objectives and priorities

The aim of this programme is to ensure that poverty reduction and sustainable development strategies are not simply left to central government. It promotes an inclusive approach to development by encouraging the greater involvement of local councils and non-governmental organisations. In addition, the programme aims to raise public awareness of, and promote education about, development issues in the EU
It completes the support given by geographical and thematic / sectoral programmes.

Three types of action may be funded:

• actions which strengthen participatory development, support capacity development processes for the actors concerned at country or regional level, and promote mutual understanding processes;
• awareness raising and education for development in the EU and acceding countries;
• coordination and communication between civil society and local authority networks, within their organisations and between different types of stakeholders active in the European public debate on development.

place of culture

Culture is not considered as a priority field within these programmes. Cultural projects tackling the global objectives of these programmes may nonetheless be supported.

implementation

Actions in eligible territories will receive support at national and/or regional level, trough calls for proposals launched either by the EU delegations on the premises or by the central administration in Brussels (Europaid Office). Eligibility criteria are liable to vary depending on the objectives of the programme.