European development and external assistance policies: 2012 report

In 2013, the European Commission published a report on the implementation of European Union (EU) policies in external aid and development in 2012.

ACT

Report from the Commission to the European Parliament and the Council: Annual report 2013 on the European Union’s development and external assistance policies and their implementation in 2012 (COM(2013) 594 final of 21.8.2013 - not published in the Official Journal)

SUMMARY

The EU is the world’s largest donor for development assistance, with EUR 55.2 billion being collectively provided in 2012. This was the first year that the agenda for change was implemented, increasing the impact of EU development policy in reducing poverty. In parallel, preparations on a global post-2015 framework advanced, with the EU as a key player.

Agenda for change

This agenda sets out the EU’s more strategic approach to worldwide poverty reduction to further the impact of its development policy.

A series of key changes were proposed:

• concentration on a maximum ofthreesectors per country;
• a clearer focus on good governance, human rights and democracy;
• targeting aid on where it is most needed and where it will have optimal impact;
• greater use of innovative financing mechanisms;
• improved policy coherence and increased coordination with Member States.

In addition, the Commission increased the use of blending whereby grant and non-grant resources are combined to produce a suitable financing mix for specific projects, with mechanisms tailored for Asia, the Caribbean and the Pacific.

A framework for results reporting and monitoring implementation systems for programmes has also been established.

Selected key thematic areas that received attention in 2012:

• resilience, including disaster management and preparedness;
• food security and nutrition, especially through its EUR 1 billion food facility which has improved the lives of over 59 million people in 49 countries and indirectly supported 93 million.

In addition, and in line with the agenda for change, the EU has expressed support for measures forwarding social development, sustainable energy and green environmental policies in the developing world.

Millennium development goals

The report highlights the EU’s focus on the millennium development goals (MDGs), with the number of people in extreme poverty already being halved before 2015, when a special UN event will take place reviewing the MDGs’ progress.

A number of programmes were launched under the EU’s EUR 1 billion MDGs’ initiative which aims to accelerate progress on the MDGs.

Nevertheless, challenges remain in rectifying problems with hunger, infant mortality, water quality and sanitation, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where key targets may not be met on time.

RELATED ACTS

Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: Increasing the impact of EU development policy: an agenda for change (COM(2011) 637 final of 13.10.2011 - not published in the Official Journal).

Last updated: 19.05.2014