COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT European Year of Development 2015 Accompanying the document Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Year of Development (2015)
Date: 2013-07-10
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: EU relations, development aid, exchange of information, poverty, statistics













EUR-Lex - 52013SC0265 - EN











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52013SC0265

COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT European Year of Development 2015 Accompanying the document Proposal for a DECISION OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL on the European Year of Development (2015) /* SWD/2013/0265 final */









Contents
1. INTRODUCTION.. 3
2. EUROPEAN YEARS. 4
2.1. Definition. 4
2.2. Previous evaluation of results of European Years. 4
3. POLICY CONTEXT OF THE EYD2015. 4
4. PROBLEM ANALYSIS. 5
4.1. The main challenges. 5
4.2. Current initiatives at EU level 6
4.3. Need for further action. 8
5. OBJECTIVES. 8
6. DESIGN OF THE EUROPEAN YEAR 2015. 9
7. STRATEGIC PARTNERS. 9
8. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES. 11
9. RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS. 15
10. COST IMPLICATIONS. 15
11. IMPLICATIONS WITH RESPECT TO HUMAN RESOURCES. 16
12. MONITORING AND EVALUATION.. 16
Annex 1. 17
Annex 2. 18
Annex 3. 19

1. INTRODUCTION

The EU
is a global player and the most important donor of development cooperation in
the world. While there have been efforts to communicate with respect to development
cooperation ever since support to partner countries began, transmission of the
main messages to citizens within and outside the EU can be further enhanced.
Communicating
in relation to EU development cooperation is still a major challenge. First, in
times of austerity, supporting partner countries through development
cooperation requires increased public diplomacy. Second, communication must
increasingly focus on results and impact to show citizens ‘value for money’ in
a diverse world, where some countries show impressive economic growth, while
others are mired in fragility and insecurity. Third, the added value of
development aid at the EU level must be demonstrated with clear examples such
as the Horn of Africa. Finally, the communication revolution, which
has led to instant and global exchange of information, needs to better be
reflected in communication strategies on EU cooperation.
All in
all, regarding both substance and form, the EYD2015 will be a year to show that
new potential gives us all increased responsibilities and opportunities for a
more interconnected and, ultimately, a better world.
Organising
the European Year of Development in 2015 (EYD2015) will require a significant additional
effort, but it will be an opportunity to mobilise a Europe-wide momentum among both
policy-makers and EU citizens at large. The EYD2015 can generate public
awareness and place the EU’s role in international development in the
spotlight.
The
year 2015 will be a pivotal year for development: it is the last year for
reaching the collectively agreed Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and the
year in which major decisions will have to be taken on the future framework
that will replace the MDGs. Discussions on what should follow the current
international framework for development have already begun, led by the UN and
involving a wide range of stakeholders. The same year will also be the
appropriate time for a review of the EU’s change of paradigm through its new
policy framework for development, the ‘Agenda for Change’, as this will herald
the implementation of a new generation of external action financial instruments
under the financial perspectives 2014-2020. It is the time when we should be
able to communicate the practical results of this new policy to the wider
public. Strong public commitment is needed to help
achieve the target of channelling 0.7 % of the Gross National Product into
development funding[1].

2. EUROPEAN YEARS
2.1.
Definition

The
aim of a European Year (EY) is to inform the broadest possible audience about a
particular EU policy and to direct the attention of Member States (MS) towards
it, with a view to changing attitudes or behaviours. EYs can raise awareness
and increase public support as well as spread good practice and encourage
policy changes.  
EYs
have been organised since 1983. The various decisions taken on previous EYs
usually include two components: 1) EYs as a communication tool; and 2) EYs as a
means of launching pilot actions.
The
work on a EY does not only include the year in which the EY actually takes
place, but spans several years. Hence, the decision establishing the EY needs to
be adopted well in advance. Preparatory measures need to be launched. Actual implementation
takes place during the year itself, and closure and evaluation the year after.

2.2. Previous
evaluation of results of European Years

Experience with previous EYs has shown that:
·              
EYs are an efficient tool for putting European issues on the
political agenda.
·              
Broad participation within a limited timeframe has helped to
harness political support and to pave the way for more wide-ranging political
commitments.  
·              
Some EYs have generated new EU legislation and action.
·              
Several EYs have left people with lasting memories and have
changed behaviour.[2] 

3. POLICY CONTEXT OF THE EYD2015

In
2000 the international community undertook to take practical steps to fight
poverty by 2015. The UN General Assembly adopted the MDGs which were to be
achieved by 2015.[3]

Without
doubt, the participation of most of the international community in a global collective
action around a limited set of goals, together with the setting up of processes
such as the Monterey process on financing for development, or the Aid
Effectiveness Agenda, has contributed to build a momentum for development over
the last 13 years.
Two
years ahead of the 2015 deadline, it has to be underlined that significant progress
has been made for some MDGs: the objective to halve poverty has been reached
before 2015. However, some other key MDGs remain off track and significant steps
are needed if they are to be reached by 2015.
Discussions
on the post-2015 framework have started. The Communication ‘A
decent life for all, ending poverty and giving the world a sustainable future’,[4]
aims at addressing the shortcomings of the current
development framework as well as proposing a common approach to bring together poverty
eradication and sustainable development concerns in an overarching
international framework. This Communication builds on the 2011 Communication ‘Increasing
the impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change’[5] which led to a
major shift in direction in EU development policies.

4. PROBLEM ANALYSIS
4.1. The main
challenges

Despite the fact that efforts have been made to communicate on
development cooperation ever since it came into existence, communicating on EU
development cooperation is still a particular challenge:
·              
While the EU is the biggest donor of Official Development Aid
(ODA) in the world, EU citizens often lack a real understanding of why
development aid is still needed and what development policies at the EU level
can bring. This requires proper communication at all levels, outlining the
positive changes achieved and making the case for continued support.
·              
In a rapidly changing world,
information is needed on how an outward-looking Europe can help to ensure
global sustainability. The inter-linkages between
development, climate change, food security, biodiversity and other issues are
vital for our development partners but require further
awareness raising among European citizens.
·              
Development policies have been through a paradigm shift over the
last years. Rather than the traditional donor-beneficiary relationship,
development policies today opt increasingly for an equal-footing approach with
partner countries to address global challenges of mutual interest.    
·              
Being informed is the first step on the way to taking the
initiative to act, and in general EU citizens are keen to understand how they
can make a difference. Policy coherence for development is a particular
challenge and opportunity in this connection. It is important to communicate
that development is about more than aid.
·              
The EU needs to ensure public support for its commitment to
achieve the 0.7 % of Gross National Income (GNI) for development funding,
particularly in the context of the prolonged global financial crisis.
·              
The importance of development cooperation differs among Member
States. The EYD2015 offers a possibility for better information in all Member States.

·              
Information about sometimes complex EU development cooperation has
to compete with a range of other topics, which often have a more direct and
immediate impact on EU citizens’ daily lives.
·              
The role of the EU as a global player and vector for change is
important if there is to be continued support for EU development policy. There
needs to be coordination with MS and other donors in development cooperation in
cases such as the Sahel region, the Horn of Africa. Aid effectiveness, and its
positive effects, is a field largely unknown to citizens, and needs to be
presented in clearer, less technical, terms.

4.2. Current
initiatives at EU level

The
EU has already taken various initiatives to promote development policies and to
inform citizens about its development cooperation.
The intention is to use existing initiatives to the largest extent
possible for the EYD2015:
·              
General and specific press and media relations are promoted
(including press conferences, Commission journalists’ seminars and press
trips).
·              
Commission staff are regularly invited by various stakeholders to
give presentations and to talk about EU development policies and cooperation (Member
States, academia, NGOs, foundations, etc.).
·              
The European Development Days, which are organised once a year, are
 Europe’s premier forum on international affairs and development cooperation,
with thousands of visitors.
·              
Several campaigns have taken place on development during the last
years. Some of the most successful ones were the ‘I fight poverty’ music
competition and on-line community and ‘Young reporters against poverty’ in
2010.
·              
Kapuscinski Development Lectures are organised in collaboration
with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and major universities,
giving students in the field of development cooperation the chance to hear
lectures from a well-known academic or political figures.
·              
The Lorenzo Natali Prize, which is awarded by the Commission, is
the public recognition of journalists who contribute through their
investigative work to the cause of development, democracy and human rights.
Over the past 20 years, the prize has established its reputation and brand, as
well as registering a steady increase in the number of participants (from 451
participants in 2004 to 1, 357 in 2011.) The concept of the prize is currently being
evaluated with a view to making it even more relevant and focused.
·              
The External Cooperation Info point provides information on the
work of the various departments of the Commission dealing with external
relations. It is also used for special events, presentations and visits from
universities.
·              
The Development Education and Awareness Raising (DEAR) programme aims
at giving every person in Europe access to information on global development
concerns and their local and personal relevance, thus enabling them to enact
their rights and responsibilities as citizens of an interdependent and rapidly
changing world. DEAR plays a key role in mobilising EU citizens in relation to development.
DEAR implements its actions through Non-State Actors (NSA) and Local
Authorities (LA) in EU Member States and acceding countries.
·              
TR-AID (Transparent Aid) https://tr-aid.jrc.ec.europa.euis
an interactive website developed by the Joint Research Centre (JRC). It publishes
historic as well as up-to-date data relating to development and humanitarian
aid, thus facilitating the dissemination of information to the wider public.
The website will be available at the end of 2013. 
·              
The Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation is
an informal open platform for exchanging experience and good practice among
European public development agencies and institutions. The Network is open to
bilateral and EU implementing agencies and all institutions which directly
implement official development cooperation. The Practitioners’ Network creates
opportunities for collaboration and synergies at implementation level. It also
provides feedback on European development policies from the perspective of
practitioners.
·              
Results orientation is a vital way of showcasing development
cooperation. The EU Results Expert Group, launched in 2011, is an important
instrument for sharing experiences at EU level on result-oriented approaches
and on more efficient ways of communicating and reporting on results.
·              
Printed material like the Annual Report gives a comprehensive
overview of the EU’s development and external assistance policies and their
implementation. The brochure of 2010 contains information about the EU’s
contribution to achieving the MDGs.
·              
Research and coordination work in the context of the initiative
“Mobilising European Research for Development Policies” including the annual
European Report on Development (ERD), which is drafted along with a network of
academics and EU Member States development researchers.
·              
Numerous studies on EU development policy and implementation such
as “Assessing EU Actions on the MDG”, “Public policies in support of inclusive
growth in developing countries” or a study on blending and private sector
development. 
·              
The results of research on topics of major relevance for development
have been supported through the EU Research Framework Programmes and in future will
be supported through the new EU Framework Programme on Research and Innovation,
Horizon 2020 (2014-2020). 
·              
The Commission’s website provides information about EU development
policies and activities.
·              
The Commission has accounts in social media such as Facebook,
Twitter, YouTube and Dailymotion.
·              
The capacity4dev.eu website is an interactive platform set up by the
Commission to increase knowledge through an exchange of practices on effective
international cooperation.
·              
EU Delegations play an important role in informing people about EU
policies, EU development policies and the bilateral programme with partner
countries. Delegations have press and information correspondents in charge of
communication and they run their own websites. In 2012 DEVCO and EEAS published
an Information and Communication Handbook for EU Delegations.
·              
Active cooperation with relevant line DGs will be reinforced in
the framework of EYD2015.

4.3. Need for
further action

Ongoing initiatives at EU level are described under point 4.2.
However, given the magnitude of the challenges described, more needs to be done.
Under the EYD2015 the challenges must be clearly identified and focused on
specific target groups.
As the recent Eurobarometer has shown, Europeans have a clear
interest in partner countries.[6] Support for poor people in partner
countries is consistently high (85 %). Despite the current economic
climate, more than six out of ten Europeans think that aid to partner countries
should be increased. In all, 53 % of Europeans indicate that they know
nothing about where EU aid goes. Moreover, 44 % are not aware where their
country’s bilateral development aid goes either. In terms of personal
commitment, the Eurobarometer shows a slight decrease in the number of Europeans
willing to spend more money on products to help people in partner countries
(from 47 % in 2011 to 44 % in 2012).
Generally speaking, however, the main findings of this
Eurobarometer show that EU citizens have a positive attitude towards
development aid, although they believe there is room for further improvement.
It also shows that the perception and importance of development cooperation
differs across the EU.
5. OBJECTIVES
The
objectives of this initiative will be:
·              
to inform EU citizens about EU development
cooperation and showcase the results that the European Union can already
achieve as the biggest aid donor in the world and what it is capable of
achieving by drawing on the combined strength of its Member States and its
institutions;
·              
to stimulate the active interest of European
citizens in development cooperation, making them aware of their
responsibilities and opportunities as regards policy formulation and
implementation;
·              
in a changing and increasingly inter-dependent
world, to raise awareness about the role of EU development cooperation, to the
extent that it brings a wide range of benefits not only to recipients but also
to EU citizens.
The main messages to
be transmitted should reflect the contents of the recent Communications ‘Increasing
the impact of EU Development Policy: an Agenda for Change’ and ‘A decent life
for all, ending poverty and giving the world a sustainable future’. The EYD2015
will adopt a broad approach to communicating about EU aid in the world,
including EU development cooperation and humanitarian aid.    
The Member States,
their regional and local authorities, social partners and civil society should
be involved as far as possible.
6. DESIGN OF
THE EUROPEAN YEAR 2015
The
EYD2015 will use already existing structures and activities. Whenever possible,
existing structures and activities should be brought under the overarching
label of the EYD2015.
The
activities will focus on improving communication about existing development
cooperation and will involve the stakeholders mentioned under chapter 5.
Additionally, pilot actions could be launched within the meaning of Article 54(2)(a)
of the Financial Regulation applicable to the General Budget of the Union.
All
the activities should be as close as possible to, and easily understandable by,
citizens within and outside the EU as appropriate. Specific target groups will
be addressed to increase the impact, including youth.

7. STRATEGIC PARTNERS

The
EYD2015 will mobilise a wide range of stakeholders to increase the visibility
of the Year to the largest extent possible, with the relevant Commission departments
and the European External Action Service (EEAS). 
A
series of Commission DGs involved in policies inextricably linked with
development policy (DG ECHO, DG TRADE), the EEAS as well as DGs whose outputs
have an impact on development policy (DG CLIMA, DG ENV, DG COMM, DG EAC, DG
EMPL, DG MARE, DG EMP, DG ENER,DG AGRI, DG SANCO, DG CNECT, DG RTD, DG JRC, DG
HOME) can combine forces to boost the outreach of the EYD2015, but also to create
a pool of resources which may provide wider funding and outreach options for
various activities. However, coherence is crucial to achieving an impact. Line
DGs that express interest will be pro-actively associated in the planning and
implementation of EYD2015.
EU
Delegations will play a crucial role in promoting the EYD2015, especially by collecting information on EU cooperation and by
disseminating information to the citizens of partner countries. Headquarters
will work closely with staff in EU Delegations.
European
Parliament
The
European Parliament is one of the main initiators of the EYD2015. In October
2012 Parliament requested that the year 2015 be designated as the EYD. In July
2012 this proposal was included in the Parliamentary Resolution of July 2012 on
the Agenda for Change: the future of EU development policy.[7] 
The
designation of the Year is the subject of a joint decision by the Parliament
and the Council. The contents of the decision will define, in broad terms, the
activities to be performed and the objectives to be reached.
European
Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) was the first body to propose designating 2015 as the
EYD on the occasion of the 23rd session of the EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary
Assembly. The Committee of the Regions (CoR) also supported the initiative.
Both the EESC and the CoR are consultative bodies which directly reflect
wider public opinion and hence ensure the link between external action and
European societies. Moreover, they provide consultative opinion on development-related
issues and will be consulted on the legislative proposal.
Both
will play an important role in promoting the EYD2015 in the Member States.
Member
States
Collectively,
the EU continues to provide around half of global Official Development Assistance
(ODA). The Member States are key players in the area of development in the
world. Naturally, they are our main partners for the organisation of the
EYD2015 and are crucial for its success outside Brussels. Coordination will be
the responsibility of the governments of the EU Member States and other
relevant development actors such as citizens, social partners, the private sector,
the academic world as well as Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Non-State
Actors (NSAs).
Member
States will be invited to play a leading role in the design and implementation
of the EYD2015. As partners, their role will be to adapt the European approach
to national requirements and to organise activities at Member State level. They need to be involved from the start.
Civil
Society Organisations and Local Authorities
Working
with CSOs and LAs will be essential for the organisation of the EYD2015, and
they have already expressed a strong interest. CSOs and LAs will have different
roles. They are both actors and beneficiaries. As actors, it will be important
for them to engage locally with citizens and to be a channel of communication
on the EYD2015 towards those citizens. They will provide important feedback on citizens’
information needs with respect to development policies. At the same time, they
benefit from EU-funded programmes which could be used to obtain further
information.
The
Commission is in contact with CONCORD, one of the main promoters of the
EYD2015.
The
Policy Forum on Development (PFD), which was set up as a result of the
Structured Dialogue, is the appropriate platform for presenting the EYD2015 to CSOs
and LAs. The main purpose of the PFD is to offer CSOs
and LAs from the EU and partner countries, as well as European institutions, a
multi-stakeholder space for dialogue on development issues at EU headquarters
level. It meets twice a year. The DEAR programme will help to launch calls for
proposals directed towards CSOs and LAs under the EYD2015.
International
Organisations
The EU works closely with the International Organisations (IO)
active in the area of development, in particular with the United Nations, the
OECD, the World Bank Group and the other International Finance Institutions.
The close cooperation with IO could be used to give the planned
EYD2015 further leverage. The EYD2015 would provide the opportunity to showcase
our work with international organisations, explain to EU citizens why we act
jointly and give due visibility to the results achieved on the ground. Working
with IO can also be used to show global interdependence.
The fact that 2015 will be the watershed for reaching the MDGs
will help to focus international interest on development topics. For the UN,
2015 will be important in terms of communicating on the MDG post 2015. This will
add leverage to the organisation of the EYD2015, as it will help to highlight
the MDG post 2015 discussion.
Other stakeholders
Other
important stakeholders with whom the EU has a close relationship, such as non-EU
bilateral donors, social partners, the private sector and international
foundations, can be involved as necessary.

8. POSSIBLE ACTIVITIES

As
mentioned in chapter 6, the EYD2015 aims to use existing
structures and activities.  Stakeholders in development should be mobilised whenever
possible.
Chapter
4.2 gives an overview of already existing initiatives that could be continued
and focused under the EYD2015. Annex 3 contains a non-exclusive overview of additional,
partially new, initiatives. The final list of activities will need to be the
result of a consultative process. The following list is neither exhaustive nor
binding.
The
main activities to be envisaged with strategic partners will use existing fora
to promote the EYD2015, involve them in the process and organise a limited
number of focused events. New and innovative partnerships should be sought.
Internally
An
‘Inter-service group of the EYD2015’ will be established involving the relevant
Commission departments and the EEAS to keep them updated and obtain support
when required.
·              
The social media accounts of the Commission can be used as
communication platforms (with a view to launching thematic ‘weeks’, each one
dealing with a particular EU internal policy aspect as a vector for
development). Those DGs could be responsible for delivering theme-related
content during ‘their’ week.
·              
An inventory of possible events that could come under the EYD banner
(using its design visuals and receiving the promotional material of the EYD)
could be established with a view to a demonstration of policy coherence for
development in practice.
·              
Commission representations and offices within the EU will be fully
involved in the EYD2015.
·              
Initiatives and events encouraging cultural expression, diversity
and intercultural dialogue would be an effective means of engaging citizens in
the EU and developing countries throughout EYD2015, and promoting culture as a
vector of democratisation, rights and growth.
EU
Delegations will:
·              
disseminate information about the EYD2015 in partner countries;
·              
obtain information from EU Delegations to be fed into the design
of the EYD2015 (successful case studies, successful cases of joint programming,
delegated cooperation, etc.);
·              
help to involve partner countries’ citizens in the EYD2015.
With
EP, EESC and the CoR
These
European institutions will be instrumental in the success and outreach of the
Year. Various activities are possible:
·              
identification of Members of the European Parliament particularly
involved in development issues who could participate in a series of conferences;
·              
organisation of ‘thematic weeks’;
·              
involvement of European Parliament offices in the EU;
·              
participation in European Development Days;
·              
action through joint parliamentary meetings (in particular the
EU-ACP Joint Parliamentary Assembly).
AGORA
is the leading portal for the parliamentary development community and can be
used for dissemination purposes.
With
Member States
Activities
with Member States will be of utmost importance in turning the EYD2015 into a
success story, the aim being to adapt the EYD2015 to local conditions and thus
bring it close to EU citizens.
Fora
for presenting EYD2015 and obtaining support from the Member States:
·              
Network of Communication officers of the EU and the Member States: This group could become the main supporting structure for the coordination
of activities with the Member States. As the Member States themselves are
certainly planning campaigns and initiatives for 2015, a link with the EYD2015
should be sought quickly.
·              
EU28 Development DGs meetings: This forum brings together the Directors-General
for Development of all the Member States, the EIB and the Council secretariat
twice a year for joint reflection and forward planning. At the next meeting the
EU Member States should be persuaded to play an active role in the EYD 2015.
·              
Possible activities in EU Member States: A call for proposals could
be launched for projects to be implemented by the Member States to improve
communication on EU development cooperation.
·              
Member States should be encouraged to include their own national
activities under the EYD2015 label wherever relevant.    
·              
There should be an agreement with all interested Member States on
a ‘back to school’ initiative focused on the topic of development.
·              
Primary schools could be asked to organise discussions on the issue
of sustainable development (prepare a specific kit for teachers to equip them
with adequate tools and messages).
·              
Mobilise the staff of the Commission departments and the EEAS as
‘development ambassadors’ to give presentations or attend discussions in schools.
Specific training may be needed, especially if this is also chosen as a
cross-cutting theme for the general ‘back to school’ exercise run every year.
·              
Extend the ‘back to school’ initiative to ‘back to university’ for
the EYD2015 (either a one-off action or the start of more regular involvement
of Commission staff in discussions with students, also after 2015). The
Kapuscinski Development Lectures are important in this respect.
·              
If there is agreement on organising a topic around post-2015
goals, Member States could be asked to become a sponsor/ambassador for a goal.
Member States would then take the lead in preparing activities around ‘their’
goal that could be used in different countries.[8] 
With
Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities
·              
The DEAR 2013 Call for Proposals will envisage that projects
selected from this call will implement a number of activities in the context of
the EYD2015.
·              
The Policy Forum for Development (PFD) will be used as a platform
to inform participants about the EYD2015 and to involve LAs and CSOs actively in
the process. There is also expected to be a considerable multiplier effect via members
of the PFD. A working group may be established within the PFD, with a balanced
representation of CSOs and LAs from the various regions, to reflect on what
targeted measures may be taken in each region to highlight the EYD2015.
·              
In addition, successful projects that have been implemented in
each region could be identified (with the assistance of EU Delegations) and highlighted
by the PFD members in the course of their representation activities (in the EU
and partner countries).
·              
The implementation of the action will depend on which projects are
selected through the upcoming Call for Proposals, which will ensure that
project implementation during 2015 includes numerous activities for the
EYD2015.
·              
In addition, DEAR stakeholders and other relevant NSA-LA projects
will be mobilised.  
With
International Organisations
As the EU actively works with and funds international
organisations, it will be possible to reach a wider audience and maximise
visibility through them.
·              
A high-level event should be organised with IO in Brussels on the theme of EYD2015.
·              
There should be joint communication efforts to promote the MDG post-2015
agenda.  
·              
Current policy dialogues with the International Monetary Fund
(IMF), World Bank (WB) and Regional Development Banks (RDBs), as well as the UN,
should normally build up joint action and increased momentum for the EU to host
a Partners Summit in 2015 at the highest level (launch side event).
·              
At the first possible opportunity and at the latest by the October
2013 IMF/WB Annual Meetings, there should be a communication to IMF, WB and
Regional Development Banks from the EU’s highest level about the intention to
organise the EYD2015. 
·              
Communication activities and events should be arranged in the
context of the High Level meetings of ECOSOC in 2015 and the UNGA69 in 2015.
The possibility of organising an event with UN House in Brussels (UN
organisations represented in Brussels) could be explored. Communication
activities and events could be organised with OECD-DAC in Paris in the
framework of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC) High Level Meeting/Senior
Level Meeting or the OECD Global Forum.
·              
The Commission has proposed to co-chair in 2015 the annual meeting
of Learn4dev, a network of donors and IOs active in development cooperation,
focused on learning, training and knowledge management.

As part of a wider approach the EYD2015
should also be linked to the World Humanitarian Summit in 2015 and the World
Conference on Disaster Reduction in 2015.

The World Expo 2015 in Milan on the theme "Feeding the Planet: Energy for Life" could be an excellent
communication platform for the European Year for Development Cooperation.

 9. RISKS AND ASSUMPTIONS
 
 Assumption || Risks || Assessment 
 Increased visibility of EU development cooperation and of the impact of EU development policies on citizens’ daily lives || Level of visibility remains the same || An information and communication campaign is planned. The Commission as well as the other EU institutions have a wide range of instruments at their disposal for providing information about and promoting EU development cooperation. They can be applied in a much more target-oriented way in the framework of the EYD2015 
 Citizens will react positively and play an active role in organising the EYD2015  || Risk of exaggerated expectations regarding the impact of the EYD2015 Lack of commitment of citizens in some Member States Activities directed towards citizens are not appropriate. No change of behaviour || Closely involve Member States and CSO/LA. Clear communication on expected results of the EYD2015. Offer tool kits to address information needs in different Member States. Offer examples of how personal commitment can have an impact 
 Increased interest of media || Limited cooperation from the media or even negative results of cooperation with the media || Publications, requests from media, positive examples of development 
 EU Member States will react positively and will actively participate in organisation of the EYD2015 || Lack of political support in some Member States   || Political support for the EYD2015 in most of the Member States as it coincides with MDG year 

10. COST IMPLICATIONS

The
EYD2015 will be based on existing structures and instruments and enhance their
effectiveness by integrating them into a coherent framework. The flexibility
for annual priority-setting based on the budget of the Commission provides a sufficient
financial margin for running the EYD2015 (EUR 15 million, including costs for
the preparatory actions).
The
indicative amounts provided on the required financial resources of the EYD2015
as shown in Annexes 1 and 2 are for information only.
The
financial leverage effect will be produced through the momentum created.

11. IMPLICATIONS WITH RESPECT TO HUMAN
RESOURCES

Enough
staff for the preparation, implementation and follow up of EYD 2015 will have
to be provided.
The
human resources needed for the coordination team to organise the EYD2015 will
be covered by the DG already assigned to the management of the action and/or will
be redeployed within the DG taking into account the possibility that additional
allocations may be granted to the  managing DG within the annual allocation
procedure.
Additional
external staff will be required in 2014/2015 for evaluation, monitoring and reporting.
The
numbers and type of staff proposed in the table reflect the lessons learnt from
previous European Years.

12. MONITORING AND EVALUATION

Monitoring
and evaluation are clearly an obligation, as well as a policy goal for DEVCO. Reporting
will be consistent with the specific objectives and indicators highlighted in
chapter 4.2.
Although
the design of the monitoring framework will mainly be the responsibility of the
Commission, specialised expertise may be sought. The concept of the monitoring
framework will be established along with the final designation of the year. Essential
data collection will start in advance of the event. The specific and the operational
objectives of the EYD2015 will both be monitored by precise indicators, as referred
to indicatively in Annex 3.
A
report to the College might be drafted. The Commission must be able to report
to the EU institutions in 2016 on the results achieved in relation to its
objectives.

Annex 1

Financial Resources: Summary of commitment
appropriations (CA) and payment appropriations (PA) (indicative amounts)
EUR million (to 3 decimal places)
 Expenditure type || Year 2013 || Year 2014 || Year N || N+1 || Total 
 Commitment Appropriations (CA) || 6.470 || 7.500 ||   ||   || 13.970 
 Payment Appropriations (PA) || 2.500 || 3.820 || 6.180 || 1.470 || 13.970 
 Technical & administrative assistance (NDA) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the budget for specific programmes[9] || 0.150 || 0.150 || 0.150 ||   || 0.450 
 Human resources and associated expenditure (NDA) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 Administrative costs, other than human resources and associated costs, not included in the reference amount (NDA) ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
In
2013, within the general budget for the year 2012, the Commission intends to reattribute
EUR 1.030.000 to preparatory actions of the EYD2015 using 2012 budgetary
appropriations of Directorate General for EuropeAid, Transparency and
Communication Unit 04.
Adequate
human resources to ensure the functioning of a coordination team which will
organise EYD2015, will be allocated in 2013 for preparatory actions and for
implementation. 

Annex 2

Number and type of human resources
 Types of post ||   || 
   ||   || Year 2013 || Year 2014 || Year 2015 || Year n+1 || Year n+2 
 Officials or temporary staff || AD || 4 || 4 || 2 ||   ||   
 AST || 1 || 1 || 1 ||   ||   
 Other staff ||   ||   ||   ||   ||   
 TOTAL || 5 || 5 || 3 ||   ||   

Annex 3

Objectives and indicators
 Specific objectives || Operational objectives || Indicative indicators 
 ·         To inform EU citizens about EU development cooperation and showcase the results that the European Union can already achieve as the biggest aid donor in the world, and what it is capable of achieving by drawing on the combined strength of its Member States and its institutions. ·         To stimulate the active interest of European citizens in development cooperation, making them aware of their responsibilities and opportunities as regards policy formulation and implementation. ·         In a changing and increasingly inter-dependent world, to raise awareness about the role of EU development cooperation, to the extent that it brings a wide range of benefits not only to recipients but also to EU citizens. || Implementation of a media‑based campaign at EU level: ·         Development and implementation of a general communication strategy as well as a number of communication strategies for specific target groups (young people/students, women, etc.), identification of specific campaign themes putting beneficiaries in the foreground, demonstration of success stories where EU aid has worked across instruments   ·         Create a specific EYD2015 website ·         Design an EYD2015 toolkit for stakeholders ·         Strategy for presence in social media ·         Use the EYD2015 label whenever and wherever possible ·         Launch a call for proposals on public awareness, information and communication measures.   Get Commission staff involved: ·         Organise training for all Commission staff working on the EYD2015 ·         ‘Back to school’ initiative ·         ‘Back to university’ initiative   Conferences/events at EU level: ·         Opening and closing conferences (ideally with Presidencies of Latvia and Luxembourg) ·         Events organised with/through MS ·         Side events at IO HLM    Get citizens involved ·         Re-label a number of ongoing activities ·         Part of call for proposals under DEAR ·         Activities with involvement of the Commission at the highest level. ·         Events organised with/through CSOs and NSAs ·         Create a debate (electronically, completion, etc.) || ·         Level of EU citizens’ general awareness and knowledge of post-MDG development policies and instruments, (through Eurobarometer and TR-related AID). ·       Number of outputs in the framework of the media‑based campaign, conferences/events organised and activities organised with CSOs and NSAs. ·         Level of involvement of EU citizens reached through activities under the EYD2015. 
[1]           This refers to the repeated
commitment of the world’s governments to commit 0.7 % of rich-countries’ gross national product (GNP) to official development assistance.
[2]           As examples: The need for all Europeans to learn a second
language or for women to attend annual preventive mammography.
[3]           http://www.un.org/millenniumgoals/

[4]           COM(2013)
92 final, ‘A decent life for all, ending poverty and giving the world a
sustainable future’.
[5]           COM(2011) 637 final, ‘Increasing the impact of EU
Development Policy: an Agenda for Change’.
[6]           Special Eurobarometer 392, ‘Solidarity that spans the
globe: Europeans and development aid’, October 2013. .
[7]           Report on the Agenda for Change: the future of EU
development policy of 16 July 2012 on the 2012/2002/INI — rapporteur Goerens.
[8]           Will be possible only if a reviewed post-2015framework
has been agreed upon.
[9]           Technical and/or administrative assistance and
expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions
(former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct research.