European Development Fund (EDF)

Submitted by icr1 on Fri, 11/20/2015 - 14:56
Donor: 
Any donor
European Union
Geographical focus: 
Global
Africa
Americas
East Asia and the Pacific
Intro text: 
The European Development Fund (EDF), created in 1957 by the Treaty of Rome and launched in 1959, is the EU’s main instrument for providing development aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries and to overseas countries and territories (OCTs). The EDF is established within the framework of an international agreement between the EU and its partner countries. Directly financed by EU Member States, the EDF is implemented according to its own financial and implementation regulation along with the MFF (Multi-annual financial framework). EDF is administered by the European Commission, DG International Cooperation and Development.

Official website

https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/funding/about-funding-and-procedures/where-does-money-come/european-development-fund_en

Geographic focus

African, Caribbean and Pacific countries that are part of the ACP-EU partnership agreement, candidate countries and countries within the European Economic Area.

Who can apply?

ACP partner countries, candidate countries and countries within the European Economic Area can apply based on their ODA-eligibility. Within these countries, funds are available for:

  • Public institutions;
  • Decentralised bodies (municipalities, provinces, departments and regions);
  • Joint bodies set up by the partner countries and regions with the Community;
  • Non state actors;
  • International organisations; and
  • EU agencies.

Objectives and activities

Objective: The EDF finances cooperation activities in the fields of economic development, social and human development as well as regional cooperation and integration. The programmes listed under the local development activity are linked with the policy for territorial cohesion and cooperation between regional bodies. The objective of these policies is to strengthen economic, social and territorial cohesion by reducing disparities between the levels of development of regions and countries.

Activities: The following activities for tourism development are emphasized:

  • Human resources and institutional development;
  • Product development;
  • Market development; and
  • Research and information.

Type and level of funding

The total financial resources amount to EUR 30.5 billion for the period 2014–2020. Financial assistance is provided at the request of the ACP States and Overseas Countries and Territories under multiannual indicative aid programmes negotiated with their National or Regional Authorities.

Grants and budget support for projects aiming to promote an economic, cultural and social development of the African, Caribbean, Pacific and Oversees Countries, to strengthen peace and security and to promote a stable and democratic political environment.