The European Union, composed of the Member States and the European Commission, is the world’s biggest aid donor. The Commission’s EuropeAid co-operation office manages EU external aid programmes and ensures that development assistance is delivered worldwide.
Mission:
EuropeAid works hard to ensure that the aid it distributes makes a significant contribution to the development objectives of both the EU and the United Nation’s Millennium Development Goals. Effective implementation of aid also helps the Commission and the EU as a whole to attain a higher profile on the world stage.
Activities/Main areas of work:
EuropeAid does more than ‘deliver aid’. As both an active and proactive player in the development field, it also tackles universal issues, promotes good governance, human and social development, security and migration, natural resources, and more.
Good governance and democracy are not luxuries but fundamental rights for all societies. They are also key components of efficient and representative government.
Human and social development. The degree of development a society enjoys is not just measured by economic success. It is also highly contingent on its degree of human and social development. Mobility is an integral part of the modern world. Properly managed, economic migration can be beneficial both to Europe and other parts of the world.
Economic support: EuropeAid provides direct economic support to partner countries, both at the macro- and microeconomic levels. This includes supporting national budgets, funding regional integration activities and micro-finance initiatives.
Security and conflict: Security is a basic human need and a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development. That is why the EU helps partner countries to maintain law and order in times of peace and to rebuild stability in times of crisis. The ‘’ section will tell you more about this.
Natural resources: People in poorer countries are more directly dependent on natural resources than those in richer countries. EuropeAid works to promote broad-based rural economic growth, which ensures developing countries obtain equitable access to production methods, markets and services. People surviving at subsistence levels are the most vulnerable groups in the world. Access to clean drinking water and energy is also a constant challenge for many of the world’s poorest citizens. Wild resources are a vital natural and economic resource and developing countries need assistance in protecting them.
Good quality infrastructure is a key ingredient for sustainable development. All countries need efficient transport, sanitation, energy and communications systems if they are to prosper and provide a decent standard of living for their populations. EuropeAid is strongly engaged in supporting infrastructure policies, investment and services in developing countries.
Coverage:
− Africa, Caribbean and the Pacific
− Asia
− Gulf region
− Latin America
− European Union’s southern and eastern neighbours
Beneficiaries:
citizens of beneficiary third countries
