It ensures that the European Development Fund (EDF) finances cooperation activities based on the terms of the Cotonou Agreement*.
The primary objective of European Union (EU) cooperation activities is the reduction and eventual eradication of poverty.
Cooperation must also contribute to the following:
- fostering sustainable and inclusive economic, social and environmental development;
- consolidating and supporting democracy, the rule of law, good governance, human rights and the relevant principles of international law;
- implementing a rights-based approach encompassing all human rights.

KEY POINTS

The EDF is financed by direct contributions from EU Member States according to specific contribution shares (‘keys’) and is covered by its own financial rules. It is not part of the EU budget.
The total financial resources of the 11th EDF amount to €30.5 billion for the 2014–2020 period. (It should be noted that, as of 2021, the EDF has been integrated into the EU budget.)
The European Investment Bank will make available an additional €2.6 billion in the form of loans from its own resources.
Under the 11th EDF, Member States’ ‘contribution keys’ were aligned with the key used for the EU budget (based on gross national income per capita).
The 11th EDF was preceded by the 10th EDF, which ran for 6 years from 2008 to 2013, with a budget of €22.7 billion. This represented about 30% of EU spending on development cooperation aid, with the remainder coming directly from the EU budget.
The European Commission decides the financial allocations for each African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) country and region on the basis of criteria laid down in the Cotonou Agreement. ACP countries get specific, tailor-made cooperation based on:
- their needs;
- their capacity to generate and access financial resources, along with their absorption capacity;
- their commitments and performance; and
- the potential impact of EU assistance.
The countries most in need, in particular the least-developed countries, low-income countries and countries in crisis, post-crisis, fragile and vulnerable situations, are given priority in the resource allocation process.

Food security crisis and economic shock in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine

EDF funds can be reused after their decommitment upon a unanimous Council Decision (EU) 2022/1223. This has been the case under the 11th EDF to finance the African Peace Facility and to address the food security crisis and economic shock in ACP countries following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine.
These funds will support ACP countries through humanitarian assistance (€150 million), the sustainable production and resilience of food systems (€350 million) and macro-economic support (€100 million).
The funding is part of the EU global food security response to help tackle the food crisis. It complements already mobilised humanitarian assistance worldwide and funds from the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe earmarked for projects on sustainable agriculture, basic nutrition, water and sanitation, and social safety protection.

FROM WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?

It has applied since 6 March 2015, and will apply until the final date of application of the 11th EDF internal agreement.

BACKGROUND

For more information, see:

Eradicating poverty and achieving sustainable development (European Commission)
Global Gateway (European Commission).

KEY TERMS

Cotonou Agreement. A partnership agreement between the members of the ACP Group of States – now known as the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States – and the EU, signed on 23 June 2000 in Cotonou, Benin, which provides the framework for the EU’s relations with 79 ACP countries. The partnership is based on three complementary pillars:

development cooperation;
economic and trade cooperation; and
the political dimension.

MAIN DOCUMENT

Council Regulation (EU) 2015/322 of 2 March 2015 on the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund (OJ L 58, 3.3.2015, pp. 1–16).

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EU cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries: 11th European Development Fund

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EU cooperation with the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries: 11th European Development Fund

SUMMARY OF:

WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE REGULATION?

KEY POINTS

FROM WHEN DOES THIS REGULATION APPLY?

BACKGROUND

KEY TERMS

MAIN DOCUMENT

RELATED DOCUMENTS