EU co-operation with Seychelles

The European Commission has approved a Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme for Seychelles, outlining its co-operation with the country for the next five years (2002-2007). In total, €4.7 million has been allocated from the 9th EDF (European Development Fund), which is the financial instrument of ACP-EU partnership agreement signed in Cotonou in June 2000. €3.9 million will cover long-term development operations in the environment sector (€3.3 million), and €0.6 million is allocated for capacity building €0.8 million has been set aside to cover unforeseen needs such as emergency assistance, debt relief, instability in export earnings.

Given the very satisfactory coverage of the main social sectors - education, health care and housing - it has been agreed between the EU, the Seychelles Government and civil society organisations that the environment should be the focal sector of the co-operation strategy with Seychelles. The particular area designated for support is solid waste disposal, a vitally important area if Seychelles is to preserve the beauty of its environment and the purity of its lagoon waters, vital for both tourism and fishing industry. A Waste Management Programme will absorb 85% of total funds.

Over the past 25 years almost every economic and social sector have been supported by programmable aid, and for many years, education, health and housing have been high priority of Government of Seychelles (GoS). Tourism is a vital pillar of the economy and efforts to diversify had resulted in the development of a manufacturing sector, in particular in the form of tuna canning for export. 92 % of exports is canned tuna and with 12 % of GDP, tourism employs 17 % of the labour force and is a significant foreign exchange earner, aiming to reach a 200,000 tourist p.a. in the near future. The Government of Seychelles has prepared a new Environmental Management Plan (2000-2010) which emphasises the need for private sector, NGO and community involvement in the national efforts to preserve the environment and natural resources.

On the non-focal side, emphasis will be put on capacity building. State capacity building will centre on training for Ministries of Administration and Manpower Development and Education and Youth. Non-state capacity building will aim at empowering NGO's (€0.6 million).

Background

Country Strategy Papers were introduced in 2001 as part of a wider programme of Commission reforms in the field of External Assistance. Their purpose is to improve the coherence of the policy toward third countries, particularly, to ensure a match between political priorities and spending on development assistance. Country Strategy Papers are developed in collaboration with governments, Member States, other donors, and where possible, with representatives of civil society.


For more background on EU co-operation with Seychelles see:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/development/country/sc_en.htm

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