Commission report on co-operation with European non- governmental development organisations (NGDOs) in those fields of importance to developing countries - (1996 financial year)
* ** COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES -to ir Brussels, 17. 03. 1998 COM0998) 127 final COMMISSION REPORT on co-operation with European non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs) in those fields of importance to developing countries (1996 financial year) SUMMARY 1. At its meeting of 28 November 1977 the Council approved the procedure to be followed in using appropriations under item B7-6000 of the Community budget for cofinancing operations with non-governmental development organisations (NGDOs). l Under this procedure the Commission is required to present an annual report to the Council on the use of the appropriations allocated during the preceding financial year. The Commission is presenting this report for 1996. Although the Council's requirement only concerns appropriations under item B 7-6000, the report also covers other major spheres of co-operation with NGDOs such as food aid, humanitarian aid, special programmes and co-ordination between NGDOs. The various contributions made by the relevant Commission departments provide an overview. 1 See Council document R/207/78 (GCD) of 26 January 1978. CONTENTS INTRODUCTION EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION WITH DEVELOPMENT NGOs IN 1996 1. EC COFINANCENT OF PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND DEVELOPMENT AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS IN EUROPE CARRIED OUT BY EUROPEAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS (item B7-6000 of the Budget) 1. 1 General Overview: 1. 2 1996 EC Co-financing Programme of projects in Developing Countries carried out by European Development NGOs. 1. 2. 1 Main Features of 1996 programme 1. 2. 2 Block grants 1. 2. 3 Recipient countries 1. 3 Co-financing of Information and Awareness Raising Campaigns on Development Issues in the EC 1. 3. 1 Main Features of 1996 programme 1. 4 Cofinancing programme from 1976 to 1996 1. 5 Relations with the Liaison Committee of Development NGOs to the EC. 1. 6 Council Regulation on Co-financing operations with European NGOs. 1. 7 Outlook. H. OTHER AREAS OF CO-OPERATION 2. 1 Food aid delivered by development NGOs (Title B7-2 of the budget) 2. 2 Storage and early warning systems 2. 3 European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) (Chapter B7-21 of the budget, Lomé Convention 2. 3. 1 General overview of humanitarian aid in 1996 2. 3. 2 Humanitarian operations A 3. Page il 2 3 3 4 4 5 6 7 7 8 10 11 11 12 12 13 14 14 14 2. 3. 3 NGO cooperation 2. 4 Co-operation with NGOs in respect of aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons 2. 4. 1 Cooperation with NGOs in respect of aid to promote self- sufficiency of refugees, displaced persons and returnees in Asia and Latin America 2. 4. 2 Aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons (Article 255 of Lomé Convention IV) 2. 5 Rehabilitation programmes in developing countries 2. 5. 1 Rehabilitation operations (Budget headings B7-3210 and B7-6410 -1996 Budget) 2. 6 European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa: (Art. B7-3200 of budget) 2. 6. 1 General objectives of the EPRD 2. 6. 2 Specific objectives 2. 6. 3 Conclusions 2. 7 EC health measures, particularly in respect of AIDS, in developing countries: role of NGOs (ACP countries) 2. 8 Environment and forest sectors (Budget lines B7-6200 Environment and B7-6201 Forest) (ACP countries) 2. 8. 1 Environment Budget Line B7-6200 2. 8. 2 Tropical Forest Budget Line B7-6201 2. 9 B7-6004 2. 10 B7-6005 2. 11 Decentralized co-operation (B7-6430) 2. 11. 1 Aims 2. 11. 2 Budget heading item B7-6430 15 15 15 16 17 1" 1S IS 20 21 21 23 23 23 24 25 25 25 26 ^ TABLES relating to item B7-6000 I. Breakdown by recipient country of development projects cofinanced from 1976 to 1996 inclusive II. Breakdown by Member State of Community funds allocated for cofinancing from 1976 to 1996 inclusive III. Breakdown by Member State of Community funds for cofinancing allocated in 1*996 Page 27 30 31 A C INTRODUCTION Over the last 20 years co-operation between the European Development NGOs and the EC has kept pace with the solidarity shown by the citizens of Europe through their support for the work of the NGOs with the poor and marginalized in the developing countries. The EC mainly contributes through the cofinancing of NGO development programmes in developing countries and awareness raising campaigns on development issues in Europe, through the provision of food aid and food security programmes, the provision of humanitarian aid and assistance in many other more specialised areas. Despite the reduction of financial resources for development co-operation in recent years and the current budgetary restrictions to which the Commission is subject, there has been a steady commitment of EC financial resources made available to NGOs. In 1996 more than 703. 6 MECU was allocated to NGOs for development and humanitarian activities in developing countries from the EC budget (compared to 821. 5 in 1995 and 803. 3 in 1994). In addition NGOs have played a significant role in the implementation of programmes within the EU's Asian and Latin American programmes and in the implementation of EDF (European Development Fund) programmes. The special budget line for cofinancing of development schemes with European NGOs amounted to 175 MECU1- in 1996 compared to 174 MECU in 1995 and 145 MECU in 1994. This annual report is focused in Section 1 on NGO operations cofinanced by the Commission under heading B7-6000. Owing to the large number of such operations, the lists of development projects and development awareness raising campaigns have not been attached to the report. These are obtainable from the Directorate-General for Development (DGVm/B/2). Section 11 of the report "other areas of Cooperation" provides information on the other main sectors of EC development aid in which NGOs play an important role, financed by the EC budget and under Articles 254 and 255 of the Lomé Convention IV. 1 iMECU transferred from Budget line B7-6006 (assistance for NGOs working in Cuba) dL EUROPEAN COMMUNITY CO-OPERATION WITH DEVELOPMENT NGOs TN The range of EC budget headings on which NGOs drew in 1996 reflects their role in almost all aspects of EC development co-operation programmes. The following table covers the main areas of co-operation with NGOs. 1. Cofinancing of development projects in developing countries MECU 155. MECU 139. 9 1 1996 H 1995 2. Cofinancing of awareness raising of development issues in Europe 3. Cofinancing of Liaison Committee of European NGDOs and evaluations, etc. 4. Food aid 5. Humanitarian aid (ECHO) 18. 3 1. 7 111. 2 30~H 16. 0. 1. 4 214. 0 ' 328 _ _ —. _—_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ — — _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ > — — — — — ——_. ————————^^————— -_-—-——-————————______-_—— 6. Rehabilitation programmes in developing countries 44. 0 42. 8 7. Rehabilitation programmes in Southern Africa 8. Assistance for refugees and displaced persons 9. Special programme for South Africa 10. Other budget lines accessible to NGOs (Vietnam, Cambodia, Health, environment, etc)2 14. 6 25. 4 13. 6 203 13. 9 15. 7 48. 6 n/a The Community contribution from the EC budget to NGO projects in 1996 amounts to approximately 703,6 MECU. 1 Approximate figure. Humanitarian assistance channelled through NGOs represented 46% of the total Budget in 1996. 2 Exclusive of NGO projects funded under the EDF, ALA, MEDA funds. 3 Approximate figures. -2- I. EC COFINANCING OF PROJECTS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES AND DEVELOPMENT AWARENESS RAISING CAMPAIGNS IN EUROPE CARRIED OUT BY EUROPEAN NON-GOVERNMENTAL ORGANISATIONS (item B7-6000 of the Budget) 1. 1. General Overview The main objectives of the programme in 1996 were: - In developing countries to support local initiatives developed in partnership with European NGOs to fight poverty at the grassroots; - Within the EU, to support activities to increase awareness in Europe of the problems faced by developing countries and the interrelationship of the North and South and to support the strengthening of co-operation between European NGOs themselves, between European NGOs and the Community institutions via the NGDO-EC Liaison Committee. As in previous years, the Commission channelled approximately 90% of the appropriations under item B7-6000 into the cofinancing of operations conducted in developing countries, the balance going towards the cofinancing of activities to heighten public awareness in the European Community and support for the NGDO-EC Liaison Committee. The commitment appropriations entered in the 1996 budget under item B7-6000 amounted to ECU 174 million (plus 1 MECU added from budget item B7-6006 for NGOs in Cuba). In 1996 this amount was fully committed and a total of 824 projects cofinanced. The following table gives an overview of the number of projects dealt with and cofinanced by the Commission 's NGO cofinancing unit in 1996: No. of projects dealt with in 1996 No. of projects cofinanced in 1996 No. of projects rejected in 1996 No. of projects carried over to 1997 1,254 645 179 430 276 179 33 64 Projects in Developing countries Awareness raising projects on development issues in Europe Total 1,530 824 212 494 The Commission's NGO cofinancing unit handles this large number of requests in accordance with the criteria and rules laid down in the General Conditions for Cofinancing. 1 In examining each dossier, particular consideration is given to the professionalism and financial soundness of the NGO, the quality of the project, the Southern partner's operational capacity and the quality of the ties between it and the European NGDO, the expected impact of the project, its viability and the potential multiplier effect for the target groups concerned. 12 1996 EC Co-financing programme of projects in Developing Countries carried out by European Development NGOs. 1. 2. 1 Main Features, of the 1996 Programme, In 1996, 645 projects were cofinanced totalling 154. 5 MECU accounting for 90% of commitments under B7-6000, including 164 Block Grants. The Commission continued to prioritise NGO projects which showed a strong commitment to grass roots development and to groups which do not have access to official development co-operation. Projects were supported in both rural and urban areas with a notable increase in urban projects. The key sectors of intervention were rural development, education and training, health, economic activities including microcredit support for small businesses and social support projects. Special encouragement continued to be given to NGO projects: - In countries undergoing rehabilitation or transition to democracy. - To strengthen the capacity of Southern partners of European NGOs. - In the Mediterranean and Arab world as part of the EU's support for emerging civil society. Considerable importance continues to be attached to projects involving women and the Commission has cofinanced a number of projects designed to enhance their access to education and training and income-generating activities in both urban and rural areas. Street children are another important group of beneficiaries. Increasing awareness of the scale of the vulnerability of children in poverty to the sex tourism industry has given an added impetus to prioritising this vulnerable group and several innovative projects were approved in 1996 which combine access to education and income-generating opportunities for the families involved. 1 Commission of the European Communities, "General Conditions for the cofinancing of projects undertaken in developing countries by Non-governmental Organizations (doc. VrH/764/87) and "General Conditions for the cofinancing of projects to raise public awareness of development projects carried out by Non-governmental Organizations (doc. VDI/271/87). - 4- Institutional support for Southern partners: European NGOs are working with a wide variety of Southern partners, both intermediary support NGOs and grass roots community organisations. In recent years there has been an increase in Southern NGOs own capacity to develop and implement projects and the role of the Northern NGO has tended to move from direct implementation itself to a more supportive and advisory role. The Commission has been actively encouraging its European NGO partners to take their Southern partner's institutional and capacity building needs into account. A special facility for this has existed within Budget line B-6000 since 1988. This has been under-utilised by European NGOs as shown in the 1994 evaluation carried out by the Commission. One of the main findings of a seminar held with Northern and Southern NGOs on this issue in May 1996 was that institutional support demands long term moral, political and financial commitment which requires both the NGOs and the Commission itself to move from its present project based approach to a longer term programme approach. This is a rapidly developing area of NGO reflection and change in practise which the Commission is actively supporting and will accomodate on revising its General Conditions for Cofinancing. A special Commission NGO seminar in late 1995 brought together several NGOs from the countries of the Magreb and the EC to launch an initiative to increase their links and promote greater partnership. This is part of the wider EC programme to develop closer links within the Mediterranean world, and in the case of the NGOs to support the emerging civil society in these regions. The initiative has been taken forward in 1996 with the launching of a training programme by European NGOs on rural and urban development issues for Arab NGOs and on increasing skills and information on accessing donor funds. Many projects continued to be approved for NGO activities among the Palestinians and in the Lebanon. Evaluations: Following the evaluations carried out by the Commission in 1994, in particular in the field of credit and capacity building, special actions have been taken by the Commission to enable the lessons learned to be applied to new projects and for increased policy dialogue. Seminars have been held to disseminate the results of the evaluations and expert consultancies established for project appraisal. This has led to a considerable improvement in the quality of projects presented in these two areas of NGO specialisation and enabled the Commission to capitalise on project experiences for policy exchanges with the NGOs and other donors. 1. 2. 2. Block grants Block grants are provided to a number of European NGOs with whom the Commission has had a satisfactory long term partnership The main aim of the block grant is to provide the NGOs with a flexible financing tool for small actions, (e. g. purchase of equipment, construction of small-scale infrastructure, training assistance, etc. ) Such operations often complement larger projects and many also serve to establish the initial contacts for co operation with new partners in the South. In 1996 a total of 164 Block grants were allocated to NGOs for a total of 21. 9 MECU. Between 1984 and 1996, the Commission has cofinanced 1,330 block grants for à total of ECU 167. 9 million. - 5 YEAR AMOUNT OF BLOCK GRANT % OF COMMITMENTS UNDER ARTICLE NO OF BLOCK GRANTS 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 3. 1 3. 7 5. 7 6. 8 8. 8 9. 9 9. 7 13. 1 18. 1 21. 9 21. 5 23. 7 21. 9 9 11 13 11 11 12. 4 10. 8 12. 6 16. 5 16. 2 14. 8 13. 6 12. 5 1. 2. 3. Recipient countries 39 43 50 59 79 96 97 118 140 159 134 152 164 NO OF MTNI- OPERATI ONS1 383 450 671 822 961 1082 1099 1447 1935 2 263 2 239 2 435 N/A. AMOUNT GIVEN BY THE COMMUNITY PER MINI-OPERATION (ECU)1 8 202 8 146 8 507 8 272 9 153 9 105 8 857 9 061 9 363 9 666 9 606 9 726 N/A. The 645 development projects cofinanced in 1996 were carried out in 100 developing countries. The geographical breakdown2 of the Community's contributions was as follows: 1996 ECU million 45. 9 46. 2 24. 7 6. 2 7. 9 0. 8 0. 9 132. 6 % 34. 6 34. 8 18. 6 4. 7 6. 0 0. 6 0. 7 100 1995 (%) 32. 4 36. 1 17. 5 6. 0 8. 0 0. 0 0. 0 1994 (%) i | 33. 9 40. 6 16. 0 3. 7 5. 3 0. 1 0. 4 100. 0 100. 0 - Sub-Saharan Africa - Latin America -Asia - Caribbean - Mediterranean - Pacific -Other3 TOTAL This figure will only be available in late 1997. Does not include geographical breakdown of 1996 blockgrants which amount to 21. 9 MIO ECU. This will only be available in late 1997 and does not substantially affect the overall picture of the allocations per recipient country. Projects covering several countries. -6 The breakdown between ACP and non-ACP countries was as follows: 1996 ECU million % - ACP countries - Non-ACP TOTAL 53. 37 79. 22 132. 6 40. 25 59. 75 100. 0 1995 (%) 37. 2 62. 8 100. 0 1994 (%) 36. 3 63. 7 100. 0 i 1 i i j I | 1. 3 Co-financing of Information Awareness and Raising Campaigns on Development Issues in the EC. 1. 3. 1 Main Features of 1996 Programme In 1996, 179 projects totalling ECU 18. 3 million were cofinanced accounting for 10% of the commitments under item B7-6000. This included 42 multi-project programmes concerning 289 mini-projects amounting to 1. 63 MECU. Generally speaking, the aim of these projects is information, awareness-raising and mobilization of the European public with regard to development issues in order to increase support for policies and schemes which would have a positive impact on the people of the developing countries. The formal education sector is once again an important area of NGOs' work (34 projects cofinanced in 1996, with many others including schools amongst their target groups). A major evaluation is underway, examining in particular NGOs' strategies to give development education a more lasting place in the schools' system (results available late 1997). In the projects cofinanced in 1996, increasing attention to teacher training and a more systematic approach to curriculum needs has been encouraged, as has work with educational authorities at appropriate levels. Consumers form a second important target group. The number of projects addressing fair trade issues is increasing (10 in 1995, 14 in 1996) and some NGOs are also targeting them on other aspects of trade (protection of tropical forests, biodiversity, workers' rights, child labour). This appears to be a growing area of NGO activity, and one where collaboration between NGOs from different Member States is strong, and which shows considerable potential for alliances with other social movements (environmental children's rights, etc. ). Another area of increasing activity is that of the impact of globalization. NGOs working in the field of trade union education have been dealing with this for some time. However, the theme is • beginning to appear increasingly in work in the youth sector, local community work and in projects linking similar organizations in Europe and the developing countries (women's organisations, popular education movements, church- based groups). Finally, the issues of democracy and human rights, together with the relation between development prospects and situations of conflict, have received steady attention from NGOs (7 projects specifically addressing the issues, others including them in broader campaigns). The second Development Education Forum, held in Lisbon in November 1996, began work on identifying possibilities for increased strategic planning in the field of awareness-raising and development education. One of the Forum's principal proposals was to organise a Summer School, to enable NGOs from all Member States to share experiences and practice in key fields. The School will be held in the UK in 1997, and deal with links between development education and anti-racism, and the North-South connections in fields such as the fight against poverty, the drugs issue, and conflict prevention. 1. 4 Cofinancing programme from 1976 to 1996 The cofinancing programme under item B7-6000 was launched in 1976 on a trial basis with a small amount of commitment appropriations (ECU 2. 5 million). In following years the appropriations were gradually increased, partly as a result of active support from the European Parliament, and in 1996 they climbed to ECU 174 million. The following table gives an overview of the evolution of appropriations available and commitments made under Budset Line B7-6000. YEAR. APPROPRIATION AVAILABLE (ECU million) COMMITMENTS (ECU million) COMMITMENT RATE (%) 1976 1986 1990 991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 2. 5 46. 0 90. 2 104. 6 110. 0 145. 0 135. 0 [174. 0] 157. 51 [174+1] 175. 02 2. 5 45. 0 90. 2 104. 1 109. 9 135. 0 145. 0 157. 3 175. 02 100 98 100 99. 5 100 100 100 99. 9 100 1 16. 5 MECU was transferee to the budget lines for rehabilitation, AIDS, training and awareness raising for development to finance urgent projects carried out by NGOs. 2 Addition of 1 MECU transferred from Budget line B7-6006 (Assistance to NGOs working in Cuba). Over this period, 9,119 NGO projects were cofinanced; the EC contribution to these was ECU 1,361 MECU. The breakdown of operations in developing countries and development awareness raising campaigns was as follows: 1976-1996 Number of projects EC contribution (ECU million) % Projects in developing countries Development Awareness raising campaigns TOTAL 7,420 1,230 90. 4 1,699 9,119 131 1,361 9. 6 100 7,420 development projects have been carried out by aproximately 650 NGDOs in 133 developing countries. The geographical spread of Community contributions to these operations is as follows: 1976-1996 ECU million Sub-Saharan Africa Latin America Caribbean Asia Mediterranean Pacific Other1 TOTAL 465. 3 403. 8 46. 7 214. 9 • 68. 5 5. 8 3. 8 1. 208. 82 % 38. 5 33. 4 3. 8 17. 8 5. 7 0. 5 0. 3 100 ACP countries have received approximately 42,9% and non-ACP countries 57. 1 % of the total EC contribution. 1 Projects covering several countries. 2 Does not include 1996 geographic breakdown of Block grants of 21. 9 MECU. Tables I and II in the Annex give a breakdown by recipient developing country and by allocations made to NGOs in each EC Member State. Roughly half of all operations cofinanced and over 50 % of all the funds committed took place during the last five financial years, i. e. from 1991 to 1996. The average Community contribution to projects in developing countries grew from ECU 123,000 in 1985 to ECU 275,000 in 1996. 1. 5 Relations with the Liaison Committee of Development NGOs to the EU. Over the last 22 years the Commission has built up close relations with the NGDO Liaison Committee, which is a democratic umbrella group representing more than 800 European NGDOs via elected national platforms. The 1996 NGO thematic conference was on 'A Europe open to the World; Civil Society, the IGC; the Union and the Developing World' which focused in particular on the problem of coherence between the EU's policies, notably the development co-operation, agriculture and trade policies and the principles that should underlie Europe's foreign policy. The Annual General Assembly was the occasion for debates on the themes "Beyond Lome IV", "Poverty in the North and South" and the "Evaluation of the Liaison Committee". The main conclusions of the '95/'96 evaluation of the Liaison Committee focused on the need to revitalise and reinforce the national platforms, clarify their role and responsibilities, in order to ensure greater engagement of member NGOs and division of tasks with the central secretariat. A strategic plan for the Liaison committee for the period 1997-2000 is being drawn up in collaboration with the 15 national platforms. Throughout 1996 discussions continued between the Commission and the Liaison Committee on various aspects of the General Conditions for the Cofinancing of NGOs in preparation for their revision. Regular discussions were also held on other EC budget lines accessible to NGOs. In 1995, the NGOs and the Commission embarked on an overall review of EU-NGO relations known as the 'Elewijt' dialogue. (After the small Belgian town where the first meeting was held). The aim of this dialogue is threefold: to arrive at a better understanding of the identity of the European Development NGO, the harmonisation of conditions of access of NGOs to the different EC Budget lines and the identification of basic principles and guidelines for Commission-NGO co-operation. In 1996 a NGDO Charter of Basic Principles of Development and Humanitarian Aid was developed laying out the main characteristics and values defining the NGOs work. The Charter is also intended to assist the Commission in better understanding the specific nature of NGOs and their contribution to development. Progress was also made in identifying principles of Commission-NGO co-operation and areas for harmonisation of conditions for NGO access to EC financing, in particular as regards contracts. This work has continued into 1997. Following successful Commission-NGO consultations on the Relief, rehabilitation and development continuum in 1996, the Commission expressed its willingness to increase policy dialogue with the NGOs on sectoral and geographically focused issues, i. e. at the 'meso' level to distinguish it from the 'macro' level. Discussions started in late 1996 to define the objectives of such a dialogue and to define suitable sectoral issues and geographic regions. - 1 0- 1. 6 Council Regulation on Co-financing operations with European NGOs The Commission presented its draft proposal for a Regulation to the Council in July 1995. However, throughout 1995 and 1996 negotiations within the Council remained stalled due to differences between the member States and between the Member States and the Commission on the 'Comitology' issue. (This concerns the powers of the Committee to be set up to advise the Commission). A first reading of the draft Regulation in the European Parliament took place in December 1995 which gave an opinion in support of the Commission's draft proposal. Finally in July 1997 the Council was able to reach a common position which is being transmitted to the Parliament on second reading. 1. 7 Outlook In 1996, the effects of the globalization of the world economy have affected many of the poorest populations in the developing countries and have led to a deepening of the gap between the rich and the poor. In addition there has been a progressive withdrawal of State services in particular from, the key sectors of health and education which has led to the NGO sector being asked to fill the gap in many countries. In this period of rapid global change therefore the NGOs are facing many difficult challenges, leading to changes both in the nature of NGOs themselves and forms of collaboration between NGOs and donors. The Commission is aware of these challenges and of the need to increase policy dialogue with the NGO community on how they are to be met. In addition, there is also clearly a need for increased dialogue to ensure greater coherence and complementarity between official EC aid programmes and activities financed by the EC through NGOs. In 1997 the Commission will therefore continue and widen its policy dialogue with the NGO community to include *meso' level (i. e. sectoral and geographically based issues), in addition to macro-level issues. Revision of the General Conditions for Co-financing will continue to be a priority in 1997 building on preparatory work that has been carried out in 1996. Consultation, both internally in the Commission and the European NGO community, will continue on the harmonisation of the conditions of NGO access to the different EC budget lines under which they can obtain financing. The Commission will increase its contacts with its co-financing counterparts in Member States to explore issues of common concern and to exchange experiences. The Commission will continue its active support for the forging of genuine partnerships between European NGOs and their Southern partners, in particular through support for capacity building measures for Southern NGOs to enable them to participate in the construction of a strong civil society and ensure the sustainability of activities. 11 n. OTHER AREAS OF CO-OPERATION 21 Food aid delivered by development NGOs (Title B7-2 of the Budget): Overall food allocation decisions concerning NGOs taken in 1996: In 1996, the total value of food aid allocation decisions taken in favour of NGOs amounted to ECU 106. 54 million. This corresponds to 21. 1% of the overall amount of food aid financed by the EC and represents 45% of indirect food aid (aid for international organizations - WFP, UNHCR, UNRWA, ICRC - and for NGOs) fori 996. The allocation of this aid is as follows: Product Cereals Milk powder Sugar Vegetable oil Beans Quantity 165,000 Tons 3,300 Tons 2,300 Tons 7,500 Tons 13,000 Tons Other products ECU 16. 5 million Storage, Early warning systems ECU 6. 36 million Tools ECU 6. 5 million In 1996, the EC offered NGOs two possibilities for the implementation of their food aid operations, either via the utilization of EURONAID services, a service organization created and managed by 24 European international NGOs including the major requesters of food aid, or via a direct contract between the NGO and the Commission. However, in 1996 implementation of the majority of this aid was undertaken by EURONAID. Process of allocation to specific projects: Following the overall decision in favour of NGOs, the next stage involves the allocation to specific NGO projects. The allocation or reasoned refusal decision by the Food Security and Food Aid unit follows a process which comprises: examination of the request (compatibility of expenditure with our priorities, impact of the proposed operation) by Headquarters staff and by the Delegation concerned (in collaboration, where appropriate, with the technical assistance staff present in the country). 12 The role of technical assistance is very important in so far as it permits a close dialogue with NGOs, allowing discussion of their projects/ideas concerning food security and food aid. Technical assistants are now in place in most of the countries to which the EC accords priority. In 1996, the total amount of allocations approved for specific projects amounted to ECU 97. 1 million. 1996 - a vear of major redirection of EC policy on food aid and food security. The year 1996 confirmed the regearing of EC food aid policy towards food security. This new approach was confirmed by the Council of Ministers' approval on 27 June 1996 of a new Regulation on food aid policy and management and specific measures to promote food security. The objectives of these measures are set out in Article 1(3) of the new Regulation. Besides the major switch towards integrating food aid measures within the development and food security policies, the principal new feature of this approach was in the scope for providing recipient countries, directly or via our partners, with financial resources for food security support measures aimed at improving food security on a sustainable and long-term basis. The measures envisaged for this type of funding are listed in Article 5 of the new Regulation. NGO input to this process was ensured for the whole of its duration by a working group of the Liaison Committee which played an active part in discussions. New General Conditions for Cooperation: On the basis of this new policy framework for food aid and food security operations, new General Conditions on Cooperation between NGOs and the EC have been drawn up and should be available for the NGOs concerned during the second half of 1997. These new General Conditions aim to bridge the Conditions and Contracts covering Cooperation with NGOs in all spheres. In particular they will lay down cooperation rules and procedures on financial and technical assistance for food security support measures. 2. 2. Storage and Early Warning Systems In view of the importance- of these measures for improving food security for the population groups concerned, a large number of such operations have been financed by the EC and implemented by NGOs. In 1996, measures of this type were financed by NGOs in the following countries: Mozambique, Somalia, Chad, Ethiopia, Peru, Sudan, Zaire, Angola, Zimbabwe, El Salvador and Mali. The total sum in question was ECU 4 714 000. 13- 2. 3 European Community Humanitarian Office ŒCHO) (Chapter B7-21 of the budget, Lomé Convention) 2. 3. 1 General overview of humanitarian aid in 1996 In 1996 the humanitarian assistance provided by the Commission amounted to ECU 656 million, which represented a slight decrease as compared to ECU 692 million in the previous year, and brought the grand total of Commission humanitarian aid in the last five years to ECU 3084 miHion. The main humanitarian theatres in 1996 continued to be former Yugoslavia and the Great Lakes region. Overall, humanitarian aid was provided in some 60 countries, notably in Afghanistan, Angola, Sudan, Somalia, Sierra Leone, Liberia, the Russian federation (Chechnya), Georgia, Armenia, Azerbadjan, Tadjikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Iraq and Haiti. In 1996, the fourth year of ECHO'S activities, a-Council regulation governing humanitarian aid entered into force and a management committee of Member States was set up. The activity of the committee was intense and by the end of the year it had met five times, giving favourable opinions on draft proposals for humanitarian aid and discussing various policy issues. Violent conflicts and their consequences continued to be the main cause of most humanitarian crises during 1996. As a result of these crises, there was an unprecedented number of refugees and internally displaced persons worldwide. They often became entirely dependent on outside help for their survival. While attending to the immediate life-saving needs of the victims of such crises, the humanitarian community as a whole saw clearly that political solutions to the underlying problems were urgently needed. The Commission continued to attach great importance to coordinating its humanitarian activities with the longer term work undertaken in rehabilitation and development. In terms of strengthening these linkages between short and long term efforts, the Commission in 1996 initiated the process of setting up a number of interservice task forces for countries and regions moving out of emergency conditions into a situation characterized by rehabilitation and longer term development. Information activities and transparency continued to be high priority in 1996, with publications, information and facilities for press and broadcasting media as well as joint activitieswith Member States, NGOs and international organisations. 2. 3. 2 Humanitarian operations Operations in 1996 were on a comparable scale to those in 1995, the decisions adopted reached a total of ECU 656 million. In 1996, ECHO funds came mainly from the Community budget ( ECU 652. 6 million) and only ECU 3. 4. million from the Lomé Convention. On the regional distribution of assistance, ECHO'S operations in 1996 have followed a similar pattern as in 1995. In 1996, the main beneficiary region is the ACP countries accounting for 42% of ECHO funds, followed by former Yugoslavia (29%) and the CIS (8%) both representing a decrease as regards 1995, especially the latter region. Other main regions where ECHO has been present are Asia (8%), Iraq (5%), Latin America (3%), North Africa/Middle East (3%) and 2% corresponding to global decisions. - 1 4- Z. J. J NGO cooperation In 1996, about half of ECHO funding went to NGOs. ECHO continued to develop cooperation and contacts with NGOs, both directly in day-to-day contacts on operational issues, as well as through NGO networks and discussions on various policy issues. Such policy discussions were held on several occasions, often jointly organized with the NGO community. Activities included seminars on gender and emergencies. In December 1996 the first FORUM ECHO-NGOs was held in Dublin to discuss: "Ethics in Humanitarian Aid". The discussion targeted practical examples of ethical dilemmas facing humanitarian operators, such as how to act on human rights abuses, how to avoid humanitarian aid being abused in a war economy etc. Commissioner Mrs Bonino highlighted the basic humanitarian mission to save lives, urging at the same time the humanitarian community to commit to "political advocacy". 2. 4 Cooperation with NGOs in respect of aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons 2. 4. 1 Cooperation with NGOs in respect of aid to promote self-sufficiency of refugees, displaced persons and returnees in Asia and Latin America The aim of this budget heading, established in 1984 on the initiative of the European Parliament, is to promote greater self-sufficiency of refugees, displaced persons and returnees over an intermediate period following the initial emergency phase and prior to the longer-term development phase. The appropriations available under Article B7-212 (ex B7-302) have steadily increased since its introduction in 1984. Accordingly, between 1984 and 1995 over 350 projects were financed, representing a total of ECU 378 424 000 implemented by a large number of European or local NGOs, international organizations (primarily the UNHCR) and governmental bodies. In 1996, under Article B7-212, 69 projects were committed involving a total of ECU 60 million, of which ECU 38 million in Asia (63%) and ECU 22 million in Latin America (37%). Of these 69 projects, 44 were financed with NGOs (28 projects in Asia and 17 in Latin America), involving respectively ECU 19 500 000 and ECU 5 930 000, i. e. a total of ECU 25 430 000 representing 42. 3 8% of the total funding committed in 1996. The programmes implemented in 1996 in favour of refugees, displaced persons and returnees reflect a diverse sectoral and geographical spread. They, continued to support the action plans adopted at the International Conference on Refugees in Central America (CIREFCA, Guatemala 1989) and the International Conference on Indochinese Refugees (Geneva 1989). In addition, international institutional support was forthcoming in respect of - 1 5- "care and maintenance" (UNHCR)1 , mine clearance (UNOCHA)2 and repatriation and resettlement (UNHCR)3. In Asia, operations in 1996 were focused on three principal regions: Afghanistan/Pakistan in which the Commission supported integrated rural development operations to encourage the return of refugees and Bangladesh in which the Rohingyas refugees continued to make up large numbers. To this must be added more specific operations such as that in Thailand involving assistance for the Karen refugees or in Laos involving Laotian returnees. In Central America, in view of the currently active regional peace process, EC aid in 1996 focused on reconstruction and socio-economic resettlement of returnees and displaced and demobilized persons. Central American projects cofinanced and implemented by European or local NGOs in 1996 chiefly involved the development of productive activity in agriculture and livestock farming, vocational training, development of essential health services and the training of health personnel, the improvement of basic infrastructure and environmental protection. Of the 17 projects carried out in Latin America, four involved financial assistance for training programmes, the development of productive activities and three concerned the resettlement of displaced persons and returnees and the reintegration into civil society of demobilized persons. two concerned health programmes, eight concerned Of the 27 projects carried out in Asia, nine concerned the reintegration and resettlement of refugees, eleven concerned health and education, two vocational training, two mine clearance, with one information project. 2. 4. 2 Aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons f Article 255 of Lomé Convention IV). During the period in question, NGOs have continued, as in previous years, to play a vital operational partnership role in respect of aid for refugees, returnees and displaced persons. Of the ECU 3 010 000 approved in 1996 as aid under Article 255 of Lomé Convention IV, ECU 2 750 000 (approx. 91 %) was earmarked for NGO use. A programme of ECU 2 million for Zaire to help resettle displaced persons in Kasai province through measures to boost production and the sale of agricultural produce and to improve social services in the health and education spheres involved four different NGOs: GRET (F), OXFAM (UK), NUOVA FRONTIERA (I) and A. F. RAOUL FOLLEREAU (F). Likewise, in Senegal, a project was set up, to be implemented by CARITAS-Senegal, with a view to assisting the resettlement of persons displaced by the conflict in Casamance, involving the rebuilding and re-equipping of educational, health and agricultural production infrastructure. 1 Cambodia, Bhutan, Hong Kong, India, Laos, Sri Lanka. 2 Afghanistan. 3 Cambodia. - 1 6- 2. 5 Rehabilitation programmes in developing countries 2. 5. 1. Rehabilitation operations fBudget headings B7-3210 and B7-6410 - 1996 Budget Since the launch of the Special Initiative for Africa in 1993, NGOs have acquired a conceptual role in respect of rehabilitation - hence the part played by their representatives in the preparation of discussion papers on "The links between emergency aid, rehabilitation and development" - in addition to their role involving the proposal and implementation of projects and programmes in this sector. This particular contribution in respect of rehabilitation was specifically envisaged in Council Regulation (EC) No 2258/96 of 22 November 1996 on rehabilitation and reconstruction operations in developing countries, which refers to NGOs as cooperation partners able to obtain financial support in this sphere from the general Community budget, whilst at the same time seeking cofinancing. In 1996, a total of 52 NGOs from ten EC Member States and two ACP countries received financial assistance under the two budget headings concerned for rehabilitation operations in 11 eligible ACP countries; these operations, sometimes carried out under conditions of extreme difficulty, absorbed a total of ECU 42. 88 million (75% of the total amount covered by the financing decisions). The sum total of NGO-financed projects, the average duration of which was 18 months, averaged out at ECU 0. 55 million, to which was generally added funding, of a variable amount, provided by the operational partner. • With particular regard to the implementation of budget heading B7-3210 "Rehabilitation programmes in southern Africa", 23 of the 32 operations approved were presented by NGOs. 19 different NGOs, belonging to eight EC Member States and one ACP country, received a total of ECU 14. 63 million, representing 72. 6% of the total sum allocated for operations in Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. The principal sectors of activity were rehabilitation of the rural sector (production: agriculture, livestock farming and fisheries; and basic infrastructure: education, health and water supply), as well as specific operations, in particular training for specific groups: street children, women, destitute families and demobilized persons. Funding was also approved for local associations and NGOs. With regard to the DG Vm-administered part of budget heading B7-6410 "Rehabilitation total funding of in developing countries", which represented and reconstruction ECU 36. 9 million, 55 operations proposed by 35 NGOs from eight EC Member States and two ACP countries were approved, corresponding to a total of ECU 28. 35 million (76. 6% of the total sum approved). In the eight ACP countries in which the operations in question will be implemented by NGOs, the principal sectors of activity are: rehabilitation of basic infrastructure for agricultural production, education (in particular primary education), health and water supply, plus social rehabilitation (training, social support and mini-credit) for vulnerable groups or Community areas. Lastly, the partnership role of NGOs was considered in the context of the progressive implementation, in several of the countries concerned, of an overall - and sometimes also sectoral or geographical - approach vis-à-vis rehabilitation and the essential link with humanitarian aid, throughout which time numerous NGOs were involved in ways designed - 1 7- to meet the needs of the population concerned under the best possible conditions and at the same time pave the way for a resumption of development operations. 2. 6 European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa: Budget Line B7-3200 2. 6. 1. General Objectives of the EPRD The Special Programme on South Africa, originally proposed by the European Parliament in 1985 and confirmed on several occasions by the European Council, was renamed in 1995 European Programme for Reconstruction and Development in South Africa to signify the EC support to the policy manifesto of the Government of South Africa, the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP). The overall objective of the Special Programme/EPRD has been to assist South Africa in its peaceful transition to a stable, democratic, non racial and prosperous society. From 1986 to 1996, 777 projects have been funded for a total of 698 million ECU, with a budget of 129 million ECU allocated in 1996 to 15 programmes The "past" saw a dual approach by the European Community towards South Africa: positive measures, as the Special Programme for assisting the victims of apartheid was called, and negative measures, in the form of economic sanctions imposed on the previous regime. At "present" the transition is ongoing. The new Government is defining its policies and. in particular, the transition in development cooperation between the EC and South Africa concerns the following aspects: 18 PAST PRESENT FUTURE NAME Special Programme European Programme for Reconstruction and Development (EPRD) EPRD OBJECTIVE assistance to the victims of apartheid INTERLOCUTOR NGOs IMPLEMENTING AGENTS NGOs to contribute to the reconstruction and development of the country To contribute to the national programme for Growth, Employment and Redistribution (GEAR) Government of South Africa National Authorising Officer (NAO) Government of South Africa, NGOs and Private Sector Government of South Africa, NGOs and Private Sector A limited number of coherent programmes within focal areas Areas/sectors to be finalised through a Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) PATTERN many projects a limited number of coherent programmes AREAS/ SECTORS education, rural and community development, health, good governance and democratization and microenterprises development areas/sectors resulted from the discussions with government and spelled out in the Declaration of Intent: - Education and training; - Health; - Rural development; - Urban development; - Economic coop. , trade and investment promotion, support for Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises; - Good governance and démocratisation 1 9- Development co-operation with South Africa has during 1996 moved closer to the framework for development co-operation used for ACP countries. In November 1996 a Council Regulation was adapted and constitutes the Legal Base for Budget Line B7-3200. A Country Strategy Paper for South Africa for the 1997-1999 has been drafted by the Commission Services, following the same approach as in the ACP countries. This Paper will identify the constraints to development and propose a limited number of sectors of intervention for future development assistance financed under the EPRD. The ongoing negotiations carried out by the Commission for establishing a long term agreement between the EC and South Africa as well as the evolving political environment in the country have an impact on the way the EPRD is and eventually will be carried out. 2. 6. 2 Specific Objectives The Commission has identified with the South African Government the sectors where the resources available for the EPRD (European Programme for Reconstruction and Development) under the 1996 Budget (129 MECU) should be allocated. In May 1995 Prof. Pinheiro and Minister Naidoo, Minister in charge of the Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) signed the Declaration of Intent which summarizes the main areas of support (see Table above). The 1996 EPRD has been designed in close cooperation with the national government. It focuses on a small number of programmes, compared to the Special Programme, in order to reach a coherent developmental overall programme. Up to the 1994 General Elections, the Commission had operated through NGO, in particular, the following South African "traditional" implementing partners: * * * * The South African Council of Churches (SACC) The Southern Africa Catholic Bishop Conference (SACBC) The Kagiso Trust The Trade Unions. From then onwards, the European Commission Delegation in South Africa has progressively started to work with the new Government, continuing at the same time to channel part of the funding through NGOs. NGOs will continue to play an important role in implementing development co-operation projects within the EPRD. This can be done either with direct contractual relations between NGOs and the Commission or with NGOs "subcontracted" by Government for implementing components. Financing Agreements signed by the Commission and the South African Government (Budget Line B7-3200 EPRD) has committed 13,6 million ECU for NGO projects in 1996. In this context, it is important to mention the EPRD 5 million ECU support to the NGO Rural Water Supply. It will seek to improve the recognition of the useful role that NGOs and independent agencies can play in rural development and provide useful lessons and experiences from which larger initiatives and programmes can be developed. The Support to the South African Trade Union Movement programme (4. 3 million ECU) and the Democracy and Good Governance at Local level programme (1. 9 million ECU) will both try to strengthen NGOs and local authorities to establish a peaceful, democratic and prosperous South Africa through social and economic development. These projects together 20- with the Soul City 1996 programme (2. 35 million ECU), will be implemented exclusively by NGOs. Moreover, even though the Financing Agreements for projects like the Land Reform Pilot Programme (95/3), Water Development Programme in the Eastern Cape (95/4) and Small and Micro-Enterprise Development Programme (95/6) are with the Government of the Republic of South Africa, important components will be implemented by NGOs. SECTOR Number of projects MECU Education and Training Health Rural Development Urban Development Good Governance Private sector Development 2 2 - 2 1 6 1 _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ — _ _ __ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _. _ _ _ _ _ — _ _ _- Other TOTAL 1 15 36. 4 3. 1 20. 0 24. 5 35. 2 | j 8. 9 | i 1. 1 j 129. 2 j ________________: a^=^a-! g l^=Be==a=SBacs==a=:=nt=aB^a^^Ls======^===^^=3B==x=B==^a^^=^atBB===BasBa=BB=BS===& 2. 6. 3 Conclusions The change in 1995 from the implementation of Budget Line B 7-3200 through several NGO projects to the development policy dialogue between the Commission and the South African Government as the only "interlocutor" and the consequent support of public policies by financing few programmes coherent with the priorities of the Government has continued in 1996. These programmes are then implemented by the Government (at central, provincial and local level), by the NGOs and by the private sector. This approach is likely to remain the same in the next few years (1997-1999). The ongoing Negotiations between the EC and South Africa, as well as the adoption of the Legal Base, will make the implementing procedures of B 7-3200 closer to those adopted in other developing countries, looking with special attention those used in the ACP states. 2. 7. EC health measures, particularly in respect of aids, in developing countries: Role of NGOs (ACP countries) EC financial support for the health sector in the developing countries has grown steadily over the last six years. In the ACP countries, under the 7th EDF, the sum total of approved project funding amounted at the end of 1996 to ECU 406 million, more than double the funding committed from the 6th EDF. 21 Improved basic health care for the maximum numbers was one of the prime objectives of Community cooperation in the health sector and, in this context, NGOs have been key partners. Their role, of both European and local NGOs (mainly they work in a partnership capacity) in the health sector relies upon close cooperation and continuous dialogue with the authorities of the recipient countries which have responsibility for defining health policy and priority strategies. The EC encourages this dialogue and in its health projects seeks to promote a genuine partnership between public health authorities and NGOs and other bodies involved at grassroots level in improving the functioning of the health systems concerned. NGOs have become firmly involved in projects financed by the EC in a large number of ACP countries such as Guinea, Chad and Uganda in which they have become partners in the implementation of district health policies. NGOs have also been vital partners in countries recovering from crisis and have played a keen part in the rehabilitation of their health systems. The EC has supported such NGO involvement in a number of countries including Somalia and Angola. Special mention should be made of Zaire for which an ECU 45 million project was approved in December 1996 allowing the furtherance of an aid programme for civil society in Zaire (churches, local associations and NGOs) aimed at restoring a minimum level of health service to certain target regions to make up for the inadequacy of the public service. For its specific strategy on HIV/AIDS, the EC can call upon a special budget heading in addition to general resources for financial and technical cooperation; such resources are implemented in pursuit of the following priority objectives: - prevention of transmission and promotion of non-discrimination vis-à-vis infected persons; - reinforcement of the health system in order to render it better able to handle the epidemic; - consideration of the socio-economic impact of the AIDS epidemic and measures to promote scientific training. To achieve these objectives, particularly in the sphere of prevention and support for communities affected by the AIDS epidemic the Commission relies upon its partnership with NGOs in seeking specifically to develop the capacity of local NGOs. For example, in 1996, out of a total of ECU 15 million committed under the budget heading in question, nearly 20% of appropriations were accounted for in partnership contracts with European or local NGOs, mainly concerning information, education and communication operations with target groups such as socially disadvantaged young persons or other population groups placed in a high-risk environment. - 2 2- 2. 8 Environment and forest sectors (Budget lines B7-6200 Environment and B7- <?2Q1 Forest) (ACP countries) 2. 8. 1 Environment Budget Line B7-6200 The European Parliament created the Environment budget line in 1982 to promote sustainable development and the integration of the environmental dimension into the development process. The Commission proposed to the Council in 1995 a draft Regulation on environmental measures in the developing countries in the context of sustainable development. This draft regulation specifies priority sectors, types of activities and cooperation partners eligible for financial assistance and technical expertise. It foresees an annual allocation of 15 MECU for all developing countries up to the year 1999 (ACP, ALA/MED). ACP countries' allocation in 1996 was 7. 5 MECU. NGOs which availed of Community financial assistance in ACP countries received about 50% of these funds, roughly 3. 5 MECU. Their activities focused largely on biodiversity and land use/soil conservation: • field projects building on local initiatives on preliminary assessments of biodiversity resources as a means for maintaining species diversity and promoting sustainable and equitable use of these resources (Senegal, Tanzania, East/South Africa); and field experimentation on appropriate methods for the rehabilitation of overdrained wetlands and their sustainable use (Ethiopia); four projects with total of "about 1. 5 MECU; • • information exchange and training schemes with local people to promote sustainable agriculture methods, agroforestry techniques (Dominican Republic and West African countries); local initiatives aimed at promoting public health within the wider framework of consumers' protection and the use of hazardous chemical products (Senegal, African countries); four projects with total of about 1 MECU; improving policies in the areas of fight against desertification (within the wider framework of the implementation of the convention on desertification), defining strategies for poverty alleviation and sustainable resource management, exchange of knowledge and research methodologies for alternative paths for sustainable development (Sub-saharan Africa, Botswana, Mozambique and Namibia), three projects with total of about 1 MECU. 2. 8. 2 Tropical Forest Budget Line B7-6201 The European Parliament created the Tropical Forestry budget line in 1992 and the Council adopted the Tropical Forest Regulation in 1995 to promote the conservation and sustainable management of tropical forests. This Regulation defines the priority areas for intervention and cooperation partners and recipients of financial support or technical expertise. Annual appropriations are fixed at 50 MECU for a period of four years (1996- 1999) for all developing countries (ACP, ALA/MED). 23- ACP countries' allocation in 1996 was 15 MECU. NGOs which availed of Community financial assistance in ACP countries received about 63% of these funds, roughly about 9. 4 MECU. Their activities focused largely on the creation of forest resources and the sustainable management of forest resources. The creation of new forest resources should help in the reduction of pressure on remaining natural forest resources and in halting, or preferably reversing the negative impacts of deforestation while satisfying increasing demands. The sustainable forest management should ensure that it benefits a wide range of stakeholders. • Six field operations for the creation of forest resources and the regeneration of tropical forests through land use plans were carried out by NGOs in Mali, Nigeria, Cameroon, Gabon, Haiti and Belize, activities include improvement of farming systems through trees in support of agriculture (agroforestry); halting and reversing of land and ecosystem degradation; (4. 7 MECU or 31% of ACP forest budget); • five field operations for the sustainable management of forest resources were carried out in Cameroon, Mozambique, the Pacific Islands, and the African continent; activities include the preparation of management plan that incorporate local needs into forest management through partnerships and joint mangement arrangements; ensure that the rights and the needs of local people to use forest resources are respected; improve forest management techniques and methodology; increase employment opportunities both directly in the forest and in the processing industries; ensure that exploited forests are regenerated and sustainably managed through the introduction of appropriate forest management practices (3. 8 MECU or 26% of ACP forest budget); • one field operation for the conservation of ecosystems and of biodiversity of tropical forests was carried out in Madagascar (0. 4 MECU or 2. 7% of ACP forest budget); • one operation for all ACP countries on certification of forest management and forest products (0. 3 MECU or 2. 3% of ACP forest budget); • one operation for all ACP countries on forest-related research (0. 2 MECU or 1% of ACP forest budget). 2. 9 B7-6004 Created in 1991, heading B7-6004 is primarily for the purpose of cofinancing development cooperation measures via NGOs active in Vietnam. The main objectives supported by the Commission through NGO projects in Vietnam are to promote poverty alleviation strategies in the poorest communities, to encourage self sufficiency and self determination amongst the most disadvantaged and vulnerable groups in society, to strengthen capacities in the social services sector. Support for NGO projects is focused in the sectors of social support for marginalized groups, human resource development, Health and rural development. In 1996, this heading was used for financing four NGO projects totalling ECU 2 million. The spheres in question involved medical assistance, family planning, education and the safety of children at work plus rural development in one of the poorest areas of Vietnam. 24- 2. 10 B7-6005 As with Vietnam, heading B7-6005, with its resource allocation of ECU 1 million, was used for cofinancing four NGO operations in Cambodia. In 1996, the principal aims of the selected projects were vocational training and economic and social rehabilitation. 2. 11 Decentralized Cooperation (B7-643(n 2. 11. 1 Aims Decentralized cooperation (DC) has become a full integral component of Community cooperation policy. Its three major priorities for EC development aid are: - - - to ensure sustainable economic and social development, requiring active participation by local players, and to develop as far as possible local resources and potential; to combat poverty, requiring a more attentive response to the basic requirements of local population groups; to encourage democratization in the developing countries through measures to strengthen civil society. These principles were reaffirmed in Lomé Convention IVa (Article 251) and in the ongoing dialogues between DG IB and the Mediterranean, Latin American and Asian countries. A special budget heading was opened in 1992 with a view to promoting decentralized cooperation (DC) in all the developing countries and in the EC with a view to creating an environment in which civil society could be more closely involved in official programmes and to introducing new types of partnership between local grassroots bodies and State authorities. During 1996 the DC team in the Commission pursued it brief, namely to spread information, increase public awareness and mobilize local population groups. Its work has principally involved the following: - Assistance with the preparation of the indicative programmes of the ACP States in which some thirty countries refer to the DC approach, even though realistically only a dozen or so genuine DC programmes are likely to be established under the 8th EDF; - Assistance to a number of ACP States during the preparation of a DC programme (notably Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Haiti and Burkina Faso) and monitoring, in liaison with desk officers, of programmes currently in receipt of 7th EDF financing (notably Madagascar and Cameroon); - Organization in Brussels of a meeting with Member State counterparts in order to explain the Commission's ideas and examine the scope for agreement. At the request of the Member States, this initiative should be renewed in 1997; -25 - Participation in: • various meetings in the Member States (France: Ministry of Cooperation and Senate on involvement of French local authorities - Sweden: meeting of Swedish, Finnish and Danish NGOs - SIDA and FINNIDA; • seminars organized by NGOs on the subject of DC in France, the Netherlands, Barcelona and Brussels; or by the Liaison Committee of NGOs in Brussels; • Habitat II, the urban sector being a particularly important sphere in respect of decentralized local participation; • the Joint Commission in Namibia and meetings in South Africa; • ongoing preparation of a teaching manual on DC methodology; the final document became available in December 1996 and is being distributed to the Delegations and to desk officers in DG IB and DG VIII. 2. 11. 2 Budget heading B7-6430 A sum of ECU 5 743 875 was committed from the ECU 6 million available for a total of 22 operations. As in previous years, a large proportion of the budget ( 67 %) was allocated to institutional support measures and the development of local DC capacity. Facts and figures Overall results 22 operations committed EC commitment: ECU 5 743 875 Overall amount: ECU 11 659 424 Cofinancing rate: 49 % Breakdown by type of operation: Institutional support/development of local capacity : - Pilot schemes: - Promotion: - Studies/evaluations/seminars: Breakdown by region: - ACP - Latin and Central America -Mediterranean - Asia 67 % 26 % 5% 2 % 48 % 33 % 16% 3 % 26 TABLE 1 BREAKDOWN BY RECIPIENT COUNTRY OF DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS COFINANCED BY THE EC FROM 1976 TO 1996 INCLUSIVE Projects EC contribution in ECU AFGHANISTAN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA ALGERIA ANGOLA ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA NETHERLANDS ANTILLES ARGENTINA BANGLADESH BARBADOS BELIZE" BENIN BHUTAN BOLIVIA BOTSWANA BRAZIL BURKINA FASO BURUNDI CAMEROON CAPE VERDE CARIBBEAN CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC CHILE CHINA CYPRUS COLOMBIA COMOROS CONGO COSTA RICA CÔTE D'IVOIRE CUBA DJIBOUTI DOMINICA EGYPT EL SALVADOR ECUADOR ERITREA ETHIOPIA FUI GABON GAMBIA GHANA GRENADA GUATEMALA GUINEA GUINEA BISSAU 27 39 29 89 115 8 2 381 348 17 50 160 16 811 40 1628 935 83 327 120 16 126 748 65 2 346 17 • 50 70 118 101 10 46 89 407 449 61 512 17 11 105 187 26 331 76 154 3,125,361 2,869,639 3,145,461 3,774,147 285,189 202,926 18,192,136 21,889,898 681,358 1,524,100 4,975,168 291,890 43,513,863 3,835,739 90,626,661 31,240,719 5,678,063 13,196,863 6,050,642 1,141,578 8,473,390 35,479,923 5,752,523 57,584 17,054,615 747,430 1,726,632 3,120,452 5,231,134 7,200,647 628,658 1,156,022 6,393,151 16,646,070 22,025,492 4,969,594 35,907,819 1,367,024 512,930 2,507,857 7,602,727 932,371 13,485,416 6,479,414 9,317,641 EC contribution in ECU 1,194,261 1,074,189 20,891,777 4,866,188 127,737 8,124 75,042,401 6,512,625 804,241 1,913,815 3,544,162 3,248,711 22,485,609 30,146,370 13,279 5,454,895 2,565,759 19,048,265 878,246 13,991,815 398,003 7,948,122 760,277 21,619,134 3,410,321 1,066,121 4,881,690 13,526,658 903,550 21,438 19,423,312 279,749 10,445,407 4,700,695 49,103,176 5,909,131 3,784,830 21,978,500 4,911,189 1,352,969 943,220 5,608,005 51,409,701 32,205,070 1,807,543 4,000 • EQUATORIAL GUINEA GUYANA HAITI HONDURAS HONG KONG COOK ISLANDS INDIA INDONESIA IRAQ ISRAEL JAMAICA JORDAN CAMBODIA KENYA KIRIBATI LAOS LESOTHO LEBANON LIBERIA MADAGASCAR MALAYSIA MALAWI MALDIVES MALI MOROCCO MAURITIUS MAURITANIA MEXICO MONGOLIA MONTSERRAT MOZAMBIQUE MYANMAR (BURMA) NAMIBIA NEPAL NICARAGUA NIGER NIGERIA UGANDA PAKISTAN PANAMA PAPUA NEW GUINEA PARAGUAY PERU PHILIPPINES SOUTHERN AFRICA REGION CENTRAL AFRICA REGION 28- I EAST AFRICA REGION WEST AFRICA REGION SAHEL. REGION CENTRAL AMERICA REGION SOUTH AMERICA REGION ASIA REGION HORN OF AFRICA REGION AFRICA REGION MEDITERRANEAN REGION PACIFIC REGION DOMINICAN REPUBLIC RWANDA SAINT VINCENT & THE GRENADINES SAINT LUCIA SOLOMON ISLANDS WESTERN SAMOA SAO TOME & PRINCIPE SENEGAL SEYCHELLES SIERRA LEONE SOMALIA SUDAN SOUTH KOREA SRI LANKA SURINAME SWAZILAND SYRIA TAJIKISTAN TANZANIA CHAD THAILAND TOGO TONGA ALL COUNTRIES TRINIDAD & TOBAGO TUNISIA TUVALU URUGUAY VANUATU VENEZUELA VIETNAM WEST BANK & GAZA I YEMEN (NORTH AND SOUTH) ZAIRE ZAMBIA ZIMBABWE TOTAL Projects. 11 EC contribution in ECU 9- 17 17 5 11 10 1 2 1 10 188 437 6 8 21 4 12 539 5 138 74 168 20 25. 0 10 29 9 2 600 226 181 125 4 45 15 75 1 247 8 81 249 313 39 869 171 367 935,176 I 1,774,476 1 1,893,160 1,027,018 1,852,479 518,762 15,000 21,031 396,284 1,401,411 10,259,222. 16,397,583 56,272 287,716 1,410,243 285,290 2,281,742 21,074,467 128,571 4,205,439 5,677,844 10,715,304 9 84 521 8,435', 162 18g 4 16 2,28l',670 809,422 10 7 01 26,486',494 10,195,647 11237 372 5!490i065 143 990 3 342 331 W l 95 4,686*, 134 6 J 27 13,259,197 4 1 6 | 6 28 6 457 5 00 ttW. SIS 22 478 986 3 [230,220 33,112',338 9,103,400 18,895,909 7717: 2 4 8 54 1230,589,430 29- BREAKDOWN BY MEMBER STATE OF COMMUNITY FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR COFINANCING FROM 1976 TO 1996 INCLUSIVE TABLE II NATIONALITY OF CONTRACTOR Austria Belgium Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Portugal Spain Sweden UK Consortium Development projects in the developing countries Awareness raising activities in Europe TOTAL 29 1, 046 112 8 1 , 192 1,151 30 297 1,031 241 445 39 313 8 1,355 123 5,940,408 153,133,700 17,145,698 1,996,870 178,023,495 208,847,942 4,942,799 27,843,666 183,559,557 15,391,884 67,783,398 6,569,435 68,482,381 2,213,073 208,624,836 80,013,721 -%- 0. 5 12. 4 1. 4 0. 2 14. 5 17. 0 0. 4 2. 3 15. 0 1. 2 5. 5 0. 5 5. 5 0. 2 17. 0 6. 4 9 216 54 1 242 218 18 60 221 10 190 32 100 4 304 20 902,655 14,117,996 4,587,588 240,000 14,678,064 18,886,723 1,935,642 3,573,635 17,417,087 310,917 14,634,694 2,807,409 6,924,795 245,307 23,470,487 5,985,403 -%- 0. 6 10. 7 3. 5 0. 2 11. 3 14. 5 1. 5 2. 8 13. 4 0. 2 11. 2 2. 1 5. 3 0. 2 18. 0 4. 5 38 1,262 166 9 1,434 1,369 48 357 1,252 251 635 71 413 12 1,659 143 - ECU - 6,843,063 167,251,696 21,733,286 2,236,870 192,701,559 227,734,665 6,878,441 31,417,301 200,976,644 15,702,801 82,418,092 9,376,844 75,407,176 2,458,380 232,095,323 85,999,124 -%- 0. 5 12. 4 1. 5 0. 2 14. 2 16. 7 0. 5 I 2. 3 14. 7 1. 2 6. 0 0. 7 5. 5 0. 2 17. 1 6. 3 TOTAL 7y420 1,230,512,863 100% 1,699 130,718,402 100% 9,119 1,361,231,265 100% 30 BREAKDOWN BY MEMBER STATE OF COMMUNITY FUNDS ALLOCATED FOR COFINANCING IN 1996 TABLE III Development projects in the developing countries Information campaigns for European public opinion TOTAL Member States Austria BeIgi um Denmark Finland France Germany Greece Ireland Italy Luxembourg Netherlands Portugal Spain Sweeden UK Consortium No. of EC contribution No. of EC contribution No. of Schemes ECU % Schemes ECU % Schemes 17 55 2 6 88 120 3 8 109 20 35 4 29 8 115 20 4,054,542 12,130,678 160,000 1,506,945 18,312,704 29,073,908 629,176 2,500,012 23,030,216 1,979,590 8,895,830 935,678 7,801,165 2,213,073 27,896,166 13,344,478 2. 6 7. 8 0. 1 0. 9 11. 8 19. 2 0. 4 1. 6 15. 0 1. 3 5. 7 0. 6 5. 0 1. 5 17. 9 8. 6 4 25 6 1 20 20 2 4 30 1 18 4 9 3 27 5 569,865 1 ,804,152 768,660 240,000 2,030,565 2,527,543 375,643 299,598 2,488,151 11,522 1,676,452 449,886 584,591 189,162 2,992,402 1,287,189 3. 1 10. 0 4. 2 1. 3 11. 0 14. 0 2. 0 1. 6 13. 6 0. 1 9. 2 2. 4 3. 2 1. 0 16. 3 7. 0 EC contribution ECU % 4,624,407 13,934,830 928,660 1,746,945 20,343,269 31,601,451 1,004,819 2,799,610 25,518,367 1,991,112 10,572,282 1,358,564 8,385,756 2,402,235 30,888,568 14,631,667 2. 7 8. 1 0. 5 1. 0 11. 8 18. 3 0. 6 1. 6 14. 8 1. 2 6. 1 0. 8 4. 8 1. 3 17. 9 8. 5 172,759,542 100% (*) 21 80 8 7 108 140 5 12 139 21 53 8 38 11 142 25 818 TOTAL 639 154,464,161 100% 179 18,295,381 100% Plus ECU 1,507,630 for miscellaneous (support to the NGO Liaison Committee and consultants ISSN 0254-1475 COM(98) 127 final DOCUMENTS EN 11 09 01 Cataloaue number : CB-CO-98-130-EN-C ISBN 92-78-31732-2 Office for Official Publications of the European Communities L-2985 Luxembour2 /