European Commission's Agenda for Change 2011
Following the public consultation on the future of EU development policy in December 2010, a new Agenda for Change for EU Development policy was launched on 13 October by Commissioner Piebalgs. The Communication aims at refocusing EU approach to reducing poverty, including through a more targeted allocation of funding.
The main principles of the 12-point Agenda for Change will be progressively reflected in EU development policy and aid programming. EU Development Ministers will discuss the Agenda for Change in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in May 2012.
Bond and CONCORD are concerned that the most important change in the new agenda is that aid to the world’s poorest is being cut, diverting funds towards energy and private sector investments which are in the interest of the EU only, not of the developing world.
Read:
The Agenda for Change Communication
CONCORD's reaction to the Communication
Bond and CONCORD's analysis of the Communication
The European Commission's consulation on the Green Papers - December 2010
EC Green Paper on ‘EU development policy in support of inclusive growth and sustainable development – Increasing the impact of EU development policy’
The Green Paper aims to collect views on how the EU can best support developing countries to speed up their progress towards the Millennium Development Goals and beyond and on how best to adapt EU development policy to the needs of developing countries and to the added value of EU action. It raises questions around four areas:
- How to ensure high impact of EU development policy, so that every euro spent provides the best value added and value for money.
- How to facilitate more inclusive, growth in developing countries, as a means of reducing poverty.
- How to promote sustainable development as a driver for progress, access to energy and appropriate use of combined climate, biodiversity and development funds.
- How to achieve durable results in the area of agriculture and food security.
Following the public consultation which was open to EU and partner countries until 17 January 2011, the EC will table a Communication on a Modernised EU Development policy in 2011.
Both Bond and CONCORD submitted a response to the consultation:
Read the Bond submission
Read the CONCORD submission:
CONCORD Narrative on Development
All responses to the consultation can now be seen on the European Commission's website.
For more information please contact Romina Vegro.
EC Green Paper on the Future of EU Budget Support to third countries
The Green Paper addresses a number of questions on the quality, value for money and impact of budget support and focuses on key issues including:
- political governance and the role of political dialogue
- the role of policy dialogue, role of conditionality, and links to performance and results
- domestic and mutual accountability
- programming of budget support and its coherence with other instruments
- strengthening risk assessment and dealing with fraud and corruption
- budget support in situations of fragility
- growth, fiscal policy and mobilisation of domestic revenues
The UK Aid Network submitted a UK response, for more information and how to get involved please contact UKAN.
All responses to the consultation can now be seen on the European Commission's website.
EC Green Paper on 'What funding for EU external action after 2013'
The objective of this public consultation is to gather ideas and opinions on the future of the financial instruments that the European Union has at its disposal to fulfil its worldwide responsibilities.
Responses are requested on a range of issues. These include the added value of EU financial intervention in several areas, the options for new forms of cooperation and delivery mechanisms with partner countries, as well as the efficiency, impact and visibility of EU external cooperation.
The online consultation, which is open to all stakeholders, is preparing the ground for the Commission legislative proposals to be presented in 2011 on the financial perspectives after 2013.
The consultation period was open until 31 January 2010. More information can be found on the European Commission's website.
CONCORD made a submission to the consultation to which Bond contributed to:
CONCORD principles for the EU Multiannual Financial Framework
CONCORD red lines on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework
EC Communication on ‘the consolidation of EU Africa relations 1.5 billion people, 80 countries, two continents, one future’
The Communication was launched on 10 November in preparation for the EU Africa Summit taking place on 29-30 November in Libya. The paper is not open for consultation.
The main principles of the 12-point Agenda for Change will be progressively reflected in EU development policy and aid programming. EU Development Ministers will discuss the Agenda for Change in the Foreign Affairs Council meeting in May 2012.
