EU external assistance: record performance in 2005

Summary: EU external assistance: record performance in 2005 (3 February 2006: Brussels)

In 2005 the European Commission has acted with record speed and efficiency to implement programmes so that the money reaches those who need it. The results show the value of reforms introduced in 2001 to improve the way in which the Commission's aid to third countries is spent. In 2005 €6.2 billion in development aid was disbursed, up from €5.7 billion the year before. Thanks to the reforms, the Commission is processing money pledged more effectively both in its own internal procedures and in the implementation of programmes themselves. A comparison between 2001 and 2005 shows commitments up by 54% and payments up by 52%.

The Commissioner responsible for EuropeAid, External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, commented, '2005 has been a record year in terms of delivery of EU aid. Last year's results show the crucial role that the European Commission is playing in the fight to eradicate poverty and to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development throughout the world. We are an increasingly efficient and reliable development partner across the world. Our response to natural disasters like the tsunami, and the Pakistan earthquake is internationally recognised. We are making an essential contribution to building a more stable future for Afghanistan, Iraq and the Palestinian Territories - and helping our near neighbourhood to develop better governance and more prosperous economies".

Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid, Louis Michel, expressed satisfaction with this improvement: "This is the highest level ever of payments benefiting the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries. It represents the concrete support to our commitments to poverty reduction in Africa. But we must and we can do more and better. In 2006 we will have to deliver on our promises to increase aid, to improve coordination among European donors and to focus on Africa."

What has changed since 2001 when the Commission undertook an ambitious reform of its external assistance?

Assistance is delivered faster and more efficiently …

Commitments are up by 54%, and payments by 52%. This means that the Commission is getting better at translating promises into action. Procedures have been streamlined so that best practice in ensuring fairness and transparency can be combined with greater speed. The result is swifter payment for projects and programmes.
The average project cycle is shorter (identification of needs and necessary actions, implementation of the project or programme concerned, and completion) and has decreased from 4.7 to 3.3 years.
A number of quality indicators has been established to allow the impact and efficiency of our assistance to be measured including speed of implementation, programme performance, organisational aspects. Quality checks are carried out more widely so that in 2005 1250 projects were visited, nearly three times as many as in 2001.

… and it is managed closer to the beneficiaries.

In 2001 all the Commission's aid was managed from Brussels. Since the reforms, 77 Commission delegation offices are now managing external assistance programmes on the ground, in closer co operation with countries concerned, improving both the implementation of projects and the efficient management of finances.

Quicker reaction to needs across the world

The Pakistan earthquake showed how swiftly the Commission is now able to respond to unforeseen challenges. Within 3 months a high quality reconstruction package was put together and pushed through the decision procedures. Preparing this programme locally through the delegation office, has made possible best use of links with the beneficiaries and contacts with other donors.
Half the European Commission pledge of €350 million for development aid following the Tsunami at the end of 2004 has been committed so that the total pledge will be delivered in 2006 as foreseen. Work in the field is progressing rapidly. The Commission has taken a leading role in the multi-donor reconstruction trust fund which is improving co ordination and efficient delivery of international support.
The European Commission played a major role in supporting the political transition in Iraq in 2005, providing €80 million for the elections and constitutional referendum, and was the largest donor supporting these events. EC assistance to Iraq so far totals €518 million (2003-2005), and nearly all of this has been disbursed. This aid has supported health (immunisation programme, training of 2000 health professionals,) , education (provision of learning materials for 15,000 schools, rehabilitation of 150 schools) and jobs.

Background

The EU (Commission and Member States) is the biggest donor providing 55% of the world's development assistance. In 2005, one fifth of this was managed by the European Commission (around €7 billion a year), making it the third individual biggest donor. EU assistance goes to more than 160 countries, territories and organisations and focuses on the global challenges of the 21st century: tackling poverty, promoting democracy and security, social equity, economic prosperity, and environmental sustainability.

EuropeAid, in Brussels, is the Commission organisation responsible for the implementation of assistance, its role is key in transforming political commitments into concrete results in the fight to eradicate poverty and to promote peace, human rights and sustainable development throughout the world.

For more information
http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/general/index_en.htm

Ref: EC06-036EN
EU source: European Commission
UN forum:
Date: 3/2/2006

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