the share of contribution to the EU RF supported by EU Budget Support
operations related to the latest year of results reporting from interventions that ended between
mid-2016 and mid-2017.
EU RF indicators from sectors like education and partly health report a higher share of results from
Budget Support operations compared to sectors like Good Governance and Natural Resources and
Environment where Budget Support is less common.
Table 3: Level 2 results achieved with support from EU Budget Support operations
Results from
BS 2016-
2017
% total
results
2016-2017
EU Results Framework indicator
PEOPLE
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
Number of women of reproductive age and children under five
benefiting from nutrition-related programmes
Number of food-insecure people receiving assistance through social
transfers
EDUCATION
Number of children enrolled in primary education
Number of children enrolled in secondary education
Number of teachers trained
HEALTH
Number of births attended by skilled health personnel
Number of one-year-olds immunised
Number of women using any method of contraception
Number of people with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy
Number of insecticide-treated bed nets distributed
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
Number of people who have benefited from VET/skills development
and other active labour market programmes
PLANET
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Number of countries/regions with climate change strategies either
being developed and/or implemented with EU support
Number of hectares of protected areas managed with EU support
ENERGY
Number of people provided with access to sustainable energy
services
Kilometres of transmission/distribution lines built or upgraded
729 000
2 517 000
49
94
6 971 000
3 320 000
289 000
1 671 000
0
1 476 000
0
0
56
98
90
54
-
76
-
-
12 000
7
0
0
-
-
853 000
0
25
-
70
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PROSPERITY
TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
Number of countries whose capacity to trade across borders has
improved
Number of firms with access to credit
Number of quality certifications issued
Number of countries where the business environment has improved
Number of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs)
applying sustainable consumption and production practices
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Agricultural and pastoral ecosystems where sustainable land
management practices have been introduced (in ha)
Number of people receiving rural advisory services
Number of people who have secure tenure of land
TRANSPORT
Total length of road constructed/ rehabilitated/ maintained (km)
Number of people with access to all season roads
PEACE
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Number of human rights defenders who have received EU support
Number of elections supported by the EU where the electoral
process is perceived by independent observers as free and fair
Number of individuals directly benefiting from justice, rule of law
and security sector reform programmes funded by EU external
assistance programmes
Number of people directly benefiting from legal aid programmes
CONFLICT PREVENTION
Number of individuals benefiting directly from EU-supported
programmes that specifically aim to support civilian post-conflict
peace building and/or conflict prevention
PUBLIC FINANCE MANAGEMENT
Number of countries where overall public financial management has
improved
0
-
553 000
39
0
2
-
40
140
164 000
8
9
0
0
740 000
-
-
98
1
11 000
60
1
0
10
85
7
33
-
6 000
0
11
-
71
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Level 2 Results by sector
PEOPLE
EU Results Framework indicator
FOOD SECURITY AND NUTRITION
Number of women of reproductive age and children under five benefiting from
nutrition-related programmes
Number of food-insecure people receiving assistance through social transfers
1 492 000
2 679 000
Results 2016-17
Under-nutrition and malnutrition are major obstacles to development and a lifelong burden. They
cause cognitive deficits, lower the ability of children at school and lead to poor health and reduced
economic productivity. The EU works to end hunger, in line with the commitments in SDG 2, to
enhance the resilience of the most vulnerable, particularly in countries facing protracted or
recurrent crises.
In
Sierra Leone,
the EU contributed to improving maternal and child health through systems
strengthening and interventions that encourage community-level behaviour change. From 2012 to
2016, over
33 000
women and children under five located in Freetown benefitted from assistance in
the areas of nutrition, maternal, neonatal and child health services.
In
Burkina Faso,
the EU provided assistance through social transfers - constituting of rice, seeds, and
cash transfers - to over
75 000
vulnerable households during the period 2013-2016. The programme
has also sensitised women on nutrition issues including prevention of stunting and contributed to
build resilience through the creation of nutritional gardens managed by women.
EU Results Framework indicator
EDUCATION
Number of children enrolled in primary education
Number of children enrolled in secondary education
Number of teachers trained
12 437 000
3 377 000
321 000
Results 2016-17
Quality education and skills development are the prerequisites for youth employability and long-
lasting development. Despite progress in the last few years, millions of children are still denied their
right to education. The access to education for boys and girls is one of the top priorities of the EU, in
line with SDG 4.
In
Nepal,
the EU provided support to school sector reform with the objective of increasing access to
and improving the quality of school education, particularly for children from marginalised groups.
Over the period 2009-2016,
3 320 000
students enrolled in secondary school (1 710 000 girls and 1
610 000 boys) with EU support.
In the Darfur region of
Sudan, 2 000
teachers (1 100 women) completed an intensive three-month
training on child-centred teaching methodologies and classroom management over the period 2013-
2017. Additionally, 450 head teachers (122 women and 328 men) were trained on the use of an
education management information system (EMIS) to support the provision of school-level data for
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state and national statistics, allowing for better education planning and monitoring, especially in
remote and conflict-affected areas.
EU Results Framework indicator
HEALTH
Number of births attended by skilled health personnel
Number of one-year-olds immunised
Number of women using any method of contraception
Number of people with HIV infection receiving antiretroviral therapy
Number of insecticide-treated bed nets distributed
3 096 000
1 399 000
1 949 000
11 000 000
67
136 000 000
68
Results 2016-17
The New European Consensus on Development reaffirms the EU commitment to support partner
countries in their efforts to build strong, good-quality and resilient health systems, contributing to
SDG 3. In its partner countries, the EU provides assistance to prevent and combat communicable
diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria and hepatitis; to strengthen all areas of the health
system, including the availability of qualified health workers; to promote investments in health to
reduce the burden of preventable disease, increase life expectancy ensure quality health services
accessible and affordable for all.
Through its support to a health pool funded in
South Sudan,
the EU has contributed to
strengthening resilience of communities and the most vulnerable groups, as well as the refugees and
internally displaced people. Over the period 2012-2016,
610 000
births were attended by skilled
health personnel and
400 000
one-year old children (200 000 girls and 200 000 boys) were
immunised.
In
Myanmar,
the EU contributed to a multi-donor fund to strengthen the national health system at
all levels, extending access for poor and vulnerable populations to quality health services. The fund
had a significant and nationwide impact improving maternal, new-born and child health, combating
HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. Thanks to the support,
220 000
children were immunised
with pentavalent vaccine during the period 2013-2016.
In
Bangladesh,
the EU contributed to improving access and use of affordable sexual reproductive
health services among marginalised and low-income women and men and young people. By 2016,
251 000
women from two remote districts were using modern contraception methods through the
provision of family planning services, in particular through strengthening of health centres,
deploying outreach teams in satellite clinics and awareness raising activities.
67
68
The EU ongoing support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) contributed to the results
The EU ongoing support to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (GFATM) contributed to the results
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EU Results Framework indicator
EMPLOYMENT AND SOCIAL PROTECTION
Number of people who have benefited from VET/skills development and other
active labour market programmes
Results 2016-17
166 000
Promotion of inclusive life-long learning, technical and vocational training for youth and adults are
powerful drivers of development especially when targeting women, disadvantaged individuals and
crisis contexts. Consistent with SDG 8, the EU is committed to support efficient, sustainable and
equitable social protection systems to build resilience and empower people with knowledge, skills
and competencies to seize or create employment opportunities.
In the framework of a multi-donor trust fund focusing on livelihoods and food security, the EU
supported the growth and modernisation of
Myanmar
s u al e o o
e ou agi g
diversification in agriculture and providing skills for new jobs with higher wages. From 2010 to 2016,
33 100
individuals (12 600 women, 20 500 men) were trained in non-agricultural skills development
in the form of vocational training in areas such as tailoring, hairdressing, mechanics, food processing,
modern beekeeping and honey production.
In
Uganda,
the EU supported the Youth Entrepreneurship Facility implemented by the International
Labour Organisation (ILO) in partnership with local NGOs, workers organisations and business
development services providers. This action aimed at developing business-oriented study curricula
and providing youth with business development skills. During the period 2014-2016,
16 000
people
(4 000 girls, 12 000 boys) benefitted from revised study curricula whilst attending classes at
Business, Technical, Vocational, Education and Training (BTVET) institutions and an additional 10 000
youth were trained in entrepreneurship and management.
PLANET
EU Results Framework indicator
NATURAL RESOURCES, ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
Number of countries/regions with climate change strategies either being
developed and/or implemented with EU support
Number of hectares of protected areas being managed
61
16 140 000
Results 2016-17
The EU is strongly committed to support climate change mitigation and adaptation especially in the
most vulnerable contexts (SDG 13). It assists developing countries' efforts to move towards a low
emission development path and to promote the conservation of biodiversity, the protection of
fragile ecosystems and the sustainable use and management of natural resources (SDGs 6, 14 and
. The EU is also p o oti g g ee e o o
that a ge e ate g o th, eate jo s a d help
reduce poverty. This includes supporting market opportunities for cleaner technologies, energy and
resource efficiency, low-carbon development while stimulating innovation and the use of
information and communications technologies.
During the period 2012-2017 the EU supported countries in the European Neighbourhood region to
be better equipped for greenhouse-gas emission reductions and climate change impacts. Five
countries
–
Azerbaijan, Moldova, Belarus, Georgia, Ukraine
–
improved their legislative framework
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and developed climate policies undertaking additional and updated obligations towards the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) with EU support.
The EU supported
Burki a Faso s
authorities to better manage
3 000 000
hectares of national parks
and protected areas of Arly and Pendjari. Over the period 2013-2016, the project realised a regional
plan for the conservation of protected areas, set institutional and financial governance mechanisms
for the natural resources management, operational mechanisms for the co-management and
monitoring of natural resources.
EU Results Framework indicator
ENERGY
Number of people provided with access to sustainable energy services
Kilometres of transmission/distribution lines built or upgraded
3 438 000
4 200
Results 2016-17
Access to energy is a pivotal enabler of development and growth. Promoting safe, renewable and
efficient energy services, in line with SDG 7, is critically important to sustainable development and
climate change containment.
The EU supported the installation of solar home systems on a sustainable fee-for-service basis in
rural and peri-urban areas in
Guinea Bissau.
By 2016, over
30 000
people, of which more than half
are women, were provided with access to sustainable energy services for both domestic and small
business use.
Over the period 2012-2017, sustainable and renewable energy supply systems were implemented in
rural areas with no access to electricity in the southern part of the
Dominican Republic. 14 500
people benefitted from solar energy systems and were also sensitised on environmental issues and
efficient and sustainable exploitation of renewable energy solutions at community level.
PROSPERITY
EU Results Framework indicator
TRADE AND PRIVATE SECTOR DEVELOPMENT
Number of countries whose capacity to trade across borders has improved
Number of firms with access to credit
Number of quality certifications issued
Number of countries where the business environment has improved
Number of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) applying
sustainable consumption and production practices
10
13 000
880
3
6 600
Results 2016-17
In relation to investment climate, the EU is active in supporting micro, small and medium-sized
enterprises (MSMEs) and boosting investments through a combination of funding for sustainable
development, technical assistance and measures to help improve economic governance and
business environments (SDGs 8 and 9).
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From 2009 to 2016, the EU contributed to a trade development support programme which aimed at
increasing the
Ca odia s
capacity to formulate and implement sound trade policies. Trade
fa ilitatio efo s ha e t igge ed g o th i e po ts a d, a o di g to the Wo ld Ba k s Logisti s
Performance Index, Cambodia has jumped to a ranking of 73 in 2016 from 129 in 2010.
In
Azerbaijan,
the EU has supported
10 700
entrepreneurs (1 500 women, 9 200 men) in the
agricultural sectors to access credit. From 2010 to 2014 the programme aimed at promoting
sustainable agricultural and encouraging entrepreneurship in the field of agricultural and rural
development by improving business environment and institutional capacity.
During the period 2013-2017, the EU supported the rattan sector in
Indonesia
in promoting
sustainable production, processing and utilisation of rattan products. The project involved
stakeholders all along the value chain and contributed to improved learning, application and
replication of sustainable best practices in the sector. In total,
720
SMEs implemented eco-friendly
production process with intervention support.
EU Results Framework indicator
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE
Agricultural and pastoral ecosystems where sustainable land management
practices have been introduced (in ha)
Number of people receiving rural advisory services
Number of people who have secure tenure of land
228 000
1 065 000
757 000
Results 2016-17
Two-thi
ds of the o ld s poo depe d o ag i ultu e fo thei li elihoods. Suppo t to s allholde s,
including family farmers and pastoralists, remains of central importance, to enhance resilience in
rural areas, contribute to food security and stimulate diversification and sustainable agricultural
production (SDG 2).
In
Chad,
the EU supported sustainable practices in land and natural resources management through
a six-year programme on food security and good governance. From 2010 to 2016, the programme
focused on participatory planning and concerted management of soils in support of populations and
local authorities. Improved land management systems have been introduced for around
10 000
hectares which contributed to increase the production and commercialisation of agri-pastoral
products.
The EU funded multi-
ou t i itiati e Fa e s Fighti g Po e t ai ed at i p o i g the li elihoods
and food security situation of rural producers in Sub-Saharan Africa, through the strengthening of
fa e s o ga isatio s. F o
to
o e
200 000
farmers from farmers' organisations in 19
countries benefitted from advisory services and capacity building in financial management and
access to financial services, good practices on land security, and farming technical training.
Over the period 2012-2017 the EU provided technical assistance to build capacity in land
administration and increase awareness of land rights in
Bangladesh.
The project introduced a digital
land management system for updating land records in three target areas and was able to provide
registration of land to
17 000
landowners, including 48 % vulnerable landowners.
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EU Results Framework indicator
TRANSPORT
Total length of road constructed/ rehabilitated/ maintained (km)
Number of people with access to all season roads
Results 2016-17
1 700
1 844 000
One of the key constraints for economic development in developing countries is the lack of
appropriate transport infrastructure. Roads are still the principal means of transport in most partner
countries and account for 80-90 % of passenger and freight transport. Often, roads are the only way
of reaching the most rural communities, and they provide a means of transportation that is readily
accessible to the most disadvantaged sections of the population.
However, the development of road networks frequently outstrips the resources available to properly
maintain them
–
resources that are estimated at approximately 5-10 % of the operating budgets of
many partner country governments. Contributing to SDG 9, funds are allocated not only for
construction but also for the rehabilitation and maintenance of the road network in partner
countries.
In 2014-2017, the EU supported the construction and maintenance of 520 km of road in Garamba
national park in the
Democratic Republic of Congo.
This aimed at facilitating access and
strengthening park management and was part of the EU's wider assistance to the conservation of
protected areas.
In the archipelago of the
Comoros,
the EU provided support to the transport sector aiming at a
sustainable development of the sector contributing to economic growth of the island state. It
specifically aimed at planning and managing of the road network and facilitate the circulation of
goods and persons especially from remote areas. Around 300 km of roads were rehabilitated
improving the mobility of over
50 600
individuals.
PEACE
EU Results Framework indicator
GOOD GOVERNANCE
Number of human rights defenders who have received EU support
Number of elections supported by the EU where the electoral process is
perceived by independent observers as free and fair
Number of individuals directly benefiting from justice, rule of law and security
sector reform programmes funded by EU external assistance programmes
Number of people directly benefiting from legal aid programmes
8 600
5
57 000
309 000
Results 2016-17
Good governance, rule of law and democracy are the fundamentals to build resilient societies and
strong economic systems. Contributing to SDG 16, the EU helps partner countries to establish
accountable and transparent institutions, foster participatory decision-making and ensure fair
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election process. Human rights, gender equality, inclusion and non-discrimination are the principles
of good governance and development.
The EU contributed to promoting more democratic, inclusive and transparent process in the
presidential elections of
Peru
in 2016. The support contributed to raising awareness of the
importance of elections and the role citizens and civil society can play to ensure transparent and fair
elections. It involved state and non-state actors in particular women, youth, indigenous people and
lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil society.
In
Nicaragua
the EU supported security sector reform through a better organised and trained police
force, more efficient judicial system, improved capabilities to fight organised crime and stronger
prevention measures. In 2012-2016, over
3 500
newly enrolled police officers were trained in the
framework of the programme to enforce police institution, citizen security and prevent youth
violence.
In the
Democratic Republic of the Congo,
the EU helped consolidate the rule of law and to enforce
justice, especially in rural areas. Over the period 2012-2016, almost
10 000
persons
–
of which more
than 60 % are women
–
benefitted from legal assistance in relation to mass crimes, crimes against
the humanity, violation of human rights and gender-based violence.
EU Results Framework indicator
CONFLICT PREVENTION
Number of individuals benefiting directly from EU-supported programmes that
specifically aim to support civilian post-conflict peace building and/or conflict
prevention
1 420 000
Results 2016-17
In its development assistance policy, the EU pays special attention to fragile and conflict-affected
states and is engaged to promote transparency, accountability and access to justice in its actions on
conflict prevention, conflict resolution, relief and recovery, and building sustainable peace (SDG 16).
Where conflict has occurred, the EU aims to contribute to a smooth transition from humanitarian aid
and crisis response to long-term development cooperation.
The EU contributed to the Nepal Peace Trust Fund which is a unique funding mechanism to support
Nepal´s
peace process after the Comprehensive Peace Accord in 2006. The fund provides support at
both institutional level - for elections, law and justice, national, national monitoring mechanisms of
the peace process and local reconciliation
–
and community level, in particular to improve the living
conditions of the most vulnerable communities. Over the period 2014-2017, this initiative reached
over
500 000
individuals, mainly conflict affected persons and internally displaced persons.
78
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2.3.
aid
European Commission's organisation performance as the manager of EU
This section provides a set of key data on how the Commission services are managing their
operational processes and resources to contribute to achieving development results.
All indicators presented in this section have been calculated with reference to the calendar year
, ith the sole e eptio of the i di ato
Amount of EU-funded international cooperation and
de elop e t assista e di e ted to a ds ut itio
which reports preliminary 2017 data.
In terms of coverage, the figures presented here refer only to the following financing instruments
managed by the Commission services in 2017: the European Development Fund (EDF)
69
, the
Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI)
70
, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace
(IcSP)
71,72
, the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
73
, the Instrument for
Nuclear Safety Cooperation
74
and the Instrument for Greenland
75
.
In all cases, the sources of data are
the Eu opea Co
issio s i te al
o ito i g s ste s.
EU organisational performance is assessed across three areas:
i.
Quality at entry (design of projects and programmes)
ii.
Quality of portfolio performance (ongoing operations)
iii.
Policy priorities
Indicators of performance are presented in Table 4 and described in further detail below.
69
Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 on the implementation of the 11 EDF, and Council Regulation (EU)
th
2015/323 on the financial regulation applicable to the 11 EDF
70
Regulation (EU) No 233/2014 establishing a financing instrument for development cooperation for the
period 2014-2020
71
Regulation (EU) No 230/2014 establishing an instrument contributing to Stability and Peace
72
Key data refer only to activities under Article 5 of the IcSP, which represents a small proportion of the overall
financial envelope. The remainder is managed by the FPI under Article 3 (crisis response) and Article 4 (conflict
prevention, peace building and crisis preparedness)
73
Regulation (EU) No 235/2014 establishing a financing instrument for democracy and human rights
worldwide
74
Council Regulation (EURATOM) No 237/2014 establishing an Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation
75
Council Decision 2014/137/EU on relations between the European Union on the one hand, and Greenland
and the Kingdom of Denmark on the other
th
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Table 4: EU organisational performance
Performance
area
Quality of project
documents
as
assessed by DG
International
Cooperation and
Development's
internal Quality
Support Groups
DG International
Cooperation and
Development's
internal
assessment
of
ongoing projects
(activities)
DG International
Cooperation and
Development's
internal
assessment
of
ongoing projects
76
Indicator
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
% of project
documents
assessed
as
satisfactory
76
in
internal peer
review (yearly)
67 %
98 %
98 %
86.2 %
n/a
No target
% of projects
with red traffic
lights
concerning
progress
on
implementation
% of projects
with red traffic
lights
concerning the
achievement of
objectives
3.6 %
3.6 %
3.6 %
3.3%
n/a
Below 10 %
2.8 %
4.4 %
3.8 %
3.8 %
n/a
Below 10 %
i.e. well-designed or giving rise to only minor issues to be addressed
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Performance
area
(results)
Indicator
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
EU
international
cooperation
and
development
Budget execution
assistance
(commitments)
77
committed
(value and % of
execution
of
available
budget)
Value of EU
international
cooperation
and
Budget execution
development
(disbursements)
78
assistance paid
(value and % of
execution
of
available
77
78
EUR
6.155
billion
(92.3 %)
EUR
8.176
billion
(130.7 %)
EUR 8.280
billion
(118%)
EUR 10.625
billion
(104.5%)
EUR 34.746
billion
100 %
EUR
7.502
billion
(101.2
%)
79
EUR
5.694
billion
(101.7 %)
EUR 6.912
billion (94%)
EUR 7.119
billion
(95.4%)
EUR 26.817
billion
100 %
EU Budget Heading 4, year credits (C1) and EDF
EU Budget Heading 4, year credits (C1) and EDF
79
Disbursements have been even higher than 100% due to the reuse of unused payment credits from the previous year
81
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Performance
area
Indicator
budget)
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
% of payments
Time needed to paid within the
disburse
80
contractual
deadline
Amount of EU-
funded
international
cooperation
and
development
assistance
directed
towards
nutrition
64.6 %
65.9 %
63.7%
89.1 %
n/a
Min 85 %
Nutrition
EUR
229.9
million
EUR
309.6
million
EUR 892.9
million
81
EUR 343.3
million
82
EUR 1.776
billion
The EU pledged to finance
EUR 3.5 billion between 2014
and 2020 to reduce stunting
– Nut itio fo G o th i
London– during the UK
presidency of the G8 on 8
June 2013
Definition has changed as of 2017
–
including target. Previous values refer to the indicator "% of invoices paid within the period of 30 days within the framework of EU international co-
operation and development assistance" (target 66%).
81
Final figures from year 2016
82
Preliminary figures
80
82
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Performance
area
Indicator
Proportion of
EU-funded
cooperation
and
development
initiatives
promoting
gender equality
a d
o e s
empowerment
Amount of EU-
funded
international
cooperation
and
development
assistance
directed
towards fragile
states
of (a) Investment
leverage ratio
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
One of the objectives of the
EU Gender Action Plan 2016-
20 is to show the percentage
of new EU actions that score
gender either as the principal
objective (G2) or as a
significant objective (G1). The
target is for 85 % of new
actions to score G1 or G2 by
2020.
Gender
mainstreaming
31.3 %
51.6 %
58.8 %
65.9%
50.5%
EUR
1.424
billion
(commit
ments)
EUR
2.495
billion
(paymen
ts)
(a) 15.5
EUR
2.831
billion
(commit
ments)
EUR
2.274
billion
(payment
s)
(a) 14.1
EUR 4.970
billion
(commitmen
ts)
EUR 3.208
billion
(payments)
EUR 3.879
billion
(commitmen
ts)
EUR 3.494
billion
(payments)
EUR 13.105
billion
(commitments)
No targets
EUR 11.472
billion
(payments)
Fragile states
Leverage
blending
(a) 9.4
(a) 11.7
n/a
No targets
83
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Performance
area
operations
financed by EU
international
cooperation and
development
assistance,
measured as
83
:
Indicator
(b)
Total
eligible
financial
institution
leverage ratio
(c)
Private
loans/ equity
leverage ratio
Share of EU-
funded
international
cooperation
and
development
assistance
directed
towards
supporting
human
development
Amount
and
share of EU-
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
(b) 9.2
(b) 9.5
(b) 3.7
(b) 7.6
n/a
(c) 2.3
(c) 2.2
(c) 0.7
(c) 0.91
n/a
Human
development
15.8 %
21 %
13.7 %
17.1%
16.9%
In its Communication on the
Agenda
for
Change
COM(2011)
637,
the
Commission set an overall
benchmark of spending 20 %
of the cooperation and
development budget on
social inclusion and human
development. (2014-2020)
Environment and
The EU has made the
commitment to step up its
83
Calculation methodology revised in 2015. Figures for 2014 here presented are also based on the new method.
84
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Performance
area
climate change
Indicator
funded inter-
national
cooperation
and
development
assistance
contributing to:
(a) protecting
biodiversity
(b)
climate
change
(adaptation and
mitigation)
Amount of EU-
funded
international
cooperation
and
development
assistance
contributing to
trade
facilitation
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
contribution to averting
global biodiversity loss by
2020 (EU biodiversity target
as part of the EU Strategic
Plan for Biodiversity 2011-
2020).
The
Development
Cooperation Instrument (DCI)
Regulation
contains
a
commitment to contribute to
the objective of addressing at
least 20% of the EU budget to
a low-carbon and climate-
resilient society (DCI recital
20). (2014-2020)
In 2014, on adopting the
WTO
Trade
Facilitation
Agreement,
the
EU
committed to maintain at
least its current level of
support to trade facilitation
over a five-year period;
starting from the signature of
the Agreement, namely EUR
400 million over five years, or
85
(a) 2.5 %
(a) 4.3 %
3.6 %
7.7%
4.7%
(b) 11.4
%
(b) 12.6 %
24.1 %
24.7%
19.3%
Trade facilitation
EUR 73
million
EUR 33.6
million
EUR 39.4
million
EUR 10.2
million
155.8 million
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Performance
area
Indicator
2014
2015
2016
2017
Total
2014-17
Target
over a third of developing
ou t ies esti ated eeds,
primarily through regular EU
aid channels. (2014-2019)
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Quality at entry (design of projects and programmes)
Proposals for EU-funded projects and programmes are screened through a dedicated internal peer-
review process (Quality Support Groups
–
QSG) within Commission services to ensure the adequate
quality of their design. In 2017, 86.2 % of projects were assessed as satisfactory at the final QSG at
the end of the design stage. This is slightly lower compared to previous years, possibly due to more
thorough appraisal, particularly on results and indicators for monitoring and reporting purposes.
Quality of portfolio performance (ongoing operations)
Project implementation is assessed by Commission services on a yearly basis in terms of
advancement of activities and reaching stated objectives.
Budget execution is 104.5 % in terms of commitments since the EDF has committed more than its
yearly target mainly in support of EU Trust Fund Africa on migration. Disbursements reached 95.4 %
of the available budget as a result of some delay encountered in the implementation of EDF funded
activities. 89.1 % of the payments were made within the contractual deadline. This meets the target
of at least 85 %.
The proportion of ongoing projects flagged as problematic in terms of their implementation and/or
achievement of objectives remains below 4 % and in line with figures reported for previous years.
Policy priorities
Nutrition
In 2012 the EU announced the commitment to support partner countries in reducing stunting in
children under five years (SDG target 2.2) by at least seven million in 2025. A specific policy
framework was developed around this target in the form of the Communicatio
E ha i g Mate al
a d Child Nut itio i E te al Assista e
84
, followed by Council conclusions on Food and Nutrition
Security in external assistance of 28 May 2013. Shortly after, at the Nutrition for Growth Summit in
London, in June 2013, organised by the UK during their G8 presidency, the EU pledged to allocate
EUR 3.5 billion for nutrition in 2014-2020, to achieve its stunting objective. Building on its nutrition
reduction target and its financial pledge, the Commission, at the request of the Council, issued in
2014 its Action Plan on Nutrition
85
. The purpose of the Commission's Action Plan on Nutrition is to
describe in detail how the EU will use these funds to reach its targets.
The services have assessed the level of nutrition investments from 2008 to 2017 for the EU
interventions undertaken by Commission services. This assessment has been carried out by analysing
each decision taken within this period against the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement (SUN) donor
resource tracking methodology
86
. The result of this analysis shows that the Commission's investment
in nutrition through EU funds managed by Commission services has substantially increased from
2012 to 2017, with an exponential increase during year 2016 with the Commission investing EUR
2.496 billion in nutrition programmes in the period 2014-2017, which corresponds to 71 % of its
commitment for 2014-2020.
84
85
COM(2013) 141 final, 12.3.2013
SWD(2014) 234 final, 3.7.2014
86
The Scaling Up Nutrition Movement resource tracking methodology currently used by UK, Germany,
Netherlands, France, Ireland, USAID, World Bank, Canada and the BMGF:
http://scalingupnutrition.org/wp-
content/uploads/2013/12/RESOURCE_TRACKING_METHODOLOGY_SUN_DONOR_NETWORK.pdf
87
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The vast majority of commitments in 2014-2016 were focused on 40 countries with high-burden of
malnutrition. These are the countries that need support and are estimated to host just under half the
o ld s stu ti g u de i
. The Co
issio s st ategi fo us is o those ou t ies he e e t a
efforts are crucial in order to secure achievement of the World Health Assembly (WHA) target by
2025.
Gender mainstreaming
The best available benchmark by which to measure financial contributions to gender equality and
women's empowerment is the OECD-DAC gender marker. Measuring the amount of funding support
to gender equality is important both in terms of accountability and to identify where more resources
may be needed to achieve SDG 5.
The target set by the new Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 meant that 85 % of all new EU-funded
cooperation and development projects and programmes would score G1 or G2 indicating that they
would either have a significant gender equality dimension (G1) or would have gender equality as a
principal objective (G2). Where no inherent impact on gender is identified, the score (G0) will require
justification. The marker does not measure multilateral aid, general budget support, debt relief or
emergencies.
Despite the target of 85 % remaining far from being met, we can underline a clear improvement
obtained in 2017, reaching 65.9 % in Commission services projects, against 58.8 % in 2016. This
illustrates significant success of the efforts deployed on gender equality in the last years, but also the
need to further continue them. Attention may be required in ensuring good quality of gender
mainstreaming in programmes and correct of use of the marker in the database.
Fragile states
In its Communication on the Agenda for Change the European Commission committed to give
p io it to ou t ies
ost i
eed a d f agile a d highlighted the i po ta e of ta kli g the
challenges of fragility with the objective of building peaceful states and societies and reducing
poverty.
Considering that it is estimated that by 2030 the majority of the world's poor will be concentrated in
fragile and conflict-affected countries, the new European Consensus on Development reiterates this
commitment and underlines that these countries require special attention and sustained
international engagement in order to achieve sustainable development. The Joint Communication on
'A Strategic Approach to Resilience in the EU's External Action' also highlights that the EU will work
towards the greater integration of the resilience approach in EU programming and financing of
external action.
Overall EU commitments to fragile countries are set out through National and Regional Indicative
Programmes for 2014
–
2020. Multi-year programming means that annual commitments and
disbursements may vary from one year to the other. In 2017, Commission services has disbursed 56.8
% of its funds towards fragile countries, a significant increase compared to 2016 (53.2 %). In terms of
commitments, the yearly engagement in fragile countries represents 44.7 % of its overall
commitment.
88
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Leverage of blending operations
In 2017 the EU continued to increase its use of blending as an important instrument to mobilise
external financing to realise investments in partner countries. 2017 saw the beginning of the
implementation of the European External Investment Plan (EIP) and ramping up of activities with the
Africa Investment Platform, as well as the blending facilities active in Asia, Latin America, the
Caribbean and the Pacific. The amount of EU contributions to blending continued to increase, with
2017 being the year with the largest amount of financing approved, well in excess of EUR 1.1. billion.
The leverage ratios presented in the report are those expected in the blending operations, as
estimated by the financial institutions involved.
For projects approved in 2017, it is expected that for each euro granted by the EU, the financial
institutions concerned will invest approximately EUR 5.1, while the total investments expected to be
mobilised amount to just under EUR 9. The mobilisation of private financing reached a leverage of
almost 1.0 (i.e. one euro of EU funds has leveraged an additional euro from private financing).
As compared to previous years, there has been a decrease in the leverage ratios linked with the fact
that activities in more difficult markets, such as Africa, account for a significant majority of the grant
amounts approved. In addition, many projects are new and innovative with significant complexity.
Human development
Human development is an important component of EU aid policies, with a 20 % benchmark set in the
Communication on the Agenda for Change which was re-emphasised in the new European Consensus
on Development 'Our World, Our Dignity, Our Future'. In line with the EU Council of Ministers'
Conclusions of 14 May 2012
87
on the Agenda for Change, the European Commission has defined
human development disbursement as including funding in the following sectors: health; education;
and social protection and services (including social transfers).
In 2017, the DEVCO committed EUR 1.48 billion towards actions contributing to human
development, representing 17.1 % of the total commitments made in the same year. This shows a
substantial increase compared to 2016
–
though still short of the 20 % target.
The distribution of commitments across sectors for 2017 is shown in Figure 4.
As fo i lusi e a d sustai a le g o th, suppo t fo i lusi e ess ill e fo used p i a il o so ial
protection, health and education. Support to social inclusion and human development will continue through at
least % of EU aid.
http://www.consilium.europa.eu/uedocs/cms_data/docs/pressdata/EN/foraff/130243.pdf
87
89
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Figure 4: Commitments towards human development in 2017 (% by sector)
Source: DG
International Cooperation and Development
In the field of education, the EU continued its proactive engagement towards achieving SDG 4. To
this effect, the EU reinforced its strategic financial and policy support to the Global Partnership for
Education (GPE), which supports basic education in the poorest countries and those furthest away
from global education goals, with a focus on ensuring equity of access (reaching the marginalised)
and improving learning outcomes. The Commission increased its pledge for the current programming
period from EUR 375 million to EUR 475 million.
The EU maintains a special focus on education in emergencies and crisis situations. In 2017, a EUR 21
million programme was launched with the main objective to support education needs in protracted
crisis situations, focusing on improving quality of education in safe learning environments and
building global evidence base for effective interventions. With a total contribution of EUR 16 million
and active involvement in its governance structures, the EU maintained a key role in the global
platform Education Cannot Wait (ECW) which in 2017 supported the education of 3.7 million children
in 13 crisis-affected countries.
One of the challenges on the way to achieve quality education for all children worldwide is the lack of
qualified teachers. The EU continued its support to the Teacher Task Force, the primary forum and
international alliance of stakeholders to address teacher issues, such as the teacher shortage and
professional development. The EU also supported the training of rural teachers in African countries
through a programme implemented by the
Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie.
In the field
of health
(SDG 3), in line with the 2010 Council Conclusions on 'the EU role in Global
Health', the EU pursues a rights-based approach to health which was re-emphasised in the new
European Consensus on Development. The EU health aid contributed to strengthen national health
system and moving towards the SDG target of universal health coverage (UHC) with quality health
services accessible and affordable for all. Various modalities are being used for our health aid
including programme support and health sector budget support. For the financial framework 2014-
2020, the overall EU aid budget allocated to health is about EUR 2.6 billion. This includes an amount
90
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of about EUR 1.3 billion for direct support to 17 countries
88
where health is a sector of bilateral
cooperation. This is complemented through regional and global financing mechanisms (Global Fund,
GAVI) and UN agencies (WHO, UNFPA) for an amount of around EUR 1.3 billion EUR.
The EU has continued to be a strong supporter of the Global Fund both politically and financially
(EUR 475 million pledged for the period 2016-2019) as well as GAVI the Vaccine Alliance (EUR 200
million in 2016-2020). Commission services have invested considerable time and energy on
governance oversight. Both GAVI and the Global Fund have matured over recent years and as a
result, the Global Fund has been recognised by Commission decision as an international organisation
following successful completion of the five-pillar assessment.
The EU also continued to play a leading role in ensuring women's access to health and family
planning services around the world. Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) are an
integral part of our bilateral and multi-lateral health programmes and our commitments to gender
equality as reflected in the Gender Action Plan 2016-2020. The EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate
violence against women and girls that was launched in autumn of 2017 includes a focus on SRHR
especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The EU contribution to the United Nations Population Fund
(UNFPA) Trust Fund 'UNFPA Supplies' (EUR 20 million / 2016-2017) has improved availability of
quality reproductive health services, contraceptives, condoms and life-saving maternal health
medicines in the 46 targeted countries. The programme further strengthened national health
systems and supported governments to enhance the positioning and prioritisation of family planning
in policies, programmes, in service provision, in budgeting and fund allocation although more
support is required in this area. Flexible funding is provided (based on annual plans) with a major
focus on reaching vulnerable population groups, including adolescent girls and women/girls in
humanitarian settings.
The 'Supporting Public Health Institutes Programme' (SPHIP) funded by the EU (EUR 23 million/2015-
2020) is midway through and has made substantive progress on policy development for UHC and
Non-Communicable Diseases, public health capacity building and health research. SPHIP has also
been successfully profiled in a number of international health conferences: European Public Health
Conferences, the 4th Global Symposium on Health Systems Research and the 10th European
Congress on Tropical Medicine and International Health.
The EU support (EUR28 million/2016-2018) in collaboration with Luxembourg and recently Ireland
continued to support the World Health Organisation (WHO) in fulfilling its core role in coordinating
and strengthening the health sector in 28 priority countries (benefitting a total population of 550
million people) to the effect that this programme is considered a flagship programme by WHO. The
'WHO-EU - Luxembourg Universal Health Coverage Partnership programme' focused on building
country capacities for the development, negotiation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of
robust and comprehensive national health policies, strategies and plans, with a view of promoting
Universal Health Coverage, people-centred primary care, health in all policies and harmonisation of
aid behind national strategies and plans.
These are Afghanistan, Belize, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Ethiopia, Grenada, Guinea-Conakry, Guinea-Bissau, Mauritania, Morocco, Nigeria, Sudan, South-Sudan,
Tajikistan, and Zimbabwe.
88
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Environment and climate change
The climate-relevant part of all EU budgetary commitments made in 2017 for actions funded in the
context of international cooperation and development was estimated at 24.7 % while the
biodiversity-relevant part was estimated at 7.7 %. Climate change is increasingly integrated into our
development programmes and the Commission remains strongly committed to mainstreaming
environment and climate change considerations into the project design and implementation process,
building on the momentum created by the new 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Paris
Agreement, the new Urban Agenda and the Sendai Framework on Disaster Risk Reduction.
The new European Consensus calls on the EU and Member States to build capacity to mainstream
environmental sustainability, climate change objectives and the pursuit of green growth into national
and local development strategies. EU cooperation in these areas contributes to SDGs 12, 13, 14 and
15. Environment and climate concerns are integrated across the People, Prosperity, Planet,
Partnerships and Peace components. In response to these commitments, Commission services has
progressively strengthened its approach to environment and climate change mainstreaming over the
last three years, notably with the approval of new guidelines, more active engagement with EU
delegations, awareness raising, capacity development and the systematic screening and review of
action documents. These efforts will need to be sustained in the coming years to promote
environmental sustainability and achieve the objectives of allocating 20 % of EU budget to climate
related action and doubling biodiversity related funding to developing countries. More importantly,
these efforts need to be expanded and deepened to cover all sectors and instruments of EU
cooperation and effectively translate into action with positive environmental and climatic impacts.
Mainstreaming environment and climate change into development cooperation is an essential tool
to help countries to protect their environment, implement their Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs), and achieve the objectives contained in the Paris Agreement.
A range of dedicated environment and climate programmes are supported under the Global Public
Goods and Challenges (GPGC) programme. The Global Climate Change Alliance initiative (GCCA+)
fosters policy dialogue with, and support to, climate action in partner countries, mainly Least
Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Building on the experience
accumulated since 2008 in supporting partner countries in reducing poverty while increasing their
capacities to adapt to the effects of climate change the GCCA+ will now also help in delivering on
certain commitments outlined in their INDCs and on their wider national development agenda,
including vulnerable groups' empowerment (women and youth). The GPGC Programme also funds
activities aiming at universal access to modern energy services, doubling energy efficiency and to
increase substantially the share of renewables in the global energy mix by 2030, a key contribution to
the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) launched at COP21. Actions at local level have
intensified specially with the first seven cities selected under the Covenant of Majors in Sub-Saharan
Africa. The tree pillars of action are: climate adaptation, climate mitigation and access to energy. The
cities signing up to the CoM commit to design and adopt Sustainable Energy Access and Climate
Action Plans (SEACAPs).
GPGC activities in this cluster also include dedicated support for disaster risk reduction in developing
countries' cities to build capacities to improve urban planning integrating sustainability and
resilience, as well as for increased investment in integrated climate change adaptation and disaster
risk reduction and supporting developing countries' governments to improve the understanding and
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the capacity to take informed decisions on disaster risk financing (DRF) based on sound financial
analysis.
The Global Public Goods and Challenges component related to Environment and Climate Change
provides the EU with a unique instrument to address work at multilateral level related to
international environmental governance (IEG). Environmental governance is essential for the
sustainability of poverty eradication to fully realised. In particular, there is a need to support global
environmental initiatives and multilateral environmental agreements (MEAs) and to strengthen the
voice of developing countries in these multilateral fora.
The GPGC IEG component focuses on developi
g ou t ies pa ti ipatio i i te atio al p o esses,
on the production of implementation tools and guidelines, and on the production of environmental
knowledge to inform policy making on: ecosystems services (biodiversity and natural capital,
including oceans); promoting greener economies (sustainable growth/jobs); combatting pollution
(human health); and more horizontal aspects related to environment mainstreaming.
One particular element is the Programme Co-operation Agreement (PCA) with UNEP, providing
targeted support to UNEP-led initiatives, for example the International Resource Panel, and to the
ratification and implementation of MEAs such as the recent entry into force of the Minamata
convention on Mercury.
This GPGC component supported the participation of developing countries in the third UN
Environment Assembly (UNEA) in December 2017. UNEA adopted important resolutions and
i te atio al o
it e ts to Beat Pollutio a d i ple e t elated ta gets f o the
Age da.
GPGC is also the core funding source for the Biodiversity for Life (B4Life) Flagship Initiative. This aims
to support the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and marine ecosystems and to combat
wildlife trafficking in accordance with international commitments such as
ta get si of the EU
Biodi e sit St ateg to
a d ta get
of the Ai hi Biodi e sit Ta gets u de the Co e tio
o Biologi al Di e sit .
A significant effort is being made through the regional programme of the EDF in the ACP countries to
address biodiversity loss, along with wildlife conservation and the combat against wildlife poaching
and trafficking.
EU action on environment sustainability also includes the SWITCH to Green initiative, which
promotes green business development through cooperation with the private sector
–in
particular
MSMEs- and through the elaboration of enabling policy environments. SWITCH to Green is funded
through both the GPGC and geographic programmes. It is meant to contribute to EU's commitment
to promote a green economy that generates growth and creates jobs. The EU External Investment
Plan and blending facilities offer new opportunities to support the transition to low carbon and
resource-efficient economies, through the promotion of green investments. This will require
sustained attention to environmental sustainability and climate change.
Trade facilitation
Funds to support the implementation of the Trade Facilitation Agreement are a component of the
broader Aid for Trade assistance provided by the EU. Funds progra
ed u de the EU s
-2020
Multiannual Financial Framework cover trade-
elated eeds ell i e ess of the EU s o
it e t
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of EUR 400 million for trade facilitation. The level of commitments in 2017 stands at EUR 10.2 million,
compared to EUR 39.4 million in 2016.
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3. IMPLEMENTATION: Working towards people, planet, prosperity,
peace, partnership and responding to crisis in each region
3.1. African continental, Sub-Saharan Africa & all ACP programmes
3.1.1. Sub-Saharan Africa
3.1.1.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
EU-ACP Relations
In view of the expiry of the Cotonou Partnership Agreement in 2020, the landmark event in 2017 was
the adoption by the College on 12 December 2017 of a Commission Recommendation including draft
negotiating Directives for a renewed agreement with the countries of Africa, Caribbean & Pacific. The
aim is to engage in negotiations with the 79 ACP countries, once a final negotiation mandate is
adopted. The European Commission recommendation proposes to agree with ACP partner countries
on a foundation agreement with common values, interests and facilitating increased cooperation at
international level, which would go together with regional tailored partnerships for Africa, the
Caribbean and the Pacific.
Africa-EU Partnership
The 5th Africa-Union-European Union Summit, the first after the re-accession of Morocco, with the
participation of all 55 Member States of the Africa Union was held on 29-30 November 2017 in
A idja , I o Coast, u de the e t al the e of I esti g i Youth – fo a sustai a le futu e i the
framework of the Joint Africa-EU
St ateg . A joi t o
u i atio A e e ed i petus of the
Partnership Africa-EU
adopted i Ma set out the EU's p io ities a d i itial p oposals fo su sta ti e
outcomes for the Summit.
The Summit agenda and the joint political declaration adopted at the Summit reflected the priorities
of both partners: 1. Investment for job creation and skills and education; 2. Migration and mobility;
3. Peace and security; and 4. Governance. Significant efforts were put into the youth track for the
Summit preparations, encompassed by the 4th Youth Summit and the subsequent, unprecedented
AU-EU Youth Plug-In Initiative, which ensured direct inputs from youth to the process in the form of
the Abidjan Youth Declaration and the Youth Agenda. Summit related events and side-events in
addition to the Youth Summit included the CSO Forum and meetings of Economic and Social Actors;
Local Authorities; the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament and the EU-Africa
Business Forum.
AU-UN-EU trilateral cooperation was launched in September in New York and put into practice with
the establishment of the Joint AU-EU-UN Taskforce to Address the Migrant Situation in Libya in the
margins of the AU-EU Summit.
Peace and security remained at the heart of AU-EU cooperation in 2017. At the Abidjan Summit,
leaders agreed on the principle of developing a framework document which will put the partnership
on peace and security on a more solid and structured basis. They also reiterated their commitment to
the implementation of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA). In May the 2017-2018
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2008294_0097.png
Action Programme of the African Peace Facility (APF) was approved with a commitment of EUR 535
million. It provided substantial support to finance African-led Peace Operations, such as the G5 Sahel
Joint Force, the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the ECOWAS mission in the Gambia (ECOMIG).
Under its Early Response Mechanism (ERM), the APF contributed to ensure stability and prevent
violence. Examples include the successful transition of power in the Gambia and the peaceful
presidential electoral process in Liberia. The APF also contributed to reinforce the (APSA) over the
three-year (2016-2018) APSA support programme amounting more than EUR 28 million. This covers
activities related to conflict prevention and early warning, crisis management and conflict resolution
including the African stand by force and mediation, post conflict, reconstruction and development,
strategic issues. The programme benefitted the AU Commission and eight regional economic
communities/Regional mechanisms.
Two AU-EU Human Rights Dialogues were organised in 2017, the 12th dialogue on 10 January in
Brussels (postponed from the end of 2016) and the 13th on 31 October in Banjul, Gambia.
Cooperation with the African Union Commission during 2017 focused on delivering on the joint
commitments identified and progress over the years in the field of human rights protection including
the finalisation of the guidelines on combatting sexual violence, continued EU support to the African
Human Rights System, the introduction of a Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
ights o the ights of pe so s ith disa ilities, the AU De la atio of
o Ha essi g
the
De og aphi Di ide d th ough i est e ts i the Youth , a d the o
it e t a d o ete steps
to strengthen and secure a more enabling environment for civil society. In this respect, the EU
welcomed the recent adoption of African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights (ACHPR)
Guidelines on Freedom of Association and Assembly and the holding of the Pan-African Conference
on Freedom of Expression in Kampala in March 2017.
During 2017, important cooperation activities took place with the African Union Commission (AUC)
through the Pan-African Programme. As part of the Pan-African Programme, the Commission
allocated in 2017 close to EUR 100 million for a series of initiatives that are expected to spur private
investments, provide technical assistance and enhance the African business environment.
On 1-2 July the African Union - European Union Agriculture Ministers Conference was held in Rome.
3.1.1.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.1.1.3.1
Implementation
Eradicating poverty, tackling discriminations and inequalities and leaving no-one behind are at the
heart of EU development cooperation policy in Sub-Saharan Africa. The EU Trust Fund for Africa
(EUTF), for example, approved in 2017 several projects that aim at addressing the root causes of
poverty affecting refugees and host communities. In the Horn of Africa, in Djibouti, the programme
Sustai a le solutio s fo host o
u ities a d ost ul e a le efugees a d ig a ts EUR
million) will protect refugees and offer sustainable solutions to refugees, migrants and host
population in the framework of the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework
89
and
o
it e ts take
the Go e
e t of Dji outi i this a ea. The p og a
e Edu atio i
89
http://www.unhcr.org/comprehensive-refugee-response-framework-crrf.html
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E e ge
P og a
e i Fou Fo e States i South Suda EUR
22.439 million) will focus on
improving child protection, foster better nutrition and equitable access to primary education. Finally,
the p og a
e PROTECT – P ote tio of ul e a le ig a ts alo g ig ato outes i Suda EUR
four million) will provide psychosocial support, medical assistance, food and non-food items as well
as legal aid and interpretation/translation to migrants involved in legal proceedings. While extreme
fragility continues in the West Africa region, stemming from a range of underlying and inter-
connected challenges and threats, the EUTF has reinforced the resilience of local populations: 200
000 people facing extreme vulnerability benefited from
social
transfers in Burkina Faso and Mali,
while 500 000 people were assisted around Lake Chad in setting up subsistence activities on the
sylvo-pastoral level. In particular, the EUTF played an important role in the implementation of the
new Partnership Framework for Migration in the Sahel and Lake Chad region, namely through its
support to ongoing dialogues and the creation of incentives in win-win partnerships, contributing to
mainstreaming migration in the EU's political dialogues with key countries. For example, between
April and December 2017, protection and assistance were provided to over 20 000 migrants
returning voluntary from the region and Libya to their communities of origin, including reintegration
counselling and reintegration assistance. In Nigeria the Borno Package interventions in the North-
East pursing an integrated humanitarian/development approach provided development cooperation
assistance for approximately 1.3 million internally displaced people and affected communities with a
strong focus on women, children, young people and orphans. Through the EDF, In Guinea Bissau, the
new EU programme on rural development (EUR 44 million) aims to seize the socio-economic
opportunities offered by agricultural value chains, as well as to support civil society. For a third year
in a row in 2017, Cabo Verde suffered from the impact of climate change, this time with a severe
d ought. The EU s p o pt espo se p o ided a e e ge
pa kage of EUR
illio to suppo t the
governmental Emergency Programme to tackle the consequences of the drought and the bad
agricultural year across the entire country.
The Central Africa region is marred by very poor socio-economic conditions for most of the
population and while economic prospects in 2017 looked brighter than in 2016, the underlying
challenges persisted. EU interventions in Central African Republic (CAR) continued to address the
resilience of the population and tackling their basic needs, most notably through the EU Trust Fund
fo the Ce t al Af i a Repu li Bêkou lau hed i Jul
ith EUR
illio pledged so fa
by building community resilience and national capacity countrywide (about 1.85 million people
reached in 2017) in the current four priority areas (rural development; health; redeployment of
public administration, and reconciliation). These priorities are aligned to the National Plan (RCPCA)
and the EU-CAR National Indicative Programme (NIP). People's needs were addressed in the
Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the EU adopted a EUR 10 million increase to the health
programme as a response to the humanitarian crisis in the Kasai region. Implementation of
important programmes in support to the population continued (biodiversity conservation,
sustainable agriculture, health). EU direct support to the population continued in Burundi, with a
new EUR 95 million individual measure adopted in June 2017 and aimed at building the population's
resilience in the nutrition/rural development, health, and energy sectors. Actions under this measure
are implemented by EU Member State agencies, UN agencies and NGOs. In addition, Burundi
received funding through regional programmes and thematic lines.
The EU increased support to the Zimbabwe Health Development Fund, from EUR 20.5 million to EUR
75.7 million. The fund focuses on improving health outcomes, increasing the protection of both
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women and men against health threats, strengthening the national health system and reducing
inequalities in access to quality health services.
I Mala i, the So ial Suppo t fo Resilie e EUR
illio p og a
e p o ides a oppo tu it to
enhance the nexus between Social Protection and Humanitarian Action. It was complemented, at the
end of 2017, by EUR nine million under the thematic programme Pro-Resilience Action, PRO-ACT, to
support the poorest and food-insecure households to react to el-Nino related food crises.
In Mozambique, the Nutrition Support Programme (EUR 30 million) supports the government co-
ordination and strategic planning functions for nutrition while scaling up the implementation of
essential nutrition-specific interventions included in the Multi-sector Action Plan for the Reduction of
Chronic Undernutrition.
In Zambia, the Programme of Prevention of Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and Support to
Survivors (EUR25 million) takes steps towards social norm change, lack of support services, economic
and social empowerment, and provide technical assistance on SGBV policy implementation, at
community and district level through focusing on young people, targeting leaders and media
interventions.
In Botswana, the Human Resource Development programme supported the re-establishment of
community support structures for families with young children and the management of childhood
illnesses.
At the continental level, 2017 also saw the implementing phase of the Pan-African Annual Action
Programme (AAP) 2016 for EUR 54 million focusing on actions in education, sustainable growth and
migration.
Through the Pan-African Masters Consortium in Interpretation and Translation (PAMCIT) project, the
EU helps train highly qualified interpreters and translators in Africa to meet emerging needs. PAMCIT
is financed by the EU Pan-African programme in cooperation with the United Nations. PAMCIT has
established a network of five universities in Africa (in Cameroon, Ghana, Senegal, Kenya, and
Mozambique) acting as centres of excellence to train interpreters and translators at master's level.
The 4th EU-AU High level Policy Dialogue (HLPD) on Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) took
place around the results of the first year of the partnership on Food, Nutrition Security and
Sustainable Agriculture, and adopted a roadmap towards a new partnership focused on Climate
Change and Sustainable Energy.
Two AU-EU Human Rights Dialogues were organised. Cooperation with the African Union
Commission during 2017 focused on delivering on the joint commitments and significant progress
has been achieved in the fields of human rights protection. Main achievements are: the finalisation
of the guidelines on combatting sexual violence; the EU continuous support to the African Human
Rights System; the introduction of a Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples' rights on
the rights of persons with disabilities; the
AU De la atio o Ha essi g the De og aphi Di ide d
th ough i est e ts i the Youth ; a d the o
it e t a d o ete steps to st e gthe a d
secure an enabling environment for civil society. In this respect, the EU welcomed the recent
adoption of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights' Guidelines on Freedom of
Association and Assembly and the holding of the Pan-African Conference on Freedom of Expression
in Kampala in March 2017.
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2008294_0100.png
3.1.1.3.2
Thematic overview
In the health sector, in addition to bilateral support to 11 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, the EU
continued promoting health in the region through global programmes, such as the Global Fund to
Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. Through GAVI, the EU supports vaccination in 21 Sub-Saharan
African countries. UNFPA intervenes in 35 countries in the region and the EU-WHO Universal Health
Partnership supports actions in 14 countries in the region.
I additio , the EUs o
it e t to the
SDGs 1 (no poverty), 3 (good health), 9 (industry, innovation
and infrastructures) and 17 (partnerships), has continued through the Horizon 2020 programme, by
supporting the second European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership programme,
with EUR 683 million for the period 2014-2024 (EDCTP2). The aim of this partnership
90
between 14
European countries, 16 African countries and the EU, is to contribute to the reduction of the social
and economic burden of poverty-related diseases in developing countries, in particular in sub-
Saharan Africa, by accelerating the clinical development of effective, safe, accessible, suitable and
affordable medical interventions for poverty-related diseases, in partnership with sub-Saharan Africa.
EDCTP2 contributes to making the European Union a strong global player in health research.
Moreover, the Commission co-chairs the Global Research Collaboration for Infectious Diseases
(GLoPID-R): the network of health research funders that aims to facilitate an effective research
response within 48 hours of a significant outbreak of a new or re-emerging infectious disease with
pandemic potential (e.g. Ebola, Zika, etc).
In addition to bilateral support in 14 countries in Sub-Sahara Africa, the EU continued promoting
education in the region through global programmes. Through the Global Partnership for Education
(GPE), the EU provided support to 37 countries on the continent. Through the Education cannot Wait
platform and fund, the EU contributed to the support to children in six crisis affected countries in the
region: Central African Republic, Chad, Ethiopia, Madagascar, Somalia, Uganda. In 2017 alone, the
Erasmus+ programme supported 191 short academic exchanges of African students, staff and
researchers and another 101 from Europe to Africa. In addition, 34 full Master degree scholarships
were given and 21 capacity-building projects were financed in the region.
While a lot of support focuses on improving smallholder resilience and livelihoods, support to
enhancing nutrition and resilience to crises also received worthy attention. For example, the
I fo atio fo Nut itio , Food Se u it a d Resilie e De isio Maki g INFORMED p og a
e
seeks to substantially increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises and reduce food
insecurity and malnutrition. Thanks to INFORMED, various tools have contributed to the better
preparedness of national and international organisations in addressing food security crises, as
attested by the reduction in the number of casualties compared to similar situations in previous
years. In 2017, the work of the Global Network and the analysis of the Global Report on Food Crises
helped avert famines in three countries in Africa: Somalia, South Sudan and Northern Nigeria.
90
So far (August 2018) the following countries participate in the EDCTP General Assembly with equal voting
rights: 14 European States (Austria, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom) and 16 sub-Saharan African States
(Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria,
Senegal, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia)
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The culture programme ACP Creative Industries and Cultural sector programme ended in 2017.
Overall the programme reached 422 308 young people, affected the regulatory framework of 17
countries, trained 8 062 people and reached 20 million people via social networks. A regional Ethical
Fashion Initiative has been funded with EUR 10 million to address root causes of migration through
job creation in the ethical fashion and design supply chain in West Africa (Mali and Burkina Faso).
The implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan on the African continent provides a mixed picture
o EU delegatio s pe fo a e o ge de
ai st ea i g set i the GAP
-2020 with good
performers (for example Senegal, Sierra Leone, Angola and South Africa), and with less good
performers who need to improve their performance. A significant number of new actions are now
gender mainstreamed in accordance with the OECD gender markers. Regional differences still exist
with Central and West Africa lagging behind East and Southern Africa.
The EU is supporting the global effort to put an end to harmful practices including child early and
forced marriage and female genital mutilation (FGM) implemented by United Nations Children's
Emergency Fund (UNICEF) and UNFPA with EUR 11 million. Twelve countries have now adopted
national budget lines to address FGM and more than 1.5 million girls and women have received
services for protection and care in the 17 countries, 16 of them in Africa, covered by the joint
programme. In addition, the EU supports the UNFPA-UNICEF global programme to end child marriage
with EUR six million. The programme has reached over 754 000 girls through girls 'clubs, schooling
initiatives or skills training and 1.6 million individuals.
The EU is also supporting a regional programme in Africa (four countries, EU contribution EUR four
million) dedicated to ensuring universal birth registration. Burkina Faso and Cameroon have adopted
national Civil Registration and Vital Statistics strategies and costed action plans. Research papers on
Côte d'Ivoire and Togo have been completed in 2017 under the thematic support of the EU-OECD
project Youth Inclusion. Policies on youth well-being have been reviewed with recommendations to
support youth national strategies in education, employment, health and civic participation.
There has been programmatic support to migration-related objectives during 2017 across Sub-
Saharan Africa. Most notable has been the results achieved by the Emergency Trust Fund for stability
and addressing root causes of irregular migration and displaced persons in Africa (the EUTF for
Africa). Under the Sahel and Lake Chad window, engaged in 12 countries of the Sahel and Lake Chad
region, 14 new projects were approved totalling over EUR 291 million. Five previously approved
projects were also given additional support of over EUR 66 million in 2017. Under the Horn of Africa
window, 17 new actions for an overall amount of EUR 233.48 million were approved in 2017. With
EUR 900 million contracted, the implementation pace of the EUTF for Africa improved in 2017 with
significant results being reported. For instance, through the Sahel and Lake Chad window, the
International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and government authorities in Niger have saved more
than 2 700 migrants through desert Search and Rescue operations and with the joint support of the
EU and the IOM, more than 13 000 vulnerable and stranded migrants have been provided adequate
protection measures and with a range of services.
In the Horn of Africa, in Ethiopia in 2017, under the RESET II programme 47 210 people in the Bale
area benefited from health and nutrition interventions while and more than 9 000 vulnerable
individuals, particularly women and young people, have been engaged in income generation
activities.
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2008294_0102.png
3.1.1.3.3
Case studies: People
Reducing maternal and child mortality in Zambia
Context
Under-five mortality has dropped in Zambia by 61 % and infant mortality by 58 % between 1992 and
2014. These achievements have been made because of key public health interventions implemented
by the Government of Zambia. However, progress on reducing maternal mortality has not kept pace
and Zambia still has a high maternal mortality rate of 398/100 000 live births. This is the strategic
motivation behind MDGi: to lower maternal mortality rates through improved health services,
strengthening the national health system.
Objectives
Improve maternal, neonatal and child health, as well as the nutritional status of women and
children.
Increased use of quality health and nutrition services by vulnerable women, adolescents and
children in selected urban and rural districts - comprising 30 % of the population in Zambia - in
the provinces of Lusaka and Copperbelt.
Impact
A package of highly effective nutrition services, aligned to the national strategy, is available and
used by the most vulnerable populations in all targeted districts.
Increased availability of a continuum of maternal neonatal and child health and nutrition services
of good quality.
Increased knowledge, demand for services and cultural and geographical access to Maternal,
New-born and Child Health services.
Improved coverage and accessibility of adolescent and youth friendly services in the targeted
districts.
The capacity for planning, implementation and co-ordination of the Ministry of Community
Development Mother and Child Health, the Ministry of Health, and other stakeholders at
national, provincial and district level improved.
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Connected through Technology: AfricaConnect2
Context
By having access to affordable high-speed broadband connectivity, students, academic staff and
researchers have the opportunity to exchange and cooperate with their peers around the world. The
project supports collaborative scientific research, which is greatly needed not only to catalyse
innovation and economic growth, but also to address global challenges such as climate change and
infectious diseases.
Objectives
Through a EUR 20 million programme, the EU supports the establishment of an African e-
infrastructure dedicated to education and research.
By giving students, academic staff and researchers access to affordable, high-speed broadband
connectivity, they now can exchange and collaborate with global peers.
Impact
670 higher education institutions and research centres will be connected in east and southern
Africa.
The programme is now being expanded to western and central Africa, where it is estimated that
two million potential users will be reached in years to come.
Supporting Refugees and Hosts in Northern Uganda
Context
This project improves the living conditions of refugees and host-communities by enhancing food
security, skills development, inter community dialogue and conflict prevention, and provision of
basic services such as education, water and sanitation. Skills gaps related to the emerging
settlement economy and green skill economy that can reduce environmental impacts due to the
refugee crisis will be identified. Green skills will permit a transition towards climate-smart
agricultural practices and include water management for irrigation, promotion of drought-
resistant seeds, protection or restoration of biodiversity and ecosystems through the creation of
kitchen garden and preferred use of green architecture/sustainable building.
Objectives
The aim is to improve livelihoods, food and nutrition security, to mitigate risks of further
escalation of conflicts and to increase access to education:
Improve food security, nutrition and livelihoods of the refugee population and host
communities in a sustainable manner.
Improve inter-community dialogue at local level and put in place conflict prevention
mechanisms.
Improve the level of education and increase, through skills development, medium and long-
term economic opportunities for refugees and host communities.
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Impact
6 000 MSMEs supported.
2 200 beneficiaries that have enhanced their skills through instant (10-100 hours) courses
responding to identified skills gaps for green economy, livelihoods and settlement service
delivery.
69 000 people receiving basic social services.
2 200 beneficiaries that participate in training in non-formal and formal Business, Technical,
Vocational Education and Training (BTVET) and entrepreneurships training to enhance
employable skills.
3.1.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.1.1.4.1
Implementation
In 2017, several projects have been adopted in Sub-Saharan Africa that aim at fighting environmental
degradation, climate change, extreme weather, and natural or man-made disasters which can offset
development gains and economic progress, especially for the poor. In Kenya,
the p og a
e E di g
D ought E e ge : Suppo t to Resilie t Li elihoods a d D ought Risk Ma age e t ith a EUR .
million contribution will support communities in arid and semi-arid areas to become more resilient to
drought and other effects of climate
ha ge. Si ila l , the p og a
e Suppo t to the esilie e of
u al populatio i Dji outi ith a EUR
illio o t i utio
ill i p o e ate a age e t i
terms of availability and access to water in rural environments; increase agriculture production
through the implementation of agro-pastoral perimeters and diversify revenues sources of
ul e a le u al populatio s. Fi all , the p og a
e Buildi g Resilie e i No the So alia
(RESTORE 2 with a EUR 10 million contribution) will assist communities to recover from the impact of
the severe drought in 2017 and increase the ability and capacity of relevant authorities and
communities to prepare for and manage future climate-related shocks and disasters.
Through the West Africa Regional Indicative Programme, the EU is supporting the protection of
ecosystems at regional level that are necessary for agriculture and water provision and therefore
energy, maintaining security over large territories, reducing the migratory pressure, creating
sustainable jobs, and protecting the biodiversity present in the region. In 2017, a regional
programme of support natural resources (EUR 45 million) was approved, aimed at promoting a more
effective conservation of biodiversity and fragile ecosystems and enhance resilience to climate
change. The current programme covers deserts, savannas and mangroves, but a new component on
forest conservation is being prepared for 2018. Central Africa is home to the Forests of the Congo
Basin, the second largest tropical rainforest in the world. The EU approach to biodiversity
conservation in Central Africa combines support to sustainable agriculture and (hydro) electricity,
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with large expected benefits to the surrounding population in terms of job creation, inclusive growth
and climate change mitigation. The Parks also often play an important role in improving security, also
beneficial for economic activity. In 2017, the ECOFAC regional programme of EUR61 million received
a EUR 10 million top-up, to further enhance the parks' capacity to conserve and protect biodiversity
and enhance training at regional level.
With ega d to sustai a le e e g , a p og a
e E e g Effi ie
A tio Pla EEAP
ith a EUR
eight million contribution has been adopted with the objective to make the energy sector in Tanzania
more sustainable, gender inclusive and climate smart.
Mozambique's Energy Project Preparation Facility (EUR 10.5 million) aims to strengthen energy
stakeholders' capacity, improve the regulatory framework and boost public and private projects to
reach financial close. This facility responds to the second and third pillar of the EU External
Investment Plan and is expected to pave the way for quick investment ahead of the country's
expected return to economic and financial stability. Support is also foreseen to the Minister of
Environment and Rural Development in submitting a proposal to GCCA+ funds, for the finalisation of
Mozambique's INDC, as required by the Paris Climate Change agreement, and the implementation of
the local adaptation plans.
The Zambia-dedicated ElectriFI window has a very strong PLANET dimension. The EU Delegation with
EU Member States and European private sector investors is the strongest promoter of renewable
energy in the country. The Agriculture programme, with its focus on climate smart agriculture,
sustainable water management and building resilience of small-scale farming systems, as part of
market and business-oriented approach, is also strongly aligned to the PLANET dimension.
In Mauritius, the Global Climate Change Alliance+ Financing Agreement signed in 2017 aims at
addressing adaptation and mitigation measures against climate change targeting vulnerable small
holders in the agriculture sector. The overall objective of the project is to increase the resilience and
capacity of small holders to develop climate smart agriculture to reduce the consequences of
extreme climate variability affecting production and productivity. Co-funded by the European Union
(EUR 25 million grant) and France (EUR 22.5 million
Agence Française de Développement
(AFD) loan),
the Zagtouli 33 MW photovoltaic power plant was launched in November 2017 in Burkina Faso. It is
the biggest solar plant in West Africa connecting around 660 000 people to clean energy and
providing 6 % of Burkina Faso's energy production. It will help to meet rising energy demands, while
reducing carbon emissions, and lowering the costs of energy production. The huge new photovoltaic
solar plant in Zagtouli features almost 130 000 solar panels, covering 60 hectares, and will save over
25 000 tons of CO2 every year. The Commission services European Solar Test Installation (ESTI) was
used successfully to verify the quality of a sample of the photovoltaic modules used in the plant.
In Niger, the EU is co-financing with AFD the construction of a hybrid power plant in Agadez (EUR 36
million, out of which a EUR 16 million is an EU grant). Located in a fragile region, hit by irregular
migration and different types of trafficking, the plant will help to improve the living conditions of
some 34 000 subscribers and create more than 230 direct jobs.
At the continental level, at the AU-EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference on 'Making Sustainable
Agriculture a future for youth in Africa', held in July in Rome, Ministers from the African Union and
European Union countries agreed to give new impetus to their joint efforts to improve investment in
sustainable food production and job creation in Africa.
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The Global Monitoring for Environment and Security (GMES) in Africa initiative seeks to promote
sustainable management of natural resources through the use by policy makers of Earth Observation
data (including Copernicus data). A support Programme for EUR 30 million kick-started in 2017. The
programme includes grants for African research institutes to be managed by the AUC for EUR 21
million.
In 2017 a report was published describing a spatial analysis tool for assessing potential pathways
towards a sustainable rural electrification plan. A demonstration application for Burkina Faso was
done in collaboration between Commission services, the Energy Ministry of Burkina Faso, and the
Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency of the Economic Community of West African
States ECOWAS . I
, Co
issio se i es s ie tifi a d te h ical
support to the Covenant of
Mayor (CoM) initiative was extended to Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Pilot projects were awarded to a
first group of cities/municipalities including Kampala, Lubumbashi Dakar, Bouaké Communauté de
Communes du Zou, Nouakchott, Tsévié. Commission services provided information and analyses on
renewable energy sources in Africa via its Photovoltaics Geographical Information System (PV-GIS)
and the Renewable Energy in Africa (RENAF) web platform, monitored the implementation of the
Electrifi programme and performed country-specific analyses.
3.1.1.4.2.
Thematic overview
Africa continues to be one of the regions most affected by climate change. The size of the continent
and its varied geographic and climatic conditions make it impossible to develop a one-size-fits-all
approach to address the challenge.
The continent is impacted by droughts in some areas but also by floods due to changing rainfall
patterns. Modifications in the weather and climate calendar have deeply affected agricultural
production and food security. Water is becoming an even rarer resource in important areas, in
particular around the Sahel and Sahara zone, and also in Southern Africa.
The EU is supporting Africa through different actions including support to the African Group of
Negotiators, a specific sub-Saharan African Disaster Risk Reduction programme in the framework of
the Global Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction and the Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA+).
One of the new GCCA+ actions, approved in 2017 for Mozambique will seek to build resilience to
li ate ha ge at the lo al a d p o i ial le el a d ei fo e the Go e
e t of Moza i ue s
knowledge-based decision-making capacity in the management of the threats and challenges
imposed by climate change, in line with the National System for Monitoring and Evaluation of
Climate Change (SNAMMC) foreseen by the Paris Agreement.
About 22 % of Africa is forest and woodland, providing vital habitats for millions of species and
important sources for water, food and energy. With deforestation presenting a real threat to
sustainable development, the EU has developed a flagship initiative to address illegal logging and the
associated trade: the EU Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) Action Plan. In
2017, the EU supported FLEGT Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) in Côte d'Ivoire, Gabon, and
the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), and coordinated VPA implementation in Ghana, Liberia,
Central African Republic and Cameroon to improve forest governance and ensure that trade in
timber is legal. This was complemented by actions to reinforce law enforcement at national level
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(police, justice, customs). In addition, the EU supported Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, DRC and the
Republic of the Congo in the implementation of zero-deforestation agriculture commitments by the
public and private sector and the development or revision of forest policies.
With regards to biodiversity, EU intervention concentrated on supporting some of the major
protected areas through a more integrated approach associating conservation, sustainable energy
production, sustainable agriculture, and improved security. From Zakouma (Chad) to Salonga (DRC)
and from Virunga (DRC) to Pendjari (Benin) EU support has been critical to maintaining ecosystems
and ensuring better living conditions for the population. The EU also strengthened the capacities of
local communities to combat wildlife trafficking, in particular in East Africa, since security conditions
are drastically improved when the criminal networks jeopardising natural resources are dismantled.
Land degradation is a major environmental issue, with negative consequences on agriculture and
li elihoods. The EU suppo ts the G eat G ee Wall i itiati e, hi h ai s to esto e Af i a s deg
aded
landscapes. Specific actions were carried out in 2017 for instance aimed at strengthening sustainable
land management structures, raising awareness, training people in local methodological tools,
disseminating best practices and pilot testing of local investments to restore land.
In sub-Saharan Africa, the EU has focused on improving the resilience of smallholder farmers and has
sought to boost rural livelihoods, mainly through support to sustainable agriculture. Currently land
governance programmes promote the implementation of the Voluntary Guidelines on the
Responsible Governance of Tenure of Land, Fisheries, and Forest in 15 African countries. For
example, in Angola, EU funded actions contributed to registration of land for more than 12 000
people in the Central Highlands and to the remobilisation of local cadastre offices. Gender equality
receives particular attention. For example, in Namibia 40 % of land titles, issued with joint German
and EU financial support, are registered in the name of women. In Malawi, the EU supports the
sensitisation of local authorities and the public land administration in gender-sensitive registration of
customary land. EU support to food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture shows that the
share of climate-relevant actions is approximately 33 %.
A growing population combined with the effects of climate change and unplanned urbanisation are
creating tensions over resources notably on water. With 90 % of water in Africa falling within 63
international river basin catchments crossed by multiple borders, water management in the region is
essential. The EU participates to the Cooperation in International Water in Africa (CIWA) Trust Fund
that assists riparian governments in addressing constraints to cooperative water resources
management and development. The Mekrou project ended in 2017 with the definition of a cross-
border cooperation plan between Benin, Burkina Faso and Niger for the management and
development of the Mekrou Basin. In addition, the EU supported the dialogue between partner
countries to enhance the integrated use of water, energy and land avoiding trade-offs and
maximising their value.
In the area of conflict minerals and a responsible supply chain thereof, and in compliance with the
provisions of the new EU Regulation on Conflict Minerals
91
, the EU promoted an enhanced and
progressive formalization of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector. The 3T&G action, conducted
91
Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply
chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold
originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas
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in partnership with other downstream economic operators, is expected to increase socio-economic
conditions of miners in Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas through capacity building and adoption
of responsible mining practices that mitigate the various circumstances of vulnerability.
In the area of gender, the EU is financing a EUR 10 million project aimed at promoting
Wo e 's
E o o i E po e e t a d fi a ial i lusio i Su
-Saharan countries by improving access to
suitable financial products and services, essential critical skills, digital enablers and capacity building
services for financial institutions and end beneficiaries. By leveraging public and private resources
through blending, the action also contributes towards defining scalable and replicable approaches in
this area with other cooperation programmes such as EIP.
In 2017 activities and preparatory work started for the EUR 19.2 million programme Promoting
Responsible Value Chains in the Cotton and Garment Sector with a focus on Decent Work and
Transparency/Traceability. Workers, particularly women and girls, benefit of better working
conditions and safer workplaces. In Burkina Faso and Mali child labour and forced labour are also
addressed particularly in the cotton production.
3.1.1.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Protecting wildlife, supporting livelihoods in Chad
Context
Zakouma National Park is one of the last remaining intact Sudano-Sahelian ecosystems in Africa. The
park was founded in 1963 by the Chadian Government and the EU has supported the park for over
15 years. It became a public-private partnership in 2010 run by African Parks Network and the
Chadian Government.
Objective
To support the management of the Zakouma National Park.
Impact
There has been only one poaching incident in the park since 2011 and the population is
increasing with new-born elephant calves observed for the first time in many years; 40 have
been born since 2013.
A new village radio system was set-up and has improved communication links between the park
and its neighbours.
A camp ground is available for Chadian nationals free of charge and for school groups on
environmental field trips.
The park helps to provide for the social, education and health needs of the local communities. A
school building programme began in 2013, with seven schools planned over a five-year period.
Mo e hild e atte d s hool o , a d people s ualit of
life has improved thanks to the
provision of healthcare.
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Creating Resilience and Economic Opportunities in Ethiopia
Context
Dehana woreda, in Wag Hemra zone, Amhara region is located 800 km from the capital city. To
reach Dehana you need to travel through the northern mountainous part of the country for two
and half days. The area is known for its degraded, steep and stony mountains. Farmers in the area
have been struggling for decades to grow crops in the area and each year shortage of rain makes
the existing problem worse. Above all, studies show that Wag Hemra zone is highly affected by
malnourishment. Therefore, Danchurchaid introduced Quinoa to Ethiopia with the intention of
fighting malnourishment through the introduction of this drought-resistant crop.
Objective
The introduction of Quinoa four years ago aimed to address two big challenges: malnutrition
and drought. The crop known in the world as a 'super food' contains all the essential food items
that are important for growth, which are not found in other grains. Furthermore, it only
requires a small amount of rainfall to grow.
Impact
The project targets 600 farmers in total. During the first year of the project, 200 farmers were
selected and were provided with a total of 40 kg of quinoa.
Furthermore, a training on how to grow and harvest quinoa was given to all the 200 farmers.
In the second phase, the project will buy back the seeds harvested by the 200 farmers, which
will be distributed to the remaining 400 targeted farmers.
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3.1.1.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.1.1.5.1
Implementation
A number of programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa approved in 2017 have focused on creating decent
jobs, particularly for women and youth, a key element for inclusive and sustainable growth. For
e a ple, the p og a
e EU-Coffee A tio fo Ethiopia EUR
illio o t i utio
ill i ease
incomes among Ethiopian smallholder coffee growers and processors through enhanced
productivity, quality, and market integration, with a special attention to environmentally and climate
ha ge sustai a le p a ti es. The p og a
e Leathe I itiati e fo Sustai a le E plo e t
C eatio LISEC i Ethiopia EUR
illio o t i utio
ill eate g eate e o o i a d de e t
employment opportunities, especially for young men and women through the development of the
Ethiopia leathe i dust a d the Modjo leathe i dust ial pa k. I Ta za ia, the p og a
e
Agri-
Co e t: Suppo ti g alue hai s fo sha ed p ospe it
(EUR 100 million contribution) will generate
agricultural wealth, by linking farmers to markets and value chains; and improving food and nutrition
security, through improved access, availability, and use of food. In the same country, the programme
St e gthe i g the esilie e
of refugees and their host communities in Kigoma Region by creating
e o o i hu s a d e plo e t oppo tu ities EUR
illio o t i utio
ill
develop three to five
multi-functional market places strategically located in the host communities close to the refugee
camps.
I Suda , the p og a
e Foste i g S allholde Capa ities a d A ess to Ma kets i Food
I se u e A eas of Da fu EUR eight illio o t i utio
ill i ease household food a aila ilit
reducing pre-farm gate losses, empower smallholders to sell surplus grain at higher prices and
st e gthe apa it of s allholde s a d fa e s g oups to a ess a kets a d alue hai s.
Investment, job creation and inclusive growth remained key objectives of EU partnership with West
Africa where more than EUR 500 million was mobilised and leveraged almost EUR 3.8 billion of total
investments in transport and energy projects.
The West Africa Regional Competitiveness Programme to support the competitiveness of the region
via support to value chains development and improvement of the business climate was launched,
together with a programme to promote trade facilitation and another to facilitate fiscal reform.
The EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF) also provided support to projects aimed at strengthening job
creation, focusing on the one hand on bridging skills gap, financial education and encouraging saving
schemes while stimulating entrepreneurship and on the other hand on boosting market access,
integrated value chain and improving innovative digital financial services. In the Sahel region, to date
a total of 23 projects in nine countries have been adopted for EUR 383.68 million and the majority
has started being implemented. Through budget support (with more than EUR 600 million disbursed
in 2017 for West and Central Africa), macroeconomic and public finance reforms, preconditions for
sustainable economic transformation, and value chains development to deliver inclusive growth for
poverty reduction were supported. Over the same period, around EUR 150 million were mobilised in
the Central Africa region through blending for transport, digitalisation and energy projects.
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2008294_0111.png
In Cameroun, one of the economic locomotives of Central Africa, and the only country in the region
that ratified the interim Economic Partnership Agreement (i-EPA), the EU committed several
programmes for a total amount of EUR 133.85 million, including a first EUR 96 million Budget
Support (Sector Reform Contract) on rural development for 10 years. In Rwanda, the implementation
of two important sector reform contracts (in the energy and agriculture sectors) continued, further
strengthening the economic base of this fast-growing country.
The successful social protection programme in Lesotho was reinforced with additional EUR 1.6
million for the expansion of the national database NISSA. Evidence shows that the impact of an
efficient and effective social protection programme is a stimulus to growth, in particular in rural
communities.
In Mozambique, the EU in coordination with the Ministry of Industry and Trade worked on the
National EPA Implementation Plan, including EPA Compliance Measures; EPA related business
environment actions; further support to trade facilitation reforms, related to the WTO Trade
Facilitation Agreement; Value-chains; Trade & Private Sector Dialogue and Communication activities.
I S azila d, the i ple e tatio of the p og a
e Ho ti ultu e a d High Value C ops as
accelerated to further strengthen the institutional capacity of the Ministry of Agriculture, NSA and
other relevant stakeholders in ways that specifically improve the investment and business
environment of Swazi agriculture.
I Mala i, the EUR
illio Kuli a p og a
e o sustai a le ag i ultu e a d ag i ultu al
g o th as lau hed a d the egio al p og amme
allocation was mobilised for two key enablers:
the rehabilitation of M1 Corridor and the interconnector of Mozambique and Malawi.
For Madagascar blending investment operations under the Africa Finance & Investment Forum (AFIF)
with the EIB and AFD for a total EU grant contribution of EUR 96 million in NIP and EUR 31 million in
RIP funding were signed. The upgrade of the national roads RN6 and RN13 will improve transport
connections in the northern and southern parts of the country, notably linking up to the two ports,
which will help to improve the business environment and economic development, as well as access
for the population to basic services. Other projects include improvements of water and sanitation
infrastructure in and around the capital, the completion of the strategic Ring road around the capital
Antananarivo, and the rehabilitation of key infrastructures for improved sanitation and the
prevention of floods in the capital. In Zambia, support was provided to inclusive agricultural value
chains and sustainable commercialisation of smallholder farmers, as part of a comprehensive
programme (EUR 97 million). Sustainable and responsible agribusiness development are supported
through AgriFI and blending with EDFI. In addition, the Zambia-dedicated window under
ElectriFI
(EUR 40 million also part of AAP 2017) aims to bridge the gaps in financing of sustainable clean
energy investments which are recognised as some of the key constraints for renewable energy
expansion.
As part of the Pan-African Programme, the Commission allocated close to EUR 100 million for a series
of initiatives that are expected to spur private investments, provide technical assistance and enhance
the African business environment. Projects approved include legal and judicial development,
customs, safety in aviation and Information and Communications Technology (ICT) infrastructure, as
well as contributions to infrastructure projects with a pan-African dimension to be funded through
the African Investment Facility.
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3.1.1.5.2.
Thematic overview
Both new programmes and disbursements for ongoing programmes in agriculture and rural
development in sub-Saharan Africa were again on the rise in 2017. The EU for instance contributed
EUR 30 million to the African Agriculture Trade and Investment Fund through AgriFI. This
contribution will be used to acquire first-loss C-shares, allowing the Fund to attract more funding for
A and B shares, which receive higher returns. In this way the total size of the investment fund will
increase, allowing the portfolio to invest in more smallholders and agri-businesses in Africa. Also in
Africa, the EU supports the Farmers' Africa capacity building programme that aims to improve the
livelihoods and food security of rural producers in Africa. For example, in Uganda, the introduction of
new cassava varieties which has allowed farmers to increase their productivity from three tons per
acre to eight to ten tons per acre, with farmers subsequently recording increases in income from the
sale of cassava from USD 115 to USD 509 (343 %) per year.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 60 % of the people (more than 600 million) do not have access to electricity. In
rural areas only 10 % have access to power. Despite rapid progress in several countries, the
electrification of the continent is not keeping up with population growth. Remote rural areas are the
biggest challenge. The high costs of connecting them to the grid and the risks for companies to invest
in off-grid solutions (such as mini-grids or local grids) often leave them behind without basic energy
services.
Traditional development aid (grants) is not sufficient to address this challenge and meet the 2030
Agenda objectives and the SDG 7 of universal access to sustainable energy. The EU is therefore
proposing new ways to stimulate and de-risk private sector investments.
As pa t of EU's E e gise Af i a st ateg , the EU suppo ts the Af i a-owned
and led African
Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI). 19 projects with an estimated EU support of EUR 315 million have
already been adopted by the AREI Board. This support is expected to leverage total investments
amounting to EUR 3.9 billion, cover the needs to some 1.3 million families and add 1.8 GW of
renewable energy generation.
A successful example of this new approach is the recently inaugurated Tororo Solar Plant in Uganda.
An EU grant of EUR 7.08 million leveraged USD 14.7 million of public loans (from the Dutch
Development Bank FMO and the UK's Emerging Africa Investment Fund), which in turn triggered USD
4.9 million in private equity. The Tororo Solar Plant is expected to provide electricity to 36 200
households and businesses.
The ElectriFI supported investment of Azuri Technologies in Kenya will contribute to expand the off-
grid energy sector by providing of PayGo solar home systems to 25 000 households, providing access
to electricity for 125 000 people.
In November 2017 at the EU Africa Business Forum in Abidjan in Cote d'Ivoire, the EU brought
together African and European public and private sector representatives to discuss ways of boosting
investments in sustainable energy.
I the a ea of ge de , the EU is fi a i g a EUR
illio p oje t ai ed at p o oti g Wo e 's
E o o i E po e e t a d fi a ial i lusio i Su
-Saharan countries by improving access to
suitable financial products and services, essential critical skills, digital enablers and capacity building
services for financial institutions and end beneficiaries. By leveraging public and private resources
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2008294_0113.png
through blending, the action also contributes towards defining scalable and replicable approaches in
this area with other cooperation programmes such as EIP.
In 2017 activities and preparatory work started for the EUR 19.2 million programme Promoting
Responsible Value Chains in the Cotton and Garment Sector with a focus on Decent Work and
Transparency/Traceability. Workers, particularly women and girls, benefit of better working
conditions and safer workplaces. In Burkina Faso and Mali child labour and forced labour are also
addressed particularly in the cotton production.
The provision of efficient transport infrastructure modes is widely considered as the main instrument
for sustainable socio-economic development and job creation with rural, national, regional and intra-
regional dimensions. In 2017, the EU provided support under the African investment Facility and
Infrastructure Trust Fund (in total, 10 projects for EUR 440 million with the EU contribution
leveraging EUR 1 995 million).
The EU is leading the coordination and management of the JAES infrastructure agenda in the
framework of the
Refe e e G oup o I f ast u tu e esta lished u de the
-2017 JAES
Roadmap.
3.1.1.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Self-managed solar power in Ivory Coast
Context
The Zanzan region is the most electrified in Côte d'Ivoire. The villages chosen for the project were not
scheduled to be connected to the national grid within 10 years. In the seven villages targeted, the
only sources of energy available were wood fires, flashlights and storm lamps. The only health centre
in the village of Kakpin was without electricity and faced problems with the refrigerated storage of
medicines to treat patients. Citizens also had safety issues during the night.
Objectives
Improvement of the quality of life and settlement of the inhabitants.
Implementation of hybrid photovoltaic generation micro-grids.
Development of productive capacities within the villages.
Sustainability of the system through effective, sustainable and participatory management and
the creation and training of a local body for specialised maintenance.
Establishment of an easily replicable model in rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire.
Impact
The populations of the seven villages of the Zanzan region (Boudou, Kapé, Solokaye,
Kromambira, Zamou, Gansé, Kakpin) now have access to electricity.
A public lighting network was built in each village, as was the connection to the electricity
network of the Kakpin Village Health Centre and primary schools.
A management system by local associations has been put in place and is functional.
Income-generating activities have been created including selling cold drinks, selling fish, and
recharging mobile phone batteries.
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2008294_0114.png
Conflict Prevention, Peace and Economic Opportunities for the Youth
Context
This project contributes to increased peace, stability and inclusive economic opportunities for
youths in marginalised areas in Kenya.
Objective
To enhance understanding of sources of conflict and exclusion, leading to informed policy and
interventions which identify means of addressing development needs and grievances
To provide youths with skills which can be used to improve employment and prospects.
To strengthen capacity to manage and prevent conflict and improve trust between the state
and communities.
To empower smallholder farmers by enhancing access to better market opportunities in
selected value chains and enhancing the resilience of farming systems.
Impact
5 799 jobs created
9 280 people benefiting from professional trainings (TVET) and/or skills development.
5 040 people participating in conflict prevention and peace building activities.
22 000 people assisted to develop economic income-generating activities.
730 staff from governmental institutions and internal security forces trained.
3.1.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.1.1.6.1
Implementation
Strengthening Resilience, Peace, Security and Governance is one of the four common strategic
priorities agreed by the African and European Heads of State and Government at the 5th AU
–
EU
Summit held in Abidjan (Côte d'Ivoire) on 29-30 November 2017. Acknowledging that Africa and the
EU face common security threats and the need to address their root causes, leaders agreed on the
principle of developing a framework document which will put the partnership on peace and security
on a more solid and structured basis. They also reiterated their commitment to the implementation
of the African Peace and Security Architecture (APSA).
Building on the new European Consensus on Development and on the EU Global Strategy,
cooperation in the area of peace and security continued to be at the core of the Africa-EU
Partnership in 2017. The 2017-2018 Action Programme of the African Peace Facility (APF) was
approved with a commitment of EUR 535 million. It provided substantial support to finance African-
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led Peace Operations, such as the G5 Sahel Joint Force, the AU mission in Somalia (AMISOM) and the
ECOWAS mission in the Gambia (ECOMIG). Under its Early Response Mechanism (ERM), the APF
contributed to ensure stability and prevent violence. Examples include the successful transition of
power in the Gambia and the peaceful presidential electoral process in Liberia. The APF also
contributed to reinforce the APSA under the three years (2016-2018) APSA support programme
amounting more than EUR 28 million and covering activities related to conflict prevention and early
warning, crisis management and conflict resolution including the African stand by force and
mediation, Post conflict, reconstruction and development, strategic issues. The programme
benefitted the AU Commission and eight regional economic communities/Regional mechanisms.
At regional and bilateral level, during 2017, Resilience, Peace, Security and Governance were
strategic priorities particularly in the fragile West and Central Africa regions. G5 Sahel remained the
focus of EU interventions. In Mali, several projects to improve security, governance, and the
resilience of affected citizens in the whole country were committed. The security-development nexus
was fully in play with two complementary programmes under the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF):
PARSEC (EUR 29 million to reinforce the security of Mopti and Gao regions as well as border
management) and PROJES (EUR30 million to enhance resilience of the population, to restore the
access to basic services and foster economic development). The EU strategy in Niger continued to be
based on three main pillars/nexuses: (i) security-migration with the start of implementation of EUTF
projects (joint
investigation team, GAR-SI, OIM partnership),
(ii) security-development with security
projects and budgetary support (AJUSEN) to pure development projects and budgetary support for
food security (CRS
SANAD),
jobs creation and professional training, and infrastructures (e.g. hybrid
power plans in Agadez and Gorou Banda), (iii) humanitarian-development through CRS SANAD, as
well as a joint project in Diffa with financial contributions Commission services of EUR 11 million.
Bu ki a Faso suffe ed f o a i eased i se u it a d te o is th eats i
. The EU s espo se
targeted the security and development challenges of the country through a package of EUR 76
million from the EU Trust Fund for Africa that included a Budget Support programme (EUR 50 million)
to implement the Emergency Programme for the Sahel and two initiatives to prevent violent
extremism and support youth through dialogue and education. Moreover, the EU supported the
operationalisation of the G5 Sahel Joint Force created by five states of the Sahel region (Mauritania,
Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and Chad) in 2017 to fight terrorism, organized crime, cross-border and
human trafficking in the cross-border regions. Security threats around the Lake Chad persisted, with
the activity of the Boko Haram group, and required both direct security interventions (EUR50 million
support provided through the African Peace Facility to the Multinational Joint Task Force - MNJTF) as
well as resilience-enhancing programmes for the communities around the Lake. The EU
comprehensive/integrated approach remained fully relevant and at play in the whole of the Central
Africa region, deploying the full set of instruments at its disposal, from humanitarian to early
recovery and stabilisation, to development. The internal coordination efforts started to bear fruit,
with an enhanced coherence of overall approach, avoiding duplication among EU instruments and
ensuring their synergies and complementarities. While the security situation has somewhat
worsened in both CAR and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), a new African Union 'Peace
Initiative' has been put forward, supported by the EU. In DRC, the Commission adjusted its
cooperation in the governance sector (justice and police projects have been on hold since 2016) and
a EUR 20 million elections support programme was finally adopted in December 2017, showing
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readiness to support elections as the only pathway for the resolution of the crisis once conditions are
met.
Programmes approved in 2017 for Sub-Saharan African countries also focused on good governance,
de o a a d the ule of la . I Uga da, a Se to Refo
Co t a t Justi e a d A ou ta ilit
Refo
programme with a EUR 66 million contribution will contribute to improve governance in the
areas of (i) public service delivery, (ii) strategic allocation and efficient use of public resources, (iii)
domestic resource mobilisation, (iv) fight against corruption, and (v) increased transparency. In
Tanzania, the programme
I p o i g a ou ta ilit th ough fighti g o uptio a d i eased a ess
to justi e i Ta za ia IMPACT
ith a EUR
illio o t i utio
ill i p o e the effe ti e ess of
national anti-corruption institutions and increase access to justice for all, in particular for women. At
regional level, the programme
P o oti g Pea e A d Sta ility I The Ho Of Af i a Regio
(with a
EUR 40 million contribution) will support the process of achieving sustainable peace, security and
stability for the attainment of economic integration and development of the region. Finally, the
p og a
e E ha i g se u it a d the ule of la i So alia
ith a EUR
illio o t i utio
will increase the presence and efficacy of police throughout the Federal Member States whilst at the
same time connecting this increased law enforcement to a more accessible, reliable and competent
justice provision.
In Lesotho, a programme of EUR 4.5 million was decided to ensure better accountability through
advocacy and a better-informed citizenship through civil society. In Malawi, there has been a very
active Public Finance Management (PFM) policy dialogue. In terms of democratic governance, the EU
has also been leading the policy dialogue on electoral reforms through the Electoral follow up
mission and its contribution to the National registration process that enabled nine million Malawians
to obtain an ID card.
In Namibia, the EIDHR has been instrumental to implement the Human Rights and Democracy
Country Strategy (HRDCS). The entire envelope of the AAP 2017 for Namibia was contracted to
implement projects in the areas of gender and women's rights and cultural rights.
For Madagascar a second State Building Contract (SBC II, worth EUR 30 million) was approved, due to
the persistent fragility of the country and notably in order to ensure continuity of the efforts in the
area of PFM, anti-corruption and social service spending. This was complemented by a programme to
strengthen the capacities of Civil Society in their Government oversight function, building on the
achievements under the 10th EDF (DINIKA II, EUR eight million). Under the Instrument contributing
to Stability and Peace (IcSP) an Article 4c project (EUR one million) on the prevention and
management of potential conflict and violence linked to elections was also approved in 2017.
In Zambia, the new 11th EDF PFM programme (EUR 17 million) focuses on improving accountability,
transparency and effectiveness in management of public resources and domestic revenue
mobilisation. This programme will directly contribute to the implementation of the Economic
Recovery Programme of the Government of Zambia both on the expenditure and the revenue side.
The programme also targets the strengthening of oversight institutions (National Assembly and
Office of the Auditor General) and the improvement of operations of the Anti-Corruption
Commission.
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3.1.1.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
Through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), and previously the Instrument for
Stability (IfS), the EU has contributed to the police reform process in Guinea Conakry since 2013
through a focused support on community policing revolving around three main areas of intervention:
police-community relations, professionalisation of pilot police stations and institutional support to
the Ministry of Interior. Furthermore, a new measure for Guinea has been adopted in December
2017 to tackle a growing risk of radicalisation in Guinea and the fight against impunity. The two
projects, which will start in 2018, will seek to support institutional and community actors to prevent
radicalisation in different localities of the Basse, Moyenne and Haute Guinée regions and to support
victims in the trials of the 28 September 2009 events.
In Côte d'Ivoire through the IcSP the EU is supporting institutional efforts to implement the national
security strategy with a specific focus on intelligence services coordination and operational capacities
to better anticipate and respond to security risks revolving around radicalisation, in full respect of
Human Rights obligations. The EU contribution to prevention of radicalisation and peacebuilding in
Côte d'Ivoire is also achieved through an engagement with vulnerable and marginalised youth to
support their socio-professional reintegration, by supporting the Ministry of Education in the
implementation of their strategy of integration of koranic schools in the mainstream education
system and through initiatives to promote a culture of peace, social cohesion and the prevention of
conflicts. The third area of IcSP engagement in the security sector aims to strengthen border
management capacities by supporting the development of a national migration strategy as well as
the border management operations in the northern border areas through rehabilitation and
construction of border posts and capacity building on border surveillance.
The EU supports the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) and a Regional Approach to
compliance in the Mano River Union (MRU) by supporting efforts by the MRU Governments, the
MRU Secretariat and international partners to strengthen the implementation of the KPCS through
regional collaboration. In Côte d'Ivoire, EU engagement intends to assist the Ivorian Government to
comply with the minimum KPCS requirements. The project's strategic objective is to increase the
percentage of diamonds entering the legal chain of custody while improving the livelihoods of
artisanal diamond communities.
In response to the ongoing humanitarian crisis and the deteriorating security situation in the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, five new Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP)
actions started their activities in 2017 in addition to three already ongoing initiatives. Furthermore, in
view of the government's announcement to hold overdue presidential, legislative and provincial
elections in 2018, the IcSP supported the National Episcopal Conference of Congo, the broker of the
2016 political Saint-Sylvèstre agreement, in preventing violence linked to the electoral process, as
well as monitoring related human rights violations nationwide. In Kivu, the IcSP has contributed to
empowering young people of different social and religious origins as leaders of change within their
communities. Moreover, support was given to Burundi refugees and their host communities in South
Kivu to enhance mutual understanding and improve social cohesion. In Uelés, the IcSP supported the
strengthening of youth involvement in conflict prevention, which has empowered young mediators
to successfully resolve conflicts within their respective communities. In 2017, efforts continued in
support of a nationwide Disarmament, Demobilisation and Reintegration programme, the return of
refugees and displaced people to North Kivu, as well as building capacities for military justice to
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prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in the Kasai and East of the country.
The latter has made a significant contribution to setting a strong signal against impunity by
strengthening the capacity of the military courts, which then tried and convicted 11 militiamen and a
provincial Member of Parliament for crimes against humanity, for raping and murdering 38 children
in Kavumu between 2013 and 2016.
In Burundi, throughout 2017, the IcSP continued two initiatives in support of internally displaced
people, refugees, returnees and host communities aimed at reinforcing the social cohesion and
stability among affected populations. Moreover, three new IcSP initiatives were launched in 2017
with the objective of empowering deprived adolescents by creating access to employment and
strengthening the technical and educational capacities of communities. IcSP's support to the socio-
economic integration of young people at risk, as well as its contribution to the social cohesion and
stabilisation of displaced people and their host communities is considered a significant contribution
to conflict prevention.
The EU, through the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), has been heavily engaged
in the Sahel region in 2017, as a response to the different aspects of the regional crisis.
In Mali, IcSP interventions focused on support to the Mali Peace Process through the
Comité de suivi
de l'Accord
(CSA) together with the EU political dialogue and the European Union Special
Representatives (EUSR)), strengthening citizen dialogue and the media, reinforcing the State
authority and the local economy in the northern areas, and supporting the State capacity in crisis
response, in cooperation with the EU Capacity Building Mission (EUCAP) Mali and in synergy with EU
Trust Fund programmes.
The IcSP also contributed to the response to the threat posed by Boko Haram in Niger and Chad, with
substantial security, resilience and counter-terrorism/countering violent extremism programmes
targeting former Boko Haram combatants and vulnerable communities. In Niger, a recently adopted
IcSP programme also includes a mediation dialogue component to reduce potential tensions along
the migration routes, contributing to the stabilisation of northern and south-eastern regions in Niger
(Diffa, Agadez, Zinder), with a particular focus on the support and better integration of the different
Toubou communities. In Chad a project was implemented to support the resilience of communities in
the Lake region and by increasing the State presence on lake and river security. The IcSP support to
the river police is complemented by the EUTF programme supporting the
gendarmerie,
both working
in close synergy.
In Burkina Faso, a programme on security sector reform (SSR) is also underway, preparing the ground
for more structural support in this sector. In Senegal through the IcSP, the EU has been supporting a
conflict resolution process in the Casamance region since 2014. The project aims to provide a
logistical and operational support to the negotiation process between armed forces, a technical
support to provide necessary expertise to inform the negotiations, and a support to the training and
reintegration of former combatants.
Lastly, through the IcSP, the EU has supported the transition process in The Gambia by contributing
to the organisation of peaceful elections and political dialogue, the project aimed to improve the
functioning, transparency and credibility of the Gambian elections. Training sessions have been
o ga ised a oss the ou t s ad i ist ati e apitals to e ha e the pe fo a e a d dis ipli e of
almost 6 300 polling staff. Some technical and financial support was also provided to the
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Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for the logistics of the election organisation. Voter education
has been carried out across the wider Gambian population, ensuring that all registered voters have a
basic understanding and appreciation of the electoral process and governance framework. Finally,
technical and financial support to the CSO Coalition on Elections was provided for domestic
observation and monitoring. Another initiative aimed at supporting mechanisms for dialogue in The
Gambia for a credible and constructive parliamentary election process and to build a space for
political dialogue within the government and across political parties after the election, following this
initial engagement, a measure was adopted in December 2017 to support the launch of a deep and
inclusive SSR process in The Gambia.
In Somalia, the IcSP interventions contributed to bringing stability, peace and to building a federal
Somalia through inclusive political processes including at local level, establishing unified, capable,
accountable and rights-based federal security and justice institutions. Specifically, in 2017 the IcSP
focused on supporting Interim Regional Administrations through the formation of District Authorities
in South-West: Central Regions Administration and Jubaland, successfully supporting state formation
via support to Intergovernmental Authority on Development in South west and Hirshebelle states.
Support to the Somalia Stability Fund included rehabilitation or construction of government
buildings, supporting constructive political confidence building process between the Federal
Government of Somali and Somaliland to strengthen mutual cooperation. On Countering Violent
Extremism (CVE), continued support to the Global Centre allowed strengthening of the capacity and
accountability of Somali state security institutions, especially in terms of their accountability and
oversight. An IcSP action jointly identified with the EU Capacity Building Mission in Somalia
supported the setting up of an operational base, provided essential equipment and built capacity
through specialised training for the Maritime Police Unit contributing to the Comprehensive
Approach to Security.
Through IcSP, the EU supported Ethiopia on the Early Recovery and Socio-Economic Stability of the
drought caused by El Niño. Short- to medium-term stabilisation is sought by helping the most
severely affected communities to preserve and restore their productive capacity and resilience to
shocks as a necessary step to rebuild an autonomous and peaceful co-existence and to prevent
forced displacement.
IcSP supported rehabilitation, reconstruction and confidence-building in areas directly affected by
the conflict in South Sudan (Unity, Upper Nile, Jonglei, as well as the Wunlit triangle regions) with
dialogue activities focusing on resolving conflicts peacefully, initiatives toward ensuring more
equitable access to natural resources and more informed and transparent community management
of these resources.
In Sudan, a programme is broadening political dialogue and engagement on constitutional reform.
Support will be provided for children being released by Government of Sudan forces as well as armed
groups in the Darfur, South Kordofan and Blue Nile states.
At regional level, in the Horn of Africa, IcSP supported the governments of Somalia, Kenya and
Ethiopia to prevent and mitigate violent extremism by mobilising practitioners from countries with
similar experiences to share knowledge and develop activities with both political and technical
partners on preventing violent extremism (PVE).
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The Global Conflict Risk Index, an index of the statistical risk of violent conflict in the next one to four
years was developed, in cooperation with the EEAS, to provide an accessible, objective and open-
source evidence base to support decision-making on long-term conflict risks.
UN-Habitat and Commission services have been jointly analysing the Syria crisis' evolution to support
humanitarian and development actors to respond more effectively to this complicated and dynamic
urban reality. Through the GHSL, urban information and analysis on Syria is provided to better plan,
target and monitor humanitarian and recovery interventions, and, when conditions allow, to
contribute to a Post Conflict Needs Assessments (PCNA) for reconstruction.
During 2017, several national and regional INFORM models were developed with local partners to
build local capacity for risk assessment, in particular for West Africa, East Africa, South America,
Central Asia and Caucasus. This index aims to harmonise the approach to disaster risk management
across humanitarian actors by providing a global index of disaster risk at country, regional and sub-
national levels. In the framework of EIOS project, Commission services developed a combined global
epidemic intelligence system which intends to provide state of the art epidemic intelligence tools to
participating organisations, extend and improve the capabilities of WHO and Member States and
promote the 'One Health' concept through facilitating collaboration with plant health and animal
health agencies. In 2017, a number of international organisations joined the initiative, including the
Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) and the Africa
Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC). During 2017, the continental Early Warning
System (CEWS), a joint initiative with the African Union (AU) Peace and Security Division has
delivered considerable benefits to the AU in its task of informing decision-making by detecting,
monitoring, classifying and reporting on events of socio-political importance on the African
Continent. In 2017, a suite of tools for media monitoring had been created, tailored to the African
continent and new work has been implemented to develop and operationalise the Conflict Alerting
and Analysis System (CAAS), the next version of which will be delivered in 2018.
3.1.1.6.3.
Thematic Overview
The human rights situation and the shrinking space of civil society remained a challenge in Sub-
Saharan Africa in 2017. 23 countries in Sub-Saha
a Af i a e e o side ed Not F ee , of hi h si
were scoring particularly low on civil and political rights on a global scale (Central African Republic,
Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Somalia, South Sudan, and Sudan). Deterioration was reported in several
countries, including in Cameroon and Tanzania. Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) faced violations in
various forms such as judicial harassment, detention and killings. Attacks against pro-democracy
movements and dissolution of civil society organisations were also reported. In order to respond to
these worrisome developments, the EIDHR supported nearly 300 human rights and democracy
actions in Sub-Saharan Africa in 2017 amounting to EUR 87 million. Supported actions addressed
inter alia
women's and girls' rights, children's rights, support to human rights defenders, democracy
and governance support, freedom of expression, environmental and land rights, and fight against
torture, ill-treatment and the death penalty. In addition, more than 130 individual African human
rights defenders in risk received an emergency grant and immediate support from the EIDHR Human
Rights Defenders schemes.
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Resilience is put in practice firstly, by addressing the five dimensions of risks and related fragility
which are covered through thematic and geographic programming; secondly, with the effective
launch of a pilot process to test the broader nexus of humanitarian, development and the related
diplomatic and security aspects in six pilot countries (which include four from ACP: Chad, Nigeria,
Sudan, Uganda) with processes for a shared assessment of fragilities, analysis of gaps and suggested
actions, engagement with EU Member States, and other donor and partners. This nexus is intended
to be generalised to all the fragile countries in a later stage following that pilot process. Thirdly, with
the o ti ued i ple e tatio of the Co
issio A tio Pla fo Resilie e i C isis P o e
Countries
hi h i ludes the pu li atio of eight ase studies o ope atio alisi g the st ategi
approach to resilience such as the Global Alliance for Resilience in the Sahel and West Africa (AGIR),
EU resilience building in Ethiopia (RESET), Drought Contingency Fund (DCF) in Kenya, Strengthening
resilience to food and nutrition insecurity in Northern Mali, Pro-Resilience Action (PRO-ACT), Sector
reform contraction on food and nutrition security and sustainable agriculture in Senegal and
Supporting the Horn of Afri
a s esilie e SHARE .
Several conflicts analyses were organised in 2017, including for Burundi and Central Mali, and a
workshop in Ethiopia. A Recovery and Peace Building Assessment was also concluded on the
Northern and Eastern parts of Cameroon. Significant demining actions have also been set up in
Chad, via the EU Trust Fund for Africa.
In October 2017, the Africa Frontex Intelligence Community Cross-Border Crime Project was
launched with the overall objective to contribute to the reduction of illegal migration attributable to
migrant smuggling (including associated organised crime and terrorism networks). This will be
achieved through enhanced interregional information sharing, improved operational cooperation,
and increased risk analysis. There will be interagency Risk Analysis Cells implemented in eight
countries. These are anticipated to be: Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya Mali, Niger, Nigeria, and
Senegal.
The Gulf of Guinea Inter-Regional Network (GoGIN) aims to improve safety and maritime security in
the Gulf of Guinea, notably by supporting the establishment of an effective and technically efficient
regional information sharing network. In 2017, the Kingdom of Denmark decided to support the
project with a top-up of DKK 13 million, illustrating good practice in development coordination
policy.
3.1.1.6.4.
Case studies: Peace
Women engage with peace and security in northern Nigeria
Context
Women are usually the most affected by violent conflicts but are largely excluded from peace-building
and conflict resolution processes due to factors like patriarchy, ignorance and other socio-cultural
impediments. This project seeks to empower women mentors who will participate in peace-building
processes in their communities as well as transfer the knowledge gained to other women.
Objectives
Enhance a conducive environment for implementation of UN Security Council Resolution
(UNSCR) 1325 at the national level and in selected states, Local Government Areas (LGAs) and
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Wards
Increase access to reporting mechanisms and protective services for girls and women affected by
human rights abuses, including gender-based violence (GBV), in three states of northern Nigeria.
Gendered design and implementation of peace architecture, including forums for dialogue, early
warning systems and rapid response mechanisms for conflict resolution.
Enhanced community peace-making capacities of women.
Improved local capacity to monitor report and document human rights situations affecting girls
and women in four States in Northern Nigeria as well as improved response to specific
needs/concerns of vulnerable women and girls.
Selective, participatory social mobilisation (review of social norms) developed and implemented
to prevent and mitigate risks and threats of gender-based violence in conflict context.
Impact
Mentoring beneficiaries are currently facilitating various forms of conflict prevention and peace-
building initiatives, including dialogue, trust-building, reconciliation and mediation.
Reduction in conflicts over land ownership between members of Kaltungo and Billiri
communities in Gombe State.
Reduction in cases of sexual harassment/rape of women and girls in Kindiyo Community of
Balanga LGA as a direct effect of a peaceful demonstration organised by the women peace
mentors.
After the massive demonstration which drew the attention of local authorities and community
members on the increasing cases of gender-based violence (GBV), various hangout spots for the
sale of illegal drugs and substances were identified and shut down.
3.1.1.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.1.1.7.1
Implementation
AU-EU relations
The 5th AU-EU Summit took place in Abidjan on 29-
No e e
u de the the e I esti g i
Youth fo a Sustai a le Futu e . The Af i a a d Eu opea Leade s adopted a politi al de la atio
comprising a set of strategic priorities, namely investing in people; strengthening resilience, peace,
security and governance; migration and mobility; and mobilising investments and mandated the
European and African Union Commissions to put forward a concrete plan of action. In this spirit,
Commission services together with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and
West African Monetary and Economic Union (UEMOA) Commissions have decided to organise jointly
i
a High Le el Co fe e e o Jo s eatio , G o th a d Co petiti e ess
to discuss on how to
deliver on these commitments with the particular focus on West Africa.
The AU-EU Summit was preceded by a Ministerial Meeting and a number of associated events to give
voice to African and European stakeholders, namely the 3rd Africa-EU Civil Society Forum (11-12 July
2017), the 4th Africa-Europe Youth Summit in Abidjan (9-11 October) and the unprecedented
AU-EU
Youth Plugin-Initiative, the 6th EU-Africa Business Forum (27 November), which brought together
business leaders, investors, innovative start-ups, and young and female entrepreneurs from both
continents, the European Parliament and the Pan-African Parliament Forum (27-28 November), the
Local Authorities Forum (27 November) and the Economic and Social Stakeholders Forum (16-17
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November). The declarations of those key stakeholders from Africa and Europe provided a valuable
impetus in preparing and shaping the outcomes of the AU-EU Summit.
EU partnership and cooperation with the regional organisations the Economic Community of Central
African States (CEEAC) and the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC),
continued in 2017, which saw an acceleration of the implementation of the 11th EDF Regional
Indicative Programme (RIP) for Central Africa: five programmes (on maritime security, on
infrastructure governance, blending/transfer to AfIF
–
the African Investment Facility, on protected
areas and on capacity building) were approved, for around half (EUR 157 million) of the total
available funding in the RIP. At the end of 2017, an 84 % commitment rate had been reached.
Special partnerships
2017 marked the 10th anniversary of the EU-Cabo Verde Special Partnership, broadly an association
agreement that is unique among the ACP countries. During the July Ministerial Meeting the parties
expressed common interest in strengthening and deepening this six-pillar agreement, notably in the
areas of ocean governance/maritime planning and blue economy; security cooperation; regional
cooperation; the stimulation of economic growth, investment and jobs; and good governance
migration and mobility issues.
Post-Cotonou
The current Cotonou Partnership Agreement between the European Union and 79 African, Caribbean
and Pacific (ACP) countries will expire in 2020. Uniting over 100 countries and 1.5 billion people, the
agreement has been the largest, most comprehensive and longest-lasting geographical partnership in
the world. It has helped to reduce poverty, increase stability and integrate the ACP countries into the
global economy. The expiry of the Partnership Agreement is the opportunity to rejuvenate the EU's
relationship with its ACP partners and to adapt to the new realities.
An important milestone on the path towards a renewed ACP-EU was reached on 12 December 2017
as the European Commission adopted the Recommendation for a Council Decision, authorising the
opening of negotiations on a Partnership Agreement between the EU and the ACP Group of States.
The proposal included negotiating directives. The European Commission recommendation proposes
to agree with ACP partner countries on a foundation agreement with common values, interests and
facilitating increased cooperation at international level, which would go together with regional
tailored partnerships for Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific.
In October 2017 the 4th AU-EU High-Level Policy Dialogue on Science Technology and Innovation
took place in Brussels. It welcomed the progress achieved in the implementation of the AU-EU
Research and Innovation Partnership on Food and Nutrition Security and Sustainable Agriculture
(FNSSA) and adopted the Roadmap towards a new R&I Partnership on Climate Change and
Sustainable Energy (CCSE). This new Partnership received the highest recognition and was formally
launched by the AU-EU Summit of November 2017.
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3.1.1.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, 16 African countries benefitted from Civil Society Organisations (CSO) country allocations for
a total of EUR 31.375 million and 18 from Local Authorities (LA) country allocations for a total of EUR
20.75 million.
These allocations are managed by the EU Delegations through local calls for proposals.
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3.1.2. South Africa
3.1.2.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
2017 was an important year for EU
–
South Africa relations as it marked the 10th anniversary of our
Strategic Partnership; the only one the EU has on the African continent. The political agenda in 2017
was largely dominated by the succession of the African National Congress (ANC) leadership.
Nevertheless, the EU
–
South Africa cooperation deepened further in 2017 with a significant number
of fruitful sectorial dialogues, activities and high-level visits that were organised by the EEAS and
Commission Services in Brussels and Pretoria with a view to consolidating the achievements of the
EU
–
South Africa Strategic Partnership. These have confirmed that South Africa remains a key
partner for the EU's political, economic, development policies and for the EU's security cooperation
with Africa as a whole. With a world player role in international relations, a perception reinforced by
its BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) and G20 membership and Southern African
Development Community (SADC) chairmanship, its advocacy on behalf of the continent, South Africa
matters to the EU.
In the changing international political context noted in 2017, South Africa started looking to the EU
for renewed leadership in a global order based on international law, and at the EU's way of conflict
prevention based on diplomatic engagement. It also looked at European investments to help revamp
sluggish growth as the EU in 2017 remained South Africa's main trade and investment partner,
accounting for more than a quarter of South Africa's trade and three-quarters of its Foreign Direct
Investments.
In December 2017 the 15th EU-South Africa Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Committee
meeting was held in Pretoria. The discussion took note of the opportunities offered through the
Horizon 2020 programme and the progress achieved in key areas such as marine research
cooperation, health research, earth observation and bioeconomy and explored the potential of new
areas of cooperation such as nanotechnology.
3.1.2.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
The South African Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) 2014-2020 as well as individual project
designs are aligned on the National Development Plan 2030 and other country results framework.
The EU Delegation has led several sector forums for partner and Government coordination in all its
work areas to promote mutual accountability. The two new budget support programmes designed in
2017 on education for employability and support to the national system of innovation make full use
of the country's Public Finance Management systems.
Division of labour and donor coordination continued to be affected by partner presence per sector,
leading to varying degrees of coordination. In the health sector, coordination in 2017 was very
successful with regular EU and WHO co-chaired meetings with partners and Government. Similarly,
the EU-led development partners' Working Group (WG) on Science and Technology was the main
donor coordination instrument in this area in 2017, with active Government participation. Joint
programming was not pursued in South Africa mainly due to the limited number of development
partners, but regular exchange of information took place.
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In 2017 the EU Aid Explorer tool has been updated to include the latest OECD and International Aid
Transparency Aid (IATI) data for Commission services and the EU Member States, in line with the
commitment by the EU and the Member States to make their available data transparent. The tool
has been used by Commission services to provide training in 2017 to the staff working on joint
programming.
3.1.2.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.1.2.3.1.
Implementation
Education has been a very important sector of cooperation since the EU developed its relationship
with democratic Africa in 1994. Efforts in 2017 continued supporting a teacher-driven education
system that is able to deliver quality professional development programmes and opportunities for
education professionals and university academics. National centres delivering professional
qualifications for teachers working in a special needs environment were set up thanks to the EU-
funded 'Teaching and Learning' programme. Similarly, the pool of technical, vocational education and
training (TVET) lecturers and community college lecturers was also improved. Some 16 research
projects in post-school education and training that involve 23 universities as partners were signed in
2017.
The 30th anniversary of the Erasmus+ programme was celebrated in South Africa on 4 May in the
presence of alumni. Bilateral partnerships selected in 2017 under Erasmus+ enabled 272 South
African students and staff to experience short-term mobility in Europe, while five scholarships were
awarded to Master students for Joint Master Degrees in Europe. In addition, four projects involving
capacity building of South African higher education institutions were approved.
3.1.2.3.2.
Thematic overview
In 2017, a regional programme was developed to strengthen institutional mechanisms in the
Southern African region to facilitate legal migration and help prevent irregular migration. In March
2017 a EUR 15 million Pilot Action on Voluntary Return and Sustainable, Community-based
Reintegration was launched promoting sustainable return and reintegration in South Africa,
Mozambique, Malawi and Zambia.
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3.1.2.3.3.
Case studies: People
The Clothing Bank
Context
In 2014, 68 % of South African women with babies under two were single. 50 % of fathers provide no
financial support for their children, resulting in many children born to single mothers living in
poverty, reliant on state support. Education is at the centre of these challenges: in 2011 less than
one- third of South Africans had completed school. This means that formal employment is hard to
achieve, as an entry level requirement for even the most basic job is usually the completion of Grade
12. Unemployed South Africans need to be empowered and provided alternatives to formal
employment.
The Clothing Bank empowers unemployed women and men (mostly mothers and fathers) in South
Africa to start small businesses so that they can become financially and socially independent. The
model includes micro franchising and partnering with major retailers who donate their end of season
and customer returns products.
Objectives
To increase the number of new beneficiaries to be supported each year from 200 to 400 and to
extend and professionalise the training curriculum to provide programme participants with 38
modules of training which include topics such as financial, business and life skills. To increase the
number of hours mentoring each business owner received.
To pilot more micro franchise business models with the aim to pilot at least five models which
would be replicated at least five times each.
To test the replicability of The Clothing Bank's development model in other non-profit
organisations and to develop a training curriculum that could be used by other non-profits
supporting small business development.
To develop an integrated impact measurement tool which would enable beneficiaries to take
responsibility for their journey out poverty and to track their progress.
Results
The Clothing Bank now has five branches in South Africa supporting up to 850 unemployed
mothers at any given time. Over the two years of this project, 1 121 unemployed mothers have
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2008294_0128.png
been recruited to join the two-year programme. These women have collectively made over EUR
3.6million in profits over the two years.
All of these mothers have the opportunity to participate in 35 modules of training covering topics
such as financial, business and life skills. They are supported by an extensive support system
which includes coaching, mentoring and counselling
Four micro franchise models have been piloted, with two operating successfully and in full
replication stage.
First, an early childhood development model which helps women establish education facilities
for children aged 2-5 To date, 12 schools have been established.
Secondly, an Appliance Bank model, which utilises broken home appliances donated by retail
partners to help unemployed men establish small businesses by repairing and selling these. 38
business men are operating successfully today.
The Clothing Bank development model was tested in partnership with another NGO and
successfully replicated.
The training curriculum has been professionally packaged and is available to any NGO who would
like to utilise it.
We do t gi e people
fish, we teach them how to fish AND how to sell their fish. If you educate a
a ou edu ate a i di idual if ou edu ate a othe , ou edu ate a fa il a d a atio . T a e
Chambers
–
The Clothing Bank, CEO.
3.1.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.1.2.4.1.
Implementation
Several EU-funded projects led by civil society organisations implemented various actions in 2017 to
support adaptation to climate change and develop sustainable community
odels a d ate
-sa
cultures. The 'Jozini agricultural development model', for example, enabled 2 400 rural households in
the Jozini Municipality (KwaZulu Natal Province) access to highly nutritious pellets made from cheap
ingredients to feed small livestock during periods of severe drought.
The 'Infrastructure Investment Programme for South Africa', that aims to support South Africa's
infrastructure programme and address constraints to infrastructure development, financed some
projects in 2017 addressing energy and water issues, such as a water conservation and water
demand management programme for the Municipality of Tshwane (Gauteng province) and a small
independent power producer programme.
3.1.2.4.2.
Thematic overview
An EU project promoting a responsible supply chain in the area of conflict minerals in developing
countries of EUR 5.395 million is financed through the DCI. The scope of the programme is to
promote the strengthening and progressive formalisation of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining
sector in partnership with other economic operators downstream in the supply chain in compliance
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with the provisions of the new EU Regulation on Conflict Minerals
92
. The action is expected to
increase socio-economic conditions of miners in Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas through
capacity building and adoption of responsible mining practices that mitigate the various
circumstances of vulnerability.
3.1.2.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Carbon Farming in the Little Karoo
Context
This project aimed to plant indigenous spekboom back into the veld in areas where it used to occur
naturally, but which had become badly degraded over the past century. Planting spekboom will help
restore this land biologically and also provide job opportunities for local restoration teams
–
a win-
win situation for people and nature in the area. The Spekboom plant has a remarkable ability to
e o e CO f o the at osphe e, hi h helps South Af i a s effo ts to edu e its g ee house gas
emissions in the global fight against climate change. This project initially aimed to restore 300
hectares of degraded land in the Vanwyksdorp (Little Karoo) area while becoming a catalyst for
expanded restoration work across the wider region
Objectives
Restore natural vegetation on degraded thicket land through planting spekboom (Portulacaria
afra).
Create sustainable employment for marginalised rural communities in land restoration work and
carbon farming.
Develop carbon sequestration as a potential alternative income stream for land users through
carbon farming.
Impact
500 ha of natural vegetation on degraded subtropical thicket in the Klein Karoo has been
restored through planting spekboom
–
exceeding the target of 300 ha.
A total of 812 ha has initiated a process of restoration either via spekboom replanting or
exclusion of grazing animals (or both).
92
Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply
chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold
originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas
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Sustainable employment for marginalised rural communities in land restoration work and carbon
farming has provided vulnerable people with marketable skills.
Three entrepreneurs have been identified and empowered.
The impact of the project in the community was significant, employing 60 community members
(57 % women).
The case for carbon sequestration as a potential alternative income stream for land users
through carbon farming has been established.
In 2016, Cambridge University bought carbon credits from the project to offset the emissions of
their annual conference.
"The project put a lot of money into the community, but we are also proud of what we are doing. We
are very, very excited. I have a daughter and I hope that when she comes in ten years' time I can tell
he : this is hat ou fathe is doi g. This is
lega a d it ill e he e fo a
ea s to o e.
3.1.2.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.1.2.5.1.
Implementation
2017 marked renewed efforts in supporting small business growth and job-creation capacity with
preparatory work for the EUR 52 million 'Employment promotion through MSMEs support
programme'. The technical team was put in place to ensure that the programme delivers on
reducing the cost of doing business for small enterprises (through reduced interest rate lending),
while business, production and marketing skills are improved so that business opportunities are
seized.
Other initiatives to support growth and jobs were in full speed in 2017. 'The Clothing Bank' project
that develops unemployed mothers' skills in retailing had 680 beneficiaries actively enrolled in its
two-year programme, who were able to eradicate poverty in their families. A total of 70 young South
African women graduated in 2017 from the 'South African College for Tourism' and the previous
ea s oho t of
g aduates al ost all sta ted pla e e ts, paid i te ships o se u ed thei o
employment in 2017.
3.1.2.5.2.
Thematic overview
I the a ea of ge de , the EU is fi a i g a EUR
illio p oje t ai ed at p o oti g Wo e 's
E o o i E po e e t a d fi a ial i lusio i Su
-Saharan countries by improving access to
suitable financial products and services, essential critical skills, digital enablers and capacity building
services for financial institutions and end beneficiaries. By leveraging public and private resources
through blending, the action also contributes towards defining scalable and replicable approaches in
this area with other cooperation programmes such as EIP.
In 2017 activities and preparatory work started for the EUR 19.2 million programme Promoting
Responsible Value Chains in the Cotton and Garment Sector with a focus on Decent Work and
Transparency/Traceability. Workers, particularly women and girls, benefit of better working
conditions and safer workplaces. In Burkina Faso and Mali child labour and forced labour are also
addressed particularly in the cotton production.
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3.1.2.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
SMEs Create Jobs in South Africa
Context
The role of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector is highlighted in South Africa's National
Development Plan as a critical sector for promoting employment, particularly in labour-absorbing
industries. However, SMEs, in particular those owned by historically-disadvantaged individuals who
are pre-dominantly black businesses, are faced with various constraints which prevent the sector
from thriving. These include: the lack of skills to effectively run their businesses; the lack of access to
markets and access to finance; and an inhibiting administrative and regulatory environment.
Objectives
The overall objective of the EU Risk Capital Facility (RCF) programme is to contribute to economic
growth of South Africa and to promote the participation of historically disadvantaged people in
its economy.
The programme aims at job creation, through the provision of financial assistance in the form of
equity and quasi-equity to SMEs. Investments are supported with low or interest-free loans to
enable SMEs to acquire business support services such as technical assistance and training.
Impact
The Risk Capital Facility opened up access to financing for SMEs that were not able to access
funds from elsewhere, with more than 150 SMEs financed through the programme.
At least 17 000 jobs were created in a wide range of sectors including agro-processing, chemicals,
media and renewable energy, of which more than 30 % of these jobs were for women.
It empowered historically disadvantaged individuals through shareholding, participation in
management posts and job creation, allowing them to become stronger participants in the South
African economy.
EU funds leveraged other funds by more than 300 %.
It strengthened health and environmental protection measures in the supported businesses.
Whe the fa to ope ed i
the e e e staff. B
the e e e plo i g people, a d
by early 2017 a further 55 jobs were created to support the second production line. With the third
line
i stalled, A e i a d e pe ts to e pa d to o e
staff. Ha i t a d Su ita Da a, Di e to s
and Owners of Americandy, Johannesburg, South Africa
–
recipients of RCF support.
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3.1.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.1.2.6.2.
Implementation
A new chapter in the long-standing EU support to the South African Parliament and provincial
legislatures opened in 2017 with a new programme to enhance their capacity for oversight of the
Government. In parallel, four grants were awarded to consortia involving 15 civil society
organisations with many more community-based organisations involved. They aim to reinforce civil
society participation in governance, for example with participation and advocacy among mining
communities to address poverty, inequality, and inclusive and sustainable development.
South Africa has one of the most progressive constitutions as far as socio-economic rights are
concerned. Access to these rights, such as adequate housing, health service care and children's
rights, is however often complex. The 'Socio-Economic Justice for All' (SEJA) programme helped
improve awareness of constitutional rights with an emphasis on socio-economic rights and on
vulnerable and marginalised groups. It supported the publication in 2017 of the Constitution in the
11 official languages as well as in Braille, and school-based awareness campaigns. The SEJA
programme also facilitated the establishment in 2017 of national and provincials task teams on
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex persons (LGBTI). These teams aim to coordinate the
implementation of National Intervention Strategy for LGBTI and coordinate rapid response when acts
of violence are perpetrated against LGBTI persons.
3.1.2.6.3.
Case studies: Peace
Strengthening migrant children's rights in Southern Africa
Context
When the right to life, survival and development is threatened, migration becomes a coping
mechanism. Despite the lack of registration and tracking systems, the World Bank reports that more
than one third of global migrations are South- South movements. This includes unaccompanied and
separated children, who are vulnerable to violence, prejudice and exploitation, exacerbated by their
naivety and trust for adults. Before this programme, child protection systems within South Africa,
Zimbabwe and Mozambique were only marginally responsive to children engaged in or at risk of
irregular migration.
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Objectives
By 2015, less children in Southern Africa suffer violence, abuse, and exploitations as a result of
irregular migration.
Increased understanding and commitment to realising the protection rights of migrant children
at SADC
93
, Migration Dialogue for Southern Africa (MIDSA) and between national governments.
66 000 children (boys and girls) from Mozambique and Zimbabwe have increased knowledge and
access to protection risks information during migration and are supported to ensure safe
migration and return/repatriation.
20 000 migrant children (boys and girls) have increased access to essential services and are
integrated into the national child protection system in South Africa.
Impact
Through collaboration with SADC and national governments in South Africa, Zimbabwe and
Mozambique, 59 670 children directly accessed child protection and other essential services in
communities of origin in Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
Through various training and resource mobilisation processes, 1 060 Community Child Care
Workers were capacitated to address migrating children's protection rights in Zimbabwe. 30
Officers from the Department of Child Welfare and Probation Services were trained in
identification, documentation, tracing and reunification guidelines. In Mozambique 104 members
of the child protection community committees benefited from similar training.
Approximately 73 000 children across Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe benefited
directly from child protection and essential services as a result of this action. 90.4 % of the
beneficiaries accessed the service in communities of origin.
Five reception centres were established in South Africa, managed by social works and social
auxiliary workers under the Department of Social Development.
By 2015 about 271 children were supported to attend formal schooling, 47 benefited from health
services with 11 receiving psychosocial support services; 24 cases for family reunification were
traced and 12 children whose families were successfully traced were reunified.
176 children received interim care and escort services at reception centres in Betbridge and
Bulilima districts following deportation. 212 unaccompanied migrant children were assisted to
access shelter in South Africa.
"The project was designed to address unsafe migration, by strengthening the responses, both at the
transitional country and the destination." Melinda van Zyl, Project Manager from Save the Children
3.1.2.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.1.2.7.1.
Implementation
During 2017, the EU Delegation to South Africa facilitated partner discussions with UNDP and the
Government Departments in charge of coordinating the SDG reporting process. In addition, a
Sustai a ilit T a sitio Dialogue though o kshops fu ded the EU-South
Africa Dialogue Facility
93
Southern African Development Community
–
a regional peace and security organisation.
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took place in 2017 on the development and use of indicators simultaneously aligned to the National
Development Plan, the African Development Agenda (Agenda 2063) and the SDGs.
Following the establishment in 2016 of a Forum on environment, climate change, water and
sustainable development signed by European Commissioner Vella and the South African Minister of
Environmental Affairs, the first formal dialogue took place in May 2017. During the dialogue, the
Green Economy and the implementation of the three environment SDGs (climate action, oceans and
land ecosystems) as well as SDG 6 on water and sanitation were identified as key areas of
cooperation.
3.1.2.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, the Civil Society Organisations (CSO) country allocations for South Africa amount EUR three
million.
This allocation is managed by the EU Delegation to South Africa through local calls for proposals.
3.1.2.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
Shukuma Mzansi!
Context
The history of community arts centres in South Africa illustrates the complex relationship between
the state and community culture in a society in transformation. Though community arts centres have
contributed significantly to social and political empowerment of communities since the 1970s, state-
funded centres have underperformed since 1996. Acknowledging the culture and heritage sector as
an economic growth sector, the Department of Arts and Culture has embarked on a revitalisation
and building the capacity of Community Arts Centres, not least for job creation. The EU-South Africa
policy dialogue project was aimed at strengthening bilateral relations between South Africa and the
EU to realise the objective of strengthening the institutional capacity of South African community
cultural centres.
Objectives
To engage with EU and Member States dialogue partners to obtain their insights into issues
affecting South African Community Arts Centres (CACs).
To make policy and programming recommendations for the national CACs policy for the White
Paper on Arts, Culture and Heritage.
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To identify key issues for consideration for the 4th version of the White Paper on Arts, Culture
and Heritage.
Impact
Six South African delegates from various institutions (government, CACs theatres) embarked on a
study to Ireland, Belgium and France from 4 January 2017.
Five EU delegates arrived in South Africa on 18 February 2017 and went on a study tour to
Johannesburg, Durban and Limpopo province.
Successful International Community Arts Conference held in March 2017. The International
Community Arts Centres Conference was held in March 2017 at the Sibikwa Arts Centre in
Benoni South Africa. 160 participants attended.
46 % of participants rated the dialogue as excellent, 31.5 % very good, 22.5 % good.
Policy and programme recommendations for a national Community Arts Centres policy and
programming were formulated.
Draft considerations for input into the 4th version of the White Paper on Arts, Culture and
Heritage were made.
Task Team elected to develop recommendations for the establishment of a National Federation
of Community Arts Centres and nominated nine people (one from each of the nine provinces in
South Africa) as an interim measure.
U it is eeded along
diversity. This should be applied to existing structures and understanding is
needed of any new structures may come into being. We must avoid holding territory at the expense
of e ideas. Makhoala Nde ele: A tisti Di e to
-Johannesburg City Theatres.
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3.2. Latin America & the Caribbean
3.2.1. Latin America
3.2.1.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
2017 saw progress in giving expression to partnerships through political and trade agreements. There
was progress in negotiations with the South American trade bloc MERCOSUR on a bi-regional
Association Agreement. Negotiations continued with Mexico, a strategic partner and important
multilateral actor, for a modernised Global Agreement. And work moved forward on a modernised
Association Agreement with Chile. Of broader relevance to the region, draft negotiating directives
were adopted in December 2017 for a new Partnership Agreement with ACP states. In this context,
consultations with the Caribbean countries on the future of EU-Caribbean relations were started.
In 2017 the EU continued to play an active role in the peace process in Colombia, supporting
implementation of the historic peace agreement through the Colombia Trust Fund. The Special Envoy
of the HR/VP, Mr. Eamon Gilmore, continued to play a key role in coordinating EU efforts, visiting the
country and meeting with representatives of government, civil society and the international
community.
At the beginning of the year, the Multi-Party Trade Agreement with Ecuador entered into force
(Colombia and Peru being already parties to it). The provisional application of the Political Dialogue
and Cooperation Agreement with Cuba started on 1 November 2017. The EU and Cuba commenced
work on the implementation of the Agreement and the setting up of a number of dialogues in
different areas, including on human rights.
As political polarisation increased and the socio-economic situation deteriorated in Venezuela, the
EU pursued its support to peaceful democratic solutions based on meaningful dialogue, respect for
the rule of law and human rights, including those of jailed political opponents. Equally, the EU
continued to explore all available possibilities to scale up assistance to address the most urgent
needs of the population and the need to protect European citizens.
In Central America, two Countries had elections in 2017. There were Presidential and legislative
elections in Honduras, where a post-electoral controversy caused a protracted crisis. The EU Election
Observation Mission (EOM) monitored the process and contributed towards addressing and solving
post-electoral concerns. Municipal elections observed by the Organisation of American States (OAS)
took place in Nicaragua without major incidents. Instability continued in Guatemala with attacks on
the Commission Against Impunity and Corruption. Reform efforts and citizen security work continued
throughout the region, supported by the EU, and major cooperation programmes contributed to
development including on governance, food security, environment, education and other crucial
sectors. Cooperation on taxation remained a challenge, but increased efforts were deployed and
continue. El Salvador continued its proactive and widely appreciated Community of Latin American
and Caribbean States (CELAC) Presidency.
At regional level, the planned EU-CELAC Summit was postponed, but bi-regional dialogue and
cooperation advanced well in the implementation of the CELAC-EU Action Plan. Progress was
recorded in areas like gender, citizen security, climate change, research, innovation and higher
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education. Punctual cooperation initiatives took place with the Pacific Alliance on higher education,
free movement of people and trade in the perspective of scaling up relations and making them more
structured.
More generally, in 2017 the EU looked at ways to shift the focus of its cooperation with Latin America
and the Caribbean from development aid to a diversified model giving a more prominent role to
investment, research and innovation, education and the digital agenda. The EU is adapting its policy
to take account of the transition of various countries in Latin America and the Caribbean to a higher
level of development, with stronger partnership on foreign policy and global issues, in defense of
common values.
In 2017 two EU-CELAC Senior Officials Meetings on Research and Innovation took place and
presented concrete actions to strengthen the implementation of the EU-Latin America and Caribbean
Common Research Area, including through the Policy Advice Initiative to support CELAC countries in
addressing the SDGs through Research and Innovation, as well as through the launch of the EU-Latin
American and Caribbean Knowledge Week. A new EU-LAC research infrastructure working group was
established to support bi-regional policy coordination, mutual learning and access to research
infrastructures of common interest. Among the calls with CELAC, one on translational cancer
research was launched in 2017, in order to respond to the huge concern that cancer is generating in
Low- and Middle-Income countries (LMIC).
3.2.1.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
The EU Joint Programming (JP) process has established solid roots in Latin America, strengthening EU
leverage in the region and enhancing the effectiveness of EU external development assistance.
The European Joint Strategy for Bolivia 2017-2020 was approved in 2017, a key achievement which
will strengthen local coordination and complementarity between EU and Member States'
development cooperation notably through EU coordination groups. The Joint Programming
Document was signed by the EU institutions, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain,
Sweden, the UK and Switzerland.
In Nicaragua, the Joint Programme adopted in 2016 entails a division of labour for the European
group (EU institutions, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain) based on the SDGs. In 2017,
the Joint Programming document and joint results framework supported policy dialogue with the
government and key public institutions leading to the design of new initiatives in the areas of trade
and climate change. Another concrete result stemming from the Joint Programming process is the
launch by EU and the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID) of the first
ever joint evaluation of their country programmes.
In Honduras, the joint analysis was reviewed in 2017 leading to a draft joint response by the EU
institutions, France, Germany and Spain with Switzerland recently joining the process. The electoral
crisis at the end of 2017 led to a pause in the process.
In Paraguay, the division of labour agreed in the Common Strategy for Development Cooperation
(Joint Programming Document finalised in 2015) continues to support efficiency gains and sectoral
coordination processes.
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In El Salvador, despite the limited number of donors, coordination of the European group remains a
priority. In Ecuador, Member States have created informal sector groups that will support a process
of enhanced coordination.
Colo ia s EU T ust
Fund in support of the peace building process is an example of joint
implementation with Member States. Other examples of joint implementation include initiatives in
Guatemala, Nicaragua and Peru. Member States are actively involved in the country level Gender
Action Plans and Civil Society Roadmaps in nearly all countries in the region.
3.2.1.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.2.1.3.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Bolivia, the EU provided budget support in the context of national policies in the water and
sanitation sector, and programme support to small-scale agriculture and food security in coca
production areas. Results achieved by the end of 2017 include the following: 45 municipalities with a
Hydro Early Warning System; over 100 000 new water and over 100 000 new sewage connections in
peri-urban areas; 300 000 inhabitants with access to safe water and 90 000 inhabitants with access
to improved sanitation in rural areas.
The e EUR
illio i teg ated ate a d atu al
esou es a age e t p og a
e ill uild o the a hie e e ts of p e ious udget suppo t
operations in the areas of water and sanitation and watershed management through a strengthened
focus on Climate Change resilience.
Paraguay has made substantial progress in education in recent years, through ensuring universal
basic education and expanding girls' access to secondary education. A budget support programme
linked to the national education policy was launched in 2017. Technical assistance (EUR 1.5 million)
to the Ministry of Education was launched in 2017 and carried out by the Organisation of Ibero-
American States. In July 2017, an agreement worth EUR 495 000 was signed with the Ministry of
Education and key NGOs to establish Paraguay's first Citizen Educational Observatory,
O se vato io
Educativo Ciudadano
, to suppo t i il so iet pa ti ipatio i the edu atio se to . The EU also
deepened its support to social protection, leading to Government approval of a Sector Note on Social
Protection and to the organisation of a vast public consultation; as the first steps towards the
establishment of a Social Protection System in Paraguay.
I El Sal ado , the EU suppo ts the Pla So ial , the ountry's
national social policy, through a EUR 50
million budget support programme launched in 2017. Plan Social aims to reduce social exclusion and
extreme poverty as well as to strengthen public institutions involved in the implementation and
oversight of the Plan Social. The programme builds on previous EU poverty reduction programmes,
for example on increases of public spending in education and clean water coverage. In 2017 four
se i e e t es p o oti g outh e plo e t e e ope ed a d
Fondo Mujer
as
established as a
concessional credit mechanism to facilitate women's access to credit.
Regional
In Central America, four consecutive years of drought and extended dry spells affected the
populations in terms of food insecurity and malnutrition, particularly in the Dry Corridor which cuts
across El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. Assistance from governments, the World
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Food Programme (WFP) and other actors have helped to alleviate the situation, but 1.6 million
people remained moderately or severely food insecure in the Dry Corridor in 2017. The Central
America component of the EU PRO-ACT project (EUR 10 million) aims to provide food assistance to
subsistence farmers, day labourers and students most affected by El Niño. In 2016-2017, over 86 500
persons directly benefitted either in the form of cash-based transfers or school meals.
EUROsociAL + (2016-2021, EUR 32 million) contributes to the design, reform and/or implementation
of public policies which have an impact on social cohesion in Latin America through peer-to-peer
learning and experience exchanges between counterpart institutions in the EU and Latin America. In
2017, 15 inter-sectoral scoping missions took place in the region, gathering 489 requests for technical
assistance from public institutions. 116 of these were selected as potential lines of action for 2018
(30 in gender in 13 countries, 49 in governance in nine countries and 37 in social policies in 15
countries). The more popular priorities were: good governance, access to justice, gender violence,
poverty reduction strategies, and policies for youth.
In late 2017, the EU launched the Spotlight Initiative jointly with the UN: a EUR 500 million global
initiative against violence against women and girls. In Latin America, with an initial EU contribution of
EUR 50 million and a thematic focus on combating femicide, five priority countries were selected for
programming: Argentina, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Mexico. Country-level and regional
programmes will be launched in 2018.
3.2.1.3.2.
Gender
Thematic overview
The implementation of EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) in this region lags behind that in other regions in
terms of meeting the five minimum criteria of gender mainstreaming as set out in the GAP 2016-
2020. There are some good performers such as, Brazil, Guyana and Paraguay, but several other
countries need significant improvement. Half of EU Delegations in the region developed gender
analyses for new EU external actions.
Using the OECD Gender Marker, the numbers of projects that do not have any gender responsive or
spe ifi a ti ities o a e ge de li d alue G-0)
was reduced to 46.8 % of the EU's portfolio in the
region in 2016 against 47.7 % in 2015. The target is for no more than 15 % of new projects being G-0
by 2020.
Many delegations were engaging in policy dialogue and events to raise awareness of gender equality
among stakeholders and government bodies and were planning new gender responsive projects in
the near future to improve the implementation. Senior Delegation members were appointed as
gender champions in Bolivia, Ecuador and Honduras.
Migration
The EU helped build national and local capacity to address some of the challenges arising from
migration and forced displacement: fighting trafficking (Brazil, Colombia), protection of displaced
children (Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador), integration of resettled refugees (Argentina) and
consular crisis management (Mexico).
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Health
In addition to bilateral programmes in two countries (Belize, Grenada), the EU supported health
outcomes in the region through global programmes such as the Global Fund to Fight AIDS,
Tuberculosis and Malaria. UNFPA intervenes in Bolivia, Haiti and Honduras and GAVI supports
immunisations in Bolivia, Guyana, Haiti and Nicaragua.
Education
In addition to providing bilateral support to six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the EU
continued to promote education in the region through global programmes. Through the Global
Partnership for Education (GPE), the EU supported eight countries in the region. Through the
Education cannot Wait platform and fund, the EU supported children in one crisis-affected country:
Peru.
By the end of 2017 the Erasmus+ programme for Latin America, with a budget allocation of EUR 93
million over three years, had generated significant local participation supporting regional actions in
higher education: through the International Credit Mobility action, 523 projects for bilateral
partnerships supporting more than 4 500 students, researchers and staff were financed; 89
institutions from Latin America were involved in 127 Joint Master degree programmes as associated
(111) or full (16) partners; and 47 capacity building projects with a regional dimension were selected,
with more than 370 instances of participation by Higher Education Institutions (each institution can
participate in several projects) and six African institutions acting in coordination roles.
Degree programmes as associated (111) or full (16) partners; and 47 capacity building projects with a
regional dimension were selected involving the participation of more than 370 Higher Education
Institutions.
Food
In Latin America, the EU has been increasing its support to tackle hunger and undernutrition,
particularly focusing on those most vulnerable. It supports the Information Systems for Resilience in
Food and Nutrition Security Programme of the Central American Integration System (SICA)
(PROGRESAN-SICA), which contributes to the process of Central American integration, and to the
achievement of the SDGs 2 and 13, on ending hunger and on climate change. With EU support,
PROGRESAN-SICA seeks to generate relevant, timely, valid and reliable information as a basis for the
development of effective public strategies and policies, with a focus on resilience of Food and
Nutrition Security and aims at combating poverty, hunger and malnutrition. The countries that make
up the SICA are: Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama and the
Dominican Republic.
3.2.1.3.3.
Case studies: People
Strategy for Development and Social Inclusion in Peru.
Context
With the Ministries of Finance and Social Inclusion as implementers, this EUR 42 million programme
has incentivised and helped the country since 2015 to reform its public financial management and to
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improve indicators related to the integral development of young children and adolescents and the
economic inclusion of families.
Objectives
The project focuses on schooling and basic health services for children as well as access for rural
households to basic services such as electricity and water and sanitation, in some of the poorest
areas of the Peruvian Amazon.
Impact
The ratio of children under three years attending pre-school in the targeted rural districts of
Amazonia has increased to almost 62 % in 2016 from 46 % in 2014.
The ratio of children under five years having access to clean water has increased to almost 10 %,
up from 5 % in 2014.
The ratio of households with access to a package of services (electricity, telephone, water and
sanitation) has increased to 22.5 % in 2016, from 19 % in 2014.
3.2.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.2.1.4.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Bolivia, the EU's longstanding and successful cooperation is improving the management of river
basins, critical ecosystems and polluted mining areas. In 2017, a new EUR 51 million integrated water
and natural resources management programme was launched, building on the achievements of
previous budget support operations in the area of watershed and natural resources management,
such as the creation of 22 national protected areas and eight subnational protected areas with a
management system and the extensive reforestation of water sources (2 437 hectares) for soil
recuperation and flood prevention. The new programme pays particular attention to climate change
resilience.
In Nicaragua, a new programme to strengthen resilience in the upper basin of the Coco River was
launched in 2017 to increase capacities in climate adaptation, improve the availability and stability of
water resources, and recover soils and ecosystems; supporting the implementation of the new
national water resources management plan.
Regional
In Central America, the EU's PROCAGICA programme has increased the regional capacity to adapt to
climate change and build resilience amongst vulnerable populations to its effects in coffee growing
areas, for example the recent coffee leaf rust outbreak
–
one of the worst on record.
EUROCLIMA+ was officially launched in mid-2017, building on its predecessor, EUROCLIMA, the EU's
flagship regional programme supporting Latin American countries to implement climate change
policies and comply with Paris Agreement commitments. The programme benefits from a financial
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envelope of EUR 80 million for 2017-2021. 2017 was dedicated to the finalisation of implementation
arrangements mainly with five agencies of EU Member States: Germany's
Gesellschaft für
Internationale Zusammenarbeig
(GIZ), France's
Agence Française de Développement
(AFD), and
Spain's
Agencia Española de Cooperación para el Desarrollo
(AECID), Expertise France, and the
Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas
(FIIAPP). Two UN
agencies also took part in EUROCLIMA+ actions: the Economic Commission for Latin America and the
Caribbean (ECLAC) and UN Environment.
The programme favours strong ownership and participation from all 18 beneficiary countries in Latin
America with a focus on priority implementation activities at national levels and aims to engage on
aspects of climate finance. Preparatory actions started in 2017 for five of the seven programme
components: climate governance, forests, biodiversity and ecosystems, disaster risk reduction and
management, urban mobility and resilient food production. The remaining two components, urban
water and energy, will begin implementation in 2018.
3.2.1.4.2.
Thematic overview
The EU project promoting responsible supply chains in the area of conflict minerals (3T&G) is also
active in this region. The scope of the programme is to promote the strengthening and progressive
formalisation of the Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining sector in partnership with other economic
operators downstream in the supply chain in compliance with the provisions of the new EU
Regulation on Conflict Minerals
94
. The action is expected to increase socio-economic conditions of
miners in Conflict Affected and High-Risk Areas through capacity building and adoption of
responsible mining practices that mitigate the various circumstances of vulnerability.
About 40 % of Latin America is covered by forests and particularly the Amazon forest. Severe
deforestation and environmental degradation are causing environmental problems and affecting
livelihoods. In 2017, the EU continued to be active in the area of forests with its EU Forest Law
Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) flagship. Throughout the year progress was achieved
with the conclusion of negotiations of Voluntary Partnership Agreements (VPA) with Honduras and
Guyana, which aim to improve forest governance and to ensure that trade in timber is legal. In
addition, the EU has provided support to indigenous people in sustainable forest management, and
capacity building to the private sector to participate in the VPA process and to help develop system
of timber traceability.
Global demand for commodities, driven by demographic growth is increasing the pressure on natural
resources. The EU continued supporting a large initiative on conservation and sustainable
management of dry forests at the fringes of Bolivia, Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay. These
ecosystems, subject to massive deforestation by agro-industry, are providing water and other
ecosystem services for huge dependant populations and areas. A landscape approach, combining
sustainable agriculture and biodiversity conservation is implemented by various sub-regional
authorities and civil society organisations under the auspices of
Zona de Integración del Centro Oeste
de América del Sur
(ZICOSUR).
94
Regulation (EU) 2017/821 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 17 May 2017 laying down supply
chain due diligence obligations for Union importers of tin, tantalum and tungsten, their ores, and gold
originating from conflict-affected and high-risk areas
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Although access to water and to sanitation has considerably increased over the last decade in Latin
America, water issues remain critical. In this region, the EU continued to support a process of
dialogues between governments on the nexus existing between water, energy and food security.
Pilot projects have been launched in Costa Rica regarding hydropower, water and irrigation, and in
Peru regarding intergovernmental integration of water policies.
Under the EUROCLIMA project, methodologies have been developed for the evaluation/modelling of
climate change impacts on land degradation processes and on economic valuation of land
degradation. A Workshop on Land Degradation, Desertification and Drought as well as the scientific
conference on climate change impacts in agriculture in Quito was organised in June 2017. On that
occasion, the final version of the BioMA modelling platform for Latin America was presented. A
capacity building workshop on web-mapping technology focusing on drought took place in Guayaquil
in June 2017 coinciding with the transfer of a web-mapping and decision support tool on drought to
CIIFEN (Ecuador). In 2017 the complete assessment of the whole national network of Bolivian
Protected Areas (22 areas), undertaken in the frame of the PACSBio project (Programa
de Apoyo a la
Conservacion Sostenible de la Biodiversidad)
was completed with the adoption of the Integrated
Management Effectiveness Tool (IMET).
3.2.1.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Supporting the Honduran Forest Sector (EUROFoR)
Context
In Honduras, about 48 % of the land is covered in forest, an essential part of the Mesoamerica
biological corridor, and home to indigenous peoples and forest communities and an immense wealth
of biological diversity. These forests are extremely vulnerable to climate change, with extended
periods of drought leading to pest epidemics. From 2014 to 2016, Honduras suffered an
unprecedented Pine Beetle (Dendroctonous frontalis) infestation, which destroyed 11 % of its
forests. Through efficient and flexible budget support to nationally-led policies, EU cooperation
through the EUR 68 million (2013-18) EUROFoR initiative has allowed Honduras to halt the
infestation and to bring it under control in 99 % of the 480 000 affected hectares.
Objectives
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To strengthen forest governance by preserving the Honduran forests and, by extension, the
Mesoamerica biological corridor.
To support forest communities and indigenous peoples to participate in negotiating trade
mechanisms that safeguard the sustainability of their natural resources.
To combat climate change through mitigation activities against pest infestation and through
adaptation measures that would prevent such crisis from re-occurring.
Impact
Pine Beetle infestation has been dramatically controlled, bringing expansion down by 45 %.
The number of illegal timber logging operations decommissioned has increased by 83 % in the
2014-17 period.
Formalisation of the national cadastre system for 323 400 hectares of forest land, representing
55 % of the national target achieved.
Offsetting 41 % of the national target of protected areas management plans.
83 % of the national target for timber industry compliance audits completed.
Forested area lost due to fire reduced by 15 % compared to 2014 baseline.
Honduras is now ready to sign the Voluntary Partnership Agreement in Forest Law Enforcement,
Governance and Trade (VPA FLEGT).
Managing Coffee Leaf Rust in Central America
Context
Since 2012, a coffee leaf rust epidemic has crippled coffee production in the Central American region.
In 2015, the EU reacted by adopting a new programme, PROCAGICA with EUR 15 million of funding
to support regional and national efforts to contain the coffee leaf rust fungus.
Objectives
PROCAGICA seeks to
I ease the egio s apa it to desig a d
implement policies, programmes and measures for
the better adaptation and resilience of small- and medium-sized coffee producers to the adverse
effects of climate change.
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Pursue integrated regional actions in seven countries (Central America plus the Dominican
Republic) but also target local small and medium coffee producers in four countries (Guatemala,
El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua).
Improve the livelihood of 330 000 producer families and 6 000 family farms in selected coffee
production areas in the region.
Impact
2017 marked the first full year of implementation of PROCAGICA, and the programme made
important progress in a number of its early activities.
Evaluations and diagnostics of existing national monitoring and warning systems were
undertaken to help development of a region-wide Early Warning System (EWS) for coffee leaf
rust and other threats to coffee production.
Research on monitoring the various species of leaf rust began.
In the four pilot countries, a first group of beneficiary farms was designated to receive
interventions.
Some 287 technical assistance field visits were conducted and 1 036 coffee producers benefited
from capacity-building activities to renovate or diversify coffee plantations.
PROCAGICA actively promotes women and youth as beneficiaries of its activities and in 2017,
nearly one third (31.2 %) of all the selected beneficiaries were female helping to improve their
socio-economic situation in poor, rural areas.
3.2.1.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.2.1.5.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Colombia, EU budget support in the framework of rural development policy and the dairy sector
(EUR 68 million) has strengthened the Ministry of Agriculture and stimulated local economic
development. Key results for 2017 include the participation of 9 000 dairy units in the support
programme aimed at strengthening their productive and competitive potential. Five milk quality
laboratories have been accredited, 7 000 small milk producers received technical assistance and
almost 900 SMEs received financial support from the Ministry's funds.
In Ecuador, the EU supports a trade programme, jointly with private sector actors, to transform the
production matrix towards complying with the Multiparty Trade Agreement, signed with the EU in
2014. In 2017, 651 SMEs with export potential participated in capacity building projects.
In Paraguay, the Implementation of a EUR eight million programme to support private sector
development through the promotion of diversified and sustainable livestock production was
launched in 2017 with the signature of a EUR 3.4 million agreement with GIZ.
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Regional
In Central America, the EU supported regional economic integration through the launch of the EUR
illio INTEC p oje t, i p o i g o petiti e ess, di e sifi atio a d t ade fa ilitatio fo goods
and services. In tri-partite collaboration with Chile and the Secretary of Economic Integration of
Central America (SIECA), the EU is strengthening capacities to implement trade agreements and
trade promotion
.
Blending operations are key EU priorities in the region, delivered through the Latin America
Investment Facility (LAIF). This facility is at the forefront of policy engagement with International
Financial Institutions (IFIs) and with partner countries. In 2017, the EU contribution of EUR 43.1
million under LAIF triggered a total investment of EUR 517 million. Approved projects include the
Green MSMSE Initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions in Central America, and a Facility in
Cuba to finance (pre-) feasibility studies for investment projects likely to be financed by the IFIs.
These projects increase investments in climate change mitigation and contribute to social and
economic development.
ELAN projects (ELAN Biz and ELAN Network for a total of EUR 10.7 million) support the investment of
Eu opea SMEs i Lati A e i a, fo usi g o t ade i tellige e, a ti ati g Eu o a a as Eu opea
Chambers of Commerce) in middle income countries, networking on research and innovation, and
encouraging technology-based business opportunities between SMEs from both continents. Both
projects will end in early 2018 with remarkable results: more than 1 500 business questions were
answered during the last year on the web platform, seven Eurocamaras were reactivated, eight
multiplier alliances linking private sector, technology and innovation were signed, and more than 50
technology-based business opportunities launched.
AL-Invest 5.0 programme with an EU contribution of EUR 25 million aims to boost productivity and
competitiveness of Latin America MSMEs, thus contributing to economic growth and social cohesion.
To date many MSMEs have benefitted from capacity building, training activities and network
creation: 4 000 MSMEs have been trained on the use of business association tools, 2 500 have
diversified their business, 750 have increased their productivity, and 3 500 have incorporated
innovation elements. 2 050 women entrepreneurs have been empowered and more than 50 young
entrepreneurs supported.
The BELLA programme provides digital infrastructure linking Latin America to Europe and supporting
interconnections within Latin America, targeting mainly University Research Centres, part of the
REDclara network. The EU supports local interconnection within Latin America via a EUR eight million
contribution. The project will end in 2020 and has the potential to trigger substantial internet cost
reductions locally. In 2017 the process to expand the network to Central America was initiated.
3.2.1.5.2.
Thematic overview
In 2017 activities started for the EUR 19.1 million programme Promoting Responsible Value Chains in
the Cotton and Garment Sector with a focus on Decent Work and Transparency/Traceability.
Workers, particularly women and girls, who benefited from better working conditions and safer
workplaces.
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Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are growing in Latin America. The energy sector currently
represents 42 % of all GHG emissions in Latin America. The energy sector is a priority for many Latin
American countries in terms of climate change mitigation measures. However, to implement
commitments in the context of the Paris Agreement on climate change, Latin American countries
must promote renewables and energy efficiency, including improving regulatory frameworks. Latin
America is a region with a great potential for the development of renewable energies. It is the region
in the world that has the highest percentage of hydroelectricity participation in total installed
capacity (approximately 48 %). Latin America also has an exceptional potential for solar and wind
energy. In addition, the cost of renewable energy technologies is decreasing, which makes this
market even more promising. Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency is one of the priority sectors
of the new Regional Programme of the EU on Environment and Climate Change for Latin America
2016-2020 (EUROCLIMA
95
).
3.2.1.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Supporting rural development in Colombia
Context
Under its 2014-2018 National Development Pla
E e o e fo a Ne Cou t fo usi g o the th ee
pillars of peace, equality and education, the Government of Colombia prioritised poverty reduction in
u al populatio s th ough a e pu li poli fo ou t side t a sfo atio . This i ludes a
strategy for rural development with territorial approach (DRET), which has been supported by the EU
since 2013 with funding of EUR 39.2 million.
Objectives
DRET addresses structural challenges through institutional strengthening at both national and
regional/territorial levels, poverty reduction and social inclusion, sustainable use of natural
resources and promotion of productive territorial development.
Impact
Programme results relate mostly to rural families' access to rural land property entitlements,
productive projects and rural development financial instruments. Many beneficiaries (poor families
and small producers) are Afro-Colombian (10 %), indigenous people (20 %), or female headed
households (over 30 %). For example, in 2017:
55 633 families
e e suppo ted
the la d fo alisatio p og a
e
families).
116 930 families participated in productive projects (2016 goal of 115 799).
113 810 families benefitted from organisational and business capacities.
goal of
95
http://www.euroclima.org/en/
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AL-Invest 5.0 in, Bolivia, Ecuador and Uruguay
Context and objectives
The AL-Invest 5.0 programme, with an EU contribution of EUR 25 million, aims to boost productivity
and competitiveness of Latin America MSMEs contributing to economic growth and social cohesion.
Impact
In Bolivia, supply diversification and new product development has been achieved thanks to
technical assistance from AL-Invest, the company
Industrias Eid
developed three new products:
frozen fruit pulp, nectar and fruit sauce.
In Ecuador at a Business to Business meeting organised by the AL-INVEST 5.0 programme, the
E uado ia p odu e s g oup
Café de altura
signed an agreement with representatives of sales
chains from Quito to commercialise their coffee, which has led to a sales increase of 32 %. They
are now working on the creation of their own brand.
Also in Ecuador, thanks to training, the group
Toquilleras de Portoviejo
improved the design and
finishing of their hats; they increased sales by 25 % and have contracts with intermediaries to
export to Europe.
The Uruguay Chamber of Industry (CIU) has developed three new information platforms for
SMEs: a system to monitor the scientific-technological market environment; a platform for
supply/demand of knowledge with industrial applications; and an observatory of micro
competitiveness in the food sector.
3.2.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.2.1.6.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
Bilateral peace programming included initiatives in several South American countries in 2017. In
Colombia the EU Trust Fund in support of the peace process, put in place at the end of 2016,
launched its first projects in the field of rural development in conflict affected areas, amounting to an
investment of EUR 30.3 million. Early results include the participation of 6 000 families in 13
municipalities in projects related to the re-activation of the local economies. In Peru, budget support
linked to the national strategy to combat drugs (EUR 12.04 million) has provided technical assistance
on law enforcement through an EU Member State consortium. In Bolivia, support in the framework
of the national strategy to fight against drug trafficking and to reduce surplus cultivation of coca (EUR
15 million) had yielded significant results by the end of 2017, including the adoption of a new law to
o at illi it t affi ki g of o t olled su sta es , a i ease of udget allo atio to fight illi it
drugs of 4.5 % (41 % since 2013) and the support of European experts through the
International and
Ibero-American Foundation for Administration and Public Policies
(FIIAPP) consortium funded by the
EU to a ti ulate a i tellige e o
u it
ithi the se u it fo es.
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In Paraguay, the EU has been promoting democracy through a support programme to electoral
processes, citizen participation and transparency. In 2017, the EU, in close cooperation with
International IDEA, conducted institutional strengthening and capacity building activities with the
Paraguayan Superior Court of Electoral Justice (TSJE). This notably led to the creation of a gender unit
in the TSJE and to the conclusion of cooperation agreements with international electoral bodies,
signed by the TSJE. Under EU programmes and projects, almost 1 000 civil servants and other
citizens, notably from rural and indigenous communities, were trained and sensitised on issues such
as gender, democratic values and electoral processes. The country's first Electoral Spending
Observatory was created, and two OECD reviews were launched: a Public Governance Review and a
Multidimensional Country Review.
In Guatemala, the EU supported the International Commission against Impunity; a census of all public
workers; and the prevention of violence towards vulnerable populations. Activities in Honduras
focused on anti-corruption and transparency. The EU supported the prevention pillar of El Salvador's
atio al se u it st ateg . The e EUR
illio suppo t to
Pla El Salvado Segu o
programme,
will build on a positive and longstanding cooperation in violence prevention with special focus on
Youth. The EU action in this field had yielded significant results in the country by 2017, like for
instance the rehabilitation of public spaces in 20 municipalities with over 5 200 children and
adolescents participating in sports schools and over 1 600 families participating in family integration
programmes.
Regional
In Central America, support was provided in the areas of violence prevention, border management,
the fight against organised crime (harmonised regulations and coordinated police operations and
investigations at the regional level; training of police, criminal investigators, prosecutors and the
judiciary). In this context, the Regional Commission of Police Chiefs reported increased success in
joint operations in the areas of drug trafficking, gangs, people trafficking, stolen vehicles and
firearms. Concrete results include: 37 international and 43 internal criminal structures broken up;
438 persons rescued; 83 tonnes of cocaine confiscated; and 28 000 fire arms confiscated.
In 2017, for the first-time joint operations were launched in the areas of cybercrime and
environmental crime.
The EUR 23 million EL PAcCTO programme (2017-2021) contributes to strengthening regional
cooperation along the entire criminal chain from police investigation, judicial proceedings to
detention, with a specific emphasis on supporting the fight against transnational organised crime. Its
main activities cover police/law enforcement cooperation; judicial and prosecution cooperation; and
the penitentiary system through the mobilisation of expertise from EU Member States, EUROPOL and
EUROJUST. EL PAcCTO targets national policy reforms and greater regional harmonisation and
integration. In 2017, through joint activities with Spain on cyber criminality, EL PAcCTO triggered
Operation ELIPSIA which targets child pornography, leading to a series of arrests throughout Latin
America. Initial support was provided to penitentiary systems in Argentina, Paraguay and Bolivia. The
2018 action plan includes actions related to corruption; trans-border organised crime, environmental
crimes, asset recovery and anti-money laundering.
COPOLAD II (EUR 9.9 million, 2015-2019) supports anti-drug policies, bringing together 31 institutions
from the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean, with the aim to reduce the demand and supply of
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drugs in the region. It provides mainly capacity building to national authorities, and its added value
lies in knowledge transfer, sharing of experience and good practise for training, and the elaboration
and implementation of alternative strategies.
As of 2017, COPOLAD II has supported the creation of a National Observatory for Drugs in Bolivia,
and the establishment of Early Warning Systems (EWS) in Argentina, Colombia, Costa Rica and
Uruguay, which will be replicated in Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Antigua and Barbuda,
Bahamas, Barbados, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago. It has also supported the creation of legal
frameworks for quality accreditation of drug reduction programmes in Argentina, Bahamas, Chile,
Costa Rica, Mexico and Trinidad and Tobago, the establishment of national structures to design and
implement alternative development strategies and projects in Guatemala, Mexico, Jamaica and
Paraguay. It has supported the production of national reports on drugs (based on verifiable indicators
and criteria) in 26 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. COPOLAD has launched an e-
platform with specific sections for the EU-CELAC Cooperation Mechanism on Drugs, elaborated a
report on gender roles in drug related areas, developed on-line courses for civil servants and trained
more than 6 000 professionals in drugs policies-related areas.
3.2.1.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcsP) remained engaged in
Colombia
throughout
2017. Following the rejection of the agreement between the Government of Colombia and the
Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia Ejército del Pueblo
(FARC-EP) at the end of 2016, there
was great uncertainty regarding continuation of the peace process. In this context, the IcSP
contributed by providing essential and timely support to the Tripartite Monitoring and Verification
mission responsible for monitoring and verifying the Cessation of Hostilities, the Ceasefire and the
disarmament of the FARC-EP. IcSP support was instrumental in providing training to the Colombian
military and police personnel charged with ensuring the security of the zones in which the FARC-EP
members had concentrated to demobilise and where they would later hand in their weapons. IcSP is
also contributing to generate confidence and gain the trust of indigenous communities and other
groups that have been disproportionately affected by the armed conflict, in particular, children,
including projects to re-build the social fabric of the communities that have suffered most.
3.2.1.6.3.
EIDHR support
Thematic overview
2017 was a dark year in terms of human rights violations. The tendency to criminalise social protest;
social conflicts linked to land grabs, water diversion for industrial purposes and other similar
examples of human rights violations related to business increased in 2017, with a dramatically high
number of environmental and human rights defenders and journalists killed as compared to previous
years.
The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) promotes geographical balance
in its global calls for proposals for civil society. Each Lot includes projects implemented in Latin
America and the Caribbean across all EIDHR priorities: human rights defenders, the fight against
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death penalty, the fight against torture, economic and social rights, anti-discrimination, etc. This, in
addition to local calls for proposals launched by the EU Delegations through the Country-Based
Support Scheme (CBSS - EIDHR allocations managed directly by Delegations), and various
mechanisms for the protection of human rights defenders, ensures that attention is given to the
most difficult human rights challenges in the region. In 2017, EUR 12.5 million was earmarked for
CBSS initiatives in Latin America.
In 2017, a three-
ea p oje t alled Suppo ti g a d st e gthe i g the o k of the I te A e i a
Human Rights System through the promotion and protection of the most vulnerable and excluded
g oups a d o
u ities i the A e i as e ded. EIDHR o t i uted EUR o e illio to suppo t t o
main institutions: the Inter American Commission of Human Rights and the Inter American Court of
Human Rights. New support is foreseen for these two institutions for the period 2018-2020, to
continue strengthening the system, especially regarding the backlog in the petitions system and in
monitoring the compliance of recommendations.
Peace and resilience
More than six conflict sensitivity analyses were carried out in 2017, under the EU Conflict Early
Warning System (EWS), in support of EU foreign policy goals. The EWS draws upon field-based
information to provide a solid foundation for conflict analysis, by identifying structural risks. The goal
is to prevent the emergence, re-emergence or escalation of violent conflict.
3.2.1.6.4.
Case studies: Peace
EU Trust Fund for Colombia
Context
The EU Trust Fund for Colombia, officially launched in December 2016, has a total budget of EUR 96.5
million, including contributions from 19 EU Member States.
Objectives
To support the Colombian Government in the implementation of the peace agreement in the
short and medium term, with a special focus on rural and productive development in specific
geographic areas as well as on reintegration of the ex-combatants.
Impact
In its first year of operations, the Colombia Trust Fund approved seven projects for a total amount of
EUR 30.3 million. The Trust Fund has already proved itself as a cooperation modality in terms of
donor coordination, flexibility in adjusting to emerging needs of the peace process and EU visibility in
the country, the region and globally. Projects that launched in 2017 have already delivered a few
quick wins, delivering a tangible peace dividend, including:
6 000 families in 13 municipalities are engaged with projects and co-operating on the re-
activation of the local economies.
Through fair trade agreements, 260 coffee growers in Cauca have obtained a 15 % increase on
their income for bio-certified (organic) coffee. Production commercialised through the scheme
reached 56 tonnes in 2017.
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800 farms in Choco diversified complementary production through poultry and pork farming in
addition to their usual crops.
Laboratory equipment for milk testing and quality assurance were provided in the Launch of a
pilot land formalisation process in Vista Hermosa (Meta) with the support of the Dutch Cadaster,
whose methodology should offer a faster and cheaper land titling process that can be replicated
elsewhere.
3.2.1.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.2.1.7.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
With a view to the effective implementation of Agenda 2030, all EU programmes cooperate and
coordinate with relevant government, civil society, private sector, donor and international partners.
Fo e a ple, suppo t to the t ade se to i E uado EUR
11.7 million since 2016) promotes
strengthened partnerships on foreign trade issues between government and public institutions on
the o e ha d, a d the p i ate se to , o the othe ha d. The p oje t suppo ts a p odu ti e at i
t a sfo atio to take ad
antage of the Multiparty Trade Agreement with the EU. The focus is on
increased internationalisation of micro, small and medium enterprises, including stakeholders
belonging to the "economia
popular y solidaria"
–
i.e. all forms of activities carried out by individuals
and/or groups with a focus on ensuring inclusion and participation in the country's economic
activities. Support is delivered through producers and/or exporters associations, federations and
consortia. By the end of 2017, 651 SMEs with export
pote tial, ep ese ti g % of the e po t
su se to s of the ou t pa ti ipated i the apa it uildi g p oje t i te a io alizate hile the
Federación Ecuatoriana de Exportadores
–
FEDEXPOR
o ga ised ith EU suppo t
o kshops i
the main cities of the countries, attended by 900 SME representatives.
Regional
In the Central America sub-region in 2017, a number of activities were organised to promote
partnerships with the private sector, and notably SMEs, which play an integral role in moving the
region's economic integration agenda forward. In particular, a number of workshops were held
th ough the Eko E po t Ki k-Off Boot a p I itiati e, a o po e t of the P og a
e to Suppo t
Central American Economic Integration (PRAIAA, EUR 10 million), to help SMEs take better advantage
of opportunities available in the EU market through the EU-Central America Association Agreement.
Some 114 SMEs, many of which are women-led, benefited from technical assistance and coaching
through the Eko Bootcamp. Of these, 66 companies adapted their services or products based on the
latest global trends; 37 companies began or resumed certification processes to better access the
European market; and 23 companies are currently in negotiations with or have already closed deals
with European buyers.
A ke o je ti e th ough egio al oope atio is to e e the EU s pa t e ship ith highe
-income
developing countries seen as important partners in the implementation of SDGs, in their own
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constituencies and also regionally and worldwide. This comprises technical cooperation in regional
programmes as well as support to triangular cooperation. It also involves research into better
u de sta di g the i pa t of ou t ies t a sitio f o
ediu
-income to higher-income levels.
2017 saw the launch of a EUR 9.5 million Regional Facility for Development in Transition, supporting
research and innovation to guide future EU engagement with emerging challenges such as
o e o i g
iddle-i o e t aps a d st u tu al ul e a ilities i
higher-income developing
countries. The facility will be implemented in close coordination with and co-funded by the OECD
Development Centre and ECLAC: the UN Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean.
The Regional Facility for International Cooperation and Partnership (Adelante) entered its second
year of operations in 2017. Eight projects (selected through a call for proposals) began operations in
the region, with participation of 54 organisations from 18 LAC countries in sectors ranging from
agriculture to judicial reform. During 2017 the design of a follow up phase began, in consultation
with partners.
3.2.1.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, 14 Latin American countries benefited from Civil Society Organisations (CSO) country
allocations for a total of EUR 28.52 million and seven countries benefitted from Local Authorities (LA)
country allocations for a total of EUR 6.45 million.
These allocations are managed by the EU Delegation through local calls for proposals and the
awarded projects are largely guided by the priorities and objectives of the Roadmaps for EU
engagement with civil society aiming to reinforce a structured and strategic relationship with CSOs.
3.2.1.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
Triangular cooperation in Costa Rica and Colombia
Context
In July 2017, the Public Administration of Costa Rica launched an evaluation of its Equality and
Gender Equity Policy with the support of the regional triangular cooperation programme Adelante, in
a joint exercise with technical assistance provided by the administrations of Colombia, Uruguay and
Paraguay.
Objectives
The Adelante project aims to promote the concept of South-South cooperation between
authorities of Costa Rica and Colombia, helping them to establish bases of comparison between
their respective gender policies to define a model that could be implemented in other countries
of the region.
Impact
Preliminary data shows that 59 % of the female users of a Costa Rican entrepreneurship support
programme consider that it is contributing to the improvement of their businesses, while 23 %
have not perceived any progress.
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In light of this feedback, improved measures are being put in place to increase the efficiency of
the initiative.
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3.2.2. Caribbean
3.2.2.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
The year 2017 was marked by the preparations for the Caribbean dimension of the post-Cotonou
framework. This included a start to the informal consultations with the region on the future of EU-
Caribbean relations. In this context, Commissioner Mimica met all Caribbean ministers in June 2017
in Mexico, as part of his outreach activities on post-Cotonou. The ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary
Assembly was held in Port-au-Prince from 18 to 20 December 2017.
The year was also marked by a comprehensive response strategy to the devastating effects of
hurricanes Irma and Maria in several countries and territories of the region, based on a LRRD
approach (Linking Relief, Rehabilitation and Development). The response plan was backed by an
overall assistance package of EUR 300 million, which was announced by Commissioner Mimica at a
pledging conference for the Caribbean, organised in New York in November 2017.
The provisional application of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) with Cuba
started on 1 November 2017. The EU and Cuba commenced work on the implementation of the
Agreement and the setting up of several dialogues in different areas, including on human rights.
EU cooperation with Haiti continued to receive attention throughout 2017. Haiti remains the only
Least Developed Country (LDC) in the region and the largest recipient of EU assistance in the
Caribbean (the European Development Fund alone will contribute more than EUR 450 million over
the period 2014-2020). Haiti's serious economic problems have been compounded by political
instability, weak institutions and vulnerability to natural disasters. In 2017, the Commission
continued the implementation of the 'joint response plan' to support the government's rehabilitation
efforts following the 2016 hurricane Mathew. In February 2017, the President Jovenel Moise finally
assumed office, putting an end to two years of political and institutional crisis. Nevertheless, the root
causes of political instability remain unchanged and significant structural reforms (electoral system,
constitution, judiciary) as well as stepping up the fight against corruption, remain necessary and
urgent.
3.2.2.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
The emergency created by the devastating effects of Hurricanes Maria and Irma in September 2017
resulted in better donor coordination in the Caribbean. With support from the UNDP, the Caribbean
Community (CARICOM) Secretariat convened a high-level pledging conference at UN headquarters
on 21 November which brought together over 400 representatives from governments, multilateral
and civil society organisations and the private sector in a broad partnership to support reconstruction
efforts. Over USD 1.3 billion in pledges and over USD one billion in loans and debt relief were made.
The Government of Dominica established the Climate Resilience Execution Agency of Dominica
(CREAD) that will coordinate the reconstruction of affected areas and will play a donor coordination
role.
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The EU Delegation to Barbados actively participates in the Eastern Caribbean Development Partners
Group, chaired by the UNDP, as well as in other sector coordination groups. This coordination is
fundamental in the context of partner support to countries affected by hurricanes Irma and Maria.
In Haiti, donor coordination works well, with the EU Delegation playing a leading role at both EU
ambassadorial and technical/sector levels including on disaster risk reduction and public financial
management. In 2017, activities were renewed for the drafting of a roadmap that should lead to the
adoption of a Joint Programming document for the post 2020 programming period.
3.2.2.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.2.2.3.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In 2017 the EU committed funds for a new EUR 10 million health programme in Belize, implemented
through the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) and supporting governance and quality of
primary health care services, as well as energy efficient, effective and disaster resilient health
infrastructure. In Grenada, a EUR 3.8 million budget support programme for health sector reform
was launched in 2017, with the objective to improve overall access and quality of health services,
through increased efficiency and financing of the health system.
Haiti was a focus of attention during 2017, given its political, socio-economic and environmental
fragility. In this context, the EU prioritised the addressing of structural weaknesses, economic
rehabilitation and poverty reduction through the launch of three important programmes: a new EUR
120 million State Building Contract (SBC-II), a new EUR 36.5 million programme on urban
development in Port au Prince (URBAYITI) and a EUR 10 million top-up to the Pro-Resilience Food
Security programme, to improve food security of the most vulnerable people affected by Hurricane
Matthew, in southern Haiti.
The first phase of the State Building Contract (SBC I) aimed to rebuild the basic capacities of the State
with a total budget of EUR 112 million and achieved significant results in 2017, with regard to
reforms in the areas of public administration and education. For example, more than 60 % of public
and private teachers were by the end of year correctly identified and had received a provisional
permit to teach. The second State Building Contract (SBC-II), will further strengthen governance,
resilience and national policies, towards better service delivery for Haitians. It is performance-based
and includes a permanent and structured political dialogue with the government.
Results include the following:
The establishment of a (historical) structural and permanent trilateral dialogue between
Government, Parliament and Civil Society on reforms and a multilateral coordination dialogue
between donors (chaired by the EU) and Government on public financial management.
Adoption of laws defining wage scales for different categories of public servants and a
performance-based evaluation system in several Ministries.
Introduction of several measures to reinforce the fight against corruption were introduced: for
instance, a significant increase in the budget of the
Unité de lutte contre la corruption
(+58 % rise
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in 2016), thereby increasing the scope of its work, including an updated system for asset
declaration of politicians.
Tax revenues continued to increase, by 13 % in 2016-17 as compared to 2015-2016.
3.2.2.3.2.
Migration
Thematic overview
The EU Mig atio , E i o e t a d Cli ate Cha ge: E ide e fo Poli
MECLEP p oje t fo used
on knowledge generation in an under-researched field and contributed to building national capacity
through training for policy makers. It resulted in the 2017 International Organisation for Migration
IOM epo t e titled Maki g Mo ilit Wo k fo Adaptatio to E i o e tal Cha ges hi h
showed how migration, displacement and planned relocation can affect adaptation to environmental
and climate change. It presented findings from six countries, including the Dominican Republic and
Haiti. MECLEP also led to the establishment of the Environmental Migration Portal, a one-stop
service website to promote new research, information exchange and dialogue on the link between
migration and environment.
Gender
The implementation of an EU Gender Action plan in the Caribbean region lags behind that of other
regions in terms of meeting the five minimum criteria of gender mainstreaming as set out in the GAP
2016-2020. There are some good performers like Barbados and Guyana, but several others need
significant improvement. Half of EU Delegations in the region developed gender analyses for new EU
external actions.
Usi g the OECD Ge de Ma ke , the u e of p oje ts that do ot ha e a ge de espo si e o
spe ifi a ti ities o a e ge de li d alue G-0)
was reduced to 46.8 % of the EC's portfolio in the
region in 2016 against 47.7 % in 2015.
Many delegations engaged in policy dialogue and events to raise awareness of gender equality
among stakeholders and government bodies and were planning new gender responsive projects in
the near future to improve the implementation. Senior Delegation staff members were appointed as
gender champions in Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago.
Health
In addition to bilateral support in two countries of the region (Belize, Grenada), the EU continued to
promote improvements in health in the region through global programmes such as the Global Fund
to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. UNFPA intervenes in Bolivia, Haiti and in Honduras and the
Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) supports immunisations in Bolivia, Guyana,
Haiti and Nicaragua.
Education
In addition to bilateral support to six countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, the EU continued
promoting education in the region through global programmes: the Global Partnership for Education
(GPE), and the Education cannot Wait platform.
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In the Caribbean, by the end of 2017, under the Erasmus+ programme's International Credit Mobility
action, bilateral partnerships supporting 365 students, researchers and staff were financed; two
institutions were involved in two Joint Master degree programmes as associated partners; and the
first project for capacity building in higher education focusing on Caribbean countries was selected
(CITYLAB CAR - Engaging students in sustainable Caribbean Cities).
Culture
In 2017, the African, Caribbean, Pacific Creative Industries and Cultural sector programme ended.
The Caribbean Region programme (EUR two million) trained more than 500 people and reached
thousands of young people indirectly.
3.2.2.3.3.
Case studies: People
EU support for community development in Jamaica
Context
In Jamaica, the European Union-funded Poverty Reduction Programme (EUR 39.6 million) contributes
to the implementation of the country's policy for community development. All project activities are
carried out through a participatory methodology where community members, Ministries,
Departments and Agencies as well as civil society organisations are at the heart of discussions,
decisions and implementation. This increases coherence and effective response to the real needs of
residents. The centralised monitoring and evaluation framework developed for the government's
policy coordination mechanism will ensure more efficient resource allocation and more effective
evidence-based policy planning and delivery for all actors implementing community-based initiatives.
It will also allow for evidence-based impact assessments.
Objectives
The project aims to improve economic well-being and enhance the quality of life for residents of
100 crime-prone communities.
The strategic implementation plan and monitoring and evaluation framework have been
developed for the government's overall policy coordinating mechanism.
Direct initiatives for 40 of the targeted communities have been carried out.
Impact
More than 33 educational institutions in under-served communities have been rehabilitated or
constructed to meet national standards, thereby improving quality access.
More than 300 vulnerable young persons have received scholarships and internships
–
improving
their chances of gainful employment and minimising the likelihood of engagement in risky
behaviour.
150 young persons involved in or in danger of becoming involved in gang-related activities were
successfully diverted.
Seven out of 12 police stations have been rehabilitated to facilitate more effective community
policing activities as part of a wider thrust to improve police-citizen relationship and improve
citizen security.
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Urban development in Haiti
Context & Objectives
The urban development programme PARAQ (EUR 56 million) in Haiti ended in 2017 having secured
significant results.
Impact
Nine development plans were developed for the nine programme districts in Port-au-Prince (and
Petit Goâve): Baillergeau, Martissant, Delmas, Christ-Roi, Grand Ravine, Carrefour, Petit Goâve,
Haut Turgeau/Debussy and Desprez.
170 000 people benefited, either through public improvement works such as squares, corridors,
roads, drainage infrastructure, neighbourhood houses, libraries, etc. or individual houses.
More than 15 000 people were informed of or trained in safe construction methods, including
more than 1 300 construction professionals and more than 5 800 families.
1 000 houses have been reinforced or rebuilt.
11 500 metres of corridor, road and drainage infrastructure were built, strengthened and/or
upgraded, including 2 586 linear metres of pathway development, 2 897 metres of main roads
created or rehabilitated, and 1 798 metres of consolidation work on ravines or gullies.
60 companies were created, fostering new income-generating activities that benefited nearly
900 people. The sectors concerned include the building industry and also other sectors as diverse
as the environment, fishing, waste management, and catering.
3.2.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.2.2.4.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Guyana, EU budget support of EUR 30 million was launched in 2017 to fund sea defence and
integrated coastal zone management programmes, thereby enhancing Guyana's disaster risk
management and resilience to flooding and protecting vulnerable communities. This new
programme builds on previous budget support operations in the sea and river defence sector. A
yearly average of 3 km of construction works and 30 km of rehabilitation and maintenance
interventions were achieved by 2017. In addition, a new sector policy in the area of Coastal
Management was established, as well as a comprehensive Coastal Engineering Design Manual.
In Jamaica, a EUR 15 million forestry sector reform programme was launched at the end of 2017, to
assist the Government in implementing its newly adopted Forest Policy, which aims at sustainably
a agi g Ja ai a s fo est esou es to e ha e i lusive
social and economic development while
o t i uti g to uildi g the ou t s li ate esilie e. Poli suppo t helps to e e se fo est
degradation, supports reforestation, and strengthens the legislative, policy and institutional
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framework of the sector. Economic, social and environmental benefits to the local population
through the sustainable utilisation of forest resources will be ensured.
In Cuba, sustainable energy is an EU priority area: a new, EUR 18 million programme was prepared in
2017, aimed at improving policy and regulatory reforms for the promotion of renewable energy and
energy efficiency, improving access to foreign investment, and developing local rural electrification
projects with the ambitious aim of reaching 100 % energy access. These actions directly contribute to
transforming Cuba's energy matrix, reducing fossil fuel import bills, creating jobs and reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, towards meeting Cuba's goal of generating 24 % of electricity production
from renewable sources by 2030.
Regional
Caribbean states are highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change (extreme weather events such
as storm surges, hurricanes, floods; the rise in sea levels; biodiversity degradation; water scarcity)
and at the same time, due to their narrow economic base, they lack the resilience capacity to cope
with the rising impacts of natural disasters.
The 2017 hurricane season was particularly damaging, with two Category five hurricanes hitting the
region back-to-back, causing loss of life and huge devastation to economic, social and physical
infrastructure.
In the aftermath of the hurricanes, the EU intervened with humanitarian assistance through the EU
Civil Protection Mechanism, further complemented by a EUR 300 million response package for short-
term humanitarian relief and medium-term rehabilitation and reconstruction, announced by
Commissioner Mimica during the high-level CARICOM pledging conference in November 2017. This
package included EUR 2.9 million in humanitarian assistance to most affected countries, an
additional EUR 60.5 million from EDF reserves, and EUR 14 million in frontloaded payments to
Anguilla, Turks and Caicos, and Dominica.
The joint Commission services reconstruction strategy follows a build-back-better approach, and
supports long term resilience building at the regional, national and local levels.
Caribbean countries are heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels, which represent an average
spend of 9 % of their GDP. Electricity tariffs are amongst the highest in the world. This represents a
significant burden in terms of balance of payments, but also for household spending and industry
competitiveness. As such, the EU supports the Caribbean's transition to renewable energies, an EU
focal sector in five countries: Barbados, Belize, Cuba, Dominica, Saint Kitts and Nevis.
In 2017, the EU launched an EUR 9.2 million, four-
ea Te h i al Assista e P og a
e fo
Sustai a le E e g i the Ca i ea TAPSEC , i ple e ted
GIZ. TAPSEC suppo ts the
implementation of the CARICOM Energy Policy (CEP) and the Caribbean Sustainable Energy Road
Strategy (C SERMS), as well as the National Energy Policy of the Dominican Republic. In particular,
TAPSEC supports regulatory reforms to enable renewable energy development and energy efficiency
(RE/EE), the identification and establishment of financing mechanisms for renewable energy projects
and their accessibility for local and regional RE/EE project developers and to achieve enhanced
technical capacity among players in the RE/EE field. Technical / design expertise is provided to the
newly established Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) as a
regional institution.
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3.2.2.4.2.
Thematic overview
In 2017 the Caribbean was hit hard by hurricanes causing unprecedented levels of destruction.
Following official government requests to the EU, Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica received swift
support to carry out Post-Disaster Needs Assessments (PDNA) through the EU-African Caribbean
Pacific (ACP) Natural Disaster Risk Reduction (NDRR) programme, implemented by the Global Facility
for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). PDNAs are vital for governments in the aftermath of
disasters as they pave the way for a consolidated recovery framework taking into account the
o ept of uild a k ette a d add essi g so ial a d e i o e tal o e s, i ludi g
communities and gender.
Haiti is considered one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, as a result of the
significant environmental degradation caused by over-exploitation of forest resources, soils, water,
ua ies a d oastal ate s. This deg adatio edu es the ou t s a ilit to a so the effe ts of
extreme weather events and of climate change. The EU, within the framework of the Global Climate
Change Alliance plus (GCCA+) flagship initiative is supporting Haiti in mainstreaming climate change
in poverty reduction efforts. Among other achievements, this support has resulted in the
establishment of the National Environmental Assessment office, strengthening the direction of
climate change activities through the recruitment of technical staff, the signature of two grants for
innovative projects in two watersheds vulnerable to climate change, and support to the Ministry of
E i o e t i the p epa atio of Haiti s I te ded Natio all Dete i ed Co t i utio INDC .
Due to the risks associated with natural disasters in the region, the EU is active in better land
management. Through the project Action Against Desertification, the EU managed to reach directly 6
200 farmers including 40 % women, and helped them develop maps and recommendations on land
use, establish twelve agroforestry nurseries and thirty-six farmer field schools, restore over 3 800
hectares of land, and distribute more than 65 tonnes of seedlings.
Marine resources were also at the centre of EU support in the Caribbean both through the BIOPAMA
programme (a regional observatory of biodiversity and protected areas) and through eight projects
implemented by CSOs on the management of marine protected areas and sustainable fisheries in the
Greater Caribbean region (from Yucatan to Guyana Shield and all Caribbean islands).
3.2.2.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
iLAND Resilie e i the Eastern
Caribbean
Context
In September 2017, the Eastern Caribbean region experienced an unprecedented number of tropical
storms, including two Category five hurricanes (Irma and Maria), which devastated Dominica,
Barbuda, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands, and also impacted St. Kitts and Nevis and
Montserrat. The hurricanes further exposed the particular vulnerability of the Organisation of
Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) sub-region to climate change and variability and amplified the call
for urgent and accelerated action and support towards building resilience through adaptation and
mitigation interventions.
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The building stock in affected states was significantly destroyed, highlighting the urgent need for
adoption, enforcement and systematic upgrading of the Building Codes, and demonstrating the
relevance of the recent and ongoing interventions by the OECS EU-GCCA project to update the OECS
Building codes and develop best practice institutional and legislative frameworks for
implementation.
Objectives
Amidst the devastation in OECS Member States, multiple physical adaptation pilots implemented
under the EUR 10.6 million OECS EU-GCCA project withstood the ravages of the hurricanes and
stand as proven practice for design and implementation of adaptation and resilience building in
the region.
These include coastal revetments in Cane Garden Bay (Tortola, BVI) and Coconut Walk (Nevis),
and flood mitigation interventions in Brewers Bay (Tortola, BVI) and in Sandy Ground (Anguilla).
These and other completed and ongoing works have already demonstrated best practices in
climate change adaptation and are ready for replication and upscaling elsewhere.
Impact
The iLAND Resilie e i itiati e has upg aded apa it of ke i stitutio s
deli e i g tools a d
t ai i g i ele a t dis ipli es su h as Geog aphi I fo atio S ste s GIS a d is suppo ti g
policy dialogues, awareness and education on Climate Change and Sustainable Land
Management issues.
Several frameworks have been / are being strengthened, including National Land Policies,
Climate Change Policies, Environmental Management legislation, Physical Planning Plans and
Regulations, across multiple Member States.
The Results O ie ted Mo ito i g Repo t of De e e
o luded that the p oje t is highly
relevant and well managed. ... progress is good ... key stakeholders participate actively and
o e ship is high ...
3.2.2.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.2.2.5.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
Most Caribbean economies are characterised by tourism dependency and narrow domestic markets,
high indebtedness and an undiversified productive base, which limit countries' resilience to external
shocks. Other common challenges include low growth, income inequality and youth unemployment.
Under the 2014-20 programming period, three countries (Dominican Republic, St Lucia, Trinidad &
Tobago) have private sector development and competitiveness as a focal sector and two countries
(Suriname, St. Vincent) have a rural development/rural infrastructure focus. During 2017, the EU
launched a EUR six million programme in St Vincent and the Grenadines to rehabilitate rural roads
for climate resilience and local economic development and a EUR 13 million programme -
implemented by the FAO-.on sustainable agriculture in Suriname, to support export horticulture
value chains and sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) compliance.
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Regional
EU priorities and programming support regional integration, private sector development and
cooperation initiatives and policies, in order to facilitate intra-regional and international trade,
investments and mobility, aligning with the 2008 EU-Caribbean Economic Partnership Agreement
(EPA).
The issue of Prosperity was central under the 10th EDF. Three large programmes, strongly
interconnected, were funded by the EU: the EPA support measures programme (EUR 46 million), the
CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME, EUR 27.5 million) and the Private Sector Development
Programme (RPSDP, EUR 28.3 million). The latter, implemented by the Caribbean Export
Development Agency (CEDA) has enhanced the Caribbean's private sector competitiveness and
innovation, promoted trade and export development, strengthened trade and investment relations
between CARIFORUM, the French Outermost Regions FCORs and the EU Overseas Countries and
Territories (OCTs) in the Caribbean and investment relations between CARICOM and the Dominican
Repu li . CEDA s i stitutio al apa it to i ple e t t ade a d i est e t p og a
es i the egio
has been strengthened through a Direct Assistance Grant scheme which helped private sector
stakeholders to achieve critical targets in their business plans as well as to further develop and
expand their businesses. Technical Assistance and Training activities (ProNET scheme) complemented
by study tours were provided. As a consequence of these results, a second phase (EUR 24 million) of
the programme under the 11th EDF started to be implemented in 2017.
3.2.2.5.2.
Thematic overview
Most Caribbean countries have reached a 90 to 100 % electrification rate. Haiti is a notable exception
with only 29 % of its 10 million population having electricity access. Energy efficiency and renewable
energy opportunities are vast. A challenge is
–
as in most developing countries
–
to attract private
sector investment. Throughout 2017, the EU Technical Assistance Facility continued to support the
design and enforcement of national energy policies and action plans that prioritise sustainable
energy and boost investments in the sector. Blending through the Caribbean Investment Facility and
ElectriFI are two examples of how the EU incentivises private sector investments by covering part of
the risk. Through ElectriFI, the EU supported the micro-utility start-up Sigora Haiti, which connected
households i Haiti s o th-western
peninsula. During 2017, the clean-energy micro-utility
expanded with a five-fold increase in the number of households now having access to electricity.
Sigora customers are presently part of a small minority of citizens who have 24/7 access to electricity
24/7.
3.2.2.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
CEDA brings the private sector to the development table
Context
The Caribbean Export Development Agency (CEDA) was responsible for implementing the Private
Se to De elop e t P og a
e RPSDP, EUR .
illio a oss the egio . CEDA s i stitutio al
capacity to implement trade and investment programmes in the region was strengthened through a
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Direct Assistance Grant scheme which helped private sector stakeholders to achieve critical targets in
their business plans as well as to further develop and expand their businesses
Objectives
The RPSDP looked to enhance the Caribbean's private sector competitiveness and innovation,
promote trade and export development, strengthened trade and investment relations between
local partners.
Impact
During 2017, CEDA:
Conducted three pilot meetings to roll out the upgraded Diagnostic Assessment Tool to Business
Support Organisations (BSOs), in Trinidad and Tobago, Belize and Saint Lucia.
Hosted a two-day Productivity Network (ProNET) training programme on Energy Management
for SMEs in Barbados in September.
Facilitated two Energy Management Training Programmes in Saint Lucia and Jamaica.
Sponsored the attendance of seven CARIFORUM firms at the ANUGA food fair in Germany in
October, to increase awareness of CARIFORUM specialty foods in the EU and German markets,
ith a ie to i easi g CARIFORUM e po ts to those a kets hile p o oti g the Age
s
Caribbean Kitchen brand and providing high visibility to the EU support.
3.2.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.2.2.6.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Jamaica the EUR 12.6 million Justice, Security, Accountability and Transparency Project was under
full implementation in 2017, providing institutional support to courts, the Ministry of Justice and the
Ministry of National Security. The project developed case management systems to assist in the fight
against organised crime, money laundering and corruption; and supported civil society organisations
to increase oversight of children's rights legislation, and fight against domestic, sexual and gender-
based violence against women.
Good governance, effective public administration and efficient use of public finances, including
internal revenue mobilisation, are all key issues for sustained and inclusive development in the
Caribbean.
Anti-money laundering, transnational crime and terrorism financing, financial transparency and the
fight against tax-avoidance practices are also key challenges for both the EU and the Caribbean
region.
In 2017 the EU committed to four new public financial management (PFM) programmes. In Antigua
and Barbuda, a EUR 2.4 million programme supporting revenue administrations and PFM reform was
adopted and will be implemented by the World Bank. In Jamaica and the Dominican Republic, new
PFM reform programmes build on the successful results of the PFM dialogue launched under
previous budget support operations. A new PFM programme in Belize may lead to eligibility for
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future budget support operations. All programmes contribute to the objectives of the EU flagship
initiative of "collect more - spend better".
Regional
Citizen security with a preventive approach and a focus on root causes (e.g. domestic violence, drugs,
rise of transnational crime, and corruption), is key for the EU and the region due to the Caribbean's
location on the main drug routes to North America and Europe. The Caribbean has one of the highest
homicide and crime rates in the world. Homicides rose by 20 % in 2017 in Jamaica and St. Lucia;
incarceration rates and pre-trial detention remain among the highest in the world, caused,
inter alia,
by a low effectiveness of the criminal justice system. The CARICOM Security Strategy provides a
useful framework for further cooperation in this area.
In 2017, regional security related projects under the 10th EDF Regional Indicative Programme for the
Caribbean (CRIP - EUR 12 million) trained law enforcement and border security officials to detect and
prevent incidences of trafficking in drugs, illicit arms and human beings and enhanced their skills,
attitudes and competencies when dealing with drug addiction, domestic violence and sexual
offences. EU training also covered customs and excise control, maritime policing duties, natural
disasters, pollution control, prevention of smuggling, protection of offshore installations and
exclusive economic zones.
The EU supported the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for a regional training and
accreditation programme for Financial Investigators and Analysts. The CARICOM Implementation
Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) was supported to install and expand the Advanced
Passenger Information System (APIS) in three Immigration, fourteen Customs Departments and
fifteen Specialist Units in CARICOM Member States; install the Advanced Cargo Information System
(ACIS) in at least thirteen Member States; and develop a training curriculum for a regional training
and certification programme for ballistic experts and firearms examiners.
IMPACS delivered several joint border security trainings for customs, excise and immigration officers
in the region to improve officers' screening and interviewing techniques and enable awareness of
different institutional cultures, assets, administrative and operational procedures, reduce
overlapping authority and foster joint strategies in addressing common security threats in the region.
EU support to the CARICOM Secretariat for a Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Programme will
establish drug treatment courts and services, and support resilience against drug use in at risk
students and out of school youth.
In collaboration with the Inter-American Drug Abuse Control Commission (CICAD) of the Organisation
of A e i a States, the DDR p og a
e o ga ised o kshops to p o ote the d ug t eat e t ou t
model of alternative sentencing and to standardise and strengthen capacities to gather, analyse and
report on drug-related information, foster evidence-based drug policies, and enhance networking of
drug treatment and rehabilitation centres.
In 2017 new programme identification under the 11th EDF Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme
(CRIP) resulted in the approval of a EUR five million multi-country programme on border security for
Jamaica, Haiti and the Dominican Republic; an EUR 8.5 million combined programme on
cybersecurity, financial compliance and assets for the CARIFORUM region; a EUR 14 million multi-
country support on the effectiveness of criminal justice sectors (Guyana, Suriname, Trinidad and
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Tobago, Antigua & Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Belize, and possibly Haiti); and a
follow-up programme to support CARICOM IMPACS in consolidating the APIS and ACIS systems , as
well as to support the Regional Security System (RSS) to train law enforcement personnel.
The ACP-EU Migration Action conducted a few training sessions for law enforcement officers in the
region on combating trafficking in persons, to increase awareness and build capacities around the
fou Ps : P e e tio of e gage e t i t affi ki g a ti ities, P ote tio of i ti s, P ose utio of
criminals, and the establishment of Partnerships between the various actors involved.
3.2.2.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
In 2017 the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) concluded the Global Crisis
Response Support Programme (GCRSP), a 26-month action aimed at strengthening the capacities of
Latin American and Caribbean regional organisations in early warning. This capacity building included
increasing regional and international cooperation, training personnel in new skills, enabling the
creation of a virtual crisis room and ensuring a gender perspective in early warning. The programme
targeted the Organisation of American States and four other Caribbean regional organisations.
In Haiti and the Dominican Republic, efforts continued to face a potential migratory crisis that fuels
tensions between the two countries, by implementing a set of inter-connected community-oriented
and rights-based interventions for at-risk populations both in the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
3.2.2.6.3.
Thematic overview
The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) promotes geographical balance
in its global calls for proposals for civil society. Each Lot includes projects implemented in Latin
America and the Caribbean under all EIDHR priorities: human rights defenders, the fight against
death penalty, the fight against torture, economic and social rights, anti-discrimination, etc. This, in
addition to local calls for proposals launched by the EU Delegations through the Country-Based
Support Scheme (EIDHR allocations managed directly by the Delegations), and various mechanisms
for the protection of human rights defenders, ensures that attention is given to the most difficult
human rights challenges in the region.
3.2.2.6.4.
Case studies: Peace
State building in Haiti
Context and objectives
Budget support operations are organised through specific State Building Contracts (SBC) aiming at
rebuilding the basic capacities of the State. Clear progress has been registered in Haiti under the
ongoing SBC I with a total budget of EUR 112 million (March 2014 to March 2018), that is built
around the three axes of political dialogue, financial assistance and technical assistance.
Impact
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Concrete achievements of the programme during 2017 include:
The set-up of a structural and permanent trilateral dialogue between Government, Parliament
and Civil society on reforms and of a multilateral coordination dialogue between donors (chaired
by EU) and Government on Public Finance Management.
Laws defining wage scales for different categories of public servants were adopted and a
performance-based evaluation system was set-up in several ministries.
Several measures to reinforce the fight against corruption were introduced. For example, a law
on Prevention and Repression of Corruption was adopted in 2014 and the
Unité de lutte contre la
corruption's
budget was significantly raised (+58 % rise in 2016) allowing an increase in the scope
of its work, including an updated system for asset declaration of politicians.
Tax revenues consistently increased (a +13 % growth trend has been registered in 2015-2016 and
2016-2017; early 2017-2018 data point to an even bigger +30 % growth).
Security and development nexus in the Caribbean
Context
Several security-related projects under the 10th EDF are financed under the Caribbean Regional
Indicative Programme (CRIP) with CARIFORUM with a budget of around EUR 12 million.
Objectives
The EU initiatives focus on reducing drug demand, preventing crime and violence and combating
illicit drug trafficking, related transnational criminal activities and financial crimes.
Impact.
In partnership with the Regional Security System (RSS), training was provided to law enforcement
and border security officials to detect and prevent incidences of trafficking in drugs, illicit arms
and human beings as well as to enhance their skills, attitudes and competencies when dealing
with drug addiction, domestic violence and sexual offenses.
Support was provided to the Caribbean Financial Action Task Force (CFATF) for a regional training
and accreditation programme for Financial Investigators and Analysts Support was provided to
CARICOM's Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (IMPACS) to install and expand the
Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) in three Immigration, fourteen Customs
Departments and fifteen Specialist Units in CARICOM Member States, to install the Advanced
Cargo Information System (ACIS) in at least thirteen Member States, as well as to develop a
training curriculum for a regional training and certification programme for ballistic experts and
firearms examiners.
The CARICOM Secretariat received funding for a Drug Demand Reduction (DDR) Programme that
will establish drug treatment courts and which is also aimed at tackling resilience factors for
youth against drug use in at risk students and out of school youths, as well as treatment services
for adolescents.
The CARICOM Secretariat also implemented a Crime & Violence Prevention Programme that aims
at promoting community cohesion and giving troubled youth-at-risk a chance to change their
lives.
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A programme with the Dominican Republic institution
Dirección Nacional de Control de Drogas
and
Consejo Nacional de Drogas
was also implemented.
3.2.2.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.2.2.7.1.
Implementation
Bilateral including budget support
In Cuba the EUR 7.9 million Support to Economic Modernisation provides tailor-made European
expertise in a flexible manner to Cuban authorities, in a twinning-like arrangement. Experts from EU
Member States support the modernisation of Cuba's economic and public administration through
sharing best practices on improving the effectiveness of the tax collection process and promoting
modern management methods. This tool not only matches expertise from different EU Member
States with specific Cuban needs, it also helps to build trust in order to deepen the mutual
engagement.
Regional
The Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the EU and CARIFORUM is a tailor-made
partnership signed in 2008 to open up the market gradually between the two regions. Several
programmes, which help the private sector to reap the benefits of the EPA, are delivered either at
multi-country level (for example, Haiti and Dominican Republic) or regionally (for example, as wider-
Caribbean cooperation involving also Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) and the French
Outermost Regions (FCORs).
The Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF) is an EU blending mechanism leveraging investments through
international financial institutions (IFIs). It was created in 2012 to respond to the needs in
infrastructure development and investment in the Caribbean ACP countries. EUR 135 million was
allocated to CIF under the Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP) for the period 2015-2020,
supporting projects at either bilateral, multi-country or regional scale.
As per declarations of the EU-Cariforum Sustainable Energy Conference in Barbados in October,
2016, renewable energy and climate change resilience are increasingly present on the agenda of EU-
Caribbean relations, with a focus on enhancing the participation of IFIs and the private sector in
strategic projects, as key vectors of development.
Currently, 12 CIF projects representing almost EUR one billion of investment are on-going in different
Caribbean countries. During 2017, three new projects were operationalised, on sustainable water
supply in Suriname (AFD, EUR 15.8 million), on energy management and efficiency in Jamaica (Inter-
American Development Bank - IADB, EUR 3.,5 million) and on geothermal energy regionally
(Caribbean Development Bank - CDB, EUR 412 million).
3.2.2.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, six Caribbean countries benefited from CSO country allocation for a total of EUR 4.9 million
and no LA country allocations were made.
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These allocations are managed by the EU Delegation in each country through local calls for proposals.
3.2.2.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
10th EDF in the Caribbean
Context
The
th EDF E o o i Pa t e ship Ag ee e t EPA suppo t easu es p og a
e EUR
46
million) was signed in 2012 and ended in September 2017. Through its seven components the
Caribbean region and the EU have cooperated on a wide range of trade-related issues directly
impacting in job creation in the Caribbean countries under the EPA umbrella.
Objectives
This partnership programme supports strong governance structures and delivers solid results
through the provision of EU expertise via European national agencies, specialised institutes and
labs, and private sector organisations. The programme favours deeper regional integration
through a focus on general trade matters, fiscal aspects, design and analysis of statistics and
effective implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) and technical barriers to
trade (TBT).
Impact
The institutional and implementation capacity component of this programme (EUR 10.8 million)
has focused on competition, public procurement as well as customs and trade facilitation.
Implementation capacity at the national level has been strengthened through the training of over
2 000 government officials and other private sector and civil society stakeholders, from all
CARIFORUM countries.
Further, support has been provided to all national EPA focal points as well as the CARIFORUM
EPA Unit.
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3.3. Asia, Central Asia, Middle East/Gulf and Pacific
3.3.1. Asia
3.3.1.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
The EU and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) celebrated in 2017 the 40
th
anniversary of the establishment of official relations. European Council President Donald Tusk
attended in November an ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit hosted by President Rodrigo Duterte
in Manila, and was also invited, for the first time, to the East Asia Summit lunch as Guest of the Chair.
In August, HR/VP Mogherini attended in Manila the annual ASEAN-EU Post-Ministerial Conference
with ASEAN Foreign Ministers, which adopted the second ASEAN-EU Plan of Action 2018-2022. She
also participated in the 24th ASEAN Regional Forum.
The 13th ASEM Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held on 20-21 November in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar,
where the ASEM definition of Connectivity was adopted.
The 19th EU-China Summit which took place in June 2017 demonstrated a shared commitment to
address global and regional issues such as climate change and security threats. Under the umbrella of
the EU-China 2020 Strategic Agenda for cooperation, the EU and China organised over 50 substantive
sectoral and political dialogues in 2017.The EU continues to implement the EU Strategy on China
adopted in 2016 as the guiding policy framework for its relations with China.
At the EU Japan summit in July, leaders announced a political agreement on an ambitious EU-Japan
free trade deal and closer political cooperation based on shared values, human rights, democracy
and rule of law, with negotiations subsequently focusing on the finalisation of the respective
agreements. The EU-India 14th Summit in October in New Delhi achieved a substantial outcome
with a Joint Statement covering all areas of bilateral cooperation and three separate joint
declarations, on counterterrorism, clean energy and climate change, and on smart and sustainable
urbanisation.
EU Ministers of Foreign Affairs approved a new EU strategy on Afghanistan in October 2017,
reconfirming the EU's and Member States' long-term commitment to promoting peace, stability and
prosperity in Afghanistan and to support its sustainable development. The Cooperation Agreement
on Partnership and Development (CAPD) between the European Union and the Islamic Republic of
Afghanistan started to be provisionally applied from 1 December 2017. The provisional application of
the agreement covers cooperation in a number of important areas,
inter alia
human rights, gender
equality, development cooperation, trade and investment matters, migration and regional
cooperation.
Negotiations on the new EU–Pakistan Strategic Engagement Plan (SEP) were finalised in view of the
expiry of the five-year Engagement Plan at the end of 2017. The SEP aims at strengthening
cooperation in the following areas: Peace and Security; Democracy, Rule of Law, Good Governance,
and Human Rights; Migration and Mobility; Trade and Investment; Sustainable Development
including Energy; Education and Culture; and Science and Technology.
The EU signed political agreements on wide ranging areas of cooperation both with Australia, the EU
Australia Framework Agreement, and with New Zealand, the EU New Zealand Partnership Agreement
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for Relations and Cooperation. In 2017 work continued towards the signature of the FTAs with
Singapore and Vietnam and the ratification of the EU-Philippines Partnership and Cooperation
Agreement.
The EU was intensely engaged politically to help address the Rohingya refugee crisis in Bangladesh
and Myanmar and stepped up its humanitarian efforts, co-hosting the UN Pledging Conference on 23
October 2017 and making the largest pledge among all donors. In November HR/VP Federica
Mogherini visited the refugee camps and met with the Bangladeshi Prime Minister. Good progress
has been made on cooperation on migration with Bangladesh in the framework of the standard
operating procedures for return of irregular migrants. Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) conclusions on
Myanmar were adopted on 16 October 2017 emphasising the need to stop the violence, to allow
access to implement refugee return, to cooperate with the UN and to address the root causes of the
crisis. The EU welcomed the arrangement between Bangladesh and Myanmar on return and urged
that it be fully implemented according to international standards with a strong role for the UNHCR.
Co side i g the DPRK s a ele ati g u lea a d allisti
issile programmes,
the EU reaffirmed its
policy of critical engagement which combines pressure with sanctions and other measures while
keeping communication channels open. The EU sanctions regime towards the DPRK was among the
most restrictive in operation.
EU has strongly reacted to the deterioration of the political situation in Cambodia in 2017 through
several EEAS and local statements as well as an European Parliament resolution calling for remedial
action. The EU expressed also its concerns about human rights issues in the Philippines on numerous
occasions. On the basis of Council Conclusions adopted in December 2017 the Council of the EU
decided to resume political contacts at all levels with Thailand in order to facilitate meaningful
dialogue, including on human rights and fundamental freedoms and the road towards democracy.
In May 2017 the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East
(SESAME) started operating in Jordan. The EU has supported the initiative with EUR 15 million so far
and recognises its potential to foster a culture of peace and cooperation through science in the
region.
In 2017, a number of important research and innovation activities were pursued with Iran in the
context of the EU-Iran renewed partnership, giving research a pivotal confidence-building role in EU
–
Iran relations. This comprised the second meeting of the EU-Iran working group on science, research,
technology and innovation and a back-to-back Higher Education and Research event was held in
Tehran.
3.3.1.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
In Afghanistan, the EU reaffirmed itself as a key strategic partner of the Government following the
2016 Brussels Conference on Afghanistan and the first disbursement of EUR 100 million as part of the
State Building Contract. With the introduction of budget support directly managed by the EU
Delegation, the EU played a more important role in the country's development trajectory than ever
before. In Kabul, the EU ensured effective coordination with EU Member States with other donors in
the most important contexts such as the multi-donor and UN-led Afghanistan Reconstruction Trust
Fund and the Law and Order Trust Fund for Afghanistan. In addition, important steps were taken to
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re-align the EU's Multi-annual Indicative Programme with the national reform programme, in
particular the Afghanistan National Peace and Development Framework and the ten national priority
programmes, which focus on issues including women's empowerment, agriculture and infrastructure
development. Mutual accountability is a key principle for the Government of Afghanistan's efforts to
implement reforms and for the international community to improve aid efficiency. Its principles and
benchmarks are monitored through a mutual accountability framework, which was renewed at the
Brussels Conference.
In Myanmar and Bangladesh, the EU and several Member States continued to work with partner
country governments to improve the transparency of their aid data and the use of the International
Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) in their aid management platforms.
In 2017, the first annual review of the Joint Programming Document for Laos took place with the
government, EU Member States and development partners. The EU, the EU Member States (Finland,
France, Hungary, Germany, Ireland, Luxembourg and the United Kingdom) and Switzerland
confirmed the relevance of the strategy and the commitment for Laos to graduate from Least
Developed Country status by 2020. Total support amounts to about EUR 500 million, with the EU
contributing EUR 207 million.
In Cambodia, European partners have been implementing a joint programme since 2014 (European
Development Cooperation Strategy 2014-2018). As part of the follow-up of the high-level policy
dialogue, held in 2016, the joint European strategy was updated in early 2017. In mid-2017, Belgium
joined the group as an active European partner and the European Joint Programming in Cambodia
now brings together 11 partners: the EU, nine EU Member States (Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland,
France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden and the United Kingdom) and Switzerland. It was agreed to
extend the joint strategy for one year to the end of 2019 which will provide European development
partners with sufficient time to assess the contents of the next National Strategic Development Plan
2019-2023 that is under preparation. The next joint European Strategy would therefore cover the
period 2020-2024. The joint European programming contributes to improving effectiveness of
development results by using country systems and improved coherence.
Bilateral development cooperation with China and India, as graduating countries, is being phased
out. The EU-India cooperation portfolio in 2017 consisted of projects across human development and
migration (for example the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights), sustainable
growth and development (including the EU-India Capacity-Building Initiative for Trade and
Development), clean energy, environment and climate change. China's cooperation portfolio
consisted of projects in human rights, rule of law and economic cooperation, science, research and
social protection (for example the EU-China Social Protection Reform Project), civil society,
environment, urbanisation (for example. Technical Assistance to Sustainable urbanisation
–
Europe
China Eco-Cities Link).
3.3.1.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.3.1.3.1.
Implementation
Migration and forced displacement continued to be a priority for the EU in the region. Activities
i luded i the
Spe ial Measu e o I p o i g Rei teg atio of Retu ees i Afgha ista ,
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Ba gladesh a d Pakista sta ted i ple e tatio
hile a ti ities u de the Aid to Up ooted People
p og a
e ea hed thei fi al phase. A o g
the latter, a significant effort took place to guarantee
complementarities between development, humanitarian, and security actors in Afghanistan, in order
to better address challenges posed by forced displacement and migration. In partnership with
government, UN agencies and NGOs, the EU supported efforts to deliver sustainable solutions for the
return, reintegration and inclusion of displaced populations in Afghanistan, with particular emphasis
on economic integration and livelihoods.
In Pakistan, programmes in rural development, education/TVET, and governance continued to
address the root causes of migration. In Bangladesh, the complexity of hosting an already existing
refugee population multiplied with the large influx of more than 680 000 Rohingya refugees from
Rakhine state in Myanmar. In response, the EU increased its funding and extended the
implementation period for its ongoing project providing protection services for Rohingya refugees in
Bangladesh.
In Afghanistan, the EU continued its contribution to the country-wide provision of basic health care
and hospital services through the SEHAT programme, including support for partnerships between the
Government and non-governmental organisations for service coverage in contested or insurgent-
held areas. Current EU funding covers the cost of servicing approximately one-third of the patients
seeking government health services country-wide.
To support universal access to quality education and training, the EU provided EUR 20 million to the
Education Sector in the province of Balochistan in Pakistan aimed at enhancing access and quality
schooling with a special emphasis on girls' education. In 2017, the Balochistan Examination &
Assessment Commission (BEAC) was set up and now conducts annual standardised examinations at
grades five and eight. In 841 schools, parents have been trained to implement School Development
Plans that contribute to improving learning environments and the availability of basic facilities.
Finally, through an Education Management Information System all schools in the province are
monitored at least once every two months and appropriate remedial actions are initiated.
In Nepal, following the earthquakes in 2015, the EU released a second budget support instalment of
EUR 40 million in 2017 in the framework of the Nepal-EU Action for Recovery and Reconstruction
programme to help affected communities rebuild their houses and schools and make infrastructure
better and safer. Together with UNICEF, the EU also achieved the objective of building 650
Transitional Learning Centres.
In Vietnam, the EU has been supporting equitable access to quality health services for the last 20
years, with a specific focus on the most remote and poor provinces. In 2017, our last budget support
payment was disbursed. However, at least until 2019, the EU will continue providing complementary
technical assistance that will serve as an exit strategy from the sector while providing the basis for
future sustainability.
As an example, the EU's technical assistance will work on health financing to help Vietnam. EU
support to the health sector has been very successful. During the last 20 years, health insurance
coverage has increased from around 15 % to 78 %. Births attended by professional health staff
increased from 77.1 % in 1997 to 98 % in 2015 and maternal mortality rate (out of 100 000 live
births) has decreased from 107 in 1995 to 54 in 2015. Both the infant mortality rate (out of 1 000 live
births) and the under-fives mortality rate (out of 1 000 live births) have halved over the same period.
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Under the Erasmus+ international credit mobility scheme, 335 academic projects were funded in
2017 with a total value of EUR 18 million from the Development Cooperation Instrument, which
allowed over 3 000 participants from Asia to study in Europe and 1 925 participants from Europe to
study in Asia. 83 Master degree scholarships were also awarded in the Asia region and 72 Asian
Higher Education Institutions participated in 45 capacity building projects either as coordinator or as
partner institution.
Suppo t to Edu atio efo i I do esia EUR
illio has o t i uted i
to edu atio
quality and improved gender equity for girls and boys in primary and secondary school. In this
framework, the EU supported the design and the implementation of the National Education Policy, as
well as the new Education Sector Strategic Plan 2015-2019 and the Minimum Service Standards
Strategy, implemented in 16 provinces (corresponding to 108 districts, 54 729 schools and
regrouping seven million students). The programme finished at the end of 2017.
3.3.1.3.2.
Thematic overview
In Asia, EU support has been steadily climbing to enhance the nutrition of vulnerable populations and
increase resilience of livelihoods. Adequate nutrition during the critical 1 000-day window from a
othe s p eg a
to he hild s se o d i thda , has a sig ifi a t i pa t o ph si al a d og iti e
development. In Laos, the EU has implemented the Northern Uplands Food and Nutrition Security
Improvement Project with a focus on supporting mothers and children during the first 1 000 days.
This programme provides capacity building for local authorities, supports the development of
vegetable gardens and helps educate mothers and provides information that will facilitate a healthy
p eg a
a d the fi st ea s of a hild s life.
3.3.1.3.3.
Case studies: People
Partnership for enhanced Nutrition in Nepal
Context
With EU support, Nepal has formulated and adopted a Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP). Six
sectors, health, education, water and sanitation, women and children, local infrastructure and
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agriculture, are contributing and cooperating to reduce malnutrition in Nepal. For this project, the EU
partners with UNICEF.
Objectives
To improve maternal, infant and child nutrition particularly in the poorer segments of society in 28
targeted districts of Nepal. Specifically:
Implementing policies, plans and multi-sector coordination improved at national and local levels.
Encouraging practices that promote optimal use of nutrition 'specific' and nutrition 'sensitive'
services leading to an enhanced maternal and child nutritional status.
Strengthening multi-sector nutrition information, monitoring and evaluation for central and local
governments to provide basic services in an inclusive and equitable manner.
Impact
MSNP coordination mechanisms now fully functional in the National Planning Commission and at
the district and village development committee (VDC) level.
Nutrition observed in the design and formulation of local governance policies and programmes,
such that annual and multiyear plans of all the relevant sectors reflect indicators and targets for
nutrition sensitive and specific interventions that will contribute to the reduction of maternal
and child undernutrition in all 28 districts by the end of 2018.
Strengthened nutrition capacity of MSNP implementing agencies as per evidence-based capacity
building strategy.
K o ledge o ut itio a d espe iall o the
golde da s i eased a o g the ge e al
public and Government staff at a variety of levels.
Community workers from all sectors involved in MSNP implementation using evidenced-based
approach, participatory tools and methods as per the national guideline.
National evidence base (central repository) for nutrition information established and providing
information to stakeholders.
District Poverty Monitoring and Analysis System (DPMAS) and management information systems
of the six sectors aligned with the MSNP.
Testimonial: Community chickens
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Doti, Nepal:
The noise coming from inside a shed built of blue corrugated iron sheets this chilly
November morning is loud enough to be heard quite a distance away. But Sharada Khadka, who is
rubbing her hands together to warm them before proceeding to transfer the contents of a half-full
sack of feed into a green bucket, seems utterly oblivious to the commotion.
The crowing and hustling increases in intensity when Khadka opens the door to the shed, which
houses over 200 chickens. They mill busily about her feet as she pours the feed into an overhung
conical bucket. And then the feasting begins. While the birds peck at their food, Khadka goes around
the small space, collecting 10 eggs, and closes the door when she leaves.
This farm, overlooking a rugged stretch of ter
ai i Baghkaka i, Doti, is t just a a e age poult
farm: it is a community poultry operation run by a team of 20 women, led by Khadka—a mother of
two—in the capacity of chairperson. In fact, all members of the group are mothers, specifically
mothers of children less than 1 000 days of age.
The Mel ilap Co
u it O ga isatio s i o ati e effo ts to i ol e othe s i ut itio
-related
activities is exemplary. And Khadka herself is proof of what an educated woman can do for other
women, particularly in rural areas like this, when she possesses an iron sense of commitment and the
right backing.
The farm was set up with financial support worth some EUR 800) from the District Agricultural Office
(DAO) as part of the Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Plan (MSNP). The shed was constructed with this seed
investment, and once it was ready, the DAO provided them with 320 chicks—15 for each member
and an extra 20 on top. The technical support for the programme is provided by UNICEF with funding
from the EU.
Five months since the first batch of chicks arrived, the group has been able to sell chickens with the
money reinvested to buy feed. And as the hens have begun to lay eggs, the women have also been
selling these to the community.
No that the fa is u i g ell, e a t to e ou age
-day mothers to buy the birds and
eggs fo thei o
o su ptio , sa
s Khadka. In this vein, at least once a month, she summons a
meeting of her group to discuss plans to increase efficiency on the farm, as well as educate members
on important issues like nutrition.
One of these members is Sumitra Joshi, 22, a mother of a three-month-old daughter. Joshi says that
throughout her pregnancy, she ate a balanced diet of vegetables, meat, eggs and dairy every day,
a d o ti ued that p a ti e e e afte she d gi e i th.
Bei g pa t of the g oup has helped e to eall i te alise
the message that a proper diet is
esse tial to the health of oth othe a d hild, sa s Joshi. A d o , ot o l do I help u the
fa , I also o e of its usto e s.
To convince more mothers to eat healthy, Khadka is planning on discussing with the MSNP team
a out su sidisi g the p i e of p odu ts fo the e e s of the g oup. That ould e a g eat
i e ti e fo the , a d help the
ake ette dieta de isio s, she sa s.
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Testimony: Learning lessons the hard way
Bajura, Nepal:
When her one-and-half-year-old
o , Su it, ould t stop o iti g, Ka ala Nepali
decided it was time to get him checked at the District Hospital in Bajura, a short 10-minute walk from
he house i Ma tadi. O e the d see the do to , ho e e , Ka ala s o e fo he son
turned
into sheer terror—the child was diagnosed as being severely malnourished, or what she articulated
as aato dekha o , a lo al te
efe i g to the ed a ea of the i u fe e e tape used to easu e
the mid-upper arm, a common test for malnourishment.
I thought he as a health
o al, she sa s.
hild, ou k o ? He
eighed th ee kilog a s, I thought that
as
The fa il as atu all dist aught upo e ei i g e s of the hild s ill ess. U til o , Ka al had
only heard of a few children in the neighbourhood who had been born thin and underweight and
were being treated.
Soon after, Sumit was taken to the Bayalpata Hospital, a referral centre for malnourished children in
the region. There, he was kept under the watchful eyes of health professionals and female
community health volunteers. A team deployed to support the Multi-Sector Nutrition Plan (MSNP)
was also on hand to assist and support the family.
For over a week or so, Sumit was fed nutritious flour blends and a variety of locally-available food
items, particularly eggs and meat. With that diet, the boy gradually grew in strength, until he was
finally able to leave the facility and go home.
Today,
Su it is a health hild, a ked g ee , a i di atio that he is o lo ge suffe i g f o
poor nutrition. And the whole incident has also put Kamal and her family on high alert regarding the
i po ta e of a good diet; she o atte ds the lo al othe s
group meetings where such issues are
dis ussed. I ake su e to e i d the othe s to at h hat thei hild e a e eati g, she sa s.
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3.3.1.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.3.1.4.1.
Implementation
In Bangladesh, implementation of the project Local Government Initiative on Climate Change (LoGIC)
started in 2017. Under the umbrella initiative Global Climate Change Alliance+, this EUR 8 million
project will enhance communities' resilience to climate change and related disasters. Co-funded by
Sweden, this joint-effort promotes inclusive local level planning and increased funding for
community-based climate change adaption/ disaster risk reduction solutions, supported by a
strengthened financing mechanism. Already by the end of 2017, about 200 000 households in the 72
most climate-vulnerable Unions under seven districts were identified for further participation.
In Bhutan, environment and climate change were mainstreamed in two major budget support
operations (on local government/fiscal decentralisation and on rural development) with
environmental and green economy targets. Bhutan also benefited from a regional project
implemented by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) focusing
on rural livelihoods and climate change.
The Suppo t to I do esia's li ate ha ge espo se EUR
illio
o ti ued to e i ple e ted
in 2017 in the provinces of Aceh and Papua. Two civil society initiatives in Papua and Aceh performed
very well in the preparation of local climate change mitigation action plans in three districts of Papua
(a province which still holds the largest natural forests in Southeast Asia), and in Aceh civil society
supported the design of the Forest Management Units' structure and plans.
A recently adopted EU cooperation programme of EUR 30 million will support aquaculture
development in Cambodia. At the same time, support to both inland and marine capture fisheries is
under preparation for implementation (EU contribution of EUR 87 million). This will strengthen the
management and conservation of Cambodian fisheries and control systems and support the
development of the private sector and improve of the livelihoods of fishing communities, in order to
ensure a more sustainable, climate-resilient and inclusive growth for freshwater and marine
fisheries.
In 2017, the EU signed a Financing Agreement of EUR 108 million to bring electricity to around 1.2
million people in Vietnam who live in remote rural areas. Under this programme, the EU will also
work to improve the regulatory framework to promote investments in renewable energy. This
follo s the sig atu e i Jul of a Joi t De la atio fo ei fo ed oope atio i the field of
Sustai a le E e g et ee the EU,
11 EU Member States and Vietnam with the aim of supporting
Vietnam's energy transition towards a greener and more sustainable future.
In Myanmar, the EU supported the drafting of the National Climate Change Policy, Strategy & Action
Plan (2017-2030) through the Myanmar Climate Change Alliance. It supports key actors in their
decision making at the national and local level to respond to the challenges and opportunities
associated with climate change. It also has a vision to develop Myanmar as a nation that is resilient to
the impacts of climate change and can harness the benefits of low carbon development for present
and future generations in an inclusive manner. In Myanmar, it sustained the implementation of
priority adaptive measures (local plans) through a community grant facility to sensitise on local
adaptation. The facility delivered small grants for adaptive tangible measures in both urban and rural
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contexts, such as adaptive agriculture and crops, irrigation, flood control and sustainable drainage,
elevated or cyclone resistant schools, community forestry, livelihoods, as well as training, awareness,
and regional to national level advocacy activities in the management of natural resources (water
basin) among others.
The SWITCH Asia programme supports reducing the environmental impacts of industrial activities,
enhancing the competitiveness of local small and medium sized enterprises, changing consumption
practices, and providing policy recommendations for national development agendas. The Sustainable
Consumption and Production Facility (EU contribution of EUR nine million) is now available for Asian
countries to enhance their technical capacity to formulate and implement supporting policies on
Sustainable Consumption. The Production and the Policy Advocacy Component (UN-Environment,
EUR 5.5 million) continued to work on regional issues in 2017 such as sustainable consumption and
production matters. One additional lot of 11 grant projects was contracted in 2017 (EU contribution
of EUR 19 million). Newly selected proposals focus on the food industry, sustainable building and
construction and textile and leather industries across nine Asian countries.
In South East Asia, ASEAN-EU cooperation further deepened in 2017 as the EU adopted an integrated
programme in enhancing the capacity of the Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on disaster
management (AHA Centre) and ASEAN Emergency Response Mechanisms (EUR 10 million) to
increase the institutional ownership and strengthen cooperation on disaster response between
ASEAN and the EU. Moreover, the EU adopted a support to Enhanced Cooperation in Sustainable
Transboundary Water Management in the Lower Mekong Region (EUR five million) in order to
enhance the national plans, projects and resources based on basin-wide perspectives, to strengthen
the regional cooperation, to better monitor and communicate on the basin conditions and to
reorganise the Mekong River Commission.
I Mala sia, Ta kli g Cli ate Cha ge th ough Sustai a le Fo est
management and Community
de elop e t is ei g i ple e ted ith the Sa ah Fo est Depa t e t u til
EUR fou
million). The overall objective is to contribute to sustainable and low carbon development of the
state of Sabah. One of the results achieved so far is that carbon is now included as a forest product
under the Sabah forest enactment 1968. Community livelihood activities and reforestation are
ongoing.
3.3.1.4.2.
Thematic overview
The vast continent of Asia contains an astonishing diversity of landscapes and the third largest
tropical forest in the world. The EU is active in preventing illegal logging with the EU Forest Law
Enforcement, Governance and Trade (FLEGT) flagship. A Voluntary Partnership Agreement with
Vietnam has been initiated, negotiations are ongoing with Laos and Thailand and discussions around
the FLEGT process have been engaged with Myanmar. The objective is to improve forest governance
and ensure that all trade in timber is legal. The EU has supported Cambodia in the analysis of the
forest sector. In Indonesia, the first country to provide FLEGT licences, the EU helped monitor the
implementation of the Licensing Action Plan and provided assistance to the establishment and
functioning of the Independent Forest Monitoring system.
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2008294_0180.png
There is a growing global demand for commodities, driven by demographic growth, unsustainable
consumption and production patterns as well as unsustainable waste management, that increases
the pressure on natural resources and fuels the expansion of agricultural land, often at the detriment
of natural forest and other biodiverse ecosystems. A new EU-ASEAN initiative aims to support the
ASEAN heritage Parks Network in Southeast Asia. The programme will protect the last wild areas in
this region where land-
o e ha ge o u s e fast a d edu es so e of the o ld s i hest atu al
ecosystems.
Through the LoCAL multi-country programme in Asia implemented by the UN Capital Development
Fu d UNCDF , ta geti g Bhuta , Ca odia, Lao People s De o ati Repu li
, and Nepal the EU
contributed to building local capacity to adapt to climate change and build resilience at community
level and local supporting climate governance systems. The programme integrated climate change
adaptatio i to lo al go e
e ts pla i
g and budgeting systems and supported the
implementation of climate change adaptation interventions and investments by local authorities.
LoCAL supported local institutions' role in determining resource allocation in the agriculture, water,
forest management, fisheries, and climate-resilient small-scale infrastructure, and communities
benefitted from locally-determined and needed adaptation activities.
The LoCAL programme in Laos also supported integrated land and landscape management, local
governance and planning, pro-poor and pro-rural community livelihoods activities through improved
delivery of public agricultural advisory services and supporting the emergence of farmer
organisations.
3.3.1.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Green Livestock Farming in Bhutan
Context
Globally livestock sector plays an important role in climate change with emissions estimated at 7.1
giga-tonnes CO2-eq per annum, which represents 14.5% of human-induced GHG (Greenhouse Gas)
emissions. In Bhutan, the six major sources which are contributing to GHG emissions are: energy,
industrial processes, solvent and other product uses, agriculture, land-use changes and forestry, and
waste. Green Livestock Practices are promoted in Bhutan as an adaptation measure to address the
impact of climate change at the local level through the support of EU GCCA initiative.
Objectives
Enhance the resilience of Bhutan's rural households to the effects of climate change by initiating
and adopting Green Livestock Practices.
To provide an alternative livelihood to farmers who have been affected by climate-related
damage to other parts of the farming system.
Promote climate resilient native and selected exotic breed species with appropriate and efficient
technologies.
Impact
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2008294_0181.png
Establishment of efficient production and marketing facilities, a Community Milk Collection and
Processing Centre in Mongar and Pemagatshel district and 40 sets of Butter churners and milk
cans distributed in Zhemgang.
In 2012, 3 360 farmers were practicing stall-feeding while in 2015, 7 582 farmers have adopted
improved dairy husbandry practices.
Establishment of 160 Bio-gas plants to reduce collection of fire wood and imports of LPG gas for
rural households including 57 bio digesters installed in Mongar.
Reduced number of unproductive livestock and procurement of 117 jersey cows that were
distributed to farmers in Mongar, Pemagatshel and Zhemgang.
Initiated improved pasture development in 364 acres of registered and fallow land.
Promoted climate resilient native Poultry Farms, 120 native poultry farms established and five
native piggery farms at Digalla in Zhemgang district.
3.3.1.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.3.1.5.1.
Implementation
In Afghanistan, a new programme implemented by the International Trade Centre supported the
adaptation of the country's regulatory and institutional framework in line with WTO requirements,
after Afghanistan joined the WTO in 2016. A new National Export Strategy and Trade Policy was
finalised. This project complements EU policy and advocacy efforts to foster the regional economic
integration of Afghanistan with neighbour countries, as a vector for jobs, prosperity and peace.
In Bangladesh, the government adopted important procedures for improving working conditions and
respect of labour rights in the ready-made garment industry within the framework of the Bangladesh
Sustainability Compact. This Compact was launched by the EU and Bangladesh, together with the US,
ILO and Canada, following the Rana Plaza tragedy in 2013 to improve working conditions in one of
the country's most important export industries.
In Bhutan, a rural development and climate change response programme worth EUR 21.5 million
supported agriculture sector policy, which is the main source of livelihoods and income for two-thirds
of the population. Capital investment funds were realised for irrigation, rehabilitation and
construction of farm roads and the establishment of farm shops. With the aim of increasing food and
nutrition security, the EU has supported the development of a green economy focusing on organic
farming and new technologies that intensify off-season vegetable production. Better linkages
between producers and consumers were also facilitated.
In Sri Lanka, a timely trade related assistance programme coincided with the country's readmission
as a beneficiary of the EU's Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development and Good
Governance (GSP+). This programme aims to increase the trade competitiveness of local SMEs in
regional and international markets and provides support to improve the value chains of spices
(particularly cinnamon) and food products, as well as IT business process outsourcing.
In Nepal, a trade and private sector development project started with two pilot projects in eight
districts to enhance the coffee value chain with a specific focus on women farmers and fair-trade
promotion. The EU also developed a EUR 40 million budget support programme to assist Nepal in
implementing its agriculture development strategy, which aims to enhance productivity, quality and
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competitiveness in a sector that is the mainstay of its economy. Progress was also made on the 220
KV-Chilime-Trisuli transmission system project with preparatory tasks completed such as acquiring
the land for substations and launching a call for tenders for their construction.
In South-East Asia, the main EU-ASEAN flagship programme in support of sustainable economic and
trade connectivity was launched in 2017 (EUR 40 million), working on areas of trade facilitation,
customs and transit, food safety and pharmaceutical standards, intellectual property rights and civil
aviation standards. This regional-level intervention will be coupled with tailor-made country level
support in individual ASEAN Member States, to respond to their specific needs and challenges.
A new EUR 10 million Trade Support Facility in the framework of the regional ARISE Plus was
approved in 2017. It will include a facility to support trade related competencies to implement the
EU-Indonesia trade agreement. It could support areas such as non-tariff measures, technical barriers
to trade, investment protection, Intellectual property rights, and competition.
Support to EU Business in South East Asia markets
–
Malaysia component is being implemented with
the EU-Malaysia Chamber of Commerce until August 2018 for EUR 2.7 million. The overall objective is
to increase and improve export and investment flows between the EU and Malaysia as a gateway to
ASEAN. Expected results are better market access for EU SMEs via bilateral advocacy platforms,
improved facilitation of EU business support services, and increased horizontal communication
channels for better access to market information. Results achieved so far are advocacy and policy
work through sectoral working groups by industry sector (transport, food and agribusiness, energy,
utilities and environmental services) are well implemented.
3.3.1.5.2.
Thematic overview
Supporting effective governance in the agriculture and rural sectors has been a priority for the EU. In
Asia, the EU suppo ts fa e s o ga isatio s
st e gthe i g thei apa ities to deli e i p o ed
and inclusive services to their members and to engage in effective dialogue with governments. For
example, the EU teams up with the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the Asian
Fa e s Asso iatio fo Sustai a le Ru al De elop e t a d
La Via Campesina,
to help women
farmers increase their vegetable production and tackle crop diseases in Nepal. In Bangladesh, private
companies often control the seeds market but thanks to the support of this programme, Bangladesh
is regaining control of seeds for its farmers by forming groups of farmers and providing them with
training on quality seed production and preservation. In Laos, support is provided to youth groups to
sell thei egeta les i
a kets a d a fa e asket suppo t e ha is helps ouths sell thei
produce directly to consumers where farmers can earn a profit of USD two from a vegetable box
costing USD seven.
Through an USD one million investment in 2017, ElectriFI helped to raise an additional USD 1.5
million of investments from two other impact investment funds. The capital increase will enable the
construction of approximately 2 500 additional microgrids and install a total of 600 kW solar PV with
battery storage systems, supplying access to clean energy to 55 000 additional households and will
enable the project to reach financial sustainability. Since the involvement of ElectriFI, Mera Gao
Power has added 85 microgrids and connected an additional 800 households with seven hours per
day of electricity services, in many cases for the first time ever.
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In 2017 the Asian Investment Facility of the EU funded two projects in the transport sector, 'Laos
Resilient Rural Roads' and a Feasibility Study for the extension of a Ho Chi Minh City Mass Rapid
Transit Line in Vietnam. The two projects together received an EU contribution of EUR 11.15 million,
leveraging a total amount of EUR 1 406 million from other financiers.
3.3.1.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Economic empowerment through sustainable cocoa
Context
Declining cocoa production in East Java raises concerns for local farmers, processing companies,
traders and exporters. About 90 % of the cocoa growing area is owned by smallholders, but they are
lagging in terms of proper access to knowledge and use of modern plantation techniques as well as
government support to improve their production capacity. This EU-funded small initiative addresses
the gaps in rejuvenating the cocoa sector by implementing sustainable cocoa pilot projects in five
districts in East Java.
Objectives
Empowering small cocoa farmers and their associations to increase local cocoa production in East
Java province.
Strengthening collaboration between local authorities and civil society.
Impact
2 688 farmers, including youth and women, benefitted from training on sustainable cocoa
cultivation and became part of the Sustainable cocoa network.
Demonstration plantations of 50 hectares were constructed with high quality cocoa seeds in five
districts.
1 550 people, including unemployed youth, were involved in the construction of plantations.
Cocoa Task Forces involving local authorities and civil society (farmers, youth, women and
others) at provincial and district levels were established.
Weaving prosperity in Indonesia and the Philippines
Context
The traditionally diverse hand-woven textile industry in Indonesia and the Philippines is dominated
by small local enterprises, which usually employ poor women.
Hand-woven textiles account for a
minimal share of the overall market for textiles, which is dominated by cheaper and less sustainable
mass-produced fabrics. Entrepreneurial groups and cooperatives of artisans have been poorly
organised and lack access to green finance, market information, natural dye methods and eco-
designs, and have limited bargaining power. Policy frameworks were inadequately developed, with
low impact of government efforts to support hand-woven textiles.
Objectives
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Contribute to poverty reduction and economic prosperity by supporting sustainable hand-woven
eco-textiles via an enabling policy environment.
Build the capacity of micro and small hand-woven eco-textile entrepreneurs, predominantly
women, in 18 provinces of Indonesia and the Philippines.
Increase sales and marketing of textiles.
Impact
5 039 micro and small hand-woven eco-textile entrepreneurs, of which 96 % are women,
adopted quality assurance standards.
Over 50 % increase in quality assured production of hand-woven eco textiles.
Over 50 % increase in sales of products.
5 788 hand-woven eco-textile entrepreneurs now have access to natural dyes and/or eco-fibre.
2 172 entrepreneurs have access to finance.
An Indonesian national competency standard and an eco-label for naturally dyed hand-woven
textiles established.
3.3.1.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.3.1.6.1.
Implementation
In the volatile context of Afghanistan, the EU continued its support to stability and peace building by
contributing to the operational costs of the civilian police force and strengthening the accountability
mechanisms for its expenditure, particularly salary management, through the UN-managed Law and
Order Trust Fund (LOTFA). Together with several Member States, the EU supported the Ministry of
Interior in developing a four-year strategic plan to guide and prioritise police sector reforms.
In response to the recent Rohingya refugee crisis, in late 2017 the EU pledged an additional EUR 30
million to address the short and medium-term impact in Bangladesh. This pledge came in addition to
EU long-term support to the displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh (a total of EUR 19.6 million has been
committed for this purpose since 2009). One of the concrete actions in 2017 was the extension of an
ongoing UNHCR-implemented project with a top-up of EUR three million. This project provides basic
services in education, health, WASH and camp management. Also in Bangladesh, in the area of
access to justice, the Activating Village Courts programme mobilised NGOs and raised NGOs and
public administrators' awareness on the functioning of village courts, replicated the web-based
Village Courts Management Information System (VCMIS) in 100 project unions, and equipped 1 000
Union councils with essential forms and furniture.
In 2017, Nepal successfully held elections at local, provincial and national level, which was a major
undertaking and achievement which now paves the way to concentrate on socio-economic
development. An Election Support Programme enhanced the capacity of the Election Commission to
Nepal (ECN) and other stakeholders primarily in the areas of election planning and operations,
electoral training, voter education, promoting peaceful elections, electoral dispute resolution and
gender and social inclusion. In 2017, this programme received an additional EUR 1.65 million from
the EU for technical support.
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In Sri Lanka, two programmes launched in 2017 aim to support the governance of reconciliation
processes and the capacity of non-governmental and grassroots organisations to actively engage in
these. These programmes will track progress and public opinion towards national reconciliation,
facilitate learning and strengthening policy and institutions at national and sub-national levels. They
will contribute to dealing with the past through memorialisation, psychosocial care and reduction of
language barriers. The role of Provincial Councils in strengthening accountability mechanisms and the
implementation of policies on Internally Displaced People will also be addressed.
In Cambodia, the EU's assistance contributes to achieving an accountable and transparent public
sector which values participatory decision-making processes and public access to information
through PFM reform (EUR 30 million) and decentralisation reform (EUR 40 million) which will
improve local level governance, increase development funds to implement local development plans,
improve the quality of public service delivery and the use of social accountability mechanisms.
The Suppo t fo Refo
of the Justi e Se to i I do esia EUR
illio i
helped to
improve the transparency, integrity, and accountability of the judiciary as well as the quality of
justi e se i es. I Pu li Fi a e Ma age e t, the Multi Do o s T ust Fu d II EU o t i utio EUR
9.5 million) supported the quality of spending, revenue collection capacity, and the effectiveness of
sub-natio
al se i e deli e a d the t a spa e
of the udget th ough a people s guide to the
budget.
3.3.1.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
From a crisis response, security and conflict prevention/peacebuilding perspective, the trend in Asia
is very much characterised by a combination of transitions towards stability, on the one hand, and
drifts towards authoritarianism and hot spots, on the other.
The Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) portfolio in Asia (including Afghanistan and
Pakistan) reflects this trend with a balanced ratio of 18 short-term crisis response actions and 11
medium/longer-term conflict prevention programmes.
The short-term actions (maximum duration 18 months) made operational under the IcSP crisis
response portfolio in Asia during 2017 include a comprehensive support to the reconciliation process
in Sri Lanka, addressing issues like transitional justice, resettlement of internally displaced persons
(IDPs) and a wide array of other reconciliation actions.
A follow-up support to address the long-standing situation in Southern Thailand was mobilised to
reduce the violence through supporting the establishment of a credible peace architecture and the
Malay-Muslim community in their efforts to build a consensus on key concerns.
Also, four actions were initiated in support of the peace-process in Mindanao, Philippines. Over the
last six years the EU has become a key actor in support of the peace process here with an evolving
support, from the initial support to the peace talks to currently providing support to the monitoring
structures related to established agreements, as well as supporting the transition of the fighting
factions into political entities.
In reaction to the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar/Bangladesh, an IcSP action was designed to address
the registration of the Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, enabling a response catering for their
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immediate needs as well as contributing preparations for a voluntary and dignified return of the
Rohingya to Myanmar when conditions are right.
There was one crisis preparedness/conflict prevention action mobilised during 2017 in the region,
promoting confidence building in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) in Bangladesh through empowering
communities and institutions. This was added to a portfolio of medium–term programmes (usually
three years duration) in several countries. These medium-term programmes include four projects in
Afghanistan, all focussing on women's role in the peace process, as well as two projects in India
(ended in March-April of 2017) both strengthening civil society organisations in order to address
conflict affected children in Kashmir and the natural resources-based conflicts in North East India.
There are also three projects in Pakistan addressing countering violent extremism and confidence-
building, mediation and dialogue.
The above actions were added to a portfolio of ongoing crisis response projects in the region, for
example in Myanmar supporting the Kofi Annan Commission on Rakhine that came up with a set of
recommendations in August 2017 to the Government of Myanmar addressing the most pressing
challenges in Rakhine State, and two larger projects in Pakistan, one providing support to returnees
and their communities in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA) and the second focusing on
strengthening the capacities of the established federal, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa provincial, counter-
terrorism and criminal justice institutions.
In Afghanistan, two actions were initiated, the 'Clean and Green cities' programme aims to counter
violent extremism through improving state society relations, urban stabilisation and job creation in
three key cities in Afghanistan. The second initiative is 'the Afghanistan Peace Support Initiative' that
gives new impulse to the inclusive Afghan-led and Afghan-owned peace process between the
Government and the armed group Hezb-I Islami (HIA) supporting the implementation of the
Government-HIA agreement, and enabling this agreement to serve as a model to reach out to other
armed groups.
3.3.1.6.3.
EIDHR support
Thematic overview
The human rights situation in Asia in 2017 remained a challenge. The majority of countries were
o side ed ot f ee F eedo House , o ith i il so iet spa e o st u ted, ep essed o e
en
closed (CIVICUS). 2017 also saw an increase in repression and detention of human rights defenders
(HRDs). Some Asian governments adopted more authoritarian approaches to curb civic and
democratic activity, such as through restrictive legislation relating to freedom of assembly (Malaysia,
Maldives, Myanmar), and internet use (Bangladesh, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand). Worrying
developments resulting in human rights violations occurred in the Philippines with President Rodrigo
Duterte's 'war on drugs', with killings of HRDs reported in Bangladesh, India, the Maldives, Myanmar,
Pakistan and Thailand, enforced disappearances in Pakistan and China, and detention of HRDs in
Cambodia, China, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka and Vietnam. In addition, independent civil
society had to face more sophisticated tactics by Government Organised NGOs (GONGOs) in
countries like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. On a more positive note, 15 National Human
Rights Institutions (NHRIs) were compliant with the UN Paris principles: a status, considered
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2008294_0187.png
independent. In 2017, the NHRIs of India, Indonesia and the Philippines were re-accredited with an A
status.
EIDHR covered human rights and democracy action in Asia primarily through civil society projects
selected under global and local calls for proposals. In the period 2014-17, EIDHR-funded actions
targeting Asia amounted for more than EUR 64.5 million. In 2017 alone, the allocated EIDHR country
envelopes, the Country Based Support Schemes (CBSS), in the Asia region amounted to EUR 17.3
million, representing more than a fifth of the overall CBSS allocations. EIDHR addressed various
themes: support to HRDs, the promotion of women's and children's rights, economic social and
cultural rights, freedom of expression and freedom of religion or belief, transitional justice,
democratic development and participatory citizenship, and the fight against torture, the death
penalty and discrimination on various grounds. Main beneficiaries included civil society actors and
HRDs, with ad hoc support for NHRIs at country level.
As Asia is the only region which lacks a fully-fledged, pan-Asian regional human rights mechanism, it
is planned that EIDHR will support the regional network of Asian and Pacific NHRIs (the Asia-Pacific
Forum of NHRIs-APF) in the next programming cycle 2018-20 with an amount of EUR 750.000. Asia
will also remain eligible under various EIDHR modalities (calls for proposals, EIDHR human rights
crises facility, and support to HRDs).
Peace & Resilience
A number of conflict analyses were organised in 2017 notably concerning Yemen, Sri Lanka and the
Philippines. Situation analysis has been carried notably in the framework of the EU Early Warning
System.
The effective launch of a pilot process to test the broader nexus of humanitarian, development and
the related diplomatic and security aspects in six pilot countries including Myanmar and Iraq.
3.3.1.6.4.
Case studies: Peace
Fuelling Entrepreneurial Success in Cambodia
Context
In 2002, Mrs. Keo Mom and her husband started their business with very little capital and one
imported rice cracker processing machine, working out of their home. The couple produced rice
crackers in small quantities to sell at markets in and around Phnom Penh. Mrs. Keo Mom participated
in a workshop where she learned about intellectual property rights and decided to register her
company as a trademark. After consultations with government authorities, Keo Mom decided to
register her business as a handicraft manufacturing outlet and decided on the name Ly Food
Industry, Co. Ltd. (Ly Food). Her rice crackers then became the first locally-made rice crackers widely
sold in Cambodia.
Mrs. Keo Mom also protected her company name and packaging designs as trademarks. The
company now owns Ly trademarks. Furthermore, she invested considerable resources to
continuously improve her packaging. This has been an important factor in developing the brand
a e as ell as p o oti g the o pa s i age i the ou t .
Objectives
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2008294_0188.png
Workshops to help entrepreneurs in Cambodia reach their full potential.
Many small
entrepreneurs with SMEs in areas such as food products, pepper farming and rice
farming are participating in the Export and SMEs Training and Coaching Project funded
by the EU, to support the Ministry of Commerce.
The EU fosters sustainable economic growth in developing countries by supporting
private sector development, mobilizing private capital, and providing advisory and risk
mitigation services to businesses and governments.
Impact
M s. Keo Mo s o pa sta ted
with one machine and a flavoured rice cracker product: now
she is producing rice crackers in more than 20 flavours. From its humble beginnings in her home,
the company now has over 250 employees, creating employment opportunities in rural areas of
Cambodia.
M s. Keo Mo has also esta lished a p i iple that he o pa s p odu ts ust e of good
quality, healthy, safe and attractively designed and packaged for consumers. In an effort to
contribute to the improvement of maternal and child nutrition in Cambodia, her company also
created a range of vitamin-enriched products.
3.3.1.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.3.1.7.1.
Implementation
The EU progressed towards enhanced policy dialogues with South Asian governments on a variety of
sectors. For example, in Bangladesh, the EU was in regular direct contact with government
institutions in sectors such as migration, nutrition, and education. Notably, Bangladesh and the EU
co-signed bilateral programmes on facilitating the integrated return of Bangladeshi migrants from
the EU and on national nutrition policies and action plans. Also in Bangladesh, the EU worked closely
with Member State agencies on programmes such as the Bangladesh Resilient Livelihoods
Programme, which addresses internal and cross border migration and economic opportunities for EU
returnees, addressing specific needs of returnees from EU in terms of skills, jobs and value chains
development, linking with formal and informal SMEs and promoting access to social services in urban
contexts.
The EU is a lo gsta di g suppo te of Nepal s edu atio se to , hi h has a hie ed o side a le
progress in term of access and inclusiveness. The EU currently provides EUR 61.4 million in financial
and technical support to assist the Government in implementing its school sector plan for the period
2016-
. The EU is a o g the pla 's Joi t Fi a i g Pa t e s , hi h also i lude the Asia
Development Bank, Finland, Norway, Australia, Japan, UNICEF, the World Bank and the Global
Partnership for Education. This partnership includes joint sector reviews based on a performance
assessment framework agreed with the Ministry of Education.
In South-East Asia, the first High Level ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development was held in
November 2017, co-chaired by the EU Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development
and the Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs. It was the first time the EU and ASEAN have held a discussion
at such a high level on joint engagement on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs.
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The Dialogue focused on the areas of gender equality, green growth and climate change and will be
followed up with an indicative roadmap outlining possible concrete activities and initiatives for joint
EU-ASEAN partnership on the implementation of SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
The new EU-ASEAN dialogue instrument (E-READI) was launched at the end of 2017 with an envelope
of EUR 20 million, which will be able to support existing and new EU-ASEAN policy dialogues across
all sectoral policy areas where the EU and ASEAN have interests in strengthening cooperation and
sharing experience, in view of promoting sustainable development cooperation and regional
integration.
3.3.1.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, seven Asian countries benefited from Civil Society Organisations (CSO) country allocation for
a total of EUR 20.05 million and six benefitted from Local Authorities country allocations of EUR 9.75
million.
These allocations are managed by the EU Delegation in each country through local calls for proposals.
3.3.1.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development
Context
Commissioner Mimica launched the first ASEAN-EU Dialogue on Sustainable Development on 17
November in Bangkok. The initiative stems from the Bangkok Declaration of the ASEAN-EU
Ministerial Meeting in October 2016 which foresaw the establishment of "a dialogue between ASEAN
and EU officials in 2017 in Thailand on sustainable development as a platform to promote
cooperation on the effective implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and
the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change". The event took place in the context of the ASEAN-EU
40
th
anniversary year .
Objective
The overall objective was to provide political momentum for a more strategic EU-ASEAN
engagement on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and visibility to the EU-ASEAN
development cooperation
During the dialogue, the Commissioner launched three new EU programmes for a total of EUR 85
million (ARISE Plus, E-READI and the first Spotlight Initiative programme in Asia addressing
women migrant workers in ASEAN).
A gender side event was organised with ILO and UN WOMEN, to provide further visibility for the
Spotlight Initiative.
Impact
The Dialogue was a successful start of closer and higher-level engagement with ASEAN on the
Agenda 2030 and SDGs and highlighted the EU's unique position to act as a key partner to the
ASEAN region.
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It provided a high degree of visibility for our newly launched activities with ASEAN, including the
Spotlight Initiative and its first programme in South East Asia focussing on the rights of women
migrant workers.
The discussions presented a series of possible entry points and follow-ups both on the side of the
ASEAN Member States and EU MS, which can be addressed among other through the newly
launched policy dialogue facility E-READI and other instruments.
Thailand is also the ASEAN Coordinator for Sustainable Development Cooperation and is
genuinely engaged in raising the political momentum in the region on furthering the sustainable
development agenda.
A joint EU-ASEAN roadmap is being drawn up to jointly work on SDG implementation in three
identified priority areas.
3.3.2. Central Asia
3.3.2.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
Three major factors influenced developments in Central Asia in 2017: the economic, environmental
and governance challenges in all Central Asia countries; a tense security situation linked to instability
in the border regions of Afghanistan and the rise of violent extremism; and the transition of power in
Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan.
The EU has played an important role in Central Asia as the biggest donor in supporting sustainable
development in the region, encouraging the processes of transformation and modernisation. EU
activities in the region were focused on promoting EU interests and cooperation with the five Central
Asian countries in line with the 2007 EU- Central Asia Strategy and in line with our joint commitment
to the SDGs.
The review of the EU Strategy for Central Asia (the Council conclusions adopted in June) reconfirmed
EU engagement as well as the principle of differentiation, responding to the different ambitions of
Central Asian partners to take forward their relationship with Europe. The EU and its Member States
have engaged in active cooperation at the political and technical level considering the lessons learnt
and the socio-economic changes in the region as well as the changing geopolitical situation.
The outstanding development and security challenges were addressed at various levels including the
Foreign Affairs ministerial (November) in Samarkand, Education Ministerial (June) in Astana, Rule of
Law Ministerial (December) in Brussels and regional technical groups, through the strengthening of
bilateral and regional dialogues on the key regional initiative areas of education, rule of law and
environment and water, as well as on human rights promotion and the action plans on drugs and
border management.
The EU-Central Asia High Level Political and Security Dialogue, which aims to jointly identify new
areas of common concern and new ways for regional cooperation on security issues, notably in
relation with Afghanistan, was continued in Bishkek in June.
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3.3.2.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
In Central Asia, the number of donors is limited, and the EU supports donor coordination, mainly
through country-level efforts. The EU aims at increasing the use of country systems through budget
support and its cooperation with international financing institutions enhancing overall coordination
and enabling a sharper focus on priority areas to improve the impact of assistance.
I Kazakhsta P eside t Naza a e i t odu ed i the egi i g of
the Thi d Mode isatio of
Kazakhsta : Glo al Co petiti e ess , a st ategi do u e t outli i g the ou t s de elop e t
priorities. The strategy is designed to ensure economic growth and sustainable development to help
Kazakhstan join the top 30 most developed countries by 2050. The strategy covers to a large extent
the SDG targets. With regards to donor coordination, the government holds regular high-level
meetings in the form of investment councils, to which all major development partners are invited.
The EU Delegation has been focusing on coordinating with the more than 20 EU Member States with
embassies in Astana, for example through EU Development Counsellors meetings. Coordination with
the IFIs, i ludi g EIB a d EBRD, as pa tl e su ed th ough the go e
e t s I est e t Cou il i
addition to numerous bilateral meetings and regional programmes such as the Water and
Environment Cooperation (WECOOP) project. Coordination with other major development partners
mainly took place at sector level, for example related to the Rule of Law and the transition to Green
Economy.
Kyrgyzstan is committed to the Agenda 2030 on Sustainable Development and its SDGs. The
Government has in 2017 adopted a new strategy Forty Steps to a new Era 2018-2023. Further to the
adoption of the Forty Steps, the Prime Minister called a meeting of the Development Partner's
Coordination Council (DPCC) asking them to align to the new Strategy. The DPCC has restructured its
14 sector working groups to respond to the needs expressed and ensure increased donor
coordination. The Government has also called for more development effectiveness and has issued an
internal Government regulation to ensure increased ownership and decreased overlap of any
technical assistance, which will now have to be registered and approved by the Ministry of Economy.
The DPCC is continuing to push for the full implementation of the Aid management Platform, which
would allow for better monitoring and transparency on all donor activities in the country, for the
authorities as well as for the development partners. The EU Delegation is co-chair of the DPCC.
In Tajikistan, the EU is adapting its programming to the new National Development Strategy for 2016-
2030, which is based on Agenda 2030 and the SDGs. Tajikistan has a very well-functioning
Development Coordination Council (DCC), with six clusters and 12 working and thematic groups. The
EU is represented as Deputy Chair of the DCC, chair of the important Human Development Cluster,
and chair or deputy chair of four other working groups: health, education, social protection and
water. The DCC has reached a good level of information exchange and cooperation in design stage of
new projects to insure sustainability of the interventions, although it has not yet reached the stage of
full donor harmonisation. The EU has also initiated steps towards introduction of Joint Programming
and is planning a Joint Analysis of EU and Member State development policies to be conducted in
2018. The use of country systems remains limited to Budget Support only.
Uzbekistan's new leadership introduced ambitious reforms over 2017, including the adoption of a
National Development Strategy 2017-2021 and initial steps towards engagement with the
international donor community to discuss a future donor coordination mechanism and aid
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effectiveness. This could be built on the on-going SDGs localisation process lead by the UN family but
also on existing sector working groups like that on Water, co-chaired by EU since 2017 and the one
on agriculture. Following recently initiated reforms affecting public finance management,
transparency and work towards developing sector strategies, a few multilateral organisations and the
EU have initiated discussions aimed at possible use of country systems.
Turkmenistan is not a signatory of the Paris Declaration and very few donors are present in the
country. In the absence of a Delegation, the EU has pushed for more coordination with the other
donors present, mainly the
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit
(GIZ) and the
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) through its Liaison Office. The local
UNDP office is in charge of donor coordination, in which the EU Liaison Office actively participates.
3.3.2.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.3.2.3.1.
Implementation
In Kazakhstan, EU and Central Asia ministers of education met in June within the context of the
Central Asia Education Platform (CAEP) where the Astana Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation was
signed. In October, the European Training Foundation (ETF) hosted a workshop in Astana on effective
financing mechanisms for skills development (dual system), including incentives for companies to
engage stakeholders and good practice examples from France and the United Kingdom. A new round
of the ERASMUS+ higher education exchange programme was launched in Almaty in early November
at an event attended by more than 140 participants representing universities and research institutes.
In Kyrgyzstan, while significant progress has been made in terms of educational access, challenges
persist in the areas of learning outcomes. Despite being in school, more than 50 % of learners are
functionally illiterate and come out of school unprepared to integrate with the world of work. The EU
has responded to these needs applying a strategic and sector-wide approach through a EUR 36
million budget support to the Government in its efforts to reverse the trend of high spending, low
impact and poor results. The Government has prompted to consolidate, extend and improve
effectiveness of the reforms in the Education Sector from early childhood to higher education,
including technical and vocational training, shifting the main focus from access to achievement,
which is articulated in the Education Sector Strategy 2020 and its Action Plans.
In Tajikistan, one of the key elements of the EU funded Human Development Support Programme II
is development of a comprehensive social service delivery system operational nationwide with the
Government, NGOs, and private sector providers as main actors, and appropriate public support
infrastructure in place. In 2017, the EU had three ongoing grant projects contributing to this priority,
with a total budget of EUR three million. In addition, EU Budget Support to Tajikistan in the period
2015-2017 has included conditionality in the sphere of social protection, with the aim to stimulate
the Government's outsourcing of social services for persons with disabilities to NGOs through
transparent and fair public procurement.
The EU P oje t Suppo t to thi d pa t
-monitoring of the cotton harvest regarding child and forced
la ou i
Uzbekistan implemented by the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to support Uzbek
Government efforts to tackle the long-standing issue of child and forced labour and ensure that
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cotton harvests in Uzbekistan are carried out in compliance with ILO conventions. The cotton harvest
provides many rural women with a unique opportunity to earn extra income which they control and
can use to improve the situation of their families. Besides work on reforming recruitment practices
and targeting unemployed people, the Government also increased wages and applied a
differentiated approach, which had a positive impact on the recruitment of voluntary cotton pickers.
In Turkmenistan, the most recent monitoring mission revealed that while the project team for the
education reform project is on the ground, a number of challenges still have to be overcome,
including with obtaining various additional permissions from the authorities.
3.3.2.3.2.
Thematic overview
In the migration sector, in response to changing migration patterns and new challenges related to
migration and mobility in Central Asia, the EU has scaled up its support in migration and mobility
th ough a u e of a tio s. The p oje t I p o i g Mig atio Ma age e t i the Silk Routes
Cou t ies e pa ded its s ope to fi e Ce t al Asia ou t ies so the a e efit f o i eased
capacities to manage migration and strengthened regional dialogue under the Budapest Process. In
addition, Central Asia countries will benefit from a new EU action focusing on protection of children
affected by migration.
In education, in addition to bilateral support in 15 countries in Asia/Central Asia/Middle East, the EU
continued promoting education in the region through global programmes. In 2017 alone, the
Erasmus+ programme supported 1 422 short-term student and staff exchanges, from the region to
Europe (969) and from Europe to the region (453); and 22 Master degree scholarships were also
awarded in the region. In addition, the programme financed 14 capacity-building projects for higher
education institutions in the region with 17 instances of participation mainly from Kazakhstan and
Uzbekistan.
3.3.2.3.3.
Case studies: People
Community Based Rehabilitation for the Disabled in Tajikistan
Context
Shahrtuz district is located in the south of Tajikistan, bordering to Afghanistan and Uzbekistan. Most
families had no understanding of child development, disability and rehabilitation. Health and social
services offered limited and outdated disability services. The education sector was not adapted to
provide learning support to children with disability and segregated them in home-based classes.
Communities only offered charity and passive roles to people with disability (PWD) which prevented
inclusion. Extreme poverty (78 % according to UNDP) meant that families could not afford assistive
devices, consultations and medical care.
Objectives
To establish a local sustainable system of social services in Shahrtuz district of Tajikistan based on
the best practices and experience of the Community Based Rehabilitation (CBR) programme.
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Ensure access to rehabilitation services for 900 people with disabilities, including 300 small
children at high social risk.
Impact
The project has provided community-based rehabilitation services to the 281 people with
disabilities (PWD) and 451 families of PWD received other CBR services such as consultation with
trained specialists, membership of self-help groups, parent psychological support, early
intervention, referral to other services in the district and certified vocational training.
180 Primary Health Care staff throughout Shahrtuz district (nurses, family doctors and
paediatricians) are trained in tools and standards of an Early Identification Service on the use of
child development observation, screening assessment and detailed disability assessment tools.
12 Parent Groups consisting of 127 participants are functioning in the rural areas. Biweekly
meetings are being held to provide psychological support to parents, supply them with
information on CBR activities, large-scale transfer of knowledge about disability and skills in
rehabilitation and activate them to take over responsibility and improve the life of their children.
Four specialised inclusive events for people with disabilities were conducted, including a summer
a p, a theat e pla , a ele atio of I te atio al Child e s Da a d I te atio al Da of
People with Disability with participation of more than 1 200 people.
Tha ks to the CBR t ai i gs, I as a
le to better understand what my children need. Previously, I
thought that nothing could improve their condition, but given the experience I gained during the
classes, I began working with daughters. They were able to surprise me with their abilities, became
more active and cheerful. Support of such projects is so important for the society and enables to
suppo t spe ifi all pa e ts of hild e
ith disa ilities, sa s Zulhu o Khol ato a, the Pa e t
Group Leader, mother of two children with mental disabilities.
Testimony: Basket weaving in Tajikstan
Abramatova Safargul is 32 years old, she was diagnosed with speaking impairment (muteness) from
birth. She lives in the Jamoat Kholmatov region of Tajikistan in a family of 14 people.
She was engaged in needlework and embroidery which she learned from her mother. After visiting a
five-day master class on the techniques of basket weaving in October 2017, she learned how to make
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baskets without any financial costs at home using tree rods. Thanks to the master class, within a
short period of time she was able to learn how to weave not only baskets, but also other household
items such as buckets, vases, plates of different sizes. In addition, this craft became interesting for
other members of her family, so she taught them the technique and now the whole Abramatov
family is engaged in weaving.
She gathers the wooden rods for her products on the street and sometimes she cuts them off the
trees with the permission of the Jamoat leader. To do this, she only needs one working tool, some
special scissors, which she received during the master class. Safargul can produce at least four
products per day. Her products are already in demand in local markets, especially in the largest
market of the Shahrtuz district, where she sends her products for sale. In addition, often her hand
made baskets can be seen at exhibitions of handicrafts throughout the region. And she receives
orders for weaving products from the local administration.
Despite the fact that this craft does not bring a big income to the family, the self-employment of the
daughter makes the parents happy, especially since the Safargul is ready to share her experience and
skills with anyone who wishes.
3.3.2.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.3.2.4.1.
Implementation
In Kazakhstan, the EU continued to monitor and supervise the ambitious EUR seven million Transition
to Green Economy project implemented by UNDP and ensured the procurement and delivery of
environment friendly equipment. The EU also continued its support to the EU-Central Asia Working
Group on Environment and Climate Change (WGECC) and organised a workshop in Almaty in late
November through the Water and Environment Cooperation (WECOOP) project to help improve
Central Asian countries' access to international finance for green projects. This followed the 6th
meeting of the WGECC in connection with the 2017 Expo. The EU also took part in the closing
conference for the regional CAWECOOP project for enhanced regional cooperation on water issues.
In addition, EU representatives spoke at the water seminar organised by the International Science
and Technology Centre (ISTC) in Almaty in early November.
In Kyrgyzstan, the EU continued to support climate change adaptation by addressing critical
investment needs in municipal infrastructure. Kyrgyzstan has received the largest share of the
Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA) to date, with 11 projects worth over EUR 88 million in
grants that have leveraged nearly three times the amount in loans from international financial
institutions for municipal water and solid waste infrastructure and energy efficiency. The objective is
to build resilient and efficient systems and to ensure that clean and safe water reaches more people
throughout the country. These projects support policy reform, notably through the promotion of EU
standards and best practices in climate change mitigation, and capacity building of national
authorities to implement new legislation. Through local financial institutions, the EU also provides
direct support to households and companies to invest in energy efficient technologies, allowing for a
more effective and efficient use of natural resources.
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The EU continued to support Tajikistan in its efforts to limit threats to environment and population
resulting from its Soviet-era uranium mining legacy. The selection of sites for intervention in
Tajikistan was done in close cooperation with the Government and the Academy of Sciences as well
as international actors such as the International Atomic Energy Agency in Vienna. A Strategic Master
Plan was near completion at the end of 2017. Moreover, the EU initiated a Trust Fund, the
Environmental Remediation Account for Central Asia (the ERA fund), managed by the EBRD. This fund
is based on the successful experience of the Chernobyl Fund and will finance the actual remediation
works. The EU provided a contribution of EUR 16.5 million.
Uzbekistan is one of the most water-dependent countries in the world, with over 80 % of the
ou t s e e a le ate esou es o igi ati g i eigh ou i g ou t ies. I espo se to these
challenges, the Government of Uzbekistan is implementing several reforms that are aimed at
i p o i g the se to s sustai a ilit a
d financial viability. The EU, through its EUR 20 million
p og a
e Sustai a le a age e t of ate esou es i u al a eas i Uz ekista is suppo ti g
the water sector and all measures that are taken towards the implementation of an Integrated Water
Resources Management. In 2017, work continued on up-dating the water governance legislative
framework, supporting the working group developing the structure for the water cadastres and
prototype databases, and purchasing necessary hardware. Close cooperation between the
programme, Ministry, water and basin administrations and local governments continued in 2017,
including on how to integrate a Strategic Environmental Assessment into the river basin
management process for strengthening the decision-making base. A needs assessment of water and
energy saving technologies for the selected demonstration sites in the six pilot regions was also
carried out resulting in recommendations for introducing water and energy saving technologies that
could become best practi
e fo Uz ekista s fa e s.
3.3.2.4.2.
Thematic overview
In this region, the EU supports increased cooperation between Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan,
Turkmenistan and Tajikistan by fostering dialogue on the water, energy and food security nexus and
supporting sustainable and climate-resilient investments in these sectors.
In Afghanistan a major intervention addressing the watershed management in the Panj-Amu river
basin, one of the major contributor to the Aral Sea, has been started leveraging significant Asian
Development Bank resources.
3.3.2.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Saving natural resources, promoting energy efficiency in Kyrgyzstan
Context
The energy and carbon intensity of the Kyrgyz economy is ten times higher than the average OECD
countries in absolute terms. Kyrgyzstan suffers from a high rate of energy losses, obsolete energy
infrastructure, out-dated and inefficient equipment at end-user level and a lack of monitoring and
control devices. Improving energy efficiency is important from an energy security point of view as
Kyrgyzstan still imports 67 % of its primary energy supply. Kyrgyzstan is one of the first countries in
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the post-Soviet area to have developed a legislative and regulatory framework that transposes key
provisions of European Building Directives, but further work is needed to enhance the capacity of
national authorities to implement the new legislation and to demonstrate the advantages of the new
EU-inspired legislation in practice. This is where the EU-funded KyrSEFF and KyrSEFF+ projects come
in.
Objectives
To reduce energy and water consumption in households and businesses.
Targets for 2020: to save 90 000 MWh/year in energy consumption and 20 000 tons CO2/year in
emissions.
To build the capacity of local engineers, suppliers, Energy Service Companies and Housing
Associations regarding implementation of solutions for sustainable energy and resource saving
solutions.
To raise awareness of sustainable energy.
Impact
By the end of 2017 the energy saving target was reached with 116 212 MWh/year saved.
Carbon savings have reached 6 241 tons CO2 by the end of 2017 and water savings reached 19
259 m3/year.
Implemented projects included solutions in greenhouses, reducing the need to import vegetables
in the winter as well as waste water treatment, which contribute to cleaner water resources.
Out of 523 of loans disbursed for projects by the end of 2017, 206 went to women.
Testimony: Preserving natural beauty in Ak-Tilek
The Ak-Tilek resort is located in the picturesque Belogorka gorge on the shores of the Shabai River in
the Sokuluk district. It is a popular destination not only among those admiring the beauty of nature,
but those interested in improving their health by drinking kumyz (fermented horse milk, a traditional
refreshing drink of Kyrgyz). Clean air and mountains are also perfect conditions for sportsmen to
practice.
Dozens of villages are located downriver from the resort. Their citizens use the river water for daily
routines. Therefore the installation of a treatment facility was not only an issue of environmental
p ote tio , ut also o e of safegua di g people s a ess to lea d i ki g ate .
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At the end of 2017, a modern wastewater treatment facility was installed at the resort, as well as
some energy efficiency measures, with a combined project value of USD 19 000 funded through the
KyrSEFF programme. The system capacity is based on 75 people and provides sewage treatment
meeting the established sanitary norms and regulations, which allow the water to be disposed of into
local terrain or used for irrigation. The installation only took one month.
The KyrSEFF experts calculated that the project implemented by the Ak-Tilek resort will result in
water savings of 5 832 m3, energy savings of 29.4 MWh, and CO2 emissions reductions equal to 1.3
tons per year.
I lo e
ou t a d he ish its eaut . Th ee ea s ago, he
e sta ted ou usi ess o this
territory, we considered the installation of a modern wastewater treatment facility. Indeed, polluting
the river whose crystal-clear water is used both by us and people living downriver is not only
i espo si le ut a also e o side ed as a e i o e tal si , sa s O o Dzhu a aza o ,
Owner of the Ak-Tilek eco-
eso t.
I feel lucky that I learned about KyrSEFF and its technical and
incentive components in one of the local banks. I used the loan funds not only to install the
wastewater facility but also for energy efficient lighting in the building.".
3.3.2.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.3.2.5.1.
Implementation
In Kazakhstan, the implementation of regional programmes providing both financial support for
investments, grants for CSOs, and policy advice for businesses and government continued. Financial
support was provided through the Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA) for Technical Assistance,
including regional Business Advisory Services for beneficiaries of EBRD operations and a new EUR two
million commitment for technical assistance was made in support of a EUR 200 million EIB loan for
green loans for SMEs. The SME sector was also supported through Central Asia Invest, another
regional programme, which included a networking meeting for grant beneficiaries of the programme
in November.
In Kyrgyzstan, the EU is committed to support income generating activities and job creation for the
rural population through various instruments and projects. For example, in 2017, the ACTED project
on poverty reduction in Jalal-Abad Region stimulated community-based socio-economic
development and inclusive growth. This was done through the enhancement of value chains,
especially within the plum and apple system, rehabilitation of irrigation canals, drinking water
systems and electricity lines, and through empowering social workers to conduct community-owned
support through introduction of case management systems. In the Alu-Buka
dist i t, fa e s
productivity increased through new agricultural knowledge. 803 community members actively
participated in eight public budget hearings and achieved municipality budgeting transparency within
the action. With the establishment of Local Development Platforms, local inhabitants are now
included into the five-year District Sustainable Development Programme.
In Tajikistan, the Enhanced Competitiveness of Tajik Agribusiness Programme (ECTAP) was designed
by the EU to contribute to poverty reduction and economic growth through the enhancement of
Tajik agro-food value-chains, agro-food enterprises and the quality and marketing of Tajik agricultural
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products. The EU provided EUR 20 million for the project, with a leverage of more than double this
through EBRD loans to farmers and agribusinesses. Potential clients of ECTAP received assistance to
develop their businesses in terms of technical support, business management training and access to
finance.
In Uzbekistan, an EU management training programme addressed the constraints posed to SMEs in
local areas due to lack of managerial skills and access to global markets, which hinders enterprises
from operating more efficiently. The project builds capacity of business intermediary organisations
connecting Uzbek SMEs with European ones and providing internship opportunities for young SME
managers in similar companies in the EU.
In Turkmenistan, the implementation of the third phase of the Sustainable Agriculture and Rural
Development (SARD) project progressed as scheduled, while a new blending project with EBRD, the
Enterprise Growth Programme (EGP) and Business Advisory Service (BAS), started.
3.3.2.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Standards key to enabling business in Turkmenistan
Context
Recently Turkmenistan has started an economic diversification process, to move away from its
overdependence on the energy/hydrocarbon sector. The Government of Turkmenistan is fully aware
of the challenges to be met and has adopted a proactive strategy to
di e sif oth the ou t s
production and export bases, as well as promoting private sector development by increasing the
private sector share of GDP from 40 % to 70 % as stated in the National Programme 2020.
The p oje t Sta da d a d e tifi atio de elop e t as i ple e ted i
-2009 and it was
dedicated to the State Committee on Standardisation "Turkmenstandartlary". The project's overall
o je ti e as to suppo t the de elop e t of a usi ess e a li g e i o e t
updati g the
approach to standards and technical regulations, as well as the quality infrastructure, thus improving
compatibility between Turkmen standards and technical regulations and best international practices.
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Such measures will increase market access opportunities for economic operators and the prospect of
further alignment of local technical regulations to WTO standards.
Objectives
To define an overall strategy for the alignment of standards, technical regulations and quality
infrastructure, aligned to international best practices and related action plans necessary for
implementation of the strategy.
Institutional building support to improve the knowledge of Turkmenistan's economic operators
and government stakeholders on the role and significance of the EU and international trade
policies, international commercial practices and concerned technical regulations, standards
conformity assessment, markings and documentation.
Setting up of a new institutional and management model in the areas of standardisation,
conformity assessment, accreditation and metrology in line with and promoting and
implementing the use of International and European standards.
Impact
In the field of standardisation improved methods and procedures for the development of
Turkmenistan's state standards through the development and adoption of relevant regulatory
documents have been implemented, eight national Technical Committees (TCs) for
standardisation have been established and cooperation between them and the Technical
Committees of the leading international and regional standardisation organisations has been
supported.
Modern information technologies to support the development, acceptance, storage and
dissemination of state standards and other standardisation documents have been introduced.
In the field of conformity assessment Quality Manuals and a set of related documents for have
been developed and implemented for the certification body (in accordance with ISO / IEC
17065),the certification body for management systems (in accordance with ISO / IEC 17021), and
the testing laboratory (in accordance with ISO / IEC 17025).
Full training on the above standards for a wide range of representatives of Turkmenistan's
testing laboratories and certification bodies, as well as representatives of other interested
organisations and institutions has been organised.
In the field of accreditation organisational documents for the creation of a single national
accreditation body within the framework of the Turkmenstandarlary structure have been
developed along with management system documentation.
In the field of metrology the international standard ISO 17025 on the requirements for testing
laboratories has been implemented with the development of an appropriate quality system and
subsequent training of laboratory personnel, and proficiency testing of the results of calibration
of measuring tools has been organised.
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Boosting small business capacity in Uzbekistan
Context
Encouraging the development of small business and private entrepreneurship and creating a
favourable business environment for the development of small business and private
e t ep e eu ship o stitutes o e of the ajo a ti ities of the Uz ekista s De elopment
strategy
for 2017-2021. However, SMEs, particularly those located in the rural areas, face capacity constraints
caused by the lack of managerial skills and access to global markets, which hinders enterprises from
operating more efficiently. The MTP project addresses these constraints by enabling SME managers
to undergo internships in similar companies in the EU.
Objectives
To contribute to the improvement of the performance of the SMEs sector in the Republic of
Uzbekistan, in terms of contribution to GDP and job creation.
To increase the base of qualified and competent entrepreneurs and managers (human capital)
able to effectively start up and manage local SMEs and ensure their sustainable development in a
long-term perspective.
Impact
66% of companies involved in the project increased their annual turnover because of their
employees' internships in the EU.
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140 managers of small businesses and experts from business support organisations (17 of whom
are women) successfully completed their internships in the EU countries.
Five training centres under Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan were registered in
five regions of Uzbekistan, four of which have already received a license to conduct training.
15 certified business consultants (13 of whom are women) were trained.
69 trainings were organised with 28 % of participants being female entrepreneurs.
12 manuals for small business have been developed and translated into Uzbek.
Ou usi ess fa ed diffi ulties ith ualit o t ol a d e pa sio of
production. Thanks to a MTP
business internship I improved my planning and organisational skills, obtained useful management
techniques and learnt the right approaches to supervision. Our company found trade partners in
Europe and increased quality and the
a ou t of p odu ed ta le a e, I oda Tu akha o a, Ma age
of Turon Porcelain in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
3.3.2.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.3.2.6.1.
Implementation
In Kazakhstan, the implementation of the EUR five million flagship programme on Criminal Justice
continued according to plan with strong ownership on the Government's side with the General
Prosecutor's Office in the lead. The EU also continued to supervise and monitor the implementation
of several projects by Civil Society Organisations (CSO), including on the promotion of human rights,
access to justice for vulnerable groups and building of the capacity of local authorities. The EU
funded a regional gender study which is close to completion and is expected to put gender equality
in Central Asia high on the political agenda. Representatives of the EU Delegation met frequently
with CSOs in the course of the year and took part in the high-level Rule of Law and Human Rights
dialogues with the Government in Astana in late November.
In Kyrgyzstan, the EU supported judicial, electoral, education and social protection reforms through
bilateral cooperation (electoral, education and social protection reforms through budget support)
and addressed gender-based violence through the European Instrument for Democracy and Human
Rights.
Despite the not very encouraging context in Tajikistan, the EU continued its involvement in human
rights and democratisation. The Call for Proposals launched under EIDHR led to funding in 2016-2017
of five new projects with a total value of almost EUR two million, which are focused on economic and
social rights of prisoners and ex-prisoners; freedom from torture; promotion of rights of children
with disabilities; gender-based violence; and finally, monitoring the realisation of international and
national human rights obligations of Tajikistan. Besides, the EU implemented two contracts under
the Stability - Rapid Reaction Mechanism (IcSP) for a total value of EUR one million aiming at
decreasing risks of community conflict reoccurrence through inclusion of local youth into peace and
confidence building and income generation activities.
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In Uzbekistan, the EU launched two new EIDHR projects focusing on strengthening the role of
o e s i il so iet o ga isatio s i p o oti g hu a
ights, ge de e ualit a d good
governance as well as enhancing the role of civil society actors in understanding and promoting
economic, social and cultural rights and the role of judges and courts in the protection of these
rights.
In Turkmenistan, the EU Liaison Office hosted regular round tables with the local semi-independent
CSOs over the course of the year.
3.3.2.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
In general, the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) actions aimed to contribute to
regional stability in Central Asia and, in particular, supported projects intended to counter terrorism
and violent extremism, to prevent conflict over natural resources and help youth in post-conflict
areas.
On a regional basis, the IcSP supported the implementation of the Joint Plan of Action for Central
Asia under the United Nations Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy, through assistance in coordinating
the efforts of the five states in the region (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan) and international and regional organisations. IcSP also supported media efforts to
improve environmental reporting on natural resources in Central Asia and promoted dialogue for
conflict prevention related to environment and therefore contributing to enhanced regional stability.
In Kyrgyzstan, three new IcSP projects were launched early 2017 to support civil society initiatives
that promote constructive dialogue on religion and democracy contributing to prevention of violent
extremism and fostering a more cohesive society.
In Tajikistan, two IcSP funded projects continued to work with youth in post-conflict areas to increase
their socio-economic inclusion and engagement in peace and confidence building actions, local
decision-making processes, and income generation activities.
3.3.2.6.3.
Thematic overview
The Central Asia Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Centre of Excellence
Secretariat has consolidated its regional setting in 2017 and extended its geographical scope to
Pakistan, in addition, to Afghanistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. All countries appointed
their National Focal Point and have established a CBRN national inter-ministerial team. Three major
regional projects are currently implemented covering biological and chemical waste management,
biosafety and biosecurity, contributing to WHO International Health Regulations, the Biological and
Toxins Convention against the spread of mass destruction weapons and the Codex Alimentarius.
CBRN needs assessments have been completed in Afghanistan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and
national action plans started in 2017. The region is discussing a regional action plan addressing
specifically the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1540
96
. A regional table-top exercise on
nuclear smuggling was organised in Astana on the occasion of EXPO 2017. A regional real-life field
96
https://www.un.org/disarmament/wmd/sc1540/
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exercise (named Jeiran) on cross border preparedness and response to biological and toxin
contaminations has been designed.
At the end of 2017, the STRIVE Afghanistan action was launched in order to strengthen the resilience
towards violent extremism, among the most vulnerable groups of repatriated migrants and the host
communities in selected areas of the country. The research component through a community-wide
approach will help to identify the main radicalisation drivers at community level and to design
appropriate actions to address them. STRIVE Afghanistan will complement EU on-going efforts
aimed at supporting the reintegration of returnees in the country.
3.3.2.6.4.
Case studies or Testimonial about "Peace"
Enhancing Criminal Justice in Kazakhstan.
Context
Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, no major changes have happened in the justice sector of
Kazakhstan. There are many areas in the judicial chain that require drastic transformation including
low acquittal rates, the independence of judiciary, high prison population per capita, and the punitive
approach of the system that all lead to a low level of public trust.
There were various attempts to modernise the system. However, many of them were limited to
updating the legislation but not changing the culture and creating the environment that can establish
an evidence-based, transparent, efficient and client-oriented system. The EUCJ
–
Enhancing Criminal
Justice in Kazakhstan aimed at strengthening the Rule of Law and the reform of the law enforcement
and judiciary in Kazakhstan.
Objectives
Delivering client-oriented services in the criminal justice system by enabling horizontal
cooperation among the state bodies leading to a higher level of public trust, data driven decision
making, and evidence-based policy making in compliance with a human rights-based approach.
Consulting and delivering technical assistance on changing repressive and punitive policy and
practice to criminal justice system stakeholders.
Development of community safety practices by improvement of the probation institute,
development of a proper resocialisation system for offenders and managing ex-prisoners in
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society after release, as well as enhancing inter-agency cooperation with a focus on reduction of
risk of reoffending and risk of harm.
Enabling change leadership across the system through the development and implementation of
ha ge st ateg , o ilisi g ha ge ha pio s , setti g up otto
-up engagement throughout
the organisation, and establishing an effective governance system for implementation of change
initiatives.
Impact
The EUCJ supported the process of developing and opening 15 Justice Services Centres (JSC)
a oss the ou t u de the Ge e al P ose uto s Offi e. The JSCs a e desig ed to p o ide
justice related services to the public in the most client-oriented, efficient and transparent way.
The centres are great example of horizontal cooperation between the agencies: prosecutors,
police, mediation, psychologists and lawyers.
As a result of the projects input a 30% reduction in the prison population was achieved without
using amnesties: the prison population rate was 231 per 100 000 citizens in 2015 and 194 per
100 000 citizens in 2018 allowing eight prisons to be closed.
More use of probation sentences and better management of offenders and the risks of
reoffending with the number of probation clients in 2018 being 59 076 compared to some 41 000
people in 2015.
Creation of constant and trusting relationships between individual probation officers and the
offenders under supervision.
A Project Manage
e t Offi e at the Ge e al P ose uto s offi e as eated. This t igge ed
systemic changes across the justice system affecting the police and judges. Currently other state
bodies, i.e. Ministry of Interior and the Supreme Court, are adopting this modality of work, which
is also ei g p o oted the P eside t s Ad i ist atio .
The t a sfo atio e a led
the EUCJ i the p ose uto 's offi e o e ed all i i al justi e
players: police, judges and the prison service. As part of the transformation, not only did we take
down the parting walls, but also we empowered the paradigm shift and changed the public
pe eptio of the i i al justi e s ste , Zhakip Assa o , Chief Justi e of the Sup e e Cou t of the
Republic of Kazakhstan.
3.3.2.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.3.2.7.1.
Implementation
Kazakhstan was the first of the Central Asian Republics to conclude in 2016 a new generation
agreement with the EU. Under the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement the EU and
Kazakhstan are working together to broaden political dialogues, including on trade, customs,
environment and climate change as well as to strengthen the Human Rights Dialogue, Rule of law
and Civil society development. On human rights a substantial dialogue was held in November. A new
Trade cooperation committee and a new subcommittee on Customs met for the first time in March
2017 in Astana. The EU
–Kazakhstan
partnership also serves as a platform for exchange on fostering
closer regional cooperation among Central Asian countries, notably on security, connectivity and
trade.
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In Kyrgyzstan, the EU uses Budget Support as its main cooperation instrument: in 2017 more than
half of the EU development assistance was channelled through the Kyrgyz national public financial
management system to support the government's lead programmes. Budget support conditions
enhanced Kyrgyz macroeconomic stability and policy coherence for sustainable development in the
areas of Education, Social Protection, Governance and Public Financial Management. EU
development cooperation in Kyrgyzstan also promoted an effective public-private and civil society
partnership: since 2014 the Kyrgyz Ministry of Labour and Social Development has been expanding
the contracting-out mechanism for the provision of social services for vulnerable people.
In Tajikistan, the EU was actively involved in the Development Coordination Council activities with a
deputy chairmanship and chairmanship of several clusters and working groups. Significantly, the EU
is the sole donor financing the activities of the DCC Secretariat for the years 2017 and 2018. Also in
2017, donors pledged to work with the Government to support priorities expressed in the National
Development Strategy 2016-2030 (NDS) and the Mid-term Development Strategy 2016-2020 and
other poverty reduction strategies at the 2015 Development Forum. In this view, it is important to
further deepen harmonisation of the development partners systems and procedures with
Government strategies and approaches, increase coordination among development partners, and
ensure better aid predictability and alignment with the national development priorities.
In Uzbekistan, the EU and Member States are pursuing greater coordination at country level
including through joint analysis and exploring the possibilities for joint programming. Blending is also
envisaged to play a major role in implementing the current financial allocation, coupled with parallel
co-financing of investment loans from multilateral financial institutions, as the latter are not eligible
under the Investment Facility for Central Asia. Additionally, the EU took over the co-chairmanship of
the water sector working group, together with Ministry of Agriculture and Water resources.
For Turkmenistan, meetings were held with representatives of all major development partners,
including EU Member States in December 2017 where next steps for enhanced coordination and
cooperation were agreed. The EU Liaison Office also regularly participated in the donor coordination
meetings organised by the local UNDP office.
3.3.2.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, two Central Asian countries benefited from Civil Society Organisations (CSO) country
allocations for a total of EUR four million: Kyrgyzstan EUR 2.5 million and Tajikistan EUR 1.5 million.
Kyrgyzstan also benefitted from LA country allocations of EUR 500 000.
These allocations are to be managed by the EU Delegation in each country through local calls for
proposals.
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3.3.2.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
Ala-Buka Partnership for Development
Context
Kyrgyzstan is a post-Soviet lower middle-income country, whose agricultural sector of is crucial for
the economic and social life of the country constituting 25 % of the gross domestic product (GDP) of
this la dlo ked state. GDP has sig ifi a tl d opped si e the
s, he ag i ultu e ep ese ted
some 45 % of GDP. Ala-Buka
is a dist i t ithi o e of K g zsta s Jalala ad egio i the south of
the country. The district has the third highest level of poverty in Jalalabad, an unemployment rate of
more than 50 %, and inadequate or decrepit infrastructure.
Objectives
Reduce poverty in Ala-Buka by stimulating community-based socio-economic development and
inclusive growth
Impact
The local government granted 300 ha of arable land for apple and plum orchards to farmer
cooperatives. The cooperatives created the critical mass for investment in the drying equipment
and market diversification reaching Indian and Tajik markets
Rehabilitation by the authorities with a significant co-financing from private individuals and
enterprises of irrigation canals (impacting 4 200 hectares of arable land), drinking water systems
and electricity lines had an immediate impact on the economic potential of the area
The enhancement of value chains, especially within the plum and apple system (EUR 280 000 of
annual gross profit), had a positive economic effect on the communities of Ala-Buka.
Fa e s p odu ti it i eased th ough e ag i ultu al k o ledge effe ti e use of ate , f uit
processing and orchard development), joining the cooperatives and promoting the products
u de the Ala-Buka a d
803 community members actively participated in eight public budget hearings and achieved
municipality transparency budgeting within the action
With the establishment of Local Development Platforms, citizens, enterprises and local
authorities developed together the five-year District Sustainable Development Programme
I ha e fou hild e , a d t o of the a e stude ts. The EU p oje t ade it possi le fo us to attai
market access for our goods. As a result, my family budget has increased, and I can now cover study
fees fo
hild e
ithout utti g o othe i po ta t e pe ses. Al akha , Di e to of the Ala-
Buka district cooperative.
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3.3.3. Middle East / Gulf Region
3.3.3.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
Iraq
The EU continued to support the non-military efforts of the Iraqi government to defeat Da'esh, in
particular by continuing its humanitarian, protection and resilience aid, providing support to
stabilisation, including demining, encouraging reconciliation efforts and boosting development in key
sectors, such as primary and secondary education and local government. Based on the Foreign Affairs
Cou il a date of Ju e
, the EU sta ted o ki g o a EU St ateg fo I a to o fi the EU s
engagement in Iraq beyond the complete territorial defeat of Da'esh that was announced by the Iraqi
government in December 2017 as the root causes of Da'esh's emergence still need to be tackled.
Furthermore, to assist in tackling rule of law issues, the EU deployed in November 2017 an EU
Assistance Mission in the civilian security sector (CSDP mission) to Iraq. The EU continued to firmly
condemn all human rights violations committed in the country, calling for perpetrators to be brought
to justice while maintaining its opposition to the death penalty. EU support for Iraq between 2014
and 2017 to address the crisis in the country has totalled more than EUR 650 million.
Gulf Cooperation Council
The EU consistently supported mediation efforts, including the visit of the HR/VP to Kuwait on 23
July, aiming to solve the diplomatic rift between Qatar and the Quartet (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt and
Bahrain) which erupted in June 2017. Against the background of the stalemate affecting Gulf regional
cooperation, the EU sought to strengthen cooperation with both the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
Secretariat, and with all GCC Member States individually. The 28th EU-GCC Joint Cooperation
Committee was held on 23 November 2017 in Brussels.
Bilateral dialogue with Qatar and with the United Arab Emirates (UAE) led to the discussion of non-
legally binding Cooperation Arrangements between the EEAS and the respective ministries aiming at
fostering political dialogue and cooperation by ways of increased exchanges between officials and
efforts to promote concrete cooperation initiatives.
The second round of EU
–
Qatar negotiations for an air transport agreement took place in March
2017. The EU funded the Hedayah CVE Centre (Countering Violent Extremism) in Abu Dhabi (UAE) via
the STRIVE Global action with EUR five million during 2014-2017.
Discussions with Kuwait focused on ways to support Kuwait's Vision 2035 through focused work on
economic cooperation and energy as well as on enhancing cooperation and coordination on
development and humanitarian aid under the aegis of the signed Cooperation Arrangement.
The EU and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) held a counter-terrorism dialogue in January 2017.
The EU held informal human rights dialogues with the UAE and the Kingdom of Bahrain.
Yemen
As the conflict continues in Yemen, the EU has lent its full support to the UN-led peace process and
the work of the UN envoy. Council Conclusions were adopted on 3 April 2017, calling on all parties to
cease hostilities while advocating for a political solution to the crisis and proposing a new, enhanced
role for the EU in supporting the UN-led process. Since the start of the conflict, the EU has mobilised
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EUR 233.7 million of humanitarian assistance to the Yemen crisis notably in food assistance, nutrition
support, health, hygiene and shelter life-saving assistance. In 2017 a total of EUR 76.7 million has
been allocated to the Yemen humanitarian response. Various EU diplomatic initiatives centred on the
need to guarantee full access/ delivery of emergency relief were carried out in 2017 towards all
parties in the conflict with the ultimate goal of avoiding a full-fledged humanitarian disaster.
3.3.3.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
After more than a decade of protracted violence, the Middle East and Gulf region struggles with the
weakening of political institutions, social cohesion and economic activity. In Iraq, the rise and
subsequent fight against Da'esh has destroyed infrastructure and shattered human lives. The Iraqi
government now faces the challenge of re-establishing security, basic services and good
administrative infrastructure as well as allowing the voluntary and safe return of 2.6 million internally
displaced people. In Yemen, years of conflict have pushed the poorest country in the Arab world into
a humanitarian disaster, with famine and disease further weakening the already war-torn population.
Meanwhile, Iran is hosting up to three million Afghan refugees due to the security situation in its
neighbouring country.
In line with the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, the EU is committed to creating the
conditions for peace in its partner countries, to reducing the immediate suffering of the population
and to fostering reconstruction and development. As stated by the New European Consensus on
Development, this requires cooperation and coordination between EU institutions, Member States
and international partners. The work launched in 2017 for the preparation of the EU Strategy on Iraq
goes in this direction. This helped define a joint approach of EU institutions and EU Member States
that creates synergies between the short-term humanitarian and stabilisation efforts and the longer-
term reconstruction efforts.
Violence, fragility, vulnerability and the root causes of conflict must be addressed through a
collective and comprehensive approach, by combining humanitarian and developmental policy and
creating synergies between different SDGs. The choice of having Iraq as one of the pilot countries of
the Humanitarian-Development Nexus as stated in the conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Council of
11 September 2017 reflects this vision. EU assistance to Yemen followed the same comprehensive
logic of an aid continuum.
Support for vulnerable populations requires the EU to entertain a close partnership with the
governments of Iraq and Yemen. Since 2003, the EU and the Iraqi government have fruitfully
cooperated on issues ranging from education to energy and human rights, both on a national and
provincial level. These efforts were cemented by direct cooperation with different local actors and
national authorities, especially in the domain of security reform. In Yemen, the EU entertains a
balanced engagement with all parties and therefore is seen as an honest broker and neutral
interlocutor. In a situation where the number of implementing partners is diminishing due to the
escalation of the conflict, the EU has managed to build fruitful partnerships and actionable dialogue
with the main interlocutors still present on the ground.
Creating conditions for prosperity with limited resources requires donor coordination with both the
public and private sector. Thanks to a series of consultative meetings, different donors were able to
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agree on the most urgent domains of intervention in Yemen. The preparation of the Kuwait
conference for the reconstruction of Iraq demonstrated how cooperation between the EU and its
partners can foster not only the material but also the human component of reconstruction. Both
cases are a testimony for the success of such a multilateral approach.
Because people are at the heart of its efforts, the EU supports civil society organisations as its
partners for peace, good governance and national reconciliation. In Iraq, the EU supported local
initiatives that focus on preserving the national heritage and local environment, promoting cultural
pluralism and providing legal support to disadvantaged groups and individuals. In Yemen, the EU
helped local communities to sustain basic services and to contribute to the ending of the current
crisis. Meanwhile, Iran remained a recipient of funding for civil society organisations, in particular
those fo ussi g o e i o e tal halle ges. S alle p oje ts ithi the egio al Aid to Up ooted
People p og a
e, e efitti g Afghan
refugees and especially children, were also implemented.
3.3.3.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development, dignity and education
3.3.3.3.1.
Implementation
In Iraq, the Da'esh insurgency coupled with the burden of supporting more than three million Iraqi
internally displaced people (IDPs) and 250 000 Syrian refugees constituted a great challenge: large
parts of the national infrastructure were destroyed or overburdened, trade was disrupted, access to
fuel and electricity was impeded and international investors had little confidence in the country as a
destination for investment. Everyday life, from healthcare and education, to culture, human
development and shelter was affected.
The military defeat of Da'esh, though a significant milestone, is only one of the many steps that need
to be taken towards the long-term stabilisation of the country. The EU responded to these
multifaceted challenges by swiftly providing Iraq with more targeted assistance in addition to
conventional development cooperation. In 2017 the EU adopted a EUR 60.4 million stabilisation
package to support Iraq after the liberation of areas held by Da'esh. These stabilisation measures in
newly liberated areas aimed to facilitate the safe return of internally displaced persons (IDPs).
In addition, as part of a broader action targeting the challenges of migration and protracted forced
displacement in Asia and the Middle East, the EU mobilised a EUR 10 million envelope in support of
actions to improve access to integrated service-delivery and economic opportunities for IDPs and
host communities in Iraq. The programme also includes support to national authorities to develop
and implement comprehensive national migration policies, including measures against smuggling and
trafficking in human beings and information activities on safe migration practices.
Education has seriously suffered from chronic underfunding, degradation of infrastructure and loss of
human resources. Following the defeat of Da'esh, providing access to quality education has become
even more important as a key vehicle for stabilising these areas and creating the foundations for
recovery. The EU already foresaw assistance to the education sector, in particular Technical
Vocational Education and Training (TVET), in the 2014-2017 Multi-Annual Indicative Plan for Iraq. In
2017 this was reinforced with a EUR 12.6 million programme set up to provide a swift response to
the crisis in Iraq through better access to primary and secondary education for internally displaced
persons (IDPs) and returnees.
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In Yemen, the ongoing crisis has created a humanitarian catastrophe which has left 90 % of the
population in need of assistance. In the present context, playing a humanitarian role is not enough.
That is why, despite these extremely difficult circumstances, the EU has chosen to maintain a longer-
term perspective and help local communities sustain basic services, empowering them to bring about
a peaceful solution to the current crisis. Through 2017 the EU managed to implement several
activities that support human development and dignity by building up the resilience of crisis-affected
communities, especially of the internally displaced persons (IDPs). The Enhanced Rural Resilience in
Yemen (ERRY) Programme funded by the EU and implemented by different international partner
organisations played an important role in enhancing the resilience and self-reliance of crisis-affected
rural communities in Yemen. Additionally, basic health- and social services were at the core of the EU
effort. In partnership with the Social Fund for Development, for instance, schemes for social safety
net measures such as cash for work and health service delivery through the empowerment of local
development programmes were supported.
In Iran, the EU financed the regional Aid to Uprooted People programme, which supports Afghan
refugees by granting access to education in Iran. Activities included the construction of schools in
areas populated by refugees and supporting literacy classes. Besides, students were provided with
psychosocial support to cope with the experience of violence, war and forced displacement. Support
to Afghan refugees in Iran was greatly reinforced in 2017 with the adoption of the special measure
Add essi g ig atio a d fo ed displa e e t halle ges i Asia a d the Middle East: a
o p ehe si e egio al EU Respo se , hi h fo esa a tio s e efitti g Afgha efugees i I a fo
an amount of EUR 25 million.
Education
In 2017 Erasmus+ continued to support education in the Middle East region and added for the first
time the possibility to organise short-term higher education student and staff exchanges to already
existing opportunities. This first call for academic exchanges allowed for 595 mobilities between
Europe and the Middle East, of which 384 were from Iran and Iraq towards the EU and 211 were
from the EU towards the region. On top of this, 72 Master degree scholarships were awarded to
students coming from all countries in the region. In addition, the programme has financed 30
capacity-building projects for higher education institutions in the region since the start of this
cooperation with the region in 2015, projects selected in 2017 include four instances of participation
from Iran and Iraq.
Erasmus+ also supports academic cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council, the Erasmus
Mundus Joint Master Degree with participation from an organisation from the region was selected in
2017, and a national from Bahrain received an Erasmus Mundus Joint Master Degree scholarship.
3.3.3.3.2.
Thematic overview
Strengthening social protection mechanisms for food and nutrition security has long been a priority
for EU development cooperation. Together with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the EU has
assisted over 3 000 vulnerable farmers in Lebanon, hit by the Syrian crisis. By creating small poultry
farms producing 10 million eggs a year, the EU has not only improved food and nutrition security, but
also generated income and employment for refugees and host communities. In Yemen, the EU has
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been active within the Nexus Humanitarian Development through a consortium of NGOs supporting
multipurpose cash transfers.
3.3.3.3.3.
Case studies: People
Supporting education in Iraq
Context
The Iraqi education system requires substantial improvements to meet the demand of a population
seeking quality basic education. Primary school enrolment (91 %) has improved in recent years.
However, of those enrolled, only 44 % complete primary school at the expected time, with wide
discrepancies in both enrolment and completion between districts, gender and urban/rural
populations. Of the one million displaced children in Iraq, 70 % have missed more than a year of
school. Reintegrating them into schools is becoming an increasingly difficult, but urgent, task.
To ensure that all Iraqi children have equal access to quality education, the EU supports programmes
for almost EUR 36 million in this key area. Working in partnership with civil society organisations and
local and central governments, emphasis is laid on inclusive education for vulnerable school-age
children (6-17) including IDPs, refugees and children with disabilities.
Objectives
Increase Access and enrolment rates through an analysis of the causes of low enrolment and the
development of a mitigating strategy; Increase access to education for children with disabilities
through the collection of baseline data, updating legislation and the curriculum, capacity building
and awareness-raising; improved access to inclusive education for vulnerable school-age children
(6-17, including IDPs, refugees and children with disabilities.
Better Quality education by building capacities to enhance curricula and support vulnerable
children, including those with special needs; enhancing quality assurance using different sets of
standards and enhancing capacity to deliver education in emergencies.
Enhancing policy dialogue between national, regional (including the Kurdish Regional
Government) and local authorities on education (including education in emergencies).
Impact
Enrolment rates have increased.
The quality of education has been raised.
Access to education for vulnerable children, including IDPs, refugees and children with disabilities
has increased.
The evaluation of schools against common standards has been undertaken.
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Enhancing Rural Resilience in Yemen
Context
The conflict has exacerbated chronic vulnerabilities among the Yemeni population, leaving an
estimated 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The poverty rate has doubled
during the last three years. Conflict, displacement and economic decline are placing severe pressure
on essential basic services and the institutions that provide them, pushing some of them towards
total collapse. As a direct consequence, an estimated eight million Yemenis have lost their livelihoods
or are living in communities with minimal to no basic services. The latter therefore require support to
strengthen their resilience, especially in rural areas. These resilience-based interventions protect
livelihood assets and create livelihood opportunities for crisis-affected households which are not
targeted by the usual relief aid.
Objectives
Ensure communities are better able to manage local risks and shocks for increased economic
self-reliance and enhanced social cohesion.
Support institutions to be more responsive, accountable and effective in delivering services,
building the social contract and meeting community needs.
Impact
More than 40 000 beneficiaries have been reached to date.
Around 50 000 households have been reached and supported through resilience enhancement
and economic empowerment activities conducted by four UN organisations and 12
Implementing partners in 18 rural districts.
Social cohesion and local administration capacities have been strengthened including through
training of mediators, including women, and community-based conflict resolution mechanisms
have been established.
Community Resilience Planning capacities have been strengthened, such as establishing Village
Cooperative Councils and developing Community Resilience Plans and Community Self-help
Initiatives.
3.3.3.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.3.3.4.1.
Implementation
Life in
Iraq
is largely reliant on the water of the rivers Euphrates, Tigris and Karun. Due to drought
and industrialisation, the quality and quantity of available water has significantly diminished,
especially in the central and southern parts of Iraq. Intra-communal conflicts linked to water usage
are increasingly frequent and constitute a major risk to peace and reconciliation.
The EU has put in place a three-pronged programme to assist the government of Iraq in establishing
a comprehensive water management system which is economically efficient, equitable and
environmentally sustainable. With an envelope of EUR 15.7 million, the programme aims to improve
national water management capacities, raise public awareness of efficient water use and improved
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hygiene practices, and establish an integrated water quality monitoring system in 10 Iraqi
governorates.
Beyond water, Iraq is largely dependent on its natural oil resources which are the main source of
energy, employment and governmental income. The low oil prices over the last years and the
destruction of infrastructure led to unemployment and a lack of public funds. As part of its
commitment in providing access to sustainable energy for all, the EU conceived actions fostering the
enhancement and establishment of more reliable, affordable and sustainable energy sources, with a
focus on limiting the environmental impact of hydrocarbon combustion, thereby laying the
foundations for further interventions in this field.
Lastly, in an attempt to raise general awareness on ecological issues, the environmental awareness
a paig Clea i Da
as o ga ised i diffe e t go e o ates.
In
Yemen,
the civil war has largely destroyed or overburdened public infrastructure. It is therefore
more crucial to provide vulnerable communities with a decentralised and reliable access to energy
and water that provides for the most fundamental needs.
As part of the Enhancing Rural Resilience in Yemen, communities were introduced to solar energy
systems and more productive community assets, raising awareness on the benefits of using solar
energy and building local capacity. Furthermore, and to promote social cohesion in local
communities, insider mediators were recruited and are being trained, along with members of the
Water Users Associations (WUAs), to increase their knowledge of sustainable water usage.
3.3.3.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Surveying Hydrogeological Resources in Iraq
Context
Considerable variability of the climate, dependency on water that originates outside its territory and
high do esti de a d aused I a s h d ologi al s ste to u de go d a ati ha ges o e the past
30 years. A shortage of surface water has led to the depletion of reservoirs, lakes and Rivers. Water
le els i the Tig is a d Euph ates i e s, I a s p
imary sources of surface water, have fallen by more
than two-thirds. The government estimates water reserves are down to 20 % and that close to two
million Iraqis face severe drinking water shortages. Meanwhile, groundwater levels have dropped in
many areas, forcing excavators to dig deeper wells, thereby accelerating the decline of groundwater
resources and threatening complete depletion. In the South, these phenomena have led to the
encroachment of seawater.
Over the years, the EU has mobilised EUR 15.7 million to assist the Iraqi government in establishing
an economically efficient, equitable and environmentally sustainable comprehensive water
management system. Improving usage, scientific research and raising public awareness of efficient
water use are also part of the programme
Objectives
Improve capacities for integrated groundwater resource management.
Deliver an advanced survey of Hydrogeological Resources in Iraq.
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Build national capacities in remote sensing technologies and mapping of hydrogeological
resources.
Improve national planning and policy development capabilities of Iraqi Institutions dealing with
groundwater resources.
Impact
An advanced hydrogeological survey was implemented and the results were integrated within a
geographical database.
Capacities built in hydrogeological mapping with 20 government officials trained.
Capacities were built in exploration and monitoring of hydrogeological resources, the ability to
utilise Water Exploration Systems, drilling handbooks and to conduct ground-truthing exercises
and monitor groundwater on-site via Groundwater Exploration Navigation Systems.
Capacities were built in managed aquifer recharge and sustainable exploration of soils.
Skills for database interpretation and management were built.
Training needs were assessed.
Planning and coordination was enhanced for improved management of hydrogeological
resources.
3.3.3.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.3.3.5.1.
Implementation
Iraq has witnessed decades of state-driven economic policy which has discouraged private sector
growth. A dominant public sector has stifled private sector activity in virtually all parts of the
economy. A large proportion of the labour force is employed by State-owned enterprises which
provide almost all formal jobs. Unemployment is a major concern for Iraq and has sharply increased
over the last years, due to the decline in investment and a mismatch between labour market needs
and educational outcomes. The failure to modernise the Technical Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) system and to foster sustainable employment opportunities further weakens the socio-
economic fabric.
The EU has responded to these needs by supporting the TVET system reform through a EUR 12.3
million project in partnership with national authorities and UNESCO. The goal is to make TVET a key
driver for Iraq's economic development by increasing the competitiveness and relevance of TVET in
line with international standards and Iraq's labour market needs. By doing this, the project seeks to
deliver quality education to young people to prepare them for self-employment.
Through the support to the UN Funding Facility for Stabilisation, EU assistance has contributed to the
delivery of grants to small businesses and rehabilitation of basic services and public infrastructure
which have generated new job opportunities in newly liberated areas. EU assistance to the Funding
Facility for Stabilisation was further strengthened in 2017 with an additional EUR 50.4 million.
The conflict in Yemen has further aggravated the pre-existing conditions of poverty. In addition to
the resulting hunger, death and social stigma, the extreme poverty constitutes an acute security risk,
as especially young males join militias and terrorist organisations to support themselves and their
families.
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Under the Enhanced Rural Resilience in Yemen (ERRY) Programme, resilience-based interventions
were set up to complement the humanitarian relief with measures protecting livelihood assets and
creating livelihood opportunities. These resilience interventions helped build foundations for post
conflict recovery and sustainable development.
3.3.3.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Competence Based Training in the Iraqi Oil Sector
Context
Iraq is known for its young population. Nearly 60 % of its citizens are less than 25 years old. The total
labour force in Iraq age (15-64) was estimated to be 8.3 million in 2013 with an unemployment rate
of 16 % - this has since increased. following the war against Da'esh and the decline in oil prices. Iraq's
largely state-run economy is dominated by the oil sector, which provides more than 90 % of
government revenue and 80 % of foreign exchange earnings and is a major determinant of the
economy's fortunes. The labour market in the oil and gas sector in Iraq is yet to be developed. Young
Iraqis need vocational and technical skills to compete with the foreign labour force that currently
works in the sector.
Objectives
To support the establishment of an open, stable and sustainable society based on a diversified
and growing market economy that generates employment, reduces poverty and promotes
equitable economic and social development.
To deliver and develop new competency-based, demand-driven curricula.
Impact
Based on a labour market survey, long term skill development plan for the oil sector were
prepared.
Competency Based Training (CBT) curricula, syllabi, and modules for specific labour-intensive
occupations were tested and implemented.
Instructors were trained to use CBT approaches.
Technical upgrading for TVET instructors was introduced.
Models for apprenticeship and other alternative approaches to skills training were developed
and tested with selected employers.
Enhancing Rural Resilience in Yemen
Context
The conflict has exacerbated chronic vulnerabilities among the Yemeni population, leaving an
estimated 18.8 million people in need of humanitarian assistance. The poverty rate has doubled
during the last three years. Conflict, displacement and economic decline are placing severe pressure
on essential basic services and the institutions that provide them, pushing some of them towards
total collapse. As a direct consequence, an estimated eight million Yemenis have lost their livelihoods
or are living in communities with minimal to no basic services. The latter therefore require support to
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strengthen their resilience, especially in rural areas. These resilience-based interventions protect
livelihood assets and create livelihood opportunities for crisis-affected households which are not
targeted by the usual relief aid.
Objectives
Ensure communities are better able to manage local risks and shocks for increased economic
self-reliance and enhanced social cohesion.
Support institutions to be more responsive, accountable and effective in delivering services,
building the social contract and meeting community needs.
Impact
Agricultural Value Chain Developments included the establishment of Village Agriculture
Producers Groups.
Knowledge and technical skills of smallholder farmers on value chain development and farming
were improved.
Small dairy equipment was provided to smallholder beneficiaries, including female-led
households.
Emergency Employment and asset rehabilitation through cash for work was established with
more than 1 6000 participants in cash-for-work activities and about 900 youth engaged in
community-based cash-for-work activities and emergency employment initiatives, which have
also generated important saving flows.
More than 500 micro-business were successfully established and running.
3.3.3.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.3.3.6.1.
Implementation
In Iraq, Da'esh's military defeat, though a significant milestone, is only one of the many steps that
need to be taken towards the long-term stabilisation of the country. The level of destruction is huge,
and the social fabric of the country needs to be rewoven. In a fragmented political scene, it is
essential to address the socio-political and economic root causes of Da'esh's rise, in order to ensure
long-term stabilisation of Iraq and sustainable recovery from endless cycles of conflict and
extremism.
In 2017, the Commission further strengthened its action in the field of stabilisation by adopting a EUR
60.4 million package to support Iraq after the liberation of areas formerly held by Da'esh. This
measure includes actions focused on demining and rehabilitation of basic services delivery, public
infrastructure and reactivation of economic activity through small businesses grants.
In addition, the EU supported actions to combat all forms of discrimination on the grounds of religion
and belief (or non-belief) and launched initiatives focused on encouraging tolerance and
understanding among different religious communities. Activities included the development of
curricula based on religious tolerance, human rights and non-discrimination, which were then used
to train government teachers and community leaders, and actions enhancing the understanding of
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the role of religion and its relationship to peace building and collaboration with local and national
media networks to improve the flow of accurate information and provide non-politicised content.
Peace efforts in Yemen are extremely difficult due to the complexity of the situation on the ground
and in the international political arena. While working on rule of law and governance remained very
difficult due to the lack of interlocutors within the remaining national institutions and the instability
of the country, the EU succeeded to provide effective support to human rights defenders (including
journalists) through a special Emergency Fund. Furthermore, the EU engaged in efforts to raise the
awareness of youth on the need for and potential of youth involvement in peacebuilding at a local
level.
3.3.3.6.2.
Crisis response and preparedness
With EUR 30 million allocated in 2017 under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP),
the Syria crisis remained the priority for stabilisation engagement with actions (exceptional
assistance measures) conducted both inside Syria and the neighbouring countries affected by the
conflict. In 2017, three new IcSP measures were adopted in this context.
With the Syria Peace Support Initiative adopted in 2016 and implemented throughout 2017, the IcSP
p o ided a di e t, fle i le ope atio al suppo t e ha is to the EU s diplo ati effo ts to foste
peace and political transition in Syria. Throughout 2017, this Initiative was instrumental in supporting
the talks, in particular UN-brokered international mediation, and the consolidation of the Syrian
opposition's negotiation platform. It also promoted an inclusive vision of transition for Syria,
including through direct support to civil society networks, women and human rights organisations.
Building on lessons learned from this first phase, a second EUR nine million phase was adopted in
December 2017 providing concrete means to back up the EU's commitment to a political settlement
of the conflict, as outlined in the April 2017 EU Strategy on Syria
97
and by the organisation of the
Brussels I conference on Syria in Spring 2017. The IcSP also renewed its commitment to transitional
justice and accountability via targeted support to the International, Impartial and Independent
Mechanism, in direct response to UN General Assembly Resolution 71/248 of December 2016. This
programme complements bilateral efforts of several EU Member States alongside ongoing support to
the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP). Finally, IcSP also provided support to
education in opposition-held areas allowing many families to remain in their homes: Over the past six
years of conflict, Syria has suffered a major setback in education, at least 1.75 million children
(almost one third of the school-age population) are not attending school and 1.35 million are at risk
of dropping out. The IcSP support started in May 2017 and contributed to running the summer 2017
exams (leading to qualifications for university entry) and to address unmet education needs by
scaling up support for the academic year 2017/18 with a focus on both access and quality.
In Iraq, in the context of the military struggle against
Da esh, the I SP suppo ted I a i the a eas of
Security Sector Reform and Rule of Law, reinforcing the Iraqi Intelligence Community's ability to
coordinate and fuse intelligence in a manner compliant with Human Rights and the principle of Rule
of Law. The IcSP was also mobilised to support the Iraqi authorities to develop and implement a
97
Council conclusions on an EU strategy for Syria, adopted at the 3530th Council meeting on Foreign Affairs of 3
April 2017
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strategy to address the issue of missing persons (the number of missing persons in Iraq are estimated
to range from 250 000 to one million following decades of conflict and human rights abuses). Efforts
also continued to support building the pre-deployment capacity of the police in Iraq, reduce conflict
between internal displaced persons and host communities, foster dialogue and reconciliation efforts
and to demine and decontaminate areas recovered from Da'esh.
In Yemen, which remains in a situation of open conflict, the IcSP initiated the implementation of a
City Profiling System, which rapidly collects and presents statistically sound data at city and
neighbourhood level, identifying areas of greatest need and concern. Furthermore, a flexible Peace
Support Initiative was launched to provide financial, technical and operational support to
peacebuilding processes in the country.
In Israel and Palestine, EUR seven million in support to dialogue and resilience was provided by the
IcSP to foster communication and exchanges between the different parties of the conflict. This
support enabled vital inclusion of community perspectives in internal Palestinian and Israeli-
Palestinian dialogue and assisted the Palestinian populations and institutions in dealing with conflict
triggers and uncertainty. Support to positive youth engagement within communities further helped
to reduce violent and risky behaviour of marginalised and disenfranchised youth.
IcSP actions in Jordan have focused on 15 Countering Violent Extremism (CVE) issues since 2015, as a
response to the government's request for support. This includes work to research the drivers of
radicalisation and support to the creation of a CVE directorate to help youth resist the influence and
recruitment from violent extremist groups, by creating awareness among grassroots communities,
and the renovation of cultural centres across the Kingdom in order to support civic and cultural
preventive activities. Another project will also reinforce the border crossing point with Iraq in
Karameh to ensure that the border can function securely. It will rehabilitate and upgrade the border
infrastructure to allow for a gradual return to normal cross-border traffic.
While the ongoing conflict in Syria continues to impact Lebanon's delicate security environment, the
dire socio-economic conditions of the Palestinian refugees across the 12 camps in the country remain
a major factor for instability. The situation is particularly critical in Nahr el Bared Camp where the
IcSP is contributing to rehabilitate it in partnership with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency
in the Near East (UNRWA), for the benefit of 358 families. Facilitating participation of young
Palestinian refugees in decision-making structures, across the 12 camps in Lebanon, constitutes
another key focus of this action.
3.3.3.6.3.
Thematic overview
Important demining actions have been set up in Iraq, Lebanon and Libya.
3.3.3.6.10
Case studies: Peace
Breaking the Cycle of Sectarian Violence in Iraq
Context
Iraq has experienced more than 30 years of open war, armed conflict and sanctions, most recently
ith the ise a d fall of Da esh i ol i g i te sified fighti g a d la ge-scale
displacement of people
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since January 2014. In this context, issues of identity, rights and interests have been further
exacerbated. Research has shown that both religion and media have a considerable impact on the
process of national reconciliation both in a positive and negative way.
Objectives
In 2017 the EU launched a new initiative that tries to tackle the key influencers of sectarian violence
in Iraq that will
Increase the quality of information provided by media and the debate addressing religion as a
driver for peace in Iraq.
Channel this information cross and through the government/ Civil Society Organisations/
religious leadership divide to effectively tackle the peacebuilding/social cohesion, media and
religion at a more local level.
Impact
The chances of disrupting the violence cycle are gradually increasing.
The foundations are being laid for a sustainable reconciliation process.
Youth and National Dialogue Outcomes in Yemen
Context
Youth actors were at the forefront of the Yemeni revolution in 2011. They remain strong proponents
of improving democratic processes, making institutions more accountable and increasing respect for
human rights and equal citizenship. However, due to the current political dynamics in Yemen, they
are disengaging from political participation through formal governance channels. Young men and
o e a e pa ti ula l
a gi alised f o Ye e s politi al p o esses, i ludi g the pea e
processes, and often lack the skills, experience, coherence or networks to influence change. The EU
has launched an initiative to support youth engagement in the political process and the role of youth
in local peacebuilding.
Objectives
To empower civil society actors to promote more inclusive, equitable and democratic political
processes in Yemen that respect and protect human rights.
To strengthen the capacity of youth actors to advocate for and monitor the implementation of
National Dialogue outcomes at a local and governorate level.
Impact
A decentralised youth network with platforms for discussion and facilitated exchanges and
coordination was supported.
Training programmes for youth on key public policy issues, advocacy and monitoring skills were
run.
Suppo ted outh platfo s a ted as at hdogs to o ito the i ple e tatio of p io it
public policies.
Short videos for the #LetsCoexist campaign and #MakeArtNotWar were produced, as well as
policy briefings on Yemen as part of an awareness raising campaign on the conflict.
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3.3.3.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.3.3.7.1.
Implementation
Iraq has offered a unique opportunity to put into practice the principles of the Global Strategy and
the new Consensus for Development in a particularly favourable political environment, with a
Government committed to political and economic reforms that have the backing of the international
community and an inclusive national agenda.
In response to the challenges faced by Iraq over the recent years because of the Da'esh insurgency,
the EU has significantly stepped up its involvement and support to the Iraqi government, it has
increased its diplomatic outreach to Iraq and funds have been mobilised rapidly, ensuring
oo di atio et ee the EU a d Me e States i te e tio s. Spa i g f o hu a ita ia aid,
stabilisation, early recovery and development cooperation, to diplomatic, security and defence
efforts, the coordination between a wide range of EU policies and instruments has allowed the EU
institutions and Member States to implement a strategic approach to address
the ou t s
vulnerabilities and urgent needs in a more integrated and effective way.
In September 2017, the Foreign Affairs Council identified Iraq as one of the pilot countries for the
operationalisation of the humanitarian-development nexus. Fitting into the broader EU policy
perspective, EU and Member States are seeking to close the gap between humanitarian, resilience
and development actors to enable them to work closely together to address the protracted crisis and
fragility in Iraq and meet the objectives of the SDGs.
In its contacts with the Iraqi authorities, the EU emphasises the importance of an inclusive process of
reconciliation both at national and local level, and the need to make tangible progress on political
reforms to enable full national reconciliation. With programmes worth more than EUR 46 million, the
EU is supporting local and regional governments to have their own local development plans and
stronger and accountable governance for their citizens. Those go from community-based projects to
nation-wide initiatives to break the cycle of sectarian violence.
The migration and forced displacement assistance package adopted in 2017 represents another
positive example of the operationalisation of a more holistic engagement of the EU with Iraq. In
2017, in close coordination with relevant Commission services and EU Member States, a migration
dialogue was initiated with the Government of Iraq for the local authorities to adopt a more
comprehensive and inclusive approach which takes into account bridging humanitarian and
development assistance to ensure that the several dimensions of migration and forced displacement
are adequately addressed.
Donor coordination for stabilisation purposes is essential. This is why the EU leads the counter-
Improvised Explosive Devices action of the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) and is one
of the ai do o s to de o ta i ate a eas e o e ed f o Da'esh alo gside the Me e States
contribution.
In Yemen, despite the current difficult circumstances, concrete partnerships on a number of
initiatives took place in the course of 2017. The EU, EU Member States, Switzerland and Norway
agreed to map their programming to identify any potential to improve harmonisation and reduce
fragmentation. Participating donors provided information on 257 individual projects that will allocate
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EUR 1.373 billion to Yemen between 2015 and 2020. This exercise was a first step towards a more
coordinated European approach to aid delivery in Yemen which could help reduce risks and maximise
opportunities by pooling financial and technical resources towards common priorities and jointly
conveying policy messages on issues of common concern. Furthermore, the EU took the lead in two
out of five Technical Working Groups on Security and Police, organised by the UN Special Envoy to
Yemen, and was actively engaged in the UN-sponsored Yemen Pledging Conference in Geneva in
2017.
3.3.3.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017 in the Middle East, Iran benefited from a CSO country allocation for a total of EUR three
million and Syria from a LA country allocation for a total of EUR 750 000. Previous years' allocations
for Iraq and Yemen continued to be implemented. These allocations are managed by the EU
Delegation responsible for each country through local calls for proposals, or by Commission
Headquarters in the case of Iran.
3.3.3.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
Demining and decontamination in Iraq
Context
Da'esh left behind an unprecedented number of mines and improvised explosive devises (IEDs), both
in private and public areas, in the area it occupied. The danger linked to entering these areas have
been one of the main obstacles for internally displaced persons to voluntarily return to their former
homes.
Objectives
Alongside its Member States, the EU is one of the main contributors to the decontamination effort of
the areas recovered from Da'esh. The EU has taken the lead of the Global Coalition's sub-working
group on explosive hazard mitigation. All relevant actors involved in clearing the improvised mines
(ranging from UN agencies to NGOs, private contractors and national as well as local Iraqi actors) are
involved in the group's efforts, which include:
The clearing of areas of mines and IED.
Risk education campaigns for displaced people.
Humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts.
In addition, the working group was a forum for knowledge exchange the development of a
clearance standard that could be used to train more local actors.
In the same spirit, in 2017 the EU and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) launched
the counter-IEDs action.
Impact
So far, the decontamination efforts have already shown significant results.
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In Ramadi alone, more than 6 000 students were able to return to their studies thanks to the
clearance of the university.
Another 2 000 people were able to return to the city's teaching hospital and resume their jobs.
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3.3.4. Pacific
3.3.4.1 Introduction (Policy Developments)
Climate change continues to be the single greatest threat to the Pacific region. It challenges the
Pacific countries' ability to progress towards achieving the SDGs. Building on the alliance forged for
concluding the Paris Agreement on climate action, the EU and the Pacific countries continued to
cooperate towards the implementation of the agreement. In particular, the EU supported Fiji's
Presidency of COP23, highlighting the plight caused by climate change in the Pacific.
Ocean governance, marine environment and the fight against illegal, unreported, and unregulated
fishing were in the centre of high-level discussions held in the UN framework under Fiji's and
Sweden's chairmanship and during the 2017 Our Ocean Conference in Malta hosted by the EU.
With the existing Economic Partnership Agreement delivering economic advantages to participating
countries Papua New Guinea (PNG) and Fiji, Samoa and Solomon Islands expressed their intention to
accede to the agreement.
With Pacific Island countries being frequently hit by extreme weather events (such as cyclone Donna
in Vanuatu and Fiji in May 2017), disaster preparedness and building resilience in communities and
countries affected by climate change continue to be among the most urgent tasks to be tackled in
the region.
In preparation of the upcoming Post-Cotonou negotiations, former Commissioner Pascal Lamy who
was appointed by Commissioner Mimica as High-Level Facilitator, met with Pacific heads of state and
government in Nouméa in July to discuss preparations and positions on the EU and ACP side with a
view to a Cotonou follow-up agreement as of 2020. Discussions continued in the margins of the 48th
Pacific Islands Forum leaders meeting in Apia, Samoa. On the same occasion, the EU and Samoa co-
chaired a prominent gender conference, exploring different challenges around opportunities, equity,
and violence against women and girls in the Pacific.
During the year, the EU held Political Dialogue meetings with Marshall Islands, Federated States of
Micronesia, Tonga, Tuvalu, Palau, Vanuatu and Nauru, during which issues such as human rights and
democracy, rule of law, cooperation towards achieving the SDGs and increased cooperation in
international fora were addressed. The EU also encouraged partners to ratify and implement UN
Conventions on human rights and the Rome Statute on the International Criminal Court, where
appropriate.
New Caledonia and French Polynesia, two French Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs) with
some 500 000 European citizens, for the first time participated as full members to the Pacific Island
Forum in Samoa, bringing the EU and the Pacific Island States even closer.
`
3.3.4.2 Working Better Together, Development effectiveness, and donor coordination
Two events in 2017 highlighted the progress made in strategic relations between the EU and the
Pacific Island Countries in fighting climate change. Firstly, the launch of the Pacific-EU Maritime
Partnership programme (PEUMP) was a key event at the Our Ocean Conference which was hosted by
the EU in October in Malta. Secondly, thanks to funding from the EU, Fiji led COP 23 in November in
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Bonn which showcased on a global platform the work needed to tackle climate change and
environmental issues which are priorities addressed during political dialogue, project design and
donor coordination.
Work on the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPA) with PNG and Fiji
included providing assistance in key policy areas. Support was also extended to Samoa and the
Solomon Islands in order to join the EPA.
Most EU Member States are not active in the Pacific and do not provide development cooperation to
the Pacific countries. Only Germany (through GIZ -
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale
Zusammenarbeit)
has traditionally provided support to the Pacific region in the areas of climate
change and oceans. France supports its overseas territories (New Caledonia, French Polynesia and
Wallis and Futuna) and also established some cooperation with Vanuatu. More recently, Sweden has
extended its regional programme for Asia to the Pacific. Member States are overall supportive for the
EU to represent Europe through its development cooperation in the Pacific. While joint programming
is not suitable for development cooperation in the Pacific, the EU and its Member States are still
progressively joining forces, in particular in the area of climate change, disaster risk management and
marine protection. Member States contribute and complement constructively, either through
technical expertise (Germany/GIZ), funding (Sweden), policy sector reforms (France and UK in the
OCTs), or diplomatic engagement.
Certain Pacific countries have established mechanisms to guarantee systematic consultations and
coordination with donors. Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and more recently the Solomon Islands have put
in place donor coordination mechanisms, both at technical and at more senior levels. At a regional
level, there are efforts to establish this type of wide-ranging coordination mechanism. More effective
coordination took place at the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF) Leaders Meeting in September in
Apia/Samoa where bilateral meetings with donors took place. The EU supported the organisation of
a meeting between all PIF Leaders and representatives of Civil Society Organisations. The Forum
Partners meeting provided a platform for an open exchange between Pacific Leaders and
development cooperation partners.
Finally, policy dialogue was complemented by Political Dialogues with Vanuatu in January 2017 and
Tonga in April 2017. It was the fourth time the high-level political dialogue took place with Vanuatu
and the first time with Tonga. Topics such as recent economic and political developments were
discussed as well as issues concerning good governance, human rights and democracy.
3.3.4.3 PEOPLE
–
Human Development and dignity
3.3.4.3.1.
Implementation
The prevalence of violence against women in the Pacific is among the highest in the world, with data
indicating that up to 60 % of adult women have experienced physical violence during their lifetime,
often at the hands of an intimate partner. 2017 was a milestone year for the EU's ambitions in
ea hi g ge de e ualit as the Fi a i g Ag ee e t fo Ta kli g oot auses of ge de i e ualit
and violence agai
st o e i the Pa ifi
as sig ed i Septe e . The EU ill o t i ute EUR
million to this programme and its implementation will start next year in the Pacific region in the
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following countries: Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, the Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa,
Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. The impacts will be raising awareness
amongst women, men, girls and boys and ensuring they practice respectful relationships and gender
equality among each other while also increasing access to essential services for survivors of violence
against women and girls (VAWG).
Primary school boys and girls will be targeted too through formal education and will be taught about
gender equality and respectful relationships. Furthermore, young women and young men aged 15 to
25 will be targeted through informal education mostly based on a peer to peer approach. At a
community level, primary prevention programmes will be provided through a range of community
actors, including faith-based and sports organisations, and support for access to quality essential
services (health, social services police and justice) for survivors of VAWG.
This programme will also help Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) to participate more effectively in
policy dialogue on gender equality and VAWG. This will lead to stronger capacity among CSOs and
policy makers in the region to mainstream gender across a wide range of sectors. The action will also
seek to identify and support Pacific leaders to champion gender equality and ending violence against
women and girls.
The European Commission approved actions in 2016 to support countries affected by severe weather
events. As a response to
El Niño,
a food and nutrition security programme in Fiji started to be
implemented in 2017 through International Organisations (IOs) and Non-Governmental
Organisations (NGOs). The EU's contribution is of EUR five million. Local communities are trained on
drought adaptation and food security (food preservation techniques, water management, pest
control, irrigation schemes etc.). There is also a focus on subsistence farming as well as on income
generating opportunities created by adapting agriculture methods, to cope and become more
resilient to future
El Niño
events.
3.3.4.3.2.
Thematic overview
In Asia and Pacific, 13 delegations had prepared Gender Analysis of cooperation sectors by the end of
2016. The use of Gender Analysis findings in the projects design and matching the EUD strategy and
policy in the country with them requires attention. The review of Gender focal persons self-
assessment pointed out that the gender competence in EUDs generally decreases when it comes to
putting into practice the findings of the analysis in the programming, planning and the project design.
In the health sector, through GAVI, the EU supports vaccination in 13 countries in Asia and the Pacific
region. UNFPA is active in Lao, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Nepal and Timor Leste.
In the culture sector, in 2017, the African, Caribbean and Pacific Creative Industries and Cultural
sector programme ended. The Pacific Region benefitted for more than EUR one million and the
programme reached directly thousands of young people and trained more than 1 000 people.
The
IOM epo t Maki g o ilit o k fo adaptatio to e i o e tal ha ges sho s ho
migration, displacement and planned relocation can affect adaptation to environmental and climate
change. It presents findings from six countries, including Papua New Guinea. The report was one of
the main results of the EU suppo
ted p oje t Mig atio , e i o e t a d li ate ha ge: E ide e
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2008294_0227.png
fo poli
MECLEP . Mo eo e o
-demand tailored technical assistance to five Pacific countries was
provided under the ACP-EU Migration Action in 2017.
In education, the Erasmus+ programme supports academic mobility and support to higher education
reforms. In 2017, Erasmus+ financed 21 short-term student and staff exchanges, from the region to
Europe (19) and from Europe to the region (two).
3.3.4.3.3.
Case studies: People
Balancing the
S ales: I pro i g Fijia Wo e s A ess to Justi e
I age f o Left: Selai Ko o use e, Di e to Wo e s Natio al Ma hi e ; Aleta Mille UN Wo e Reside t
Representative; Makereta Waqvonovono Board Chair FWRM; Chief Justice Anthony Gates Chief Justice of Fiji,
H.E Ambassador Julian Wilson EU Ambassador to Pacific; Nalini Singh Executive Director FWRM. (Image:
FWRM)
Context:
Fiji Wo e s Rights Mo e e t FWRM as i st u e tal i d afti g a d ad o ati g fo the Fiji
Parliament to pass the Family Law Act in 2003. Six years later, FWRM was also involved in advocacy
that led to the enactment of the Domestic Violence and Crimes Acts in 2009. More than a decade
after the commencement of the Family Court in 2005, FWRM has undertaken a research project to
understand the barriers that still prevent women from accessing the formal justice system and ways
to improve the quality of services delivered to women. In Fiji rape accounts for 71 % of the sexual
offense cases prosecuted, of these 59 % of victim survivors are children under the age of 18 and 23 %
are living in a domestic relationship with the offender.
Objectives
Fostering an
e a li g e i o
E ha ed u de sta di g of
minority groups of women.
e t fo i p o ed o e s a ess to justi e.
o e s ights i elatio to justi e a o g
a gi alised a d
Impact
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2008294_0228.png
U de the e o
e datio s p ese ted i the Bala i g the S ales: I p o i g Fijia Wo e s
A ess to Justi e Resea h Repo t, the Offi e of the Di e to of Pu li P ose utio s as
recommended to publish annual sex disaggregated data which the Office did for the first time in
January, 2018
98
.
In the Transparency Overview of the report, it was noted that the ODPP collects and presents
monthly sexual offence data. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions was further
recommended to present sex disaggregated monthly sexual offence statistics, which now being
done.
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions has presented annual sexual offences data for
2017.
The Offi e of the Di e to of Pu li P ose utio s ODPP is pleased to see the FWRM Resea h efe
to case studies highlighting those matters where the ODPP have provided support to women victims
and survivors to adequately prepare them for court hearings that are often stressful and difficult to
understand. In discussing the research findings with FWRM we are happy to support the
recommendation of presenting sex-disaggregated data on indictments on an annual basis and will be
a le to p ese t this fo
data.
- Christopher Pryde, Director Public Prosecutions Fiji
Combatting People Trafficking in PNG.
Context
Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a source, transit, and destination country for men, women and children
subjected to sex trafficking and forced labour. A baseline assessment showed that trafficking-related
crime intersects with the broader dynamics of gender inequality in PNG and female children are
twice as likely to be trafficked than male children.
The EU funded Project 'Technical Assistance to Strengthen Prosecution Efforts and Protection
Measu es to Co at T affi ki g i Pe so s i PNG seeks to suppo t i
eased protection and justice
98
http://fwrm.org.fj/news/media-releases/67-all-category/news/press-releases/496-fwrm-office-of-the-
director-of-public-prosecutions-publishes-sex-disaggregated-data
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for victims of trafficking (VoTs) in PNG and through this to strengthen the protection of the rights of
women and children in the country.
Objectives
The overall objective of this project is to contribute to an environment where VoTs, and vulnerable
women and children in PNG are protected from further human rights abuses. Specifically:
To enable law enforcement and key frontline officials to identify VoTs, conduct victim-centred
investigations, and refer victims to comprehensive support service providers.
To support the operation of Safe Houses.
To demonstrate a sustained commitment from the Judiciary to apply the Criminal Code
(amendment) Act 2013, PNG's anti-trafficking legislation.
To provide the highest level of much needed health, psychological, maternal and counselling
services.
Impact
Several offenders have been investigated, arrested and charges laid for the crimes of trafficking.
Ten victims of trafficking have undergone rehabilitation and re-integration process and back in
the society.
Two cases have been successfully prosecuted.
Testimony
Amidst the violence and exploitation, Papua New Guinean women are thriving thanks to one of their
own, Major Ridia Newae. She is able to impart the message of empowerment to victimised women.
This is ke i he o k as the a age of Sal atio A
s safe house: Haus of Hope. Ha i g o ked
at the Salvation Army for almost 31 years, Major Ridia recognises the importance of fostering the
growth of women, particularly those who have endured gender-based violence (GBV) and until
recently, human trafficking. With GBV being highly prevalent and human trafficking gradually being
e og ized i PNG, Majo Ridia s a agi g of safe houses has pla ed a t e e dous ole i
rehabilitating countless women. Women who were once helpless have left Haus of Hope with life
skills and the determination for a fresh start.
I al a s tell
tea that the t a sfo atio of ou i dsets ust ot o l happe he e Haus of
Hope)
–
it must also happen on a societal level as well. When that happens, I will be a very happy
o a , sa s Majo Ridia Ne ae.
3.3.4.4 PLANET - Protecting the environment, managing natural resources and tackling
climate change
3.3.4.4.1.
Implementation
Ocean governance is a key objective of the Pacific-EU Maritime Partnership (PEUMP) programme
which was signed by Commissioner Mimica at the Our Ocean Conference in Malta in October 2017.
The EU's contribution of EUR 35 million means that ocean governance and sustainable management
of natural resources in the Pacific region will be strengthened.
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Through the Adapting to Climate Change and Sustainable Energy (ACSE) project the EU has
contributed EUR 35.5 million and its successful implementation continued in 2017. This supports
government institutional efforts and empowers communities to increase their self-reliance and their
ability to cope with the effects of climate change, through appropriate practices in agriculture and
coastal fishery, through dissemination of improved plant varieties, securing their daily water supply,
and improving their access to sustainable energy throughout the Pacific region.
The EU energy sector development cooperation in the Pacific amounts to around EUR 70 million in
grants from the 10th European Development Fund (EDF). This includes projects in 11 countries, four
of them (EU grants of EUR 16.8 million) under the EU/New Zealand Energy Access Partnership in
Tuvalu, Kiribati (Kiritimati), Cook Islands and Samoa. Energy losses are being reduced, distribution
grids are being refurbished and energy sources are being diversified including photovoltaic structures
(solar panels) and hydropower infrastructures.
Under the 11th EDF, six countries in the Pacific region have chosen energy as a focal sector for EU
development cooperation (the Federated States of Micronesia, Nauru, Niue, Palau, the Republic of
the Marshall Islands and Tonga), for a total envelope of more than EUR 38 million. The
implementation of energy programmes in the Republic of the Marshall Islands, Nauru and Niue (EU
contribution for the three programmes of EUR 11.8 million) started in 2017 after the Commission
Decisions were adopted at the end of 2016. In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, financial, policy,
and legislative frameworks for the energy sector will be strengthened. Universal access to modern
and sustainable energy services will be achieved while energy efficiency will be improved, and the
share of renewable energy will be increased.
In Nauru, the reliability and efficiency of the electricity network will be increased as well as
renewable energy generation. In Niue, the efficiency of the distribution network will be increased
and the capacity for implementation and maintenance of transmission and distribution will be
improved. In Tonga, implementation of the Energy Sector Reform Contract (EU contribution of EUR
10 million) was ongoing in 2017. The programme ensures an environmentally sustainable and low
carbon-development path and will achieve an increase in quality access to modern energy services in
a financially and environmentally sustainable manner.
The issue of climate change was brought to the forefront due to Fiji chairing COP 23 in Bonn in
November, which was seen as crucial to moving the climate change agenda to concrete
implementation following the entry into force of the Paris Agreement. Fiji's presidency of COP 23
represented a first for a small island state and a large part of its efforts were to raise awareness on
the international stage about the realities of small island countries and their vulnerability to climate
change. The EU closely accompanied Fiji in this process, through financial support to the Presidency,
and political and technical dialogue in the context of climate change.
In terms of a climate change strategy, progress is being made with Australia with the Australian
government announcing at COP 21 in 2015 the creation of the International Partnership for Blue
Carbon and welcoming the EU's participation in 2017. This Partnership seeks to protect and conserve
coastal blue carbon ecosystems, mangroves, tidal marshes and seagrasses through climate change
mitigation and adaptation.
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3.3.4.4.2.
Thematic overview
The region must cope with risks associated to natural disasters. In Fiji, the project Action Against
Desertification helps the Government develop an integrated and cross-sectoral strategy for restoring
degraded land as well as improve livelihood opportunities and resilience to climate change. The
Project has directly reached 18 447 community members including 47 % women. Furthermore, five
demonstration farms were organised, with pilot plantations and local development plans put in place
with EU support.
In
the Pa ifi , the EU suppo ts the 'F a e o k fo Resilie t De elop e t i the Pa ifi FRDP : a
integrated approach to Climate Change and Disaster'. The FRDP advocates for the adoption of
integrated approaches, whenever possible, for addressing climate change and disaster risks, in order
to make more efficient use of resources, to rationalise multiple sources of funding, and for more
effective mainstreaming of risks into development planning and budgets. A new Pacific Resilience
Partnership (PRP) will coordinate cooperation as well as implement and monitor the FRDP.
In 2017 the EU supported Fiji in its leadership as chair of the UNFCCC COP 23 in Bonn where the
Pacific and EU demonstrated once again strong common views and objectives for the
implementation of the Paris Agreement and the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
Substantial EU financial support has been provided to support the Pacific countries in facing four of
their main challenges: to adapt to climate change (CCA); strengthen their disaster risk management
(DRM) capacities; promote the sustainable development of oceanic and costal natural resources; and
reduce reliance on fossil fuels, promoting energy efficiency and renewable energies.
This support is implemented through several bilateral, regional and thematic programmes, either in
sectors which are highly climate change sensitive such as energy, water, sanitation and rural
development, or which seek to promote more strategic and innovative approaches to climate change
(mostly adaptation but also mitigation), disaster risk management and sustainable development of
natural resources. For instance, the ACP-EU Building Safety and Resilience in the Pacific programme
(EUR 20 million 2013-2017) has supported actions targeting community-based Disaster Risk
Reduction (DRR), early warnings systems, evacuation centres and safe water supply, better
integration of DRR in regional national and sector strategies. It has also developed science-based
information for better awareness and understanding of natural hazards, education and
mainstreaming disaster risk reduction, as well as climate change adaptation in support of priorities
identified in the integrated strategies at local, national and regional level.
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3.3.4.4.3.
Case studies: Planet
Turning the Pacific tide in the war against waste
Context
Poor management of hazardous wastes, prioritised as healthcare, asbestos and e-waste, creates
considerable human health risks and environmental hazards in the Republic of the Marshall Islands,
which consists of 29 atolls and five islands in the South Pacific.
As part of the EU-funded project Pacific Hazardous Waste Management (PacWaste), a pilot
programme has demonstrated significant positive impacts of improved waste collection and disposal
practices. This integrated waste system that includes ground-breaking legislation to manage plastics,
recycling to optimise resources and cost-effective systems for treatment and final disposal of wastes,
is moving the country towards a true circular economy.
Objectives
To suppo t the egio s effo ts to uild a health , e o o i all a d e i o e tall sustai a le
Pacific for future generations.
To introduce best available practices in priority hazardous waste management.
To enhance capacity and adoption of appropriate policies and regulatory frameworks for
improved management of hazardous waste streams.
Impact
Weekly waste collection is now conducted across 3 000 residential properties (75 % of homes).
Disposal systems have been introduced to manage the production of infectious and hazardous
health waste generated by two major hospitals and 56 dispensaries.
A specifically designed cost-effective, garbage bag, the Iokwe Bag, was developed to replace the
current unsustainable system. Following free distribution, the purchase cost now contributes to
supporting an expanded household waste collection service across the entire Majuro atoll: an
area that had previously not received any services.
A Used Lead Acid Battery (ULAB) buy-back scheme enables community members to return and
receive payment for old batteries.
The 'Clean Schools' programme fosters student participation in clean-ups and engages them in
development of Action Plans to improve campus waste management.
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Landmark Legislation of Bill 28 prohibits the import, manufacture, sale and distribution of
styrofoam cups and plates, disposable plastic cups and plates, and plastic shopping bags.
Maju o Repu li of the Ma shall Isla ds has the highest pe apita aste ge e atio i the Pa ifi
region. Tackling the issue on all sides, from legislation to school programmes, waste collection and
e li g s he es, has ee a i alua le espo se to ou ou t s all fo sustai a le help. Ms
Moriana Phillip, Director Environment Protection Authority, Marshall Islands.
The Iokwe Bag
Warwick Harris has lived in the Republic of the Marshall Islands for 10 years. In that time he has seen
p isti e ea hes a d fo ests da aged a d u ied i
aste. The Iok e Bag has
'Erreo eo, ñan
emman eo'
(a cleaner environment is better/healthier) written across it, and this is what it does
–
it
creates a safe and easy way to get rid of our garbage without harming our beautiful island. The bag is
just part of our new collection service which is regular and cleaner. And I can now also recycle things
which used to end up in landfill or on the beach. I can receive a refund for used batteries which I
ei est i to
fa il s eeds. It s a e
a of li i g a d it akes a diffe e e.
3.3.4.5 PROSPERITY - Inclusive and sustainable growth and jobs
3.3.4.5.1.
Implementation
In Fiji, the EU is supporting the Sugarcane Industry (EU contribution over EUR 30 million). Several
specific projects fall under this programme. Income generation is promoted through sugar cane
farming or alternatives such as vocational training which means that Fijian farmers who live in
sugarcane dependent populations have an improved livelihood. Watershed management is being
improved through reforestation and the rehabilitation of cane access roads as well as associated
infrastructure. Moreover, local and community-based development is strengthened as well as
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Fairtrade organisations. Management and operational capacities of the Sugar Research Institute of
Fiji are being strengthened and farmers are benefitting from improved research.
In 2017, work on sector budget support programmes advanced for the four Pacific Overseas
Countries and Territories as decisions were adopted for New Caledonia (employment-EUR 29.8
million), Wallis and Futuna (information technology-EUR 19.6 million), Pitcairn (tourism-EUR 2.4
million) and French Polynesia (sustainable tourism-EUR 29.9 million). In New Caledonia, a
homogenised public service will be deployed to help the public in the outermost regions of the
islands gain access to employment opportunities. Employment diversification will also take place and
improve the local economy. In Wallis and Futuna, digital development will be improved for homes,
administrations and companies. Civil society will also receive IT training courses. Wallis and Futuna
will therefore become well integrated in the region through IT connections.
In Pitcairn, tourist arrivals will increase, and more tourists will be encouraged to stay on the island,
thereby increasing tourism revenue and stimulating Pitcai
s lo al e o o . Pit ai s histo ,
culture and heritage will be promoted and protected, thereby establishing sound foundations for
sustainable island heritage
tou is . Fi all , Pit ai s tele o
u i atio s a d edi al e t e ill e
improved, to reduce isolation and improve health provision and resilience as visitor numbers
increase. Similar benefits in French Polynesia will be felt as tourism revenue increases with the rising
number of tourists which will have a positive social impact for workers in the tourism industry.
3.3.4.5.2.
Thematic overview
In the Pacific, the EU has been working closely with partner governments and organisations to
improve resilience and livelihoods, with a particular focus on coastal and oceanic areas. At October
Ocean Conference in Malta, the EU launched the Pacific-European Union Marine Partnership
PEUMP . This joi t EU, S ede a d the Pa ifi Isla ds Fo u Se eta iat s a itious p og a
e
brings together three regional agencies (South Pacific Community, Fisheries Forum Agency, and
Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme), the University of the South Pacific (USP)
and several non-government organisations. It supports the sustainable management and
development of fisheries for food security and economic growth, while addressing climate change
resilience and conservation of marine biodiversity.
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3.3.4.5.3.
Case studies: Prosperity
Delivering Vocational Training to the Fiji Sugar Industry
Ms. Shahin Khan
–
Lead Farmer (courtesy of Lauren Chan)
Context
The sugarcane industry is one of the most important sectors of Fiji's economy. In 2014, the
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) signed a historic delegation agreement
with the EU to provide 'Training Support to the Fijian Sugarcane Industry'. The EUR four million
project was financed under the EU's Accompanying Measures for Sugar Protocol Programme.
The Australia-Pacific Technical College (APTC) was subsequently engaged by DFAT to deliver
vocational education and training and ensure that training delivered addressed skills gaps in the Fiji
sugar industry. The project was partly re-oriented after the Tropical Cyclone Winston in February
2016 which severely affected Fiji's sugar sector.
Objectives
The project is focused on:
Enhancing human resources capacity.
Complementing the efforts of all the stakeholders to strengthen the competitiveness of the
sugarcane sector.
Impact
The project helped improve the capacity of the Fiji Sugar Corporation (FSC) and support agencies.
FSC employs over 800 people and over 100 support agencies employees were also trained in the
areas of business, communication, safety and trades in nine fully accredited qualifications, eight
accredited skill sets and five non-accredited short-courses.
Training of sugarcane farmers targeting Leader Farmers who pass on technical information to
assist sugarcane farmers with improved farming techniques and Farm Advisory Officers. The
training has assisted them to develop their leadership skills and to work with other sugarcane
farmers to better manage their farm businesses.
In the aftermath of the TC Winston, the project introduced a Certificate II in Construction course
and 33 students from the sugarcane belt including displaced mill workers were able to acquire
new skills by constructing forty homes for cyclone affected families.
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At the end of the project there were over 1 600 farmers, mill workers, administrative staff and
industry managers trained and over 210 females completed their Australian standard
qualifications and skill sets as well as non-accredited workshops in areas such as welding, metal,
fabrication, electro technology, project management, communication, business management,
leadership etc.
"I had the chance to learn more about farming as a business and to meet with other experienced
sugarcane farmers who gave me greater insight into sugarcane farming, which is valuable for me as a
female farmer." Ms. Shahin Khan: Leader Farmer in the Cuvu sector in Sigatoka where she takes on
the role of supporting and mentoring other farmers.
3.3.4.6 PEACE
–
Peaceful and inclusive societies, democracy, effective and accountable
institutions, rule of law and human rights for all
3.3.4.6.1.
Implementation
The Access to Justice Programme in Fiji started to be implemented last year an EU contribution of
EUR 7.5 million. It focuses on improving access to justice, particularly for poor and vulnerable citizens
in Fiji. It will also increase the efficiency and quality of justice provided by the Legal Aid Commission,
courts and other institutions and will increase the capacity of the Legal Aid Commission, courts and
other institutions. Impoverished and vulnerable groups will benefit as non-governmental
organisations' capacity will be strengthened to enable these groups to access justice services.
The EU Delegation in Fiji witnessed in 2017 progress in Public Finance Management in countries with
Budget Support (Tonga, Wallis and Futuna, Samoa, Tuvalu, Timor-Leste, French Polynesia, New
Caledonia, Fiji, Vanuatu, Cook Islands, RMI and Pitcairn).
I ple e tatio o ti ued i
fo the P og a
e e titled St e gthe i g No
-State Actors
E gage e t i Regio al Poli De elop e t a d I ple e tatio . The EU o t i uted EUR fou
million under the 10th European Development Fund to promote good governance in the Pacific
region and ensure that non-state actor perspectives are reflected in effective regional policy
development processes and dialogues.
Implementation also continued in 2017 for the Raising Pacific Voices programme. The EU's
contribution is EUR 2.3 million. The programme is strengthening the capacity of Civil Society
Organisations to influence the development and maintenance of inclusive and accountable
government across the Pacific region. This three-year pilot (December 2016 to December 2019)
programme will work closely with the Pacific Regional NGO (PRNGO) network and its partners across
ten Pacific Island countries in three sub regions (Melanesia, Polynesia and Micronesia).
3.3.4.6.3.
Thematic overview
The human rights situation in the Pacific is slowly improving in the Pacific countries, although not all
countries are progressing as well as others. Two of the four countries (Solomon Islands and Timor)
have improved their rating in the Freedom House ranking and are now
o side ed f ee . Fiji a d
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Papua a e o side ed Pa tl f ee , ho e e , it is oted that the e is g eate state tole a e fo i i
freedoms. Political rights are generally respected in the region, though corruption remains a serious
issue, which is not tackled by the government. Violence against women remains an important
problem.
In 2017, the EIDHR supported human rights and democracy action in Pacific primarily through civil
society projects selected under global and local calls for proposals. In 2017, four projects amounting
to some EUR 1.2 million were supported through EIDHR Country Based Support Schemes. These
addressed principally gender-based violence.
3.3.4.6.4.
Case studies: Peace
Developing a Culture of Human Rights in Fiji
Mesake Raiviu (far left) of Bamba settlement, Levuka receives information on the Legal Aid
Commission (Photo: UNDP)
Context
The new Constitution of the Republic of Fiji came into force on 7 September 2013. Accompanying the
ou t s etu to full de o ati ule, the Co stitutio la s out the asi la of the state, to hi h
all other subsidiary laws and administration acts must conform; empowers and enables state
institutions and limits actions under the Constitution; and describes the space and relationship, the
social contract, between the state and the people of Fiji. Most importantly, the Constitution includes
an extensive Bill of Rights as Chapter two, which includes significant and expanded, clearly-stated
rights and guarantees for citizens, as well as obligations to uphold them for the State.
Objectives
To strengthen delivery of access to justice services to impoverished and vulnerable groups.
To strengthen capacity of non-governmental organisations and community advocates to deliver
accompaniment access to justice services for impoverished and vulnerable groups.
Impact
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The project supported community discussions between the Human Rights and Anti-
Discrimination Commission and youth and CSOs during 2017, with 290 beneficiaries including:
166 women, 101 males, 20 LGBTQI (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning,
and Intersex), three who did not indicate their sexual identity, and 12 persons with disabilities.
83 % of the beneficiaries fully agreed their awareness and knowledge on access to justice, the Fiji
Bill of Rights, human rights and anti-discrimination issues increased.
The project trained 49 beneficiaries as Community Advocates for Human Rights and Access to
justice (24 women, 18 men, seven LGBTQI, and six persons with disability).
Beneficiaries received training on human rights, law and justice services, and community
engagement methods, with 80 % of beneficiaries fully agreeing their knowledge and capacity to
engage with communities as Community Rights Advocates increased.
The Project worked with the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission to convene a
series of outreach sessions across Fiji as part of Human Rights Day from 2 to 9 December 2017
led by Community Advocates for Human Rights trained previously and attended by 527 citizens.
I
ediatel afte the [t ai i g], I o e ed a illage
meeting, where I shared my new knowledge
with my other villagers. Going forward, I am now able to more actively pursue the adoption of my
daughte . Mesake Rai iu, t ai ed Co
u it Hu a Rights Ad o ate f o Ba a Settle e t, Fiji.
Testimony
Community Advocate, Bonita Clemancew at the Human Rights Day 2017 celebrations in
Lautoka, Western Division, Fiji (Photo: UNDP)
Bonita Clemancew was trained as a Community Human Rights Advocate. As a member of the Fijian
LGBTQI community, which has traditionally suffered marginalisation and discrimination, Bonita has
been empowered not just in standing up and securing her own basic rights, but likewise empowering
her entire community to stand up for their rights.
The alue of the e e t Co
u it Ad o ates Wo kshop
became even more apparent this week as
I put the knowledge and skills gained at the workshop into practice. I am also delighted to work in
collaboration with the Human Rights and Anti-Discrimination Commission as it allows the community
to access justice, which is a basic need and a fundamental principle of human rights and has proved a
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huge asset in delivering the key messages of human rights to remote community members and
pa ti ula l the outh, she sa s.
The Fiji Access to Justice Project supports access to justice for impoverished and vulnerable groups
through empowering people to access legal rights and services through the relevant key justice
institutions, in conjunction with strengthening the key justice institutions to undertake improved
service delivery.
Strengthening Public Finance Management for better public services in Timor-Leste
Context
Despite belonging to the lower middle-income category of countries, Timor-Leste has a high
percentage of chronically malnourished children under the age of five (50. 2 %) a high poverty rate
with 46.8 % of the population living below the national income poverty line in 2014, a primary school
dropout rate of only 18.8 % and a Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.605 that places Timor-Leste
in 133rd position in terms of HDI country ranking.
In addition to this, the fragility assessment that was conducted under the framework of the New Deal
to engage with Fragile States, underlines that while some good progress was made on security and
with respect to inclusive politics, justice and economic foundations remain the two critical areas that
require closer attention in the future.
Objectives
The overall objective is to improve sustainable development in Timor-Leste through enhanced
effectiveness, integrity, transparency, accountability and citizen-orientation of public service delivery
in Timor-Leste, in line with the national Strategic Development Plan 2011-2030 (SDP).
Specific objectives include:
To strengthen the planning, management, auditing, monitoring, accountability and oversight of
the use of public finances for a better delivery of public services.
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Strengthening the effectiveness, integrity, transparency, accountability, citizen-orientation and
control of public finance management (PFM) to improve the implementation of fiscal and
development policies.
E ha i g the he ks a d ala es apa it of state a d o
-state actors so that they can fully
play their role of checking/monitoring policies and thus actively participating in the policy-making
process as well as providing regular oversight and control of the delivery of Government services,
while informing citizens about it.
Impact
The budget support component of the project aims has strengthened public finance management
systems and processes with:
Improved budget planning and execution has been implemented throughout Government.
Improved taxpayer and customs clearance services have resulted in an improved collection of
custom and domestic revenues.
Internal and external audit have been strengthened.
Accounting, revenue reconciliation and debt management have been strengthened.
Implementation of fiscal decentralisation has been supported.
Budget transparency has improved.
Budget gender sensitivity has improved.
The second component of the project enhanced the capacity of state and non-state actors to
participate fully in decision-making and oversight of the use of public finances including:
An enhanced parliamentary role in national budget processes in terms of analysis, decision,
oversight and audit of budget execution.
Strengthened institutional capacity of the Chamber of Accounts at the Court of Appeal.
Strengthened prevention, investigation and forensic capacities in terms of economic and
financial crimes, corruption and money laundering.
Enabled and strengthened institutional capacity of the Public Prosecutor´s Office for the
technical analysis and follow up of the financial responsibilities appointed at the reports of the
Chamber of Accounts and of the criminal investigation reports.
Increased capacity of non-state actors' and citizens' in the policy process and oversight of public
institutions and public service delivery.
"Under this new government, we are committed to strengthening the management of the public
finances to ensure sustainable finances now and in the future, as well as to ensure that we get
maximum value for money in supporting key priorities of the government. Alongside, it is also
essential that the reform programmes of the government in this area are informed by good-quality
and up-to-date evidence. As part of our broader agenda of PFM reform, we intend to carry out a new
PEFA assessment to benchmark our performance, progress since the last assessments (2013 and
2010) and lay the foundations for a prioritised reform agenda that addresses critical issues to
improve public service delivery and fiscal management. It is expected that the PEFA assessment will
also support the timely progression of key steps outlined as part of the budget support agreement
between the EU and the Government of Timor-Leste." Dr. Rui Augusto Gomes, Minister for Planning
and Finance
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3.3.4.7 PARTNERSHIPS
–
The EU as a force for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda
3.3.4.7.1.
Implementation
The EU continued to work with Pacific regional organisations such as the Pacific Community (SPC),
the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS), and the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment
Programme (SPREP) and 2017 was a good year considering that 62 % of the regional funds were
committed in 2017 as a number of programmes were adopted for a total of EUR 103 million.
In 2017, all key regional partner organisations passed the pillar assessment which enables them to
use their own procedures in the implementation of the European Development Fund. These
assessments and the accompanying Technical Assistance have contributed to improving the
economic governance structures of these organisations. The technical reforms coincided with
business process reviews and structural reforms that the EU's key partners (SPC, PIFS, SPREP) have
undergone.
Project managers ensured regular country visits combining dialogues with implementing partners,
competent national authorities, other donors and national stakeholders. Moreover, project
managers hold regular meetings with UN agencies, International Financing Institutions, Council of
Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP) agencies and international/regional NGOs to improve
coordination and foster synergies.
The programme of Technical Cooperation and Capacity Building with a total EU contribution of EUR
seven million was adopted in July and signed in September 2017. It will improve the capacity of
regional organisations, civil society organisations, and national authorities to manage and implement
EU programmes more efficiently and effectively.
3.3.4.7.2.
Thematic Overview
In 2017, Solomon Islands and Timor Leste in the Pacific benefited from CSO country allocation for a
total of EUR two million (EUR 0.75 million and EUR 1.25 million respectively).
These allocations are to be managed by the EU Delegation in each country through local calls for
proposals.
3.3.4.7.3.
Case studies: Partnerships
Rebuilding Hope: A Story of Climate Change Displacement
This case study was written by Lauren Chan, one of the EU-funded Faces2Hearts
99
bloggers to Asia
Pacific, and Jenny Brown, Programme manager EUD to the Pacific)
"Imagine if your life changed in an instance: your home, your belongings, even a neighbouring family,
disappeared within minutes. This is what happened to a community living on the main island of Fiji,
Viti Levu, when a tropical cyclone dumped its watery rage on the village causing a huge mudslide
99
https://www.faces2hearts.eu/
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destroying almost everything in its way and killing a family of four and forcing ten other families to
seek shelter within a nearby cave, too petrified to come out. This is a story about Tukuraki Village, of
courage and hope, of resilience and belief. It is a story about rebuilding from ground zero and having
the bravery to walk away from the past and begin a new and more resilient future.
The Building Safety Resilience in the Pacific (BSRP) Project, funded by the European Union and
implemented by the Pacific Community (SPC), helped to relocate this entire village and reconstruct
new homes and other community buildings in a location deemed much safer for the families. This
project required a close partnership between the Government of Fiji, the provincial authorities, a
range of villages in the region (the landowners), the people of Tukuraki, the Pacific Community and
the EU.
The relocation has enabled the entire village and all people to benefit. A new home changed the life
of an elderly couple. Their new home now had access to a kitchen and bathroom inside the home. As
the elde l a delightedl said, Ne house ith e
ash oo – e e thi g is he e!
Another grateful villager was an older lady living alone. Her new home, like the others, now included
a bathroom and a sink that were in the back of the home, with a small section for a kitchen in the
main space.
This elderly lady was paralysed from her hips down due to health problems. She explained that
because everything is now accessible within her new home, she can live on her own and support her
everyday activities. Although she is often reliant on other people of the village she is happy that she
does t eed to depe d o he eigh ou s all of the ti e, gi i g he a e life. He e ho e has
given her self-
o fide e that she did t ha e i the old illage.
The community of Tukuraki continues to have memories of the mudslide which haunt them, but they
are no longer living in fear, thanks to the Government of Fiji and the European Union supporting
them in their hour of need."
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3.4. Enlargement
3.4.1 Introduction
The Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA II) aims at helping beneficiaries in adopting and
implementing the political, institutional, legal, administrative, social and economic reforms required
in order to comply with the Union's values and to progressively align to the Union's rules, standards,
policies and practices, with a view to Union membership. Current beneficiaries are: Albania, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Kosovo*
100
, Montenegro, Serbia, and
Turkey. In the period 2014-2020 the envelope for supporting preparation for accession as well as
regional and cross-border cooperation reaches about EUR 12.8 billion.
In 2017, eight annual action programmes, including a multi-country programme, were adopted for a
total alue of a out EUR
illio . The Co
issio s fi a ial assista e e ai ed fo used o the
fundamental reforms, including a strong emphasis on the rule of law, fundamental rights and civil
society, economic governance and socio-economic development, as well as improved good
neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans region with a view to overcoming the legacy of the
past.
The Commission also continued to implement a significant migration assistance package. An
additional EUR 30 million was allocated in 2017 to support in particular Serbia and the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in managing migration flows. At the same time, existing
programmes have been re-calibrated in order to respond to changing needs on the ground.
In 2017, the implementation of the sector approach has continued. Since the beginning of IPA II in
2014, the sector approach has produced a strong improvement in the programming process,
especially in terms of linking policy dialogue (among the institutions involved and between EU and
beneficiaries) and financial assistance. Its outcomes are visible in terms of institutional improvements
in various beneficiaries. A total of EUR 336 million has been committed in the period 2014-2017
under sector reform performance contracts with four enlargement beneficiaries, Albania, Kosovo,
Montenegro and Serbia, with a focus on public administration reform and public finance
management. Education, employment and border management also benefited from this approach.
Bosnia and Herzegovina and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia continued working with IPA
II based on an annual list of selected projects.
The effort and focus on performance and results-based management under IPA II has continued in
2017, in particular through training for IPA beneficiaries on performance frameworks, linking
programming to monitoring and evaluation.
3.4.2. Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination
In
Albania,
the EU Delegation and development partners including EU Member States are committed
to making full use of their respective comparative advantages at sector level by working together to
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*This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the
ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence
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harmonise approaches, strategies and procedures. The Delegation has periodically organised
consultations and information meetings with EU Member States, major development partners, Civil
Society Organisations (CSOs) and private sector regarding the preparation of the 2017 and 2018
action programmes. The Delegation has supported and actively participated in the consultation
processes of the government national sector strategies under the framework of the National Strategy
for Development and Integration (NSDI) 2015-2020 (e.g. transport, law enforcement, regional
development, decentralisation). Since 2015, a lead donor arrangement is implemented amongst the
EU Delegation and development partners to improve coordination among donors and achieve
complementarity and a more effective division of labour. The Lead Donor in a sector is committed to
supporting the Government of Albania in facilitating sector policy dialogue and aid coordination
among all stakeholders in the framework of the NSDI 2015-2020 and relevant sector strategies, as
well as the EU pre-accession agenda for Albania. The EU Delegation is currently the Lead Donor in the
sectors of good governance and public administration reform (PAR), public finance, justice and home
affairs; and employability, employment and skills. Following the elections in June 2017, the Ministry
of Finance and Economy is now responsible for overall donor coordination.
In Bosnia and Herzegovina,
the EU pursued its efforts towards the country government to develop,
adopt and implement PAR and public finance management (PFM) strategy at country level as well as
the more efficient and streamlined donor coordination. The first challenge has been to develop and
agree upon countrywide strategies (which includes performance assessment frameworks). The
government, with the support of the EU Delegation and development partners progressively
provides a more active role, through the mechanism of Donor Coordination Forum. The Ministry of
Finance and Treasury performs a role of technical secretariat and donors' assistance data collector
for an annual donor mapping report. In parallel, the Directorate for European Integration, performs a
donor coordinator's role in the IPA programming exercises. In specific sectors, such as agriculture and
rural development, the state level sector ministry (Ministry for Foreign Trade and Economic
Relations) led the donor coordination for the preparation of a strategy for agriculture and rural
development, whose adoption by the Council of Ministers in 2017 will enable access to future IPA
funding. For social, education and science the Ministry of Civil Affairs is the coordinator at state level.
In
the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia,
the EU Delegation and the National IPA Coordinator
invested efforts to enhance the sector approach in the management of IPA funds. Nine sector
working groups have been established to foster policy dialogue in the sectors. These are chaired by a
line Minister(s) and involve all relevant national authorities, key civil society organisations and
respective donors into a dialogue on sector priorities and targets, sector success indicators and
sector coordination. They are also the main sector mechanism for monitoring and assessing the
sector reforms. The sector approach is a major change of the institutional culture of the country, yet
the first results are very promising, notably as regards the improvement of the quality of an inclusive
policy dialogue. Sector groups also improved the interaction between the decision-makers of the
country and the donors. This allowed the EU to better shape its assistance focusing on priorities,
which are recognised as key, and mobilise more additional external resources and national funds.
In
Kosovo,
the coordination and complementarity between donors, in particular EU Member States,
on programming, implementation, monitoring and evaluations has constantly improved. The
requirement of adequate sectoral strategies (and sector planning documents in those areas where
st ategies a e issi g i o de to e efit f o IPA assista e is e fo ed s ste ati all
ith EU s
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beneficiaries. This has been the case for the preparation of the three laws package in the area of PAR
where a sector reform performance contract has been adopted. A similar approach has also been
employed in the rule of law and education sectors, with the resulting Functional Review of the
Ministry of Education, Science and Technology. The existence of strategies ensures the alignment of
all donors on the priorities identified by the Government of Kosovo.
In
Montenegro,
the PAR sector reform performance contract financed under the 2017 Action
Programme, aims to support the implementation of the country's PAR Strategy 2016-2020 with a
focus on optimizing the number of civil servants, enhancing human resources management,
improving the quality of public service delivery through simplification of procedures and increasing
the transparency of public services. The initiative, which has a budget of EUR 15 million, required
close cooperation of all actors active in this area. In view of that, a close dialogue among bilateral and
international donors was established. This cooperation led in turn to the development of a detailed
donor matrix which helped avoid duplications, enabled a division of labour among donors and
ensured synergies among different actions foreseen by all parties. This resulted in bringing about a
wider coverage of the sector and multiplying the effectiveness of the various actions.
In
Serbia,
reforms are geared towards EU accession as well as to the goals of the Agenda 2030 and
priorities are programmed accordingly. All major development partners are programming along the
same strategic framework. Further, the programming of IPA II is undertaken based on the sector
reform strategies of Serbia, and in full consultation and coordination with development partners
ensuring full coherence and complementarity of the support. The government plays an active role in
donor coordination. Ten sector working groups have been set up to coordinate donors in Serbia. The
EU Delegation is the lead donor for justice, home affairs, public administration reform, transport,
education, agriculture and rural development, as well as the sector relevant to civil society. Other
development partners are leading in the areas of environment and climate change, energy,
competitiveness and human resource development sector, with the participation of the EU.
In
Turkey,
the EU Delegation regularly organised consultations and information meetings with EU
Member States, International Financial Institutions (IFIs), development partners, CSOs and private
sector regarding programming and implementation of EU assistance. IFIs are very active with loan
programmes, particularly in sectors such as energy, private sector development, transport and
environment. The Council of Europe, OECD SIGMA, several UN agencies and other specialised
International Organisations are also active in Turkey, working on judicial reform, migration
management, employment and social policies. However, there is no regular donor coordination led
by the Turkish authorities; such regular meetings would be beneficial for the exchange of
information, experience, avoiding double funding and support for the sector approach. The Ministry
for EU Affairs is in charge of coordination for IPA. In parallel, for investment-related loans, the
Turkish Treasury has played a key role.
IPA II also finances assistance to Syrian refugees and host communities in the framework of the
EU
Facility for Refugees in Turkey.
Coordination of the actions takes place in the Steering Committee of
the EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey with the participation of EU Member States, Turkey,
Commission services and the EEAS. The European Parliament is also an observer in the meetings of
the Steering Committee. At country level, the EU Delegation in Ankara is in permanent contact with
the Turkish authorities (Prime Minister's Office, Disaster and Emergency Management Authority,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Directorate General for Migration Management among others).
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the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) supports socio-economic
development and EU accession across the Western Balkans region, through the provision of technical
assistance and financing grants for strategic projects in the fields of environment, energy, transport,
social infrastructure and private sector development. The WBIF seeks to maximise the impact of its
grant financing by joining forces with financial institutions providing loans to the projects it supports.
The WBIF e ei es allo atio s f o the Eu opea Co
issio s I st u e t fo P e-Accession
(IPA I
and IPA II), bilateral donor contribution as well as IFI grants and loans. The WBIF is a good example of
donor coordination and blending platform that ensures an optimal division of labour. This has also
been underlined by the mid-term evaluation of IPA II, which has emphasised the donor coordination
and leverage elements of the support through the WBIF.
At regional level,
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3.4.3. Examples of support to the implementation of the fundamentals of
Enlargement Policy
Albania
Empowering Roma and Egyptians
The IPA 2014 project "Economic and Social Empowerment for Roma and Egyptians - a booster for
so
ial i lusio ESERE p o otes the e o o i a d so ial e po e e t of t o o
u ities
featuring among the poorest, most marginalised and socially excluded groups in Albania, focusing on
the capital, Tirana, as well as the municipalities of Durres, Berat and Shkoder. The United Nations
Development Programme (UNDP) implements it. Its holistic approach combines a community-led
approach with support to the government national, regional and local levels, as well as support to
employability and entrepreneurship and improving access to basic services. It is particularly effective
at making a difference for both communities.
Its results include, under the employment and entrepreneurship support pillar, the fact that 361
Roma and Egyptians have been employed, and 34 families benefit from the Income Generation
Programme. As part of the second pillar on community-led development for Roma and Egyptian
inclusion, community members identified seven projects to upgrade the infrastructure.
The projects improve the neighbourhoods and living conditions of approximately 6000 Roma and
Egyptian individuals; 20 Roma and Egyptian NGOs have been supported with small grants, and four
Local Community Development Plans for Roma and Egyptian Inclusion have been drafted, three of
which are already adopted (in Durres, Berat and Shkoder). Under the pillar on improved access to
basic services, two models for inclusive education and desegregation developed, improving the
education outcome of 2300 Roma and Egyptian students. 786 Roma and Egyptians already enjoy
improved access to basic services, including civil registration, education, health and social care. 80
Roma and Egyptian adults are following primary education, with seven having completed the 9th
grade. The project's fourth pillar supports the Government of Albania in its efforts to achieve the
objectives set forth in the National Action Plan for the Integration of Roma and Egyptians (2016-
2020) at national, regional and local levels; under that pillar 190 public officials have been trained
and coached on the National Action Plan.
The implementation of the project started in January 2016 and will complete in December 2018.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Development and Employment in Bosnia and Herzegovina
The EUR 19 million EU Programme for Local Development and Employment assists economic
recovery of flood-affected areas, supports local economic development and local NGOs with social
development recovery assistance and provide structural employment enhancement measures
through integrated local development.
As a result of this programme the standard of living and local development will improve by increasing
employability of around 2 000 people and creating at least 620 new jobs in 22 municipalities.
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Ultimately, the project aims to improve the standards of living for more than 100 000 people in
Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
De ade of Belo gi g – Cele rati g Di ersity
In a context where communities are divided across ethnic lines and lack opportunities to develop
genuine interaction and regain trust among each other, the project aimed at building and sustain
multi-faceted and creative alliances among citizens, CSOs, public and private sector with aim of
achieving inclusive multi-ethnic societies.
The project successfully focused on the improvement of inter-community relations in the southwest
region, by enhancing the cooperation between CSOs, inter-ethnic councils, decision makers and the
private sector, creating trust among communities.
Kosovo
Implementing the
Go er
e t Strategy for Cooperatio
ith Ci il So iety
The EU funded project 'Support to the implementation of the Government Strategy for Cooperation
with Civil Society 2013-2017' has significantly contributed to advancing the level of governance,
introducing systematic consultations in decision making and enhancing transparency on the use of
public funds, with a new regulation setting criteria and procedures for public funding of NGOs.
Thanks to the EU project, the Government has published for the first time a comprehensive report
gathering information regarding funding institutions, beneficiary organisations and amounts
disbursed over the years 2015 and 2016.
Montenegro
Protection against gender-based violence
This project works to reinforce the capacities of civil society organisations to function as an active
watchdog in the fight against domestic violence at all levels. This approach is seen as a key way to
address this problem at its root, while also encouraging wider change and debate on these issues.
Financed through EIDHR funds this project of EUR 135 000 has a number of activities including,
outreach to decision makers with various objectives. This equally includes efforts to influence policy
making, increase transparency, while encouraging the authorities to participate in the development
of new practices. Additionally, this assistance supports wider outreach to specific groups and to the
general public, which is an integral part of bringing about change in this area.
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Serbia
European PROGRES in South East and South West Serbia
Over the last fifteen years, the EU funded over 900 local projects in South West and South East
Serbia, which have contributed to enhance local self-government performance, improve
infrastructure, and support social inclusion. European PROGRESS has led to the implementation of
254 local projects that facilitated the creation of 700 jobs, contributed to public and commercial
investments with over EUR 10 million, directly benefitted over 9 000 vulnerable people, and
improved living conditions for all citizens. This support illustrates very well the commitments of the
European Union as Serbia's biggest investor, trade partner and donor.
Turkey
The Facility for Refugees in Turkey
The EU Facility for Refugees in Turkey became operational in February 2016 and has mobilised EUR 3
billion both from the EU budget (EUR one billion) and contributions from Member States (EUR two
billion). The total budget of EUR three billion covers the period 2016-2017. The full envelope of the
Facility was committed, consisting of EUR 1.4 billion in humanitarian assistance and EUR 1.6 billion in
non-humanitarian assistance, and 72 projects were contracted by the end of 2017.
Under the humanitarian assistance strand of the Facility, 45 projects were contracted with 19
partners, covering basic needs, protection, education and health. The EU addressed the needs of
particularly vulnerable refugees via the Emergency Social Safety Net benefitting 1.2 million of the
most vulnerable refugees. The Conditional Cash Transfer for Education programme was launched in
2017 and is the largest ever Education in Emergencies programme financed by the EU, facilitating
access for refugee populations to formal education systems. As of February 2018, over 266 000
children attended school and their families received financial support through this programme.
Under the long-term development strand of the Facility, 27 projects were contracted and focus on
supporting longer-term livelihoods, socio-economic and educational perspectives of refugees. Since
October 2016, a EUR 300 million grant
–
implemented in cooperation with the Turkish Ministry of
National Education
–
supports the integration of Syrian children into the Turkish education system
providing access to education to 500 000 children. In addition, working with the Turkish Ministry of
Health, the Facility has delivered EUR 300 million in aid to ensure refugees can access healthcare
services, with 760 000 primary health care consultations carried out and over 217 000 Syrian refugee
children vaccinated so far.
Further
information
on
the
enlargement/news_corner/migration
Facility
here:
https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-
Regional cooperation
The Connectivity Agenda
The Connectivity Agenda launched in 2014 in Berlin supports concrete investments in WB6 transport
and energy networks for creating a regional environment conducive to economic growth and job
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creation. The investment works are accompanied by reform measures that would enable the
development of a single WB6 electricity market and improved regulations linked to the transport
sector. The investments are driven by the European Commission via the WBIF, with significant
support from individual EU MS, bilateral donors, and partner financial institutions. It has become a
major platform of communication and cooperation between the Western Balkans and the EU, on
issues of common interest and challenges.
At the Western Balkan summit that took place in Trieste in July 2017, a connectivity package was
approved with EUR 194 million EU grants leveraging investments of EUR 500 million, for seven new
regional projects to improve transport and energy links within the Western Balkans and with the EU.
This comes in addition to 24 priority projects already agreed in order to build the Core transport
network and corridors, and to implement priority electricity and gas projects. The connectivity
agenda leveraged so far EUR 1.4 billion of investment in areas such as railways modernisation,
motorway connections, inter-modal transport, or electricity transport and interconnection. At the
same time, the agenda supports the implementation of national reforms to remove obstacles to the
movement of persons and goods, and to improve intra-regional trade.
Cross-border cooperation
Dynamic Alps-ViP Dinarica promotes tourism on the border
Via Peaks of Di a i Alps – ViP Di a i a is a p oje t fu ded
the CBC P og a
e et ee
Montenegro and Kosovo (the EU contribution is worth EUR 406 082) which created new cross-border
adventure travel products, consisting of two continuous trails and new services for hiking and biking
for 600 km. These trails connect three National Parks of Montenegro
–
Durmitor, Biogradska Gora
and Prokletije -with the National Park Bjeshket e Nemuna / Prokletije in Kosovo. The project
contributed to the establishment of the continuous hiking and biking mega trail of Via Dinarica that
goes through Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro, Kosovo and Albania, and passes through
National Parks, numerous authentic villages and municipalities with an exciting variety of breath-
taking landscapes. The visitors are offered with a wide range of activities, natural beauties,
traditional products and a unique cultural heritage. This approach highly contributes to strengthening
tourist stakeholders' networking and setting the conditions for longer tourist stays in the entire
Western Balkans region, producing direct positive impact on the local communities.
3.4.4. Implementation
Albania
In 2017, key priorities for financial assistance included public financial management, public
administration reform, justice reform, home affairs, and employment and skills.
In the area of public finance management, a sector reform performance contract contributed in
particular to the implementation of the revised budget law, the amendment of the Public
Procurement Law, and increasing capacity in newly created units within the Ministry of Finance and
Economy (PFM reform coordination Directorate, Fiscal Risk Unit, Central Harmonisation Unit).
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In the area of public administration reform (PAR), a sector reform performance contract supported
the implementation of the PAR strategy. Further activities supported the territorial reform,
professional development in the civil service through training of young civil servants, and the
finalisation and adoption of the commentary to the Code of Administrative procedures. Support was
also given to the further automation of services provided by the state, to an improved service
delivery to citizens and businesses, as well as to the development of a regulatory impact assessment
methodology for policy planning.
Among other technical assistance measures, the Commission supported the implementation of the
justice reform also through the deployment of an International Monitoring Operation that monitors
the temporary re-evaluation (vetting) of Albanian judges and prosecutors. The inception mission
occurred in July 2017 and the first international observers were deployed as from September 2017.
There are currently over fifty staff members deployed in this framework.
In the home affairs sector, the consolidation of law enforcement agencies project (PAMECA)
supported the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the State Police and the prosecutor offices in their fight
against organised crime and drug trafficking and responded to local community needs in terms of
public security and border management challenges relating to flow of migrants and asylum seekers.
In the area of employment and skills, a sector reform performance contract supported the
implementation of the Albanian Strategy for Employment and Skills 2014-2020. Employment services
have been strengthened, and services for information, counselling and mediation and their outreach
have significantly improved. Vulnerable groups in the labour market benefit from additional
assistance to meet their needs. The share of trained Technical and Vocational Education and Training
(TVET) teachers/instructor has increased. The monitoring system for reporting on Roma and
Egyptians citizens who completed vocational training courses in public vocational training centres
and who benefited from Employment Promotion Programmes also started. The new law on the
establishment of multifunctional TVET Centres has been adopted and a tracer system for all TVET
graduates is in place.
Bosnia and Herzegovina
In 2017, the EU continued to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in implementation of its Reform
Agenda 2015-2018 and in advancing in approximation to EU acquis in the different sectors. In the
area of democracy and governance, support to the public administration reform and public financial
management continued through the regionally funded OECD Support for Improvement in
Governance and Management (SIGMA) programme. The capacity of Parliaments in Bosnia and
Herzegovina at all levels was strengthened to scrutinize the legal approximation process and to
create space for debate with the citizens on the EU integration process. Involvement of civil society
in the EU integration process was supported through capacity building and improved sector-level
coordination of CSOs.
Strengthening the rule of law continued with further capacity building to enhance the effectiveness,
accountability and efficiency of the judiciary and the fight against corruption. Bosnia and
Herzegovina's policies and practices on prisons were further harmonised with European standards,
contributing to raising standards in secu
it a d the espe t of p iso e s hu a ights. Te h i al
assistance delivered to the Judicial and Prosecutorial Training Centres in each entity contributed to
improving the quality of training provided to judges and prosecutors.
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The EU continued supporting the International Commission on Missing Persons to address the
persisting challenges of transitional justice from the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. In parallel, the
judiciary's capacity to process war crimes was strengthened through support to salaries and material
costs of courts and prosecutor's offices all around Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The EU Programme for Local Development and Employment supported economic recovery of flood
affected areas by making a transition from flood recovery to development, promoted social inclusion
and provided structural measures to enhance employment at the local level by providing
opportunities for creation of new jobs. In the area of employment, EU support improved the work of
labour market institutions and contributed to reduction of the number of active job seekers.
The continued lack of countrywide strategies in key sectors such as environment, agriculture and
rural development as well as energy, prevented the extension of IPA II to these sectors in 2017. Some
progress was made in 2017, when following the adoption of the Transport Framework Strategy 2016-
2030 in July 2016, a substantial amount of funds could be allocated to this sector. Furthermore, the
adoption of the Environmental Approximation Strategy in 2017 and the Rural Development Strategy
in early 2018 shall allow considering support to these sectors as of 2018.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia
Until the middle of 2017, due to the lasting political crisis, the lack of political commitment impeded
the implementation of IPA. Finalisation and adoption of key strategies was pending, in particular in
the areas of justice, Public Administration Reform and Public Financing Management, putting at risk
the effectiveness of pre-accession assistance. With the early parliamentary elections in December
2016, the country has overcome the political crisis and the new reform-oriented government has
taken noticeable steps to advance the implementation of the "Urgent Reform Priorities", including
through its "3-6-9 plan" for the initial phase of reforms. It has shown political will to bring the country
firmly back on its EU path.
As a result of a changed momentum, in 2017 the Commission has programmed the highest IPA
envelope to the country so far under IPA II. In total, together with other programmes such as the Civil
Society Facility and the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance in Rural Development (IPARD), the
EU allocated EUR 82 million to support the country on its EU integration path in 2017.
The EU has continued to support the country in dealing with the migration crisis. A new significant
migration assistance package has been designed: an additional EUR 30 million was allocated in 2017
to support in particular Serbia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in managing the
migration flows, and existing programmes have been re-calibrated in order to respond to changing
needs on the ground.
Kosovo
In 2017, democracy and governance, rule of law and fundamental rights, competitiveness and
innovation and education, employment and social policies were identified as priority sectors in
Kosovo. These sectors were selected based on their level of preparedness, the beneficiary's
commitment to reform and the absorption capacity of the beneficiary institutions. A sector reform
performance contract amounting to EUR 25 million was adopted in the area of Public Finance
Management (PFM). It is aimed at supporting the implementation of Kosovo's PFM Reform Strategy
2016-2020. The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to sound financial management
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and improved service delivery in Kosovo through improved fiscal discipline and strategic allocation of
resources.
In Kosovo, the main tool for planning, coordinating and monitoring EU related reforms are the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA), which entered into force in April 2016, and Kosovo's
updated 2018-2022 Programme for its implementation. However, much of the programme is lagging
behind. In November 2016, the Kosovo Government launched the European Reform Agenda (ERA),
together with the European Commission, showing a political commitment to implement the SAA and
maximise its benefits. The ERA action plan was adopted by the Assembly, but its implementation has
lagged behind. In 2017, Kosovo submitted its third Economic Reform Programme to the Commission.
Montenegro
In 2017, IPA funds were allocated to democracy and the rule of law areas. They were delivered
through a sector reform performance contract of EUR 15 million that focused on public
administration reform and public finance management. Funds also focused on a programme in
transport under competitiveness and growth objective. Additional support was provided to
education, employment and social policies.
Ongoing programmes from previous years continued on a range of sectors including transport,
environment, and agriculture. Social programmes continued to address the integration of Roma and
other vulnerable groups while integrated border management sector reform performance contract
helped build capacity for the protection and management of Montenegro's borders.
Serbia
In the 2017 programme, three priority sectors were identified for IPA financing: democracy and
governance, rule of law and fundamental rights (in particular justice) and environment, climate
change and energy. Support was also allocated to general capacity building in the context of the
accession negotiations and to the preparation and implementation of investments and participation
in EU programmes.
Assistance to the education sector has been stepped up with the signature of a EUR 27.4 million
sector reform performance contract. This will support the improvement of the quality, equity, and
relevance of education and training system, including specific issues linked to education needs of
minorities and Roma, in order to better match the needs of the labour market, as well as to
progressively align to the European Union standards, policy and practice. Likewise, the sector reform
performance contract on Integrated Border Management has started supporting the implementation
of Serbia's new strategy that contributes to improving the transit of goods and people, while at the
same time keeping it well controlled and secured from any illegal activities.
In 2017, EUR 21 million were provided through the EU Regional Trust Fund in response to the Syrian
crisis in support to the reception/asylum centres, the staff working on the field, the voluntary return
mechanism and health support. In parallel DG ECHO ensured the provision of food and protection to
the migrants. The EU is also working with the Serbian authorities to fight smuggling and trafficking,
and funding has been allocated to reinforce border control and to fight irregular migration. In total,
the EU has provided so far EUR 80 million to Serbia in the context of the migration crisis.
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Turkey
Regarding IPA financial assistance in Turkey, in 2017, the Commission further reoriented funding
towards the rule of law, fundamental rights and civil society and recentralised the management of
support to civil society. The overall amount of IPA assistance was also cut, and it reached EUR 493
million, combining annual and multiannual programmes. The annual action programme for 2017,
adopted in November 2017, foresees EUR 123.1 million to support activities on fundamental rights
and the rule of law and co-finance Turkey's participation in Union programmes and agencies in order
to continue to enhance people-to-people contacts between Turkey and the EU. It also includes EUR
18 million to support civil society. The EU 2017 allocation for the four multi-annual action
programmes on environment and climate action, education, employment and social policies,
competitiveness and innovation and transport amounted to EUR 221.5 million. Funding for these
programmes was reduced by EUR 89 million compared to the indicative figure envisaged earlier.
Regional cooperation
During 2017, regional cooperation continued to be promoted between the countries of the
enlargement zone, with particular focus on the enhanced Western Balkans cooperation (WB6), the
'Berlin process' and the Connectivity agenda
–
the strategic / policy perspectives and the
programming/project support.
Continued progress has been achieved on the Connectivity agenda and main achievements could be
recorded on the occasion of the Western Balkan summit hosted by Italy in Trieste on 12 July: a
connectivity package of seven new regional projects (totalling EUR 194 million EU in grants, and
leveraging investments of EUR 500 million) to improve transport and energy links within the Western
Balkans and with the EU; a substantial and more positive agenda for young people; the creation of a
Regional Economic Area; advancement on infrastructure measures linked to the connectivity agenda;
and the successful signing of the Transport Community Treaty.
There has been notable progress in the framework of the WB6 at working level, with increased
dialogue at the level of Prime Ministers and advisors, Ministers of transport, energy and foreign
affairs, on practical matters and reform measures. There is more moderate progress in the
implementation of connectivity reform measures for energy and transport which were agreed in
Vienna.
The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) operational set-up has been further improved,
with a stronger focus on strategic policy priorities (SMEs and social development), better national
planning and priority setting of individual investment projects, and a more in-depth cooperation with
other donors and IFIs. A strong focus on implementation of the 2015 connectivity package resulted in
several ground-breaking and high-level regional visibility events, involving high-level representation
from all WB6 countries and from the European Commission. Further regional integration actions
were also pursued in particular on a regional gas master plan, and on a regional strategy for
sustainable hydropower in the Western Balkans.
The Civil Society Facility (CSF) continued providing support to around 45 regional networks of Civil
Society Organisations (CSOs) covering almost all the main sectors of the EU acquis. A mid-term
evaluation of the CSF has been conducted. Lessons learnt and recommendations are analysed to
programme the remaining part of the financial period. A call for proposals for regional thematic
networks was launched, and it is being contracted. In a related social sector, there is positive
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progress on the preparation and finalisation of the second and final phase of the Regional Housing
Programme in close cooperation with the stakeholders to ensure needs-based beneficiary selection
and sustainability. The Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) was stablished in 2017 as an
independently functioning institutional mechanism which includes six Western Balkans participants,
aiming to promote the spirit of reconciliation and cooperation between youth in the region through
youth exchange programmes. RYCO's first call for proposals was launched in December 2017 with
more than 400 applications for an allocation of a total of EUR 900 000 to cover 30-40 projects.
In 2017, a regional programme started, "Ending violence against women in the Western Balkan
Cou t ies a d Tu ke . I ple e ti g No , Cha gi g i ds i ple e ted" € Millio € . The
programme aims at reducing discrimination and violence in alignment with CEDAW, Istanbul
Convention and EU accession standards. In addition, a study to assess gender equality in public
administration in Western Balkans was finalised.
Work has also advanced in the development of a security / counter-terrorism agenda in the Western
Balkans, in close co-ope
atio ith EU s pa t e s i the egio .
Cross-border cooperation
A number of cross-border cooperation programmes are ongoing in the Western Balkans and Turkey.
In 2017, most of the eleven Cross-Border Cooperation (CBC) Programmes 2007-2013 between
Western Balkans beneficiaries (i.e. at intra-Western Balkan borders) were still under implementation.
In 2017, eight bilateral CBC programmes for the period 2014-2020 between Western Balkans
beneficiaries launched the first round of calls for proposals and the first CBC grant agreements were
signed. The new bilateral CBC programme 2016-2020 between Serbia and the former Yugoslav
Republic of Macedonia started the preparation for the implementation phase (e.g. setting of joint
structures and drafting of bilateral arrangement between the two partner Countries).
The Western Balkans participate, also, in ten cross-border cooperation programmes and four
transnational programs with Member States.
The thematic priorities of CBC programmes in the Western Balkans include tourism, cultural and
natural heritage, environmental protection, employment, mobility and social inclusion.
Turkey has a bilateral CBC programme with Bulgaria, to support economic, social and territorial
development in their common border areas. It also continues to participate in the Black Sea
programme.
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2008294_0257.png
3.5. European Neighbourhood
3.5.1. European Neighbourhood East
3.5.1.1.
Introduction (Policy developments)
During 2017, the EU continued to develop the Eastern Partnership (EaP) firmly based on common
values, mutual interests, shared ownership, responsibility, differentiation and mutual accountability
to deliver tangible results.
The year was marked by progress in bilateral relations: The Association Agreement with Ukraine was
ratified by all EU Member States and entered into force on 1 September, while the Comprehensive
and Enhanced Partnership Agreement with Armenia was signed in the margins of the EaP Summit on
24 November, giving new impetus to the reform processes. The negotiations on a new Agreement
with Azerbaijan to update the current agreement which was concluded in 1996 were also launched in
February. The critical engagement with Belarus progressed as the high-level meetings steering
cooperation gathered pace, while the European Investment Bank started its operations in Belarus
under its recently extended mandate. The visa liberalisation for Georgian nationals entered into force
in March and for Ukrainian nationals in June.
The work of the multilateral dimension culminated at the aforementioned Summit in Brussels where
the Heads of State and Government committed themselves to implement a strategic and ambitious
work plan for the coming period: reforms which are captured in the 20 Deliverables for 2020
document
101
. In sectoral cooperation, the Summit participants recommitted themselves to focus on
results in four key priority areas: strengthening institutions and good governance; economic
development and market opportunities; connectivity, energy efficiency, environment and climate
change; and mobility and people to people contacts. Furthermore, three horizontal deliverables will
be pursued: gender; strategic communication; and civil society.
3.5.1.2.
Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination
In 2017 the ongoing Joint Programming processes in the region continued their momentum notably
in Armenia, Georgia, and Moldova.
In Armenia, the Joint Programming, building on the joint analysis established in 2016, has helped
inform the preparation of the new Armenia Development Strategy 2030 as well as the Single Support
Framework 2017-2020. The Joint Programming focuses on 23 sectors, which largely are in line with
the priority sectors identified in the governmental Armenian Development Strategy. In 2017, work
has been ongoing to extend the endorsement of the joint analysis at sector level within the
de elop e t pa t e s o
u it ; so fa ,
of the
ha e ee e do sed. The joi t a al sis as
positively welcomed by the Government and development partners and is the cornerstone of the
future design of EU bilateral support to Armenia.
101
https://eeas.europa.eu/sites/eeas/files/20_deliverables_for_2020.pdf
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In Georgia, the Joint Programming process and notably the joint European analysis finalised in April
2017 guided and informed the choice of priority areas for the Single Support Framework (2017-
2020). This established the strategic framework, key results and indicative financial allocations for
the EU's bilateral cooperation with Georgia until 2020, which was adopted in December 2017.
For Moldova, the Commission adopted the Single Support Framework (2017-2020) in September
2017. Furthermore, the Joint Programming process led to the finalisation of a Joint Programming
Document in November 2017. That process has enhanced the exchange of data between European
partners and has improved the coherence of European policy dialogue in the country. In the absence
of a lassi al di isio of la ou at ou t le el the Joi t P og a
i g has also ota l u de pi ed
and strengthened coordination efforts during the year.
I Aze aija , the EU suppo ted the go e
e t s a ti e ole i do o oo dination
in the sectors of
agriculture and education. The EU made efforts to align its cooperation with the national reform
agenda (Economic Reforms Roadmap adopted in December 2016). Joint programming in Azerbaijan
has focused on vocational education and training where a number of partners, including EU Member
States and others such as Norway and Switzerland, are active and the implementation of a related
roadmap continued in 2017.
In Belarus, regular exchanges on policy analysis and coordination continued with EU Member States
and other donors, informed by the joint analysis undertaken in 2016.
In Ukraine donor coordination continued to take place in various formats, both government and
donor led, depending on the thematic area. Coordination with Member States continues to be re-
enforced notably through joint implementation at sector level. In 2017 joint implementation
modalities in the areas of energy efficiency, PFM and Support for the East were finalised.
Donor coordination is also part of discussions under the Eastern Partnership Platforms and Panels,
enabling a more strategic and coordinated support to the partner countries. Efforts were made to
improve coordination with International Financial Institutions (IFIs), be it through coordination
meetings or joint missions, such as on the energy efficiency initiative led by Commissioner Hahn. The
multi-donor Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency and Environment Partnership (E5P) has extended its
geographic coverage to Belarus, with a fresh contribution being provided from the EU, which
remained the fund's major contributor.
3.5.1.3.
Working towards People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership
Principally guided by the revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the priorities established
at the Eastern Partnership (EaP) Summit in Riga in 2015, the EU's relations with its eastern
neighbours are well aligned with and support the implementation of key global policy goals set by
the UN 2030 SDGs and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Commitments made as part of these
two documents have served as a reference for shaping the 20 key deliverables for 2020, which were
endorsed at the Eastern Partnership Summit in November 2017. The thematic coverage of these
deliverables corresponds to the SDGs and their targets. To enable implementation, a policy dialogue
and progress monitoring framework was put in place. The aim is to mobilise both technical expertise
and senior officials' involvement in a process that would accelerate actions in the next phase of the
Eastern Partnership until 2020.
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2008294_0259.png
The Commission is actively collaborating with stakeholders in the European neighbour countries in
their transition from analogue to digital. Within this context, technical support and capacity building
were offered to Enlargement and Eastern Partnership countries on the establishment of open data
infrastructures, in accordance with the INSPIRE and PSI Directives. During the 2017 Annual INSPIRE
conference, a workshop was co-organised by the World Bank, the UN Economic Commission for
Europe (UNECE), the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) and the
Commission services. The workshop explored challenges and possibilities related with data driven
economy in Central and Eastern Europe under the umbrella of the recently published
102
Co
u i atio o Buildi g a Eu opea Data E o o
. Particular emphasis was put on good
practices that, if re-used and extended, can further foster innovation and intensify growth.
EU4Business: Supporting SME development in the Eastern Partnership
Context
The Eu opea U io s
EU4Business initiative is an umbrella initiative that covers all EU activities
supporting SMEs in the Eastern Partnership countries. The EU believes that SMEs are a key ingredient
of economic life. In the Eastern Partnership region, SMEs represent between 83 % and 99 % of all
firms, and account for 50 % of all jobs.
Objectives
EU4Business programmes aim to provide SMEs with:
Access to finance including local-currency loans, finance for export-related investments or to
adapt to EU standards, support for women entrepreneurs and start-ups.
Access to markets through investment loans for equipment, technology and infrastructure,
business advice, export training and networking opportunities, cluster development and trade
missions to EU markets.
Access to knowledge, through advisory services, consultancy and technical support, and tailored
trainings to support skills development.
Through its DCFTA Facility, EU4Business provides additional support to SMEs in countries that have
signed an Association Agreement, including a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA)
with the EU including help to:
Adapt to new market requirements.
Invest in new equipment to comply with EU rules and requirements.
Take advantage of new EU export opportunities.
Impact
SMEs in the Eastern Partner countries have access to local currency loans, enabling investment in
equipment, technology and infrastructure to improve production, competitiveness and export
readiness, thus driving economic growth and employment; targeted loan facilities specifically
support women entrepreneurs, start-ups and local micro-enterprises.
102
COM(2017) 9 final, 10.1.2017
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2008294_0260.png
SMEs, especially those in the DCFTA countries, are supported in streamlining and adapting their
business to compete in EU export markets, with export training, as well as funding for export-
related investments and advisory services to meet EU quality standards and market
requirements; agricultural and food industries are supported to take advantage of the
opportunities of EU markets.
SMEs become more competitive on both local and international markets through advisory
support on human resources, IT and management, as well as training and consultancy to improve
entrepreneurial skills; local business consultancy skills and business support services are
improved to ensure sustainable development of SME sector.
A more business friendly environment is created through support to national SME support
programmes, private sector reform, a reduction in red tape and the introduction of clearer and
more transparent business regulations.
Currently, 43 projects in six countries (regional and bilateral) with 22 implementing partners
Almost EUR 320 million in EU support for ongoing projects.
From 2009 to 2016 the EU support triggered more than EUR 1.5 billion in loans from partner
banks to SMEs, supported 110 000 SMEs, created 10 000 new jobs and trained 20 000 people.
With ode e uip e t a d Eu opea sta da ds i
-house, we hope to be tasked with the
construction of highways and roads for better connectivity, and to play our modest part in boosting
t ade a d p ospe ity fo the good of ou ou t y,
says Ioseb Gadelia, founder of Indico, a road
construction company based in Senaki, Western Georgia.
The Covenant of Mayors East
Context
The EU s Co
enant of Mayors (CoM) initiative supports municipalities in Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in implementation of their energy and climate commitments.
By providing targeted grants to municipal projects, the EU contributes to their target to cut CO2
emissions by 30 % by 2030, in turn helping municipalities across the region to step up efforts to
implement the Paris Agreement.
Objectives
The Covenant of Mayors East (CoM East) provides support to municipalities in the Eastern
Partnership countries in developing and implementing Sustainable Energy and Climate Action
Plans, or SE(C)APs.
These Plans are the key documents of local energy and climate policy that set out how each
municipality will reach its CO2 reduction target and increase resilience to the impact of climate
change.
Impact
More than 300 municipalities in the Eastern Partnership region have signed up to the CoM.
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2008294_0261.png
Warm schools and kindergartens
Context
Municipalities across the region have shown their ambition to join the world's largest energy and
climate initiative
–
the Covenant of Mayors - as they have been eagerly signing up to the target of a
20 % CO2 emission cut by 2020. However, they often lack the resources and technical expertise to
implement their commitments, especially to upgrade old Soviet-era infrastructure. This has been
challenging especially in areas of district heating, kindergartens and schools, street lighting and
introducing renewable energy sources for heating.
Objectives
To support municipalities in Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine to
decrease their CO2 emissions, improve living conditions for their citizens, and substantially save
public funds which can then be re-invested for the benefit of all.
Impact
Energy savings and lower energy bills for have been facilitated for schools, kindergartens, and
hospitals. through insulation of walls, replacement of windows and entrance doors and
introduction of renewable heating sources.
Significantly reduced CO2 emissions in participating cities through building refurbishment;
upgrading of district heating systems, introducing energy-efficient street lighting and upgrading
of public transport has been achieved.
Reduced energy consumption in public buildings and as a result reduced operational costs and
energy bills for municipalities and thus citizens.
Improved living conditions for citizens, for example, through improving energy efficiency in waste
water systems.
In total grants to municipalities of EUR 14 million to support 19 projects involving 22
municipalities throughout the Eastern Partnership region.
Thanks to the thermal modernisation of Kindergarten No. 3 in Zmerynka, Ukraine, the
kindergarten is able to cut its CO2 emissions by 50.4 tons per year– equivalent to the emissions
of 108 cars!
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2008294_0262.png
No
e a keep the te pe atu e i the uildi g at
ºC i the i te . We set the te pe atu e
ou sel es a d o t ol the hu idit .
Nataliya Khudoliy, director of Kindergarten No. 3 (pictured
above).
3.5.1.4.
Implementation
Bilateral Cooperation Including Budget Support
Armenia
For Armenia, the year 2017 marked a significant evolution in EU-Armenia relations: firstly, a new
Comprehensive Enhanced Partnership Agreement was signed, and secondly, two strategic
documents were finalised: the Partnership Priorities and the Single Support Framework (2017-20). In
this context, the EU continued to provide support in the various sectors, for example. on labour
market efficiency, regional development, agriculture, justice sector reform, e-governance,
strengthening of civil society, public administration reform and border management and migration.
In particular, the EU support helped to achieve higher levels of transparency in the April 2017
National Assembly elections through procurement of voter identification devices and other technical
support to the Central Election Committee. EU budget support on human rights helped advance the
adoption of a law on preventing and combating domestic violence in December 2017.
Growth and economic development have been at the heart of the bilateral cooperation between the
EU and Armenia, including improving the business and investment climate for SMEs as well as their
access to finance. The EU has also supported the economic competitiveness of Armenian regions by
assisting in the preparation of the Armenian Strategy for Regional Development and by launching a
Pilot Regional Development Programme scheme, supporting economic and social, territorially
balanced and sustainable development of all Armenian regions.
The EU, mainly via its Delegation, has actively engaged in high-level and technical discussions in the
field of protection of human rights, supporting the implementation of a Human Rights budget
support programme on improving the electoral system, the fight against torture, the fight against
discrimination, gender equality and the protection of children's rights.
In 2017 the EU support to Armenia focused on three areas. Firstly, economic governance to attract
public and private investment, business and investment, trade and market opportunities and
connectivity and energy, in line with the newly signed Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership
Agreement (CEPA). Secondly the quality of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics)
with the Eu4Innovation programme with the aim of enhancing qualifications and job creation. Thirdly
the justice reform process to strengthen the independence, transparency, predictability,
accountability and efficiency of the Armenian justice system.
Regarding budget support, during 2017 there were five ongoing budget support programmes (with a
total multi-annual value of EUR 107 million) on human rights, multi-sector, public finance policy
reform, Better Service Delivery through a More Efficient and Responsive Public Administration (PAR),
and better qualifications for better jobs and support to agriculture and rural development (ENPARD).
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Azerbaijan
For Azerbaijan, the negotiations for a new agreement and Partnership Priorities were ongoing during
the year and the Single Support Framework for EU support to Azerbaijan in 2018-2020 was under
preparation. In this context, the EU continued support mainly in three areas: economic
diversification, human capital and regional development. One example is the new EU programme
supporting the region of Lankaran (EU4Lankaran) by enhancing the competitiveness of the fruit and
vegetable sector of the region and agricultural development.
The EU also continued to support the government's reform agenda in areas such as agriculture/food
safety, trade and standards, SME development, rule of law and vocational and educational training
including through active use of the Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument
(TAIEX). In collaboration with the Council of Europe, the EU supported a dialogue between
go e
e t a d i il so iet o Aze aija s CSO legislatio , ith the ai of alig i g it ith the
ou t s i ternational
commitments.
As in previous years, the twinning instrument has remained a successful tool in supporting the
Government's efforts to modernise its administration and to approximate to European standards and
practices in selected sectors. The findings of the EU-Azerbaijan Business Climate Survey 2017 are
helpful in guiding cooperation between the two sides in the trade and related areas.
Regarding budget support, during 2017 there was one ongoing budget support programme (with a
total multi-annual value of EUR 20 million) on rural development.
Belarus
For Belarus, the positive trend in relations and cooperation between the EU and Belarus continued in
2017: the EU and Belarus advanced negotiations on the Partnership Priorities, a strategic document
outlining the basis for cooperation and the first document of this kind between the EU and Belarus. It
will contribute to a further normalisation of relations and, once adopted, also the Single Support
Framework (2018-2020) can be finalised. In this context, the EU support focused mainly in three
areas. First business and economic development, in order to help simplify the business procedures
and improve the business climate to promote investment and trade, as well as to support structural
reforms in the state-owned enterprise sector. Secondly, good governance, to foster an inclusive long-
term dialogue between the authorities and civil society, and to increase the participatory system of
governance and ownership of society. Third, mobility and people-to-people contact, to provide more
Belarusian professionals the opportunity to establish contacts with peer sector professionals in EU
Member States. In 2017, a new cooperation track was opened in Belarus, with the launch of the first
Twinning project allowing Belarusian counterparts to benefit from the transfer of expertise from EU
Member States.
Belarus has been eligible since 2016 to access EIB lending and a facilitated EBRD approach. In 2017,
the EU pledged to provide financial support for Belarus to join the Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency
and Environment Partnership (E5P), a multi-donor trust-fund managed by the EBRD, which facilitates
investments to implement municipal sector projects that would improve energy efficiency and
environmental protection and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
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Georgia
The European Union and Georgia have further intensified their relations in 2017. The entry into application
of visa free travel to the Schengen area for short stays on 28 March 2017, and the accession of Georgia
to the Energy Community Treaty as full contracting party in July 2017 were important milestones
bringing the EU and Georgia closer.
The revised Association Agenda and the Single Support Framework (SSF) defining the priorities and
financial allocation for EU support until 2020 were adopted respectively in November and December
2017. The new SSF contributes to the implementation of the Association Agreement and to
supporting key structural and institutional reforms in the field of the economic and business
environment. This is in line with Georgian reform agenda and will help Georgia to obtain sustained
growth and jobs and maximise the benefits provided by the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Area (DCFTA).
EU support has been instrumental in adopting over 7 000 European standards in the areas of health,
safety and environmental protection resulting in a visible increase in Georgia's exports to the EU.
Significant achievements have been made in phytosanitary policy and legislation. In June 2017
Georgian origin Black Sea fishery products were declared eligible for export to the EU market,
following honey and raw wool. Additional efforts are required in view of further enhancing food
safety in the country but also to support effective access to the EU market for agricultural products.
According to the latest survey by the World Economic Forum on business perception, the perceived
level of judicial independence in Georgia is above average but decreasing. A first comprehensive
Judiciary Strategy and its five-year Action Plan were adopted in May 2017. An effective state and
justice apparatus is crucial not only to fulfil Georgia's reform aspirations, but also to gain citizens and
investors' confidence. Access to justice is facilitated through the establishment of a governmental
legal aid service, which has provided over 175 000 Georgians with free legal counselling and aid. The
EU has provided considerable support in this area through EU4Justice.
EU support on public finance policy reform aims to make Georgian finances more transparent and
accountable to its citizens. This is having a positive impact: according to the international Budget
Partnership's Open Budget Index 2017 (the world's only independent, comparative measure of
central government budget transparency), Georgia ranks in 5th position, advancing 28 places
compared to 2012.
Georgia has made the reform of its education system one of its central government priorities for the
coming years. EU support focuses on establishing a greater link between the education system, the
labour market and the economy. In addition, support is also being provided to the EU-Georgia Mobility
Partnership and the sustained implementation of all benchmarks of the Visa Liberalisation Action Plan.
Regarding budget support, during 2017 there were eight ongoing budget support programmes (with a
total multi-annual value of EUR 278 million including the technical assistance component) on Justice,
DCFTA and SMEs, Public Administration Reform, Employment and Vocational Education and Training,
PFM, Regional Development, Agriculture and Rural Development (ENPARD II) and IDPs (Internally
Displaced People).
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Moldova
In 2017, the Republic of Moldova stabilised its economic situation and, with constant but conditional
support from the European Union and other international partners, has progressed with the
implementation of some reforms, including strengthening the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade
Area (DCFTA). Further efforts, however, are still needed in particular to address high level corruption,
recover misappropriated funds from the banking fraud and bring to justice those responsible for it. A
thorough reform of the judicial system is also to be addressed.
The Republic of Moldova has also continued to reform its banking sector, supported by the EU and
international partners such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank. As a
result, the IMF agreement is on track. The economic growth registered in 2016-2017 had a positive
impact on trade. Moldova has made progress in aligning its legislation on trade matters to EU
regulation and standards and trade has further increased, but also here significant further efforts are
required to fully capitalise on the positive potential of the DCFTA agreement.
On democracy, human rights and good governance, the change of the electoral system in July 2017
was not in line with the recommendation of the Council of Europe's Venice Commission and the
Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights of the OSCE. Corruption, including high-level
corruption, remains widespread and the independence of justice, law enforcement as well as
national anti-corruption authorities need substantial improvement.
The EU annual programme for 2017 focused on water sanitation projects, energy interconnections
(with Romania) and energy governance, economic governance, the EU Border Advisory mission to
Moldova and Ukraine with special focus on Transnistrian conflict settlement (EUBAM), civil society,
and support to AA/DCFTA implementation.
Several achievements, including examples of projects that were completed in 2016-2017 with EU
support directly improved citizens' daily lives. New business incubators have been established, for
example in Calarasi, to boost economic development and create jobs, and the EU has provided grants
to migrants returning to Moldova. Confidence-building measures delivered concrete benefits to
Transnistria and Gagauzia, such as support for setting up businesses and creating jobs.
Regarding budget support in Moldova, during 2017, there were eight ongoing budget support
programmes (with a total multi-annual value of EUR 315.2 million) on energy, justice, visa-
liberalisation, vocational education training, trade (DCFTA), public finance policy reforms, rural
development and police reform.
Ukraine
Major milestones in EU-Ukraine relations in 2017 were the adoption of the visa-free regime for short
stays for Ukrainian citizens holding biometric passports and the ratification and entry into force of
the Association Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (AA/DCFTA).
These developments mark significant reform achievements in key areas such as good governance,
the rule of law, anti-corruption and migration management. They also confirm the country's
commitment to applying European standards. In April 2017 the Government adopted the Mid-Term
Action Plan 2017-2020, which refers to the AA/DCFTA as a key guiding document and links the
budget preparation process with the implementation of reforms.
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The process of legislative approximation with the EU intensified following the reorganisation of the
Government Office for Euro and Euro-Atlantic Integration (GOEEI). The EU provided coordinated
support through 21 different EU funded technical assistance and twinning projects covering major
sectors included in the AA/DCFTA.
The EU significantly increased its support for governance reform in 2017. The EU's support for the
modernisation of Ukraine's public administration showed good results. A new EUR 50 million
programme was adopted in 2017 to support the implementation of the new public finance
management (PFM) strategy and reform of the Ministry of Finance and affiliated agencies including
the State Fiscal Service. The EU Anti-Corruption Initiative made a successful start as a platform for all
EU and Member State support to the different anti-corruption institutions. On the rule of law, the
new PRAVO programme continued and expanded interventions in support of the reform of the
judi ia , p ose utio a d la e fo e e t. The p og a
e U-LEAD
with Europe: Ukraine Local
E po e e t, A ou ta ilit
a d De elop e t
e a e full
ope atio al suppo ti g
decentralisation and strengthening local government.
In response to the conflict in the east of the country, the EU continued to provide humanitarian as
well as stabilisation and early recovery assistance. The EU also adopted a EUR 50 million special
measure in November 2017 to provide support for recovery and development as well as to
strengthen social and economic resilience in government-controlled areas in the east of Ukraine.
A EUR
illio E e g Effi ie
Suppo t P og a
e fo Uk ai e as adopted o t i uti g to the
set up and development of a national Energy Efficiency Fund, which was established in 2017. Setting
ambitious targets for promoting energy saving measures in multi-storey housing complexes in all
urban centres, it aims to become a major impetus to substantially reducing national energy
consumption and improve energy security. With significant EU support, the Ukrainian Parliament
adopted in June 2017 laws on the Energy Efficiency Fund (EEF), on energy efficiency in buildings and
on heat metering and billing. In November, the important law on utilities and communal services was
also adopted. The EEF will incentivise energy efficiency investments in the residential sector by
providing Ukrainian households with grants for energy efficient renovations. The EU actively
suppo ted the p epa atio of the e ised E e g St ateg of Uk ai e u til
. Adopted
the
Government in August 2017, the new strategy prepares the integration of Ukraine into EU energy
markets. The law on the Electricity Market, moving from a single buyer model with cross-
subsidisation to a competitive market in line with EU legislation, was adopted by the Parliament and
entered into force in June 2017.
Regarding budget support in Ukraine, during 2017 there were three ongoing budget support
programmes (with a total multi-annual value of EUR 185 million) to support public administration
reform, regional policy and energy strategy.
Regional cooperation
The Brussels Summit in November 2017 reconfirmed the joint commitment to the Eastern
Partnership and the importance of strengthening common resilience along the four key priority areas
of economic development, good governance, connectivity and people-to-people contacts. It
o eo e adopted the
Deli e a les fo
deli e i g ta gi le esults to itize s, as ell as a
new institutional setup to monitor and ensure its implementation.
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Concerning market opportunities and economic development, over 40 regional and bilateral
programmes under the EU4Business initiative continued as the key tool to deliver concrete support
to SME development, complementary to national reform plans. In the context of the DCFTAs
established between the EU and Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, the EU, jointly with the EBRD, EIB
and KfW Development Bank, has put in place the DCFTA Facility for SMEs, which will receive
approximately EUR 200 million of grants from the EU budget to unlock at least EUR two billion of new
SME investments in Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine, to be financed largely by new loans supported by
the Fa ilit . Re e t de elop e ts i lude the lau h of the EIB s DCFTA I itiati e East at the Busi ess
Forum in Tallinn in November 2017, the extension of the EU4Business-EBRD credit line to Ukraine
and the launch of the SME Finance facility Phase II in Ukraine.
To develop the digital economy, the Eastern Partnership countries have reiterated their commitment
to focus their digital cooperation on six priority topics during the last Ministerial meeting on the
digital economy in Tallinn on 5 October 2017. Support policy work in these areas as well as high-
speed broadband connections will be streamlined through the EU4Digital initiative and the related
technical assistance programme endorsed by the ENI Committee in November 2017. In addition,
through an EU blending facility, namely the Neighbourhood Investment Platform, grant funding will
leverage loans from partner International Financial Institutions for broadband investments. The
recently launched External Investment Plan also provides EUR 1.5 billion of financial guarantees to
attract private sector investments in a number of areas including Digital for Development, which will
focus on de-risking
i est e ts i last ile i f ast u tu e, digital se i es i f ast u tu e a d
innovative instruments to support the scale up of start-ups in the digital field.
As regards good governance and the strengthening of institutions, the Programmatic Cooperation
Framework with the Council of Europe for the Eastern Partnership countries, which was renamed
'Partnership for Good Governance' in 2017 to better reflect the priorities of the EaP deliverables,
continued to promote reforms in five areas: protecting and promoting human rights, ensuring
justice, combating threats to the rule of law, addressing the challenges of the information society
and promoting democratic governance. Moreover, under the Eastern Partnership Police Cooperation
Programme, further support was provided to reinforce Eastern partnership countries' capabilities in
the field of combating serious and organised crime as well as to foster cooperation on police issues
related to cross-border crime.
As regards connectivity and energy efficiency, in 2017, regional cooperation focused on the four Riga
priorities. Milestones included the implementation of large new regional programmes to promote
evidence-based energy policy-making and efficient water resource management, as well as the
ministerial endorsement of the extension of the comprehensive transport network to the
Neighbourhood East region. The joint EU-IFIs high-level energy efficiency initiative kicked off with
missions to Ukraine and Georgia, which resulted in development of dedicated programmes for
energy efficiency
–
a National Energy Efficiency Fund in Ukraine for residential buildings and planning
of a programme for Georgia in the public building sector. 2017 was also a successful year for the EU's
largest climate and energy initiative in the Eastern Partnership with the number of Covenant of
Mayors signatories growing to over 344 in the last three years, which is the highest number among
all NEAR regions.
In the areas of mobility and people to people an increased emphasis has been put on youth
partnerships, education and employment opportunities, highlighted by the November 2017 EaP
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Su
it, hi h e do sed as o e of the
Deli e a les fo
a e
Youth and Education
Package, which aims to bring together all relevant youth actions, policies and stakeholders in a
coherent way. One core element of the Youth Package is the EU4Youth programme (total EU funding
EUR 20 million 2016-2017) which aims to increase the employability and the active participation of
young people in society and economy, by developing their skills and supporting them in becoming
leaders and entrepreneurs. Under its capacity-building component implemented under the Erasmus+
programme, 53 projects have been selected awarding civil society fellowships and partnerships for
entrepreneurship. Under its Grants Scheme five new large grants support educational opportunities
and employment perspectives for youth through regional grants, with particular attention to
disadvantaged groups. The design of the Eastern Partnership European School has substantially been
advanced. Education and youth cooperation has been further supported by
Erasmus+
with 11 900
individual exchanges from Partner Countries to the EU and 5 100 exchanges from the EU to Partner
Countries (2014
–
2017) and over 30 000 young people and youth workers from Partner Countries
involved in joint youth projects (youth exchanges, volunteering, and policy dialogue) with their
Erasmus+ Programme Countries counterparts. The participation of countries in Creative Europe (for
Geo gia, Moldo a a d Uk ai e , COSME Eu ope s p og a
e fo s all a d ediu
-sized
enterprises
a d Ho izo
, i ludi g the Ma ie Skłodo ska-Curie
actions, opens new
cooperation opportunities for administrations, businesses, cultural and audio-visual operators,
researchers and other professionals.
Cultural cooperation was further enhanced by the EU EU-Eastern Partnership Culture and Creativity
Programme II (2015-2018). The programme aimed to strengthen national cultural policies, as well as
the capacities of the culture and creative sectors in partner countries; include civil society in the
decision-making process, thus enhancing the role of culture as a driving-force for reform and to
support the participation of partner countries in international cultural initiatives.
Cross Border Cooperation
Cross Border Cooperation (CBC) is an important element of the EU's policy towards its neighbours
from the East and South. In 2017, all the Financing Agreements (FAs), except two were signed, which
allows for the implementation of the package of 15 ENI-CBC programmes for the period 2014-2020,
totalling around EUR one billion. The projects to be implemented under these programmes will aim
at supporting sustainable economic development along the EU's external borders, thus reducing
differences in living standards and addressing common challenges across these borders. For each of
these programmes the participating countries have selected up to four thematic objectives such as
SME development, culture or environment and climate change. Cross-border cooperation adds a
cohesion and territorial cooperation dimension to the EU's relations with its neighbours.
3.5.2. European Neighbourhood South
3.5.2.1.
Introduction (policy developments)
2017 was another challenging year for the Southern Neighbourhood. Amongst others, the protracted
conflicts in Libya and Syria, the continued impact of the Syrian and migration crises on hosting
communities, the lack of progress of the Middle East peace process, and a shrinking space for civil
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2008294_0269.png
so iet i
a
ou t ies of the egio , eighed hea il o pa t e
and stabilisation and cast shadows over economic prospects.
ou t ies apa it for
reforms
As a response, the EU continued to implement its revised European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP),
aiming to stabilise neighbourhood societies and countries and developing more tailor-made
partnerships with them. Partnership Priorities were adopted for Algeria and Egypt. Progress was
made on negotiating such priorities for Tunisia. The EU adopted multi-annual programming
documents in the form of Single Support Frameworks for Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia setting
the priorities for EU support and the indicative financial allocation for the years 2017-2020 under the
European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI). The EU support to Palestine
103
is framed by the European
Joint Strategy in Support of Palestine 2017-2020, the first ever joint programming document in the
Neighbourhood agreed by the EU, its Member States and like-minded countries. Moreover, in line
with the Joint Communication of 29 September 2016
104
, the EU increased in 2017 its support to
Tunisia to EUR 300 million.
The EU continued playing a major role in addressing the Syria crisis, including through providing non-
humanitarian assistance to support the resilience of the Syrian people and in particular hosting the
Suppo ti g the Futu e of S ia a d the Regio Co fe e e i B ussels o
-5 April 2017. On
occasion, the international community and the governments of refugee hosting countries came
together to reaffirm commitments to help millions of affected civilians in Syria as well as Syrian
refugees and their hosting communities. The EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syrian crisis,
passed the EUR one-billion goal set by President Juncker in September 2015.
Through diplomatic action and concrete support, the EU continued to assist Libya's political
transition towards a stable, functioning country and supported the UN led mediation efforts in this
regard. The EU underlines the importance of inclusiveness of the political process and Libyan
ownership, notably through the participation of all legitimate Libyan stakeholders. Via the EU
Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, the EU is stepping up its emergency assistance to respond to
migration challenges in Libya by providing protection and assistance to those in need while
supporting Libyan municipalities deliver basic services to Libyans and migrants alike, as well as
improving local governance. This is complemented with support to the Libyan authorities to better
manage Libyan borders in line with international standards and human rights. The EU is also
supporting Libyan authorities through its Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and
operations: EUNAVFOR MED Operation Sophia and EUBAM Libya.
The EU remains committed to a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine. It continued to
significantly invest in the capacity-building of the Palestinian Authority to enhance implementation of
key reforms and worked to improve living conditions in the Gaza Strip.
In 2017, the EU continued to promote regional cooperation in the Southern Mediterranean through
policy dialogue with key regional organisations such as the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), the
League of Arab States (LAS), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and the Anna Lindh
Foundation (ALF), as well as through regional actions on ENP priorities, such as job creation, youth
and security.
103
This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the
individual positions of the Member States on this issue.
104
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:52016JC0047&from=en
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2008294_0270.png
Within the UfM three ministerial meetings were organised on Water, Sustainable Urban
Development and Women Societal Enhancement, mirroring closely the SDGs implementation work.
The dialogue between the EU and LAS continued through the annual Permanent Representatives
meeting, the regular Senior Officials Meetings and the six working groups covering different security-
related aspects: counter-terrorism, crisis management and early warning, weapons of mass
destruction and arms control, organised crime, humanitarian assistance and migration.
The EU continued its engagement with civil society by strengthening regional mechanisms for
dialogue,
p o oti g outh oi e a d ou g people s pa ti ipatio i pea e uildi g, ota l th ough
its support to the Anna Lindh Foundation for intercultural dialogues empowering young women and
men from both sides of the Mediterranean.
The ENI remained both a flexible and a responsive tool to address common priorities and emerging
challenges. This was confirmed by the ENI mid-term review. The 2017 cooperation package for the
Southern Neighbourhood, of around EUR 1.6 billion in grant financing, was adapted to the evolving
situation in the region. The EU also continued to promote economic and trade opportunities through
support measures to accompany the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA) negotiations
with Jordan and Tunisia.
The EU continued to drive forward programmes aimed at assisting Neighbourhood countries in
tackling migration challenges. In 2017, the focus of migration shifted to the Central Mediterranean
route and Libya remained the main country of departure towards Italy. The EU reacted quickly on the
e o
e datio s of its Co
u i atio Ce t al Medite a ea Route –
Managing flows, saving
105
li es of
Ja ua
. On 3 February 2017, Heads of State and Governments met in Malta to
confirm that this was the way to go ahead for both the EU and Member States. They put it in writing
in the Malta Declaration. The pace of implementation of the North Africa window of the EU Trust
Fund for Africa, established in 2016, increased considerably.
In May 2017, the Ministerial Conference on Strengthening Euro-Mediterranean Cooperation through
Research and Innovation took place in Malta and led to the adoption of a Declaration calling, among
other things, for deepening cooperation through research on migration, marine (BLUEMED initiative
for blue jobs and growth) and food systems and water resources (PRIMA).
3.5.2.2.
Working Better Together, Donor effectiveness, and donor coordination
sa g eate oo di atio
ith EU Me e States a tio s. The e as p og ess o joi t
programming, with the aim of improving coordination and effectiveness of actions financed by the
EU and by its Member States. In Egypt and Jordan, joint EU and Member State analysis was carried
out in the course of the year. In Egypt, a Joint Programming Document was being finalised at the end
of 2017. The most significant step forward was achieved in Palestine, where a European Joint
Strategy was completed and formally adopted by the Commission in 2017
106
, bringing together a
wide array of partners: the EU, its Member States, the Palestinian Authority, like-minded countries
(Norway and Switzerland), civil society, and others.
105
106
JOIN(2017) 4 final, 25.01.2017
European Joint Strategy of European Development Partners in Support of Palestine.
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In several other countries, the EU led efforts at sector level to enhance coordination and improve the
exchange of information between the EU and its Member States, in the absence of a global joint
programming exercise. This was the case for example in Lebanon regarding education, private sector
and livelihoods and energy, water and solid waste, as well as in Morocco regarding gender,
professional training and migration.
In the Southern Neighbourhood, the EU continued to partner closely with and seek the expertise of
International Organisations, in particular the United Nations. On Syria for example, the EU worked
with the UN on methodologies that will facilitate the implementation of joint and comprehensive
area-based responses to the crisis based on an agreed Urban Recovery Framework developed in
collaboration with UN-Habitat.
The EU also devoted substantial efforts to enhancing coordination with international, European and
Arab Financial Institutions working in the Southern Neighbourhood. High-level meetings with
financing partners were organised in the margins of the World Bank
–
IMF spring meetings in April
2017. In addition, throughout the year Commission services and Financing Institutions met frequently
at technical and operational level, in Europe and in the Gulf in order to increase the coherence of our
operations and therefore maximise the impact of projects.
Furthermore, the Southern Mediterranean Investment Coordination Initiative (AMICI) continued to
oo di ate the EU s a ti ities i its Southern
Neighbourhood related to growth, facilitating
investments and job creation, through synergies between the EU, Member States and European
Financial Institutions.
Blending operations under the Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP) proved again to be
powerful instruments to leverage significant additional financial resources for EU objectives and to
increase cooperation with Financing Institutions.
The EU Initiative for Financial Inclusion enhanced EU visibility and its coordination role. The Initiative,
launched in 2016, is a comprehensive package of financial instruments, prepared by the EU in
cooperation with European Financial Institutions, mobilising more than EUR 1.2 billion in new
financing to SMEs. It aims at reaching up to 200 000 micro and SMEs. A coordination platform was
set up during 2017.
3.5.2.3.
Working towards People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace and Partnership
In line with the SDGs, EU actions in the Southern Neighbourhood in 2017 addressed issues pertaining
to economic growth and employment, social protection, rule of law, gender and good governance,
environment, health, and education.
People
In 2017, ensuring that people can live in dignity and equality remained a constant focus of EU
programmes in Southern Neighbourhood countries. The EU stepped up its efforts towards the
protection of highly vulnerable migrants in Libya, as well as the engagement with Libyan
municipalities to promote alternative livelihoods and support the resilience of local migrants-hosting
communities. Eight new programmes were approved for a total amount of EUR 232.5 million under
the North of Africa window of the EU Trust Fund for Africa.
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2008294_0272.png
In June 2017, the EU and United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) signed the 2017-2020
Joint Declaration, strengthening the political nature of the EU-UNRWA partnership and reaffirming
the EU's commitment to promoting the rights of Palestine refugees
107
.
On gender issues, the EU has taken several steps forward in 2017 in the Southern Neighbourhood. In
Jordan, the EU strongly and constantly advocated for the abolition of the article of the criminal code
that provided a pardon for rapists who married their victim, in the framework of a policy dialogue on
justice; this article was finally abolished in 2017. In Lebanon, the EU advocated for an enhanced role
and a higher level of participation of women in politics and decision-making processes in the new
ele to al la . I Mo o o, the EU app o ed the p og a
e
Égalité/Moussawat
EUR fi e illio i
order to support the implementation of the EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020. Delivering on this
plan, the EU increased its efforts towards an effective mainstreaming of gender issues in its
programmes in the Southern Neighbourhood. These efforts were complemented by additional
efforts to move towards the full integration of a Right-Based Approach (RBA) to development, and
EU Delegations in Algeria and Morocco received a specific training on the topic during 2017.
Planet
The EU launched several major programmes aiming at supporting sustainable consumption and
production schemes, and the sustainable management of natural resources. In Jordan, the EU
approved a EUR 100 million programme in support to the National Solid Waste Management
Strategy. The programme aims at helping Jordan to implement the first phase of an ambitious 15
years strategy by aligning the legal framework to international environmental standards and
investing in new transfer stations while closing or rehabilitating existing landfills. The first Renewable
Energy and Energy Efficiency programme allowed the EU to launch the SAHARA Forest Project Facility
in Aqaba.
In Lebanon, the EU started to prepare the ground to launch the EU-Lebanon dialogue on Energy in
support of long-awaited reforms (especially in the electricity sector) and in view of possible support
for renewable energies and the recent awards of petroleum licenses for exploration. In parallel, a
programme on solid waste management was launched to foster decentralised response to waste
management.
In Gaza, a territory where only 3 % of the water pumped from the aquifer complies with World
Health Organisation drinking water quality standards, the EU inaugurated in January 2017 a flagship
short-term volume desalination plant in Khan Younis targeting a production of 6 000 m³/day . In
parallel, the EU pursued its efforts, together with the Palestinian Authority and with the support of
the international community, to build in Gaza a large-scale central desalination plant, which will
provide a minimum of 55 million m³ of safe and clean drinking water per year to the people of Gaza.
107
Joint Declaration between the EU and UNRWA on European Union support to UNRWA (2017-2020), 7 June
2017
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2008294_0273.png
Ouarzazate solar power station
Context
Everything is so clean, glittering and shiny, white water vapour rising against the backdrop of the
Atlas Mou tai s, that a e so eti es o e ed i s o . It s hot u de the u i g su . Wel o e to
Noor Ouarzazate, the colossal African solar farm. Noor Ouarzazate is exceptional in many ways as it
gathers the most advanced solar power technique in one area. Noor Ouarzazate is also exceptional
thanks to the use of innovative financing. The EU contributed, through the Neighbourhood
Investment Facility (NIF), a grant of EUR 105 million to total financing of over EUR 1.9 billion.
Objectives
This solar power complex consists of four power stations:
Noor 1, with a capacity of 160 MW, is a Concentrated Solar Power Station (CSP) parabolic
through type, with a molten salt storage that allows for electricity production during the peak
hours of the evening/night for three hours and is water cooled.
Noor 2, also a CSP parabolic through type with a molten storage capacity of up to six hours with a
capacity of 200MW and air cooled.
Noor 3 is a CSP solar power tower with eight hours of molten salt storage, also air cooled to
decrease water use.
Noor 4 is 80 MW Photovoltaic power station to produce energy only during day time.
Impact
The solar complex of Noor Ouarzazate is to be completed by the end of 2018 it will:
Generate 580 MW of electricity.
Offset more 500 000 tons of carbon emissions annually.
Prosperity
The EU focused on interventions aiming to improve perspectives for youth, with programmes in the
area of education and professional training, as well as on innovation, enterprise creation and
improvement of the business environment.
In Jordan the EU continued its support to the Technical and Vocational Educational Training (TVET)
sector and facilitated the drafting of a new TVET law allowing for better governance in the sector by
giving a prominent place for the private sector in the new TVET council. In addition, the EU launched
the p oje t Jo da ia A tio fo the De elop e t of E te p ises
supporting the private sector in
April 2017.
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In Palestine, in 2017, the EU support to the TVET System facilitated dialogue and networking among
TVET institutions and the private sector under the umbrella of the Local Employment and Training
Council. This was part of capacity building for TVET stakeholders and development of policies for a
more efficient and functional TVET system.
The Palestinian Market Development Programme, implemented with DFID, continued to support
enterprises providing skills and grants for innovation, addressing system failures in specific sectors
and strengthening trade and investment linkages with international markets.
In Algeria the EU continued its support to improve governance and diversification of the economy
through projects such as PADICA (for industrial diversification and business climate), DIVECO II
(Fisheries), P3A (support to the Association Agreement).
In Tunisia the EU continuously supported the improvement of the business environment and the
enhancement of a more inclusive economy, confirmed by the approval of the programme
Appui à la
Réforme Fiscale, l'Inclusion financière, le Développement de l'économie sociale et solidaire.
Inclusive growth in Tunisia
Context
For small businesses and for entrepreneurs, access to finance is a major challenge in Tunisia,
especially in less-de
eloped egio s. Ka the Bedhiaf s p ofessio al d ea sta ted
when she was a
hild i the Tu isia ou t side. I g e up i a to
alled Hed a, lose to the ou tai s. Bei g
su ou ded
eautiful atu e i spi ed e to e o e i te ested i lo al he s a d oils, she
e plai s. M i te est e a e a passio , so I decided
to learn everything possible about organic
p odu ts.
Objectives
Ka the is o e of
i o-e t ep e eu s ho ha e e efited f o
is designed to help those frequently overlooked by commercial banks.
a EBRD
edit li e that
A loan of TND 4 million (EUR 1.6 million equivalent) to Microcred is available to be lent on to
women, young entrepreneurs and people living in rural areas to develop their own businesses.
The project is part of the EU Initiative for Financial Inclusion. The EU Initiative for Financial
Inclusion is a comprehensive programme developed with AFD, EBRD, EIB and KfW to help about
200 000 MSMEs in the southern and eastern Mediterranean region to become more competitive
and grow. It provides finance and expertise to boost development and create jobs.
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Impact
A small loan of TND 4,000 (approx. EUR 1 300) through Microcred Tunisia helped Kawther
establish her dream business. Her beauty parlour uses only organic products and offers a full
range of services: facial care, body massages, haircuts and treatments, manicures and pedicures.
Her business has become so popular that Kawther needed to employ several people to work with
her. She is particularly proud of having created job opportunities for other local women.
I eall e ou age
Tunisian women to take out small loans to make a living for themselves, start
their own projects and succeed like me'' says Kawther.
Peace
Fostering inclusive societies is a core element of the stabilisation objective of the revised ENP. In
Jo da , the EU lau hed the p og a
e EU suppo t to Jo da ia De o ati I stitutio s a d
De elop e t . It ill e ha e EU e gage e t ith ke i stitutions
in the country and deliver
parliamentary support activities, electoral assistance and support to the political party system. The
EU also approved in 2017 a Budget Support programme on Justice aiming at strengthening the rule
of law and the independence of the judiciary through a more professional Judicial Council, with an
independent budget and increased autonomy.
In Lebanon, the EU dedicated significant efforts to tackle the human rights situation and worked for
example at improving detention conditions and access to services in Tripoli's main prison, with a
focus on victims of torture and ill-treatment.
I Palesti e, the p oje t I stitutio al St e gthe i g of the High Judi ial Cou il i Palesti e
supported the preparation of a new organisational structure for the High Judicial Council, including
the re-organisation of court administration to separate judicial and court administration tasks.
In Tunisia, the EU approved the programme
Réforme de la Justice PARJ3,
with a view to continue the
support to the process of reform of the justice system.
The EU continued to support the rule of law reforms in Morocco in 2017 through a first Budget
Support operation in this area. The EU also provided support though the Council of Europe and a
twinning.
Partnership
The EU remained strongly committed to support civil society in the Southern Neighbourhood, despite
the restrictions on civil society actions and the shrinking space for civil society actors in several
partner countries. In Jordan for example, actions focused on the promotion of political participation,
advocacy, human rights, democracy, and parliamentary monitoring. In Palestine, the EU signed a
three-year EUR 1.2 million contract with four civil society platforms in December 2017. In Tunisia, the
EU approved a EUR 20 million programme to support civil society and independent entities (PASC2).
3.5.2.4.
Implementation
Bilateral cooperation including budget support
In Morocco, 2017 was the last year of implementation for both the Action Plan and the Single
Support Framework 2014-2017. In the context of the European Court of Justice ruling of 10
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2008294_0276.png
December 2015 on the EU-Morocco agreement providing for the reciprocal liberalisation of trade in
agricultural and fisheries products, the EU and Morocco negotiated an agreement in the form of an
exchange of letters on the modification of Protocols I and IV to the Association Agreement in view of
reviving our partnership. In 2017, new programmes focused on key reforms in public administration,
public finance management, justice, energy and the approximation of norms, and socio-economic
development for employment and support to SMEs. In addition, the EU adopted new financial
commitments promoting social inclusion, social protection, gender and literacy.
Algeria and the EU carried out an assessment of the implementation of the Association Agreement
and endorsed Partnership Priorities in March 2017. Two new programmes were financed in 2017 on
the development of value-chains in the agriculture sector and on the preservation and valorisation of
Algeria's cultural heritage. In parallel the Programme in support of the Association Agreement
provided flexible institutional building support, inter alia through twinning projects. Cooperation is
ongoing with the World Bank to support the Algerian government in setting up a vision for 2030
focused on the diversification of the economy.
In Tunisia, the EU delivered on the commitments of the 2016 Joint Communication
108
with EUR 300
million of new bilateral commitments. The partnership continued to be particularly active in the
fields of security and the fight against terrorism, justice reform, youth (in 2017 the implementation of
the EU-Tunisia Partnership for Youth started), research and culture (Tunisia's accession to Creative
Europe), human rights, governance and cooperation with civil society (regular tripartite dialogues).
The new 2017-2020 SFF focuses on socio-economic development and on strengthening democracy.
Discussions on Partnership Priorities were initiated in October 2017.
In Egypt, the EU engaged in and promoted dialogues on energy and migration. A new 2017-2020 SSF
was adopted, which focuses on economic modernisation, energy and environment, social
development and protection, governance and support to democracy. New programmes launched in
2017 included efforts to tackle rural development challenges, create jobs and inclusive growth, work
on Egypt's rapid population growth, reforms in the sectors of renewable energy and water and new
initiatives in the field of accountability and democratic governance. The EU approved a significant
package of projects worth EUR 60 million to help tackle migration challenges, following extensive
negotiations with Egyptian partners.
In Palestine
109
, the EU continued to act as a reliable and predictable donor, by supporting Palestinian
refugees through contributions to UNRWA and by maintaining its direct financial support to the
Palestinian Authority through the
Mécanisme Palestino-Européen de Gestion de l'Aide Socio-
Economique
(PEGASE mechanism)
110
, which also catalyses contributions from many Member States.
PEGASE maintains the viability of the two-state solution by avoiding the fiscal collapse of the
Palestinian Authority and sustains the provision of key services thereby contributing to the overall
stabilisation of the Palestinian communities in the West Bank and Gaza through preserving basic
living conditions. The result-oriented approach of PEGASE is also encouraging the Palestinian
108
EU-Tunisia Joint Communication
Strengthening EU Support for Tunisia,
JOIN(2016) 47 final, 29.9.2016
This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the
individual positions of the Member States on this issue.
109
110
http://eeas.europa.eu/archives/delegations/westbank/eu_westbank/tech_financial_cooperation/index_en.ht
m
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Authority to further engage in policy reforms with jointly defined targets whose achievement lead to
the disbursement of conditional payment tranches. Discussions continued on the possibility to
establish Partnership Priorities with Palestine.
In 2017, Israel, a developed OECD country, has benefited from a EUR 1.8 million budget for
Institutional Twinning.
In Lebanon, the 2017-2020 Single Support Framework aims to contribute to the stabilisation of the
country through the promotion of job creation, local governance, security and the rule of law. In
2017, new programmes focused on solid waste management, local development, and support to
elections, anti-corruption and gender. Commission services launched efforts to ensure the EU can
maximise funds available to meet Lebanon's considerable needs, hosting meetings between
Lebanese authorities and the European Financial Institutions and relevant follow ups to promote the
use of concessional financing.
In Jordan, the 2017-2020 Single Support Framework focuses on economic and social development,
rule of law, border management and the prevention of violent extremism. New programmes were
adopted in 2017 in the field of justice sector reform, social protection and private sector
development. In addition, Commission services committed significant funds through the EU regional
Trust Fund in Response to the Syria Crisis and via its contribution to the Global Concessional
Financing Facility. The EU worked to promote efforts to boost economic growth and job creation for
Jordanians and refugees alike, in Jordan, via the organisation of a Conference on the Rules of Origin
deal and via related work on labour market issues.
In Syria, actions were constantly adjusted in line with events on the ground, and parameters for work
inside Syria were established at
the Co
issio e s G oup o E te al A tio
in 2017. Engagement
focused on the following sectors: education (including vocational training and protection of cultural
heritage), early recovery and livelihoods, health, local governance in opposition-held areas, support
to civil society and dialogue, human rights and transitional justice.
In parallel, EU's non-humanitarian aid to respond to the Syrian crisis is channelled through the EU
Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syria Crisis to help the Syrian refugees in the region
addressing their long-term economic, educational and social needs. The actions contribute to
alleviate the burden of the crisis on Syria's neighbouring countries, particularly, Lebanon, Jordan,
Turkey and Iraq. In 2017, the EU Regional Trust Fund in Response to the Syria Crisis contracted EUR
528 million with partners including international organisations, NGOS and governments.
In Libya, the EU focused on reactivating projects previously suspended, to support the Government
of National Accord and to contribute to improving the living conditions of Libyans and migrants
stranded there. Despite the volatile and fragmented Libyan political scene, a policy dialogue on
cooperation issues continued in order to better define the needs and possibilities to expand our
bilateral assistance. In parallel, the portfolio of projects significantly increased in the sector of
migration, mainly funded by the EUTF for Africa-North of Africa window reaching EUR 162 million by
the end of 2017.
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Regional cooperation
In 2017, the EU continued to promote regional cooperation in the Southern Neighbourhood through
sector policy dialogue, in partnership with regional organisations such as the Union for the
Mediterranean (UfM), the League of Arab States, the Anna Lindh Foundation and the Council of
Europe, as well as through financial support, notably regional programmes in the fields of security,
economic governance, energy/climate change and civil society.
Three UfM ministerial meetings were held in 2017 on Water, Sustainable Urban Development and
Women as well as a Regional Forum at Foreign Minister level which focussed on Youth, contributing
to increased synergies between regional and bilateral cooperation, with a clear focus on job creation
and youth.
The Civil Society Forum for the Neighbourhood South confirmed itself as a credible and inclusive
dialogue platform between civil society, EU institutions and regional entities, to exchange and debate
on the regional
poli age da. The e Ci il So iet Hu fo Dialogue ill i ease the o e ship of
this constructive process by civil society organisations themselves. Support also continued to the
Anna Lindh Foundation to promote intercultural dialogue and aims at reaching out to young people
in the South, but also increasingly in Europe though the Young Med-Voices initiative.
The 2017 regional programmes, complementing bilateral actions, addressed major common
priorities, namely job creation and inclusive growth through support to social economy and
enhanced business linkages, as well as political inclusion, particularly for youth, along with
cooperation on security. In the areas of mobility, education and youth, cooperation through the
Erasmus+ programme has continued in the region including university staff and student exchanges
(393 new mobility projects selected in 2017 planning the mobility of 9 170 students and staff from/to
South Mediterranean countries), capacity building projects in higher education (37 new projects
selected), youth exchanges (3 880 young people and youth worker exchanges supported in 2017) and
policy dialogue. Tunisia and Jordan joined the eTwinning Action in 2017 (virtual exchanges between
schools). The European Commission also continued to support the implementation of the Regional
Transport Action Plan 2014-2020 for the Mediterranean region with projects promoting regulatory
convergence and increased safety for road, rail, maritime and air transport.
As a regional contribution under the NIP, the EU used blending to strengthen the export potential in
Mediterranean partner countries. The new facilities for value chain financing with EIB and EBRD were
expanded to Egypt and Jordan, while the EBRD started the implementation of actions to enhance
trade competitiveness in Morocco and Tunisia.
In the 4th Union for the Mediterranean (UfM) Ministerial Conference on Strengthening the Role of
Women in Society, held in Cairo on 27 November 2017, the UfM Ministers adopted a Declaration
that includes an Action Plan to women empowerment in the Euro-Mediterranean region, including
e o
e datio s to ad a e o e s pa ti ipatio i de isio
aki g i the field of pea e a d
security, as well as prevention and resolution of social conflicts, violence and extremism.
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2008294_0279.png
3.6. OCTs
The Overseas Association Decision
111
(OAD) establishes the legal framework for the relations
between the Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs)
112
, the Member States to which they are
linked, and the European Union. On the basis of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European
Union
113
(TFEU), the purpose of the Overseas Association Decision is to support the sustainable
development of the OCTs and promote the values of the EU in the wider world.
The EU provides financial support to the OCTs in the context of the association mainly through the
European Development Fund, with an amount of EUR 364.5 million allocated under the 11th EDF-
OCT for the 2014-2020 programming period
114
. Furthermore, Greenland is funded directly by the EU
general budget
ased o the G ee la d De isio
115
, allocating EUR 217.8 million for the period
2014-2020 to cooperation in an area of mutual interest.
The 11th EDF-OCT resources available to the OCTs are split into the following allocations, based on
Annex 2 of the Overseas Association Decision: EUR 229.5 million for territorial (bilateral) allocations;
EUR 100 million for regional cooperation and integration; EUR 21.5 million in Envelope-B to finance
humanitarian and emergency assistance, or assistance for fluctuations in export earnings; EUR five
illio to fi a e i te est su sidies a d te h i al assista e th ough the EIB s OCT I est e t
Facility; and EUR 8.5 million for studies and technical assistance in accordance with Article 81 of the
OAD.
In accordance with the criteria established in the OAD, 16 OCTs are considered eligible for a
territorial allocation under the 11th EDF-OCT
116
.
Regional programmes seek to foster cooperation among OCTs in the same region and sharing a
similar set of challenges and priorities. Actions financed under the regional allocation support the
elaboration and implementation of comprehensive regional programmes and projects for addressing
these challenges. Partnerships with other funding sources, including other EU financial instruments,
through cooperation with the neighbouring ACP and/or third countries, as well as the EU's outermost
regions, are actively encouraged.
Implementation
Part Four of the OAD establishes a programming process which is specific to OCTs. Unlike countries
of the African Caribbean Pacific group (ACP), programming is not based on National Indicative
111
Council Decision 2013/755/EU on the Association of the Overseas Countries and Territories with the European Union (OJ L
344/1)
112
The EU's Overseas Countries and Territories are Greenland, New Caledonia and Dependencies, French Polynesia, French
Southern and Antarctic Territories, Wallis and Futuna Islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Saint-Barthélemy, Aruba, Bonaire,
Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, Cayman Islands, Falkland Islands, South Georgia and the South
Sandwich Islands, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena and Dependencies, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean
Territory, Turks and Caicos Islands, British Virgin Islands, Bermuda.
113
Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union, (C 326/47), 26.10.2012
114
Internal Agreement between the Representatives of the Governments of the Member States of the European Union, meeting
within the Council, on the financing of European Union aid under the multiannual financial framework for the period 2014 to
2020, in accordance with the ACP-EU Partnership Agreement, and on the allocation of financial assistance for the Overseas
Countries and Territories to which Part Four of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union applies (L210/1).
115
Council Decision 2014/137/EU on relations between the EU on the one hand and Greenland and the Kingdom of Denmark
on the other (OJ L76/1), allocates EUR 217.8 million for the period 2014-2020 to cooperation between the Union and Greenland
in an area of mutual interest.
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Programmes but organised around a one-step process, the elaboration of a Programming Document,
which has two components: the EU response strategy (Part A) and, the Action Document (Part B).
Only one formal European Commission decision is taken to approve OCT Programming Documents,
covering both the strategic orientations and the detailed programme design. OCTs maintain the
primary responsibility for the establishment of Programming Documents, including the priorities
upon which their strategies are based and ensuring the necessary local consultation.
The programming exercise for the 11th EDF for OCTs was launched in late 2013. The Commission
presented the indicative financial allocations and programming instructions and launched an
extensive consultation process to agree potential focal sectors of cooperation. This included
discussions at the OCT-EU Forum at the political level, regional OCT conferences in the Pacific Ocean
and the Caribbean and several tripartite meetings.
Proposals for sectorial priorities have now been made for all territorial and regional programmes.
The proposed concentration sectors for the territorial allocations are markedly grouped around key
themes, which broadly include: environmental issues, climate change and disaster risk reduction
(accounting for four of the 16 OCTs with indicative territorial allocations); youth, education, training,
health, employment and social policy training (accounting five out of 16 OCTs); tourism (accounting
for three out of 16 OCTs); and accessibility (accounting for three out of 16 OCTs).
For Greenland, the Programming Document for 2014-2020 was signed in October 2014, defining
education as the focal sector. The implementation of the programme is on-going, through annual
sector reform contracts.
These priorities align to the aim of sustainable development, thus addressing the three pillars of
development (economic development, social development and environmental protection) as
outlined in the objectives of the Overseas Association Decision.
In terms of implementation, budget support has been proposed by most OCTs, representing a shift
away from the project modality previously used in Curaçao, French Polynesia, Sint Eustatius and
Wallis and Futuna. In all cases, an assessment of the eligibility criteria relating to the use of the
budget support modality has been carried out by the Commission.
In 2017, the 11th EDF Programming Documents for the following OCTs were adopted: New Caledonia
(EUR 21.50 million) for employment and professional inclusion, Falkland Islands (EUR 5.9 million) for
connectivity and accessibility, Anguilla (EUR 14.05 million) for education, French Polynesia (EUR
29.95 million) for tourism, Pitcairn (EUR 2.40 million) for tourism, and Wallis and Futuna Islands (EUR
19.60 million) for digital development.
In September 2017, two Category 5 Hurricanes impacted several Caribbean OCTs, bringing life-
threatening winds (300 km/h), storm surges and heavy rainfall, resulting in widespread damage to
housing and basic infrastructure. The most severely affected OCTs were Anguilla, Sint Maarten, Turks
and Caicos Islands, Saint Barthélemy and the British Virgin Islands. Montserrat, Saba, and Sint
Eustatius were also damaged.
Commission services worked actively together with OCT authorities to ensure that 11th EDF
territorial and regional programmes are adjusted to address the post-hurricane situation in the OCTs
and to support them in their efforts to become more resilient. In addition, mobilisation of the non-
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2008294_0281.png
allocated Envelope- B (EUR 21.5 million) under the 11th EDF are being assessed as requests have
been put forward by the most affected OCTs.
Moreover, a new horizontal component on resilience will be added under the framework of the 11th
EDF Caribbean Regional Programme (EUR 40 million) to support long term resilience building in the
OCTs, in line with the European Consensus on Development which underlines the commitment to
build resilience.
The second tranche of financial support to Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon under the 11th EDF was paid in
2017 for a total of EUR six million. In addition, the first tranches for the 11th EDF budget support
programmes were paid to Turks and Caicos Islands (EUR four million), Anguilla (EUR 3.6 million), New
Caledonia (EUR 5.76 million) and Saba (EUR 1.9 million). In 2017, Greenland benefitted from
payments of EUR 29.9 million under the 2014-2020 programme.
During 2017, implementation of 10th EDF activities in some OCTs was on-going, reflected in
payments of EUR 14.6 million. These benefitted Falkland Islands, Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, French
Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna, Turks and Caicos islands, Pitcairn, Curaçao, Saba, Mayotte
117
as well as
regional programmes in the Caribbean and Pacific Ocean and thematic programmes covering all
OCT s glo all .
117
Mayotte as a former OCT (now Outermost Region) receives funding under the 10th EDF.
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2008294_0282.png
4.
4.1.
MANAGING AID
Monitoring Systems
4.1.1. Evaluation: review of the work programme
Commission evaluation services are responsible for the steering, coordination, monitoring and
reporting of the evaluation function. They are produce timely, high-quality evaluation results for
decision-making and accountability. They manage strategic evaluations which can be geographic,
thematic, sector, instruments and budget support evaluations. They also monitor and support the
evaluations done by other services which oversee project and programme evaluations. As such in
2017 an evaluation support services (ESS) was set up by Commission services to support EU
delegations and headquarters services by providing on demand advice and support on any aspects
related to evaluation.
In 2017, the evaluation services finalised 18 strategic evaluations. This included 10 evaluations of the
External Financing Instruments and a Coherence Report; eight thematic/instruments evaluations on:
higher education, resilience to withstand food crises, blending of grants and loans, delegated
cooperation, Joint Programming process, IPA cross border cooperation, economic governance, and
small and medium enterprises (SME) competitiveness; two evaluations of budget support in Ghana
and Paraguay and a country level evaluation in Pakistan.
At the end of 2017 the following evaluations were on-going: four regional level evaluations in West
Africa, Central Africa, Eastern and Southern Africa and Latin America; six thematic evaluations on
sustainable energy, social protection, policy coherence for development, public administration
reform, the sector approach under IPA II and security sector reform; six country level evaluations in
Afghanistan, Nicaragua, Myanmar and Ivory Coast, Croatia and Azerbaijan; and three budget support
evaluations in Cambodia, Peru and El Salvador.
The section below presents a brief summary of each evaluation finalised in 2017.
Summary of evaluations
Instruments and thematic evaluations
Evaluations of the External Financing Instruments
The Commission presented in 2017 a mid-term review report on External Financing Instruments to
the European Parliament and to the Council. External evaluations have been conducted for each
instrument
118
and for the Common Implementation Regulation with a view to feed into this mid-term
review exercise. A coherence report, drawing on the findings of all these evaluations has also been
done. The evaluations show that the instruments are at this time generally fit for purpose and do not
require any drastic change as part of the mid-term review. However, the mid-term review suggests
that for the upcoming multi-annual financial framework the architecture of instruments should be
The Multiannual Financial Framework includes the following EFIs: the Development Co-operation
Instrument (DCI), the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR), the European
Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI), the Greenland Decision (GD), the Instrument contributing to Stability and
Peace (IcSP), the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA), the Instrument for Nuclear Safety and Co-
operation (INSC), and the Partnership Instrument (PI). The European Development Fund (EDF) is another major
EFI but is funded from outside the EU budget.
118
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rethought, to streamline and simplify, enhance flexibility, reduce gaps and overlaps between
instruments and provide more focus on results.
Evaluation of EU joint programming process of development cooperation (2011-2015)
The evaluation covers all the regions where joint programming was considered (55 countries as of
the end of 2015). The evaluation concludes that the joint programming (JP) process has proven to be
a very valuable experience for the EU and Member States in most of countries studied. Joint
programming contributed to a better coordinated and more strategic EU aid and enhanced the
visibility of both Member States and the EU. However, some of the ambitions of joint programming,
such as. reduced aid fragmentation, increased transparency and reduced transaction costs, are yet to
be achieved; and there is a need to improve country ownership of the joint programming process.
Evaluation of the EU aid delivery mechanism of delegated cooperation (2007-2014)
The scope of the evaluation covers 164 Delegated Agreements (EUR 1.3 billion) and 59 Transfer
Agreements (EUR 291 million). It concludes that the contribution of delegated cooperation to
improved aid effectiveness and efficiency has been limited. Its main success was on complementarity
with Member States, in particular at sector level. The evaluation recommends that the objectives of
delegated cooperation are redefined in line with the evolving aid effectiveness agenda. It should be
more explicitly geared towards strengthening the partnership between the EU and the Member
States and reinforcing the ownership of partner countries.
Evaluation of Blending (2007-2014)
The total amount effectively contracted for blending facilities reached EUR 1.7 billion over the period
considered. The evaluation found that blending allowed the EU to engage more broadly and with
strategic advantage, particularly in support of large infrastructure projects and for cooperating with
countries in transition to medium income status. Blending of grants and loans enabled the EU to
engage in countries, sectors and projects, which would have been mostly out of reach with grants
alone. However, the instrument did not reach its full strategic potential and did not fully address the
development challenges of lower income countries. While for most cases, the evaluation team was
able to find a clear justification for the use of the grant, there were also a significant number of
projects where this was not obvious, suggesting that more attention is needed in the future to
ensure that the blending grant adds clear value. The evaluation also recommends sharpening the
alignment with national policies and to place greater focus on job creation and poverty alleviation.
Evaluation of EU development cooperation support to higher education in partner countries (2007-
2014)
The evaluation covers six higher education (HE) programmes in partner countries which amounted to
EUR 1.5 billion. It concludes that EU support for HE was relevant and effective in adapting higher
education schemes to labour market needs, in promoting reform in educational systems in the
partner countries and in reinforcing intra-regional cooperation between institutions. As such, it
improved employment opportunities for graduates. The added value of the EU support and the
prospect for sustainability are high. However, the formulation of the strategic approach and
coordination with partner countries can be improved. Finally, more needs to be done to increase
inclusiveness.
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Evaluation of the EU approach to building resilience to withstand food crises in African Drylands
(Sahel and Horn of Africa) 2007-2015.
The relevant funds committed amounted to around EUR five billion. The evaluation concluded that
the EU approach was well adapted to weather-related or economic shocks but less so in fragile
states. The EU approach prompted a strategic shift between Commission services and triggered
better and more systematic analyses although there is room to further improve inter-service
collaboration. The combinations of country programmes and thematic instruments were improved.
The main recommendations include tailoring the approach to different contexts, strengthening
collaborative inter-service practice and strengthening monitoring and evaluation.
Evaluation of IPA Cross Border Co-operation Programmes (2007-2013)
The evaluation examined the performance of the Instrument of Pre-accession Assistance 2007-2013
(IPA I) in financing cross-border cooperation (CBC) among the seven countries of the Western
Balkans through 11 programmes (EUR 100 million). The report found that the CBC programmes
emphasised sustainable socio-economic development and reflecting well the challenges faced by
border communities. However, the wide scope of funding priorities and project selection, and weak
synergies with other initiatives, diluted the effect of the programmes. It was not possible to measure
rigorously the combined programme outcomes and impact in the absence of effective monitoring
and reporting systems. As a pioneering initiative, however, CBC under IPA I helped promote good
neighbourly relations between the participating countries and contributed to the socio-economic
development of border areas, which would not have happened without EU support.
Evaluation on support to SME Competitiveness in Enlargement and Neighbourhood Countries
(2010-2015)
The evaluation covered three regional programmes and eleven country national programmes for
Private Sector Development and Competitiveness (budget EUR 1.7 billion). The evaluation concluded
that the relevance of EU assistance in this sector is high, overall there is a satisfactory efficiency of
project implementation and the programmes are largely effective despite the inadequate support by
national authorities.
Evaluation on support to Economic Governance in Enlargement and Neighbourhood Countries
The evaluation on economic governance in the ENI region considered the much more diverse
national contexts due to the Arab Spring and conflict areas affecting both ENI South and East. Despite
significant processes of political transition, external shocks and conflicts in some of the observed
countries, the interventions reveal themselves as efficient and effective.
Country evaluations
Joint Evaluation of Budget Support to Ghana (2005-2015)
This evaluation covers all budget support operations with disbursements made between 2005 and
2015. Over this period development partners have provided about USD 3.4 billion in general budget
support and USD one billion in sectoral budget support. The evaluation was jointly managed by the
evaluation services of the Commission, Denmark, France, Germany and the World Bank. Overall,
budget support played a moderate but not negligible role in Ghana's considerable achievements in
reducing both monetary and non-monetary poverty. The mix of inputs contributed to substantially
increasing access to basic services. The evaluation recommends that the future co-operation
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framework should entail a core component on economic governance (including transparency and
accountability) and strong sector partnerships aiming at developing coherent strategic frameworks.
Evaluation of Budget Support in Paraguay (2006-2014)
The evaluation covers all budget support operations of the EU in Paraguay during the period 2006-
2014. It concerns three budget support programmes with total disbursements of EUR 111 million.
The evaluation concludes that the three programmes have positively contributed to the
development of social sectors and to social welfare, and to poverty reduction. Policy dialogue was a
main contributing factor to these achievements at sectoral level. However, the effect of policy
dialogue to strengthen public financial management was moderate. The evaluation recommends to
make policy dialogue more strategic and analytical and to better define variable tranche indicators.
Evaluation of European Union's cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (2007-2014)
The EU strategy in Pakistan was found highly relevant and aligned to the population's needs and to
Go e
e t poli ies. The EU s soft app oa h allo ed it to e app e iated as a eut al pa t e
national stakeholders, and its combination of financial (EUR 520 million over 2007 - 2014) and
significant non-financial cooperation (notably through the high-level political and strategic dialogue
held in EU-Pakista
Joi t Co
issio to pu h a o e its eight . I te e tio s o t i uted to
institutional improvements and reforms and targeted the most deprived geographic areas and the
most vulnerable populations. Sector budget support was relevant and timely and provided in a very
pragmatic way. Gender was mainstreamed in the programme with significant results; however, no
evidence of spill over could be noted. The evaluation recommends pursuing efforts to address the
de a d a d suppl sides of se to poli ies, efi i g the EU s logi of i te e tio i hu a ights
and rule of law, consolidate achievement of past and ongoing interventions, and further mainstream
gender and environment at all levels.
4.1.2. Lessons learned
This section provides key emerging lessons from some of the evaluations of EU Cooperation finalised
in 2017 by Commission Services.
Evaluations of the external financing instruments
Effective delivery capacity of the external financing instruments (EFIs) was enhanced by a number of
factors, including targeting of resources where they are needed most, but was at the same time
hampered by recurrent implementation weaknesses such as limited political steering, disagreements
with partner countries, flexibility and capacity issues.
The strategic relevance of the thematic instruments is underlined in the evaluations, in particular
their ability to act without the explicit consent of the partner country if required, such as engaging in
crisis response, human rights and democratisation in a deteriorating context and promoting EU
interests and global actions on public goods, including climate change.
It has proven difficult to assess the contribution of the EFIs to their high-level (and long-term)
objectives. This is firstly because of the high level and long-term nature of the objectives such as
poverty eradication, secondly because at the time of the mid-term review several instruments were
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only just starting their implementation, and thirdly, because many other factors influence the
achievement of these objectives.
The EU s ole i p o oti g fu da e tal alues hu a ights, de o a , a d ule of la
as
sometimes met with resistance, especially in the context of shrinking space for civil society
organisations. Coherence between the instruments was at times lacking with several instruments
sometimes active in a given sector. In the context of multiple crises and conflicts in recent years, the
EU s a ilit to espo d apidl to su h u fo esee e e ts g e i i po ta e.
Evaluation of joint programming
Three structural dimensions appeared to be important for the success of joint programming: firstly,
the Member States strategic interests in the country; secondly the individual commitment and effort,
largely from the EU Delegations; and thirdly the interest and support of Partner Country authorities.
Major success stories have occurred in countries where Partner Countries have been either directly
supportive or at least permissive when it comes to the joint programming exercise.
Thematic evaluations of economic governance and SME competitiveness
According to the two evaluations, EU interventions were adapted to the variety of partners' contexts
and this was key to their success. Addressing structural issues, such as building state institutions'
capacity, for example to enforce new laws, prior to others, maximised the sustainability of EU
support. CSOs' involvement was also key in this regard. The use of a combination of implementation
modalities (TA service contracts, twinning, grant contracts, etc.) enabled the successful addressing of
a variety of needs such as differences in institutions' level of maturity.
Evaluation of European Union's cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Pakistan (2007-2014)
Pakistan is a lower middle-income country affected by several factors of fragility including conflicts
with both domestic and sub-regional roots and frequent natural disasters. In this context, the
continuity of support to selected sectors, the complementarity and potential synergies between
these sectors, the pragmatic use of modalities and management modes and the assimilation of
lessons learned have been important factors sustaining the results achieved.
A key factor for success lies in the convergence of a bottom- up approach leading to social
mobilisation of citizens and economic operators for better governmental services and institutions,
and a top- down approach that improves the coverage, quality of and equitable access to front line
public services. Supporting the first, notably through local non-governmental organisations, and the
second, with sector budget support and/or complementary institutional technical assistance, proved
to be an adequate approach. However even if progress has been realised, the evidence suggests that
outcomes for final beneficiaries have not materialised much yet. This is because many interventions
are still on-going, and they are not sufficiently involving other actors such as citizens and economic
operators. Another finding is the importance to invest more in identifying promoters of democracy,
inclusion and social cohesion by identifying initiatives that are strongly owned and benefit from
strong commitment by national authorities and/or local civil society.
Evaluation of Budget Support in Paraguay (2006-2014)
In Paraguay, the evaluation of budget support showed that budget support generated valuable
effects in a context where the weight of budget support over the overall government's budget was
rather small (0.5 % of total expenditure on average over the period 2007-2014, and 1.4 % and 2.2 %
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of the education and social programmes sectors respectively). Despite the limited volume of funds,
the format chosen by the Government for the management and allocation of the funds from the EU
budget support programmes had a significant impact on social expenditure and on the
implementation of sectoral policies, permitting the protection of priority spending programmes and
introducing additional incentives for the fulfilment of the pre-identified policy goals, which were
captured in the indicators of budget support variable tranches. The evaluation also showed that
budget support helped to generate a new relationship between the Ministries of Education and other
relevant line Ministries and the Ministry of Finance during the process of budget preparation. It also
highlighted that policy dialogue achieved the greatest influence on the strengthening of the design
and implementation of policies in the education and social protection sectors but its influence on the
strengthening of public finance management systems was more moderate, partly because the
dialogue was not strategic enough and partly because the Government's will to progress in this area
was weaker.
Joint Evaluation of Budget Support to Ghana (2005-2015)
During the first part of the evaluation period, Ghana significantly improved its fiscal space and
generally positive economic outlook. However, in the second part, there was a serious deterioration
of the macroeconomic situation. In 2013-2014, most development partners decided to suspend
budget support because of this deterioration and serious concerns regarding PFM. As a result, the
multi donors' budget support partnership broke down. Only a few development partners decided to
continue providing budget support.
In this context, the evaluation showed how budget support contributed to the speeding up of the
fight against poverty in a country already enjoying strong economic growth and debt relief, by
allowing for a further expansion in discretionary expenditure and by creating numerous
opportunities to enhance policy formulation and the capacity development of key public entities.
Budget support dialogue and the considerable accompanying technical support have also supported
the country in its transition towards a middle-income oil-producing economy, which helped sustain
growth in the second half of the period.
However, the full use of the opportunities created by budget support has been prevented by the
deterioration in the macroeconomic environment, the complex political economy prevailing at
various institutional levels and the weakening of the partnership around budget support and, more
generally, development aid. In the second half of the evaluation period, sector budget support's
i g-fe ed fu ds p o ed to e a highl
-needed source in times of tight budget constraints.
O the de elop e t pa t e s side, the e has ee a g o i g feeli g that, ith the ou t s a ess
to the middle-income country status and the subsequent decreasing availability of official
development assistance, less could be achieved via budget support. However even when the
partnership weakened considerably and even if policy dialogue could not prevent a serious
deterioration of Ghana's macroeconomic situation, it contributed, including through the suspension
of budget support disbursements, to the return to the path of stabilisation.
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2008294_0288.png
4.2.
Aid delivery modalities
4.2.1. Budget support, Public finance management / Domestic Revenue Mobilisation
Budget support remained an important instrument in the architecture of European external action;
in 2017 it was used in 91 countries or territories and represents some 35-40 % EU bilateral ODA.
The new European Consensus on Development signed in 2017 also reaffirms that Budget support will
be applied consistently with the principles of development effectiveness and where the conditions
are right and effective governance control systems are in place. Budget support supports structural
reform processes and continues to be accompanied by capacity development, knowledge and
e pe tise t a sfe s. It o ple e ts pa t e ou t ies effo ts to olle t o e a d spe d ette i
support of sustainable development, and to promote inclusive growth and job creation, poverty
eradication, inequality reduction and peaceful societies.
In terms of sustainable results and over a longer timeline, countries using budget support fare visibly
better than those without.
Figure 5. Extreme poverty headcount 2000 to 2014
Extreme poverty decreases over the 10-year period from 33 % to 19 % in countries using EU budget
support (see Figure 5); this decrease is larger than in countries not using budget support, or than the
average of all developing countries.
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2008294_0289.png
Figure 6. World Governance Indicator
–
Control of Corruption 2005 to 2015
Concerns related to corruption in the partner countries are consistently taken into account. Budget
support accompanies partner countries' active policies in the fight against corruption and fraud,
including the strengthening of an independent external audit body, adequate internal control
mechanisms and judicial capacity and transparency. Corruption and fraud risks are monitored
regularly. As measured through the World Bank's World governance indicator, the Control of
Corruption has improved markedly in countries using budget support, whereas it has equally clearly
declined in countries not using this modality (see Figure 6).
Similar results are observed under specific sectors receiving budget support, as well as in terms of
cross-cutting issues, such as public finance management. In 2017, the Commission has stepped up
efforts to communicate these results , both within the EU and in the partner countries. In 2017 a
total of EUR 1.6 billion was newly committed and over EUR 1.8 billion paid through budget support.
Sector Reform Performance Contracts remain the most used contracts (74 % of total portfolio),
followed by State and Resilience Building Contracts (16 %) and other types of general budget support
contracts (10 %). State and Resilience Building Contracts (SRBCs) continue to be useful in stabilising
post-conflict and fragile situations, with new SRBCs initiated in Gambia, Sierra Leone, Central African
Republic, Liberia, Guinea and Haiti. More than any other type of contracts, SRBCs aim to support
partner countries in ensuring vital state functions can deliver basic services to populations, thus
contributing to addressing the causes of fragility and to promoting stability and state-building. The
new SDGs Contract, introduced by the updated Budget Support Guidelines, are expected to play an
important role in supporting the SDGs in countries where conditions allow.
Strategic guidance is provided by the Budget Support Steering Committee and Financial Assistance
Steering Committee which are senior management committees, to ensure better risk management
and enhanced policy and political dialogue with countries receiving EU budget support.
Budget support in The Gambia
A window of opportunity for democracy in the Gambia opened following the change of regime early
in 2017. The country was in a very tense situation regarding budget and debt, and the Commission
decided to support the transition with a 'State building Contract'. This 2017 Contract of EUR 30
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2008294_0290.png
million allowed the country to rapidly mitigate its most urgent needs and stabilise the situation by
providing most needed basic services.
Update of the EU Budget Support Guidelines
Commission services Budget Support Guidelines had been in use since 2012 and the adoption of the
2011 EU policy on budget support. The corresponding Enlargement Sector Budget Support Guidelines
were approved in 2014. The 2017 update
119
merged the two sets of guidelines and integrated the
new political context (2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Addis Ababa Action Agenda on
Financing for Development, new EU Consensus, European Neighbourhood and enlargement policies)
as well as the lessons drawn from five years of practice. Recommendations by the European Court of
Auditors, the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union were also integrated.
This 2017 update resulted into the following adjustments: the three types of EU budget support
contracts have been refocused and renamed respectively Sustainable Development Goals Contract,
Sector Reform Performance Contract, and State and Resilience Building Contract; guidance has been
added to encompass new priorities (for example domestic revenue mobilisation and international tax
governance, policy dialogue, economic resilience, reforms to improve investment climate, gender-
budgeting, public administration reform, results-based monitoring, and communication on reforms
and results); and reporting requirements for EU Delegations have been streamlined to focus on key
aspects and better inform disbursement decisions, while supporting further policy dialogue with
partner countries. The 2017 EU Budget Support Guidelines have been in force since October 2017.
Robust internal quality control and monitoring mechanisms ensure that budget support
disbursements are carried out correctly.
In application of the 'Collect More
–
Spend Better' approach and the commitments announced for
the Addis Tax Initiative, several Capacity Development Tools have been put in place. The Commission
reinforced its dedicated support on domestic revenue mobilisation, notably through support to the
Revenue mobilisation trust fund (EUR 10 million to enhance domestic revenue mobilisation by
supporting the creation of efficient fiscal systems, to foster sustainable development and inclusive
growth). The Commission also supported the fight against base erosion and profit shifting through
the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Inclusive framework (EUR one million which tackles
multinational enterprises' tax planning strategies exploiting gaps and mismatches in tax rules to
artificially shift profits to low or no-tax locations).
In addition, within the Strategic Partnership Framework with the IMF, the Commission co-organised
and supported the 5th Africa Fiscal Forum in Yaoundé/Cameroun on 7-8 February 2017. The Forum
u de the headi g Fis al Poli u de St ess
ought togethe se io offi ials f o Af i a
Ministries of Finance. It provided a much-appreciated opportunity for engagement and for South-
South peer learning on topical issues related to domestic revenue mobilisation and efficient spending
to ea h the SDGs. The EUs olle t o e-spe d ette app oa h as e og ised as a guidi g th ead
for further action in fiscal policy.
In all cooperation contexts, there is a strong focus on public finance management (PFM) and public
administration or policy reform programmes. In addition, partners are systematically accompanied
119
https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/budget-support-guidelines_en
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by capacity building. In addition, beneficiaries are supported with comprehensive diagnostics,
providing a basis for reform strategies, monitoring progress and facilitating policy dialogue.
High-quality procurement promotes efficient spending and maximum value and impact for public
goods and services and reduces corruption through enhanced transparency. The Commission
supports the OECD/ World Bank Methodology for Assessing Procurement Systems (MAPS) providing
a common tool for analysing strengths and weaknesses of public procurement systems. In the
enlargement context, public procurement was thoroughly assessed by OECD/SIGMA as part of the
2017 assessments against the Principles of Public Administration.
The Public Expenditure and Financial Accountability (PEFA) assessment continues to be the core
diagnostic tool for public finance management, preparing dialogue and reform. In 2017, the
Commission financed several PEFA assessments, which have developed into a global public good with
576 assessments undertaken in 150 countries. The Commission continued support with a EUR five
million contribution to finance the PEFA Secretariat for the next five years (2017-2021), with a view
to reinforce quality aspects, including the PEFA check modality, training, dissemination, database
access and research on impact.
Budget support in the enlargement context
The mid-term evaluation of the IPA II in 2017 found that budget support, which was introduced in
the enlargement context in 2015, has triggered more inclusive dialogue structures, greater results
orientation and improvement of the monitoring systems. The reform progress reports by the
beneficiaries demonstrate increasing capacity and constitute a tool for strengthening accountability
and transparency, and for creating space for informed policy dialogue between the stakeholders.
4.2.2. Using EU grants strategically via blending
Blending combines EU grants with loans (or with equity) from other public and private financiers and
helps to leverage additional public and private resources for sustainable economic development.
Since first introduced at the beginning of the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2007-2013,
blending has gradually evolved into an important tool of EU external cooperation, complementing
other implementation modalities. EU regional blending facilities have been set up in all regions and
other blending-supported projects such as Climate Investor One-an investment fund managed by the
Dutch development bank FMO and aiming to deliver sustainable energy at affordable prices in
emerging markets.
From the creation of the first EU blending facilities in 2007, approximately EUR five billion of EU
grants have leveraged some EUR 40 billion of loans with a total investment volume in partner
countries of approximately EUR 73 billion.
With the transformation of the Africa Investment Facility into the Africa Investment Platform in 2017,
in the context of the External Investment Plan, operations in Sub-Saharan Africa grew in scale and
shifted focus on a growing collaboration with private sector initiatives. Projects like Boost Africa, an
initiative that uses a combination of investment tools, technical assistance and entrepreneur training
to attract investors and develop an efficient entrepreneurial infrastructure, is just one example of the
kinds of new projects the Commission is supporting in Africa.
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In 2017, in the Neighbourhood region, EU grants totalling EUR 385 million supported projects with an
expected investment volume of almost EUR four billion by European Financial Institutions alone, and
with total investments well in excess of that figure.
In Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia, the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, a total of approximately
EUR 1.1 billion of EU grants supported projects with an expected investment volume of almost EUR
9.4 billion. This amounts to almost twice as much as 2016, an indication of the growing importance of
blending. The lion's share of EU contributions went to Sub-Saharan Africa, implemented mainly
through the Africa Investment Platform of the External Investment Plan, with approximately 80 % of
funds, including thematic projects dedicated to the region. This focus on Sub-Saharan Africa reflects a
policy emphasis on addressing some of the root causes of migration. Asia and Central Asia amounted
to approximately 5 % of the total, 4.5 % was allocated to Latin America and the Caribbean, and the
rest was shared among global thematic projects.
In 2017, the EU Platform for Blending in External Cooperation (EUBEC), which was launched following
a request by Council and Parliament to further increase the effectiveness of EU assistance delivered
through blending, continued its important work in the framework of Blending. EUBEC aims to provide
guidance for the harmonisation of key principles regarding blending activities whilst allowing for
differentiation by sectors and regions. It focuses on sectors where financial instruments can be most
usefully deployed, within and across geographical regions, and it further strengthens the coherence
of blending activities with EU policies.
4.2.3. European External Investment Plan
On 14 September 2016, the Commission put forward an ambitious External Investment Plan (EIP),
including the creation of the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD). The EIP will
support smart and sustainable investments in partner countries in the European Neighbourhood and
in Africa, and it will develop more effective Partnerships, beyond classical development assistance,
by supporting innovative financing models implemented by partner financial institutions.
The EIP has been designed along the lines of the new European Consensus on Development, which
intends to align EU development policy with the United Nations' 2030 SDG Agenda, the Addis Ababa
Action Agenda on Development Finance and the Paris declaration on climate change. A key focus of
EU External Policy will be Africa, where 18 million new jobs need to be created every year and where
the EU will upscale its cooperation, by focusing on key engines of sustainable development.
Sustainable investment needs to play an essential role in boosting jobs and growth in developing
countries, bringing in more stability, Prosperity, Peace and improving living conditions and thereby
addressing the root causes of migration.
Investment needs in many key sectors in Africa and the Neighbourhood are massive, including
among others in the areas of energy, transport, social infrastructure, education, the digital agenda,
sustainable use of natural resources, micro, small and medium enterprises, agriculture, as well as
water and sanitation. Without specific support, private investments only go where conditions for
profit are already in place, since the business community requests a certain level of guarantees such
as protection from financial, legal or security risks. One of the key missions of the EIP will be
therefore to de-risk and encourage investments in areas or sectors where they otherwise would not
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go and to reach people they would otherwise not reach, as for example in fragile or conflict-affected
countries. The primary engine to make that happen is an integrated approach to boost investments,
with a focus on leveraging additional private and public resources for sustainable development. The
proposed EIP is founded on three pillars.
Under pillar 1, the EFSD has been set up as a large platform for investment proposals, constituted by
the well-known Neighbourhood and Africa Investment Blending Facilities and by a new EFSD
Guarantee Fund as a key innovative element. In particular, the ambition under this new guarantee is
to go beyond existing instruments, by supporting innovative financing models mobilising private
sector resources. These three EFSD instruments, foreseen to mobilise EUR 4.1 billion from the EU
budget, are expected to leverage more than EUR 44 billion of investments up to 2020.
This will be complemented under pillar 2 by technical support to help local authorities and
companies develop bankable projects and to improve the regulatory and policy environment in
partner countries.
Pillar 3 will focus on improving the investment climate, by supporting structural reforms and good
governance, through policy dialogue and cooperation. A close link with the other two pillars is
essential to stimulate investments and create jobs.
In 2017, the EIP started its implementation, following the entry into force of the EFSD regulation in
September and the first meetings of the Strategic and Operational Boards. The Commission invited
pa t e fi a ial i stitutio s to su it P oposed I est e t P og a
es ithi fi e I est e t
Wi
do s fo the EFSD Gua a tee, fo usi g o the follo i g ke se to s:
•
•
•
•
•
Sustainable Energy and Connectivity
Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Financing
Sustainable Agriculture, Rural Entrepreneurs and Agroindustry
Sustainable Cities
Digital for Development
In addition, in 2017 the EU agreed to invest around EUR 900 million in Sub-Saharan Africa as part of
the EIP blended finance operations. This will help leverage a total investment of around EUR 5.6
billion in 30 major projects led by partner financial institutions. Examples include the Boost Africa
platform, the Climate Investor One finance facility, the construction of a hybrid power plant in Niger,
a transmission line connecting Mozambique and Malawi, investments in agriculture in the rural areas
of Senegal, as well as rehabilitation and upgrade of transport infrastructures in Mali, Madagascar,
Zambia and other partner countries.
As part of EIP implementation, the EIP Secretariat has started programmes to provide guidance to EU
Delegations on financing and structured dialogue with the private sector, using the dialogue platform
Sustai a le Busi ess fo Af i a SB A . Co ple e ta a tio s ha e ee desig ed fo the pe iod
2018-2020, including new and flexible Technical Assistance delivery mechanisms to help implement
necessary legislative reforms or unblock regulatory barriers to investments.
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4.3.
Improving ways of working
4.3.1. Simplification of procedures
In 2017 the Commission continued with its actions on simplification of procedures in the field of
international cooperation and development. The main focus lay on eliminating obstacles, increasing
flexibility and obtaining simplification in the Commission's relation with International Organisations
and Member State Agencies implementing EU financed external action.
New contractual template for financial instruments and revision of the Manual for contractual
templates
In 2017, specific contractual templates for the implementation of financial instruments have been
adopted by the Commission to be annexed to the existing Pillar Assessed Grant or Delegation
Agreement (PAGoDA 2) template.
Main issues are related to accounting standards on financial
avoidance strategy. The new template also ensures the
EU s poli
with a specific clause concerning non-cooperative jurisdictions.
o t a ti g ith Me e States fi a e i stitutio s a d de elop
reporting, negative interest and
i the fight agai st ta a oida e
The new templates will facilitate
e t a ks.
An updated version of the Manual for PAGoDA 2 templates was published in January 2017. The
Manual provides guidance on the interpretation of the contractual provisions of the PAGoDA 2
template. The new version contains detailed explanations to further facilitate contracting with the
EU
fo i po ta t i ple e ti g pa t e s like i te atio al o ga isatio s a d Me e States
agencies.
Framework Administrative Arrangements
New framework administrative arrangements between the European Commission and development
banks have been negotiated or reviewed in 2017, most notably with the African Development Bank
and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The signature of a framework
administrative arrangement with an implementing partner entails a significant simplification for the
negotiation and conclusion of all the subsequent contracts to be signed with such an entity, since it
avoids lengthy and complex
ad hoc
discussions on horizontal and institutional issues at the moment
of a concrete action. At the same time, it ensures consistency in accommodating the specificities of
each main partner at a horizontal level.
Convergence exercise of internal guidance in procurement and grants:
In 2017, new opportunities have been explored for a greater convergence between the Practical
guide to contractual procedures for external actions (PRAG) and the common rules as laid down in
the
Vade Mecum
for grants and procurement for Commission services. This will in practice represent
a simplification of existing rules and a rationalisation of Commissio
se i es a of o ki g a d is
dictated by the ongoing development of a dedicated IT-System on e-Grants and e-Procurement.
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4.4.
Communication & transparency
4.4.1 Communication
As this report shows, EU development cooperation continues to make a real difference to the lives of
millions of people in our many partner countries around the world. Communicating the results and
achievements of our programmes and projects is a critical part of this work: it strengthens our
accountability towards citizens and contributes to maintaining a high level of support for the EU's
policies and funding.
The Commission deepened its new approach to communicating on development in social media,
through storytelling, co-curation of accounts, and a greater focus on young people, gender equality
and partnerships.
The 11
th
edition of the European Development Days was held on 15-16 June 2017 in Brussels under
the the e: I esti g i de elop e t . Du ed
P eside t Ju ke 'the Da os of De elop e t',
the event attracted a total of 6 370 participants, with very strong VIP participation and high media
interest. Ten web-streamed Kapusckinski development lectures were organised around the world, as
well as a great number of events at the External Cooperation Information Point in Brussels. Four
study visits for business associations to the enlargement region and 60 partnership events on the
enlargement process with academia and think tanks from the Member States were organised.
Special attention was given to youth, with a youth conference in the margins of the Western Balkans
Six Summit in Paris in July.
Other
major events
such as the donor conferences for Syria (October) and (November), yielded
strong media interest and coverage. These were supplemented by three press seminars and trips
organised for journalists in 2017 ahead of the African Union
–
European Union summit and in Ghana
to allow African and European journalists to gain first-hand experience of EU development projects
and policies. EU journalists were also invited to one press trip on neighbourhood and enlargement
policies, which resulted in significant amounts of media coverage for EU support in these areas.
4.4.2 Transparency
The Commission has continued to be an active supporter of the transparency and openness of aid by
publishing timely, comprehensive and forward-looking data in line with the International Aid
Transparency Initiative (IATI) standard and the OECD-DAC Creditor Reporting System and Forward
Spending Survey. It has also remained an active member of the IATI Assembly. In 2017 several
important measures were implemented to enhance the comprehensiveness and quality of the data
published to IATI. It included an update from version 1.04 to version 2.02 of the standard, integration
of EU Trust Funds data and project level results data, publication of better forecast data and links to
tender documents, and better alignment between the IATI publication and OECD DAC reporting. To
support the use of EU aid data, the aid transparency website of EU institutions and Member States
'EU Aid Explore' will be revamped.
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