EC funding
NGOs can access EC funds through two distinct sources:
- The annual EC Budget (also known as the Community Budget), which covers co-operation with developing countries in all geographic regions and countries with economies in transition.
- The European Development Fund (EDF), which covers co-operation with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the Cotonou Agreement.
The main point of access for NGOs is through the Community Budget. NGOs do have some access to the EDF, but it is mainly reserved for governments.
The principle financial instruments open to NGOs working in international development are:
Two horizontal instruments with a specific legal basis:
- The European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR)
- The Instrument for Stability (IfS)
Four geographical instruments with a specific legal basis:
- The Pre-Accession Instrument (IPA)
- The European Development Fund (EDF)
- The European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI)
- The Development Co-operation Instrument (DCI)
Five thematic programmes that fall under the DCI's legal basis:
- Investing in People
- Migration and Asylum
- Environment and Sustainable Management of Natural Resources
- Food Security
- Non-State Actors and Local Authorities (NSA-LA)
