REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 2019 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union’s instruments for financing external actions in 2018
Date: 2019-11-26
Institutions: Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development, European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, EU migration policy, common foreign and security policy, conflict prevention, development aid, humanitarian aid, international cooperation, international security, peacekeeping, the EU's international role

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 26.11.2019  COM(2019) 604 final  REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 2019 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union’s instruments for financing external actions in 2018 {SWD(2019) 409 final}  
 
 
Global commitments 

Against  a  background  of  protracted  conflicts  around  the  globe,  strategic  disputes  between 
world  powers,  climate  change  and  digital  transformation  in  our  societies,  the  EU  pursued 
multilateral solutions to shared challenges. Throughout 2018, the EU deployed every policy 
instrument  and  tool  in  its  power,  including  diplomatic,  security,  trade,  development  and 
humanitarian assistance measures, to bring about a more peaceful, sustainable and prosperous 
future.  

The EU fosters dialogue on values and global challenges with key partners across the world. 
Peace and security, human rights,  gender  equality  and support for women are central  to  all 
EU  policies.  This  report  presents  the  EU’s  spending  on  international  development, 
humanitarian  assistance,  foreign  policy  and  enlargement  in  20181,  and  shows  how,  as  the 
world’s largest trading bloc and assistance donor, the EU improved millions of lives in more 
than 120 countries.  

The EU invested EUR 74.4 billion in official development assistance in 
2018, with EUR 13.2 billion managed by the European Commission. That 
is more than the rest of the world combined, amounting to over half of this 
assistance globally. 

EU as a strong global actor 

The  EU  continued  to  implement  its  Global  Strategy  for  Foreign  and  Security  Policy, 
strengthening the defence and security of the Union and its Member States.  

The  EU  now  places  greater  emphasis  on  training  and  expertise,  under  the  umbrella  of 
capacity building, in its mission around the world. As part of this approach, the first capacity 
building for security and development initiatives were incorporated into EU missions in the 
Central African Republic, Mali and Somalia. EUR 8 billion went towards promoting stability 
in  the  Sahel.  The  EU  and  the  Niger  G5  Sahel  presidency  organised  the  Conference  of  G5 
Sahel  countries  in February, representing a milestone in  preparing the Joint  Force to  tackle 
challenges including terrorism, organised crime, climate change and demographic growth.  

The EU promoted cybersecurity and connectivity by launching a Global Tech Panel2, which 
helps to agree shared solutions to challenges posed by technology.  

The Commission’s 2018 strategy for the Western Balkans3, published in February, provided a 
major boost to the region’s European path.  

1 The main instruments covered by this report: European Development Fund (EDF); Development Cooperation Instrument 
(DCI);  European  Neighbourhood  Instrument  (ENI);  Instrument  for  Pre-Accession  (IPA  II);  Instrument  contributing  to 
Stability and Peace (IcSP); European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR); Partnership Instrument (PI); 
Instrument  for  Nuclear  Safety  Cooperation  (INSC);  Greenland  Decision;  Humanitarian  assistance;  Common  Foreign  and 
Security  Policy  (CFSP);  Macro-Financial  Assistance  (MFA);  Guarantee  Fund  for  External  Actions  (i.e.  EIB  External 
Lending Mandate and Euratom Loan Facility); European Fund for Sustainable Development; EU Civil Protection; EU Aid 
Volunteers.  
2 https://eeas.europa.eu/headquarters/headquarters-homepage/62657/global-tech-panel_en  

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There was significant progress towards the milestones of the Paris Agreement, the UN 2030 
Agenda for Sustainable Development, the Iran nuclear deal and the UN global compact for 
migration. The EU also took a leading role in promoting free and fair trade and in supporting 
the reform of the World Trade Organization.  

Engagement  in  the  UN’s  High-level  Political  Forum  and  the  Financing  for  Development 
Forum  was  a  high  priority,  and  the  EU  announced  a  renewed  EU-UN  partnership  in 
development.  The  EU  also  showed  strong  support  for  reforms  to  the  UN  development 
system.  

Implementing the 2030 Agenda and the European Consensus on Development  

The UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development is at the heart of the EU’s international 
cooperation and development policy, and was adopted by all UN Member States in 2015. It is 
a blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, and features the 17 Sustainable 
Development Goals (SDGs).  

The  European  Consensus  on  Development  of  2017  is  a  shared  vision  and  framework  for 
development  cooperation  action  for  the  EU  and  its  Member  States.  It  aligns  the  EU’s 
development policy with the 2030 Agenda. The Consensus contributes to the objectives and 
principles of EU external action, as laid down in the Lisbon Treaty, and supports the Global 
Strategy for Foreign and Security Policy. 

Africa-Europe Alliance 

In  2018,  the  EU  launched  the  Africa-Europe  Alliance  for  Sustainable  Investment  and  Jobs. 
This  approach  represents  a  step  change  for  the  EU’s  partnership  with  Africa.  The  Alliance 
builds on the African Union (AU)-EU Summit commitments of 2017 by boosting investment, 
attracting  more  private  investors,  extending  trade,  improving  the  business  climate,  and 
supporting education and skills for employment. The Alliance is a radical shift away from a 
donor-recipient relationship to a partnership of equals4.  

Multiannual financial framework  

As  part  of  preparations  for  the  next  multiannual  financial  framework,  the  Commission 
adopted  its  proposal  for  the  Neighbourhood,  Development  and  International  Cooperation 
Instrument  (NDICI)  in  June  2018.  The  NDICI  will  streamline  the  EU’s  external  action 
architecture and make financing instruments more flexible, coherent and effective. It will also 
channel  the  largest  share  of  the  EU’s  external  action  funding,  with  a  budget  of  EUR 89.2 
billion for 2021–2027. Negotiations with the Council and European Parliament are ongoing5. 

3 A credible enlargement perspective for an enhanced EU engagement with the Western Balkans (COM(2018) 65 final). 
4 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/sites/beta-political/files/factsheet-africaeuropeallianceprogress-18122018_en.pdf  
5 https://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/sites/devco/files/european-consensus-on-development-final-20170626_en.pdf 

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Working better together with EU Member States 

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  are  working  together  to  adopt  a  European  approach  to 
development  cooperation,  under  the  European  Consensus  on  Development  and  the  SDGs. 
The  main  features  are 
joint 
implementation. By 2018, 23 joint programming documents existed, and joint programming 
was under way in another 17 partner countries.  

joint  results  frameworks  and 

joint  programming,  a 

External Investment Plan  

The  External  Investment  Plan  (EIP)  is  an  ambitious  initiative  to  boost  investment  across 
Africa  and  the  Neighbourhood  region,  benefiting  Europe  and  partner  countries  alike. 
Furthermore,  it  aims  to  contribute  to  the  SDGs  and  expands  sustainable  public  and  private 
investments in economic and social development, with a special focus on decent work. With 
a contribution of EUR 4.5 billion from the EU, the EIP is expected to leverage up to EUR 44 
billion of investments by 2020.  

Policy coherence for development  

The EU considers the objectives of development cooperation across all policies including the 
2030  Agenda,  through  a  ‘policy  coherence  for  development’  process.  This  minimises 
contradictions  and  duplication  between  policies  while  increasing  the  effectiveness  of 
development  cooperation.  Particular  attention  will  be  given  to  coherence  between  the  EU’s 
external development policies on the one hand, and the EU’s industrial and SME policies on 
the other.  

Global reach 

The  Global  Strategy  on  Foreign  and  Security  Policy  guides  the  EU’s  response  to  global 
challenges.  This  section  presents  how  the  EU  strengthened  its  position  as  a  united  and 
reliable  partner.  It  also  summarises  how  the  EU  worked  to  reduce  poverty  and  ensure 
sustainable development, while promoting democracy, peace and security.  

Africa 

The EU and Africa focused on implementing the outcomes of the 2017 AU-EU Summit, with 
the EU supporting the AU’s Agenda 2063 and the continent’s economic integration through 
the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA). All of this was brought together with the 
launch  of  the  Africa-Europe  Alliance.  There  was  also  progress  on  promoting  international 
ocean  governance  and  on  a  global  pact  for  the  environment,  which  will  identify  gaps  in 
international environmental law and environment-related instruments. Many initiatives were 
pursued at continental, regional and national level (e.g. a donors’ conference to support the 
transition to stable democratic government). 

Negotiations  on  a  renewed  partnership  with  the  group  of  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific 
(ACP) states continued, in efforts to succeed the Cotonou Agreement in 2020. 

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Enlargement region 

The  Commission’s  Western  Balkans  strategy  of  February  2018  provided  a  major  boost  for 
the region’s European path and reconfirmed the Western Balkans’ future as an integral part of 
the  EU.  At  the  EU-Western  Balkans  summit  in  Sofia  in  May  2018,  EU  leaders  reaffirmed 
their  unequivocal  support  for  the  region’s  European  perspective,  and  the  Western  Balkan 
partners  recommitted  to  this  perspective  as  their  firm  strategic  choice.  The  Commission 
adopted its annual enlargement package in April 2018, and recommended opening accession 
negotiations with Albania and North Macedonia.   

The  EU  Facility  for  Refugees  in  Turkey 6  continued  to  support  both  refugees  and  host 
communities. The first tranche of EUR 3 billion in funding is being spent on 72 projects. In 
2018, the Commission began committing a further EUR 3 billion for 2018–2019.  

European Neighbourhood 

The EU’s European Neighbourhood Policy  (ENP) continued to  support  and foster stability, 
security  and  prosperity  in  its  Neighbourhood,  and  to  develop  strong  partnerships  with 
countries to the east and south.  

In the east,  implementation  of the 20 Deliverables  for 2020 progressed well in  2018. Work 
continues with the six partner countries7, notably on judicial reform and ensuring an enabling 
environment for civil society. Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine worked on implementing their 
Association  Agreements,  while  the  Commission  adopted  a  single  support  framework  for 
Azerbaijan (2018–2020) and a special measures package for Belarus. Humanitarian support 
to  Ukraine  continued.  The  Commission  also  started  implementing  the  EU-Armenia 
Comprehensive and Enhanced Partnership Agreement (CEPA) of November 2017. 

In  the  south,  the  EU  continued  to  promote  a  socio-economic  and  rule  of  law  agenda 
throughout  the  region  with  all  partner  countries  while  pursuing  regional  integration  in  the 
Mediterranean  region.  The  EU  also  addressed  the  humanitarian  and  political  challenges 
linked  to  various  crisis,  in  particular  in  Syria  and  Libya.  This  involved  supporting  Syrian 
refugees  and  host  communities  (notably  in  Lebanon,  Jordan  and  Turkey)  through  the  EU 
Regional  Trust  Fund  in  Response  to  the  Syrian  Crisis.  While  through  the  North  of  Africa 
window of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, the EU has contributed to thousands of 
assisted  voluntary  returns  and  evacuations  from  Libya  as  well  as  concrete  measures  of 
protection  of  vulnerable  persons  affected  by  the  conflict  while  contributing  to  measures  to 
tackle irregular migration. The EU and Tunisia agreed strategic priorities for 2018–2020 and 
the EU adopted a single support framework for Algeria (2018–2020). The first drafts of the 
Partnership Priorities for Palestine and Israel were prepared, and action plans were extended 
by three years. 

6 https://ec.europa.eu/neighbourhood-enlargement/news_corner/migration_en  
7 Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. 

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Asia, Central Asia and the Pacific 

At the 2018 Asia-Europe Meeting, leaders agreed to improve cooperation on trade, security 
and the environment. They renewed their support for the rules-based international order and 
an open world economy.  

Central Asia is poorly connected to the main population centres in Europe and Asia, and the 
free flow of people, goods, services and ideas is limited. Physical infrastructure is generally 
of poor quality and digital connectivity is weak. The EU’s 2018 Connecting Europe and Asia 
strategy  aims  to  improve  connectivity  across  Central  Asia.  The  strategy  goes  beyond 
infrastructure, and includes steps to tackle regulatory barriers to movement. 

The EU showed its commitment to an active EU security presence and engagement with Asia 
at bilateral, regional and global levels, and remained committed to ongoing diplomatic efforts 
on  the  denuclearisation  of  the  Democratic  People’s  Republic  of  Korea,  both  through  talks 
with partners and sanctions. In Myanmar, the EU continued to assist Rohingya refugees. The 
EU also supported peace efforts in Afghanistan. 

The  EU  supported  activities  to  promote  the  blue  economy  and  conservation  as  part  of  the 
Pacific-EU  Marine  Partnership,  which  aims  to  strengthen  the  Pacific  islands’  resilience 
against climate change. 

Latin America and the Caribbean 

The  EU,  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  held  a  ministerial  meeting  in  July  2018  and 
continued  their  work  to  shape  the  future  partnership  into  a  diversified  model,  emphasising 
trade, investment, research, innovation, education, the digital agenda and shared values. The 
EU’s  Regional  Facility  for  Development  in  Transition  responds  to  the  development 
challenges for countries transitioning to higher levels of income. 

The EU continued to support the implementation of the peace agreement in Colombia, while 
monitoring  the  socioeconomic  and  political  climate  in  Venezuela,  and  worked  hard  to 
modernise Association Agreements with Chile and Mexico. The EU also worked to conclude 
the Association Agreement with Mercosur. 

Environmental  work  under  the  EU-CELAC  (Community  of  Latin  American  and  Caribbean 
States) common research area focused on working together to transform bio-waste, promote 
research for sustainable cities and arrange exchange opportunities for scientists. 

Sustainable Development Goals 

Throughout 2018, the EU supported the implementation of Agenda 2030 and its goals, which 
provide  a  common  approach  to  development  policy.  The  following  pages  summarise  the 

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EU’s  contribution  to  achieving  the  SDGs,  including  some  major  results  from  EU-funded 
actions and partnerships8. 

#1 No poverty 

Extreme  poverty  is  falling,  but  not  fast  enough.  Without  widespread  policy  change,  480 
million people will continue to live in extreme poverty by 2030.  

The EU continued its work to eradicate the many root causes of poverty, including inequality 
and inadequate education, health, and social protection. In particular, the EU helped weaken 
the  link  between  poverty,  conflict,  fragility  and  forced  displacement.  More  than  68  million 
people were displaced in 2018, and the EU sought to help prevent forced displacement from 
becoming long-term, while helping displaced people reduce their dependence on assistance.  

The  EU  runs  270  budget  support  programmes  in  90  territories  to  help  eradicate  poverty. 
These  are  fully  aligned  with  partner  countries’  own  development  policies,  priorities, 
objectives  and  country  systems  in  the  context  of  SDG  implementation.  EU  budget  support 
increasingly  focuses  on  low-income  countries.  This  includes  helping  fragile  states  rebuild 
basic state functions and improve their resilience. 

As a lead contributor to two new UN global compacts on refugees and on migration, the EU 
played a key role in mobilising the international community to address poverty’s root causes. 

1.5 million migrants, forcibly displaced people and members of host communities received 
EU assistance (2018). 

#2 Zero hunger 

Severe hunger is on the rise after years of decline, largely due to conflicts, natural disasters 
and climate change. The EU has increased financial assistance  for food security by 14.7 % 
(2014–2018)  and  is  on  track  to  fulfil  its  nutrition  commitments,  with  71 %  of  the  EUR 3.5 
billion  target  already  allocated,  as  a  result  of  which  4.7  million  children  will  have  been 
averted from stunting by 2025.  

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  have  been  working  with  partners  to  address  all  forms  of 
hunger, partly through promoting sustainable and resilient agriculture, which can be powerful 
drivers of growth, job creation and poverty reduction. In 2018, the EU mobilised EUR 140 
million to promote sustainable agriculture.  

Over 12 million people affected by food insecurity accessed EU support (2018). 

8 Results are mainly recorded according to the EU International Cooperation and Development results framework and refer 
to a selection of EU-funded interventions that were ongoing or completed in 2018. 

6 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
#3 Good health and well-being 

Healthier societies are happier, more productive and more prosperous. 

That  is  why  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  promote  health  in  all  policies  and  work  across 
sectors to improve the quality, coverage and affordability of healthcare. The EU continued to 
deliver the EUR 2.6 billion allocated to health measures for 2014–2020. The Commission has 
pledged  EUR 475  million  to  the  Global  Fund  to  Fight  AIDS,  Tuberculosis  and  Malaria  for 
2017–2020. By 2018, this had helped put 11.5 million people on life-saving HIV treatment, 
detect and treat 5 million cases of tuberculosis, distribute 197 million mosquito nets and treat 
108 million  cases of malaria9. Furthermore, the Commission  provided a grant  to  the World 
Health  Organization  of  EUR 28  million  for  2016–2018,  in  support  of  the  Universal  Health 
Coverage Partnership programme to improve donor coordination, aid effectiveness and health 
systems in 28 partner countries. 

Almost 64 million one-year-olds were fully immunised with EU support (2018). 

#4 Quality education  

Education is crucial for independent, healthy and sustainable living.  

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  are  the  biggest  contributors  to  the  Global  Partnership  for 
Education, which strengthens basic education provision in poor and crisis-affected countries. 
The EU added an additional EUR 100 million to an existing pledge of EUR 375 million for 
2014–2020.  In  May  2018,  the  Commission  issued  a  communication  on  education  in 
emergencies  and  protracted  crises,  calling  for  a  coordinated  approach  in  the  delivery  of 
humanitarian  assistance  and  development  assistance10.  Education  in  emergencies,  and  the 
commitment to leave no one behind, remained political priorities. In 2018, the EU increased 
its budget for education in emergency to 8 % of humanitarian assistance (more than EUR 90 
million).  

The  EU  continues  to  help  partner  countries  boost  individuals’  education  and  employment 
prospects  through  Erasmus+.  Between  2015  and  2017,  over  120 000  higher  education 
students and university staff moved between Europe and partner countries under Erasmus+. 
In  2018,  the  first  European  School  in  the  Eastern  Partnership  was  established  in  Tbilisi,  as 
part  of  broader  efforts  to  address  the  educational  needs  of  young  people  in  the  European 
Neighbourhood. 

More than 10 million children were enrolled in education with EU support (2018). 

9 https://www.theglobalfund.org/media/7741/corporate_2018resultsreport_report_en.pdf. 
10 http://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/news/Communication_on_Education_in_Emergencies_and_Protracted_Crises.pdf  

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#5 Gender equality 

Women and girls continue to suffer discrimination and violence in every area of the world. 

In  2018,  the  Commission  neared  its  target  to  promote  gender  equality  across  85  %  of  its 
projects by 2020. Achievements include the EU-UN Spotlight Initiative to eliminate gender-
based violence, with a budget of EUR 500 million (2017–2019), and eight new programmes 
against  gender-based  violence  in  Africa  (EUR  220  million).  Through  the  Union  for  the 
Mediterranean,  the  EU  established  a  system  to  monitor  progress  on  gender  equality  in  the 
Southern Neighbourhood.  

Improving gender equality could add EUR 10.6 trillion to the global economy by 202511. To 
help  ensure  all  citizens  can  fulfil  their  full  potential  regardless  of  their  gender,  the  EU 
supported  new  projects  to  promote  women’s  employment,  protect  female  refugees,  and 
support women and girls in conflict regions. Three Partnership Instrument actions also helped 
increase  employers’  commitment  to  gender  equality.  New  activities  in  non-EU  countries, 
supported by the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), also promoted the role 
of women in peace efforts.  

EUR 500 million went towards eliminating violence against women and girls around the 
world under the Spotlight Initiative with the UN. 

#6 Clean water and sanitation 

The planet is running out of clean water. 

Pressure  on  water  sources  has  been  increasing  for  decades  because  of  population  growth, 
industrialisation and other factors.  

The  EU  is  the  biggest  donor  to  humanitarian  action  in  the  water,  sanitation  and  hygiene 
sector,  allocating  around  EUR  200  million  per  year  to  improve  access  to  safe  water  during 
humanitarian crises.  

In 2018, the Council conclusions on water diplomacy called on EU institutions and Member 
States  to  prioritise  this  issue.  The  EU  responded  by  investing  in  infrastructure  for  the  most 
vulnerable,  promoting  sustainable  water  management,  involving  water  users’  in  decision-
making, and supporting expertise exchange. 

723 000 people accessed cleaner water or improved sanitation facilities with support from 
the EU (2018). 

11 https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/employment-and-growth/how-advancing-womens-equality-can-add-12-
trillion-to-global-growth 

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#7 Affordable and clean energy 

Energy is central to most of the world’s challenges, including jobs, security, climate change 
and food production.  

In  2018,  the  African  Union  and  the  EU  launched  the  High-level  platform  for  Sustainable 
Energy  Investments  to  develop  the  sector,  and  the  EU  continued  to  support  the  Africa 
Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) with a contribution of EUR 1.5 billion. The AREI is set 
to achieve at least 10 gigawatts of new and additional renewable energy generation capacity 
by 2020, and at least 300 gigawatts by 2030.  

Energy security and energy efficiency remained priorities for the Eastern Partnership, with 
the EU4Energy programme committing EUR 16.7 million to its sustainable investment 
climate and value chains programme. The High-Level Energy Efficiency Initiative also 
continued to expand energy efficiency reforms and investment in the neighbourhood and 
enlargement regions, while the EU Partnership Instrument supported SDG #7 through actions 
on affordable and clean energy.  

Over 16.8 million people gained access to electricity with EU support (total for 2014–2018) 

#8 Decent work and economic growth 

Decent  employment  opportunities  and  sustainable  economic  growth  are  essential  to  global 
prosperity. 

In 2018, the EU committed EUR 16.7 million to the sustainable investment climate and value 
chains programme, which promotes financial inclusion and a better investment environment 
in partner countries. A further EUR 19.2 million went towards better working conditions and 
environmental standards in the garment industry.  

In the Western Balkans, the EU adopted a new regional action, committing EUR 19.8 million 
to  helping  its  partners  implement  their  economic  reform  programmes,  to  developing  a 
competitive private sector and to implementing a regional economic area. 

In  2018,  the  EU  launched  a  ‘vocational  education  and  training  toolbox’  to  strengthen  links 
between vocational education and training and the private sector in developing countries. It 
also launched an initiative to boost women’s entrepreneurship and economic empowerment. 

Over 1.1 million people accessed financial services with support from the EU (2018). 

#9 Industry, innovation and infrastructure  

With  more  than  half  of  humanity  now  living  in  cities,  mass  transport,  renewable  energy 
sources and digital technologies are more important than ever.  

9 

 
 
 
 
The  EU  continued  to  allocate  funds  for  multi-modal  transport  corridors  (transit  routes 
supporting  several  modes  of  transport  and  pedestrian  access).  In  2018,  the  EU  also 
contributed EUR 91 million to improve transport for rural populations. This funding helped 
to attract investment of EUR 688 million to interconnect Africa and enhance transport links 
for people in rural areas.  

The  ACP-EU  Partnership  supported  more  than  350  research  centres,  higher  education 
institutions  and  innovation  partners.  In  the  Western  Balkans,  a  connectivity  package  was 
delivered,  comprising  11  transport  projects,  totalling  EUR  190  million  in  grants  and 
leveraging  investments  of  EUR  1  billion  from  partner  international  financial  institutions  in 
the Western Balkans Investment Framework. 

EUR  200  million  was  mobilised  by  the  EU  to  increase  the  use  of  digital  technologies 
(2018).  

#10 Reduced inequalities 

Global  poverty  levels  are  falling  but  major  inequalities  persist,  including  pay  gaps  and 
unequal access to services.  

Income inequality remains high in many countries, particularly in the developing world. The 
countries  with  the  worst  income  inequality,  as  measured  by  the  Gini  index,  are  in  Latin 
America and sub-Saharan Africa. Efforts focused on reducing income inequality, increasing 
zero-tariff  access  for  exports  from  the  least  developed  countries  and  developing  countries, 
and  assisting  the  least  developed  countries  and  small  island  developing  states.  However, 
progress  will  need  to  accelerate  to  address  growing  disparities  within  and  between 
countries12. 

In 2018, the EU continued working with partner countries on actions to address all forms of 
inequality.  The  focus  included  improving  social  protection  systems,  supporting  universal 
access  to  quality  public  services  and  pursuing  anti-discrimination  policies  and  progressive 
fiscal  reforms.  For  example,  at  the  end  of  2018,  187  projects  (worth  EUR  3.6  billion)  to 
improve  migration  management  and  socioeconomic  development  had  been  approved  in  the 
Horn of Africa, Lake Chad, North Africa and Sahel regions through the EU Trust Fund for 
Africa.  

Over 1 million people benefited from vocational or skills training with EU support (2013–
2018). 

#11 Sustainable cities and communities 

Cities contribute 80 % of the world’s gross domestic product and 70 % of carbon emissions. 

12 https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdg10  

10 

 
 
 
 
                                                           
This goal focuses on, for example, sustainable and affordable housing and transport, reducing 
the environmental impact of cities, and connecting cities with rural areas.  

The participatory slum upgrading programme is a joint effort by the EU, ACP states and UN-
Habitat. The programme will help improve 2 million lives and involves 160 cities. In Tunisia, 
through  three  consecutive  programmes,  the  EU  and  its  partners  helped  to  rehabilitate  180 
urban  informal  neighbourhoods.  The  Commission  is  also  a  founding  partner  of  the  Global 
Covenant of Mayors, which is predicted to cut  yearly CO2 emissions by 1.3 billion tons by 
2030.  

In  a  2018  report,  the  Commission  stressed  the  need  to  address  the  challenges  and 
opportunities of urbanisation. The Commission also launched a call for proposals to support 
around  20  city-to-city  partnerships  on  sustainable  urbanisation  in  partner  countries. 
Furthermore,  the  EU’s  international  urban  cooperation  programme  will  strengthen  climate 
and urban diplomacy, as part of the Urban Agenda and the Paris Agreement. 

91 countries had climate change or disaster strategies under development or in place with 
EU support (2018).  

#12 Responsible consumption and production 

Citizens want to know that the goods and services they buy have been produced responsibly. 

In  their  engagement  with  businesses,  the  EU  supports  third  country  action  on  sustainable 
consumption  practices  and  the  circular  economy,  and  promotes  private  sector  action.  EU 
support  covers  many  sectors  and  value  chains,  such  as  textiles,  minerals,  agricultural 
commodities, waste and tourism.  

The  promotion  of  sustainable  consumption  is  embedded  in  all  relevant  EU  external  action 
financing  instruments.  In  2018,  6  500  micro,  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises 
implemented  sustainable  consumption  and  production  practices  with  EU  support.  This 
includes  the  Development  Cooperation  Instrument,  which  finances  initiatives  such  as 
SWITCH  to  Green,  the  European  Development  Fund,  the  Partnership  Instrument  and  the 
IcSP. 

More than 150 green business projects, worth over EUR 250 million, have been funded 
under the SWITCH to Green regional programmes in Asia, Africa and the Mediterranean 
since 2008, helping to improve practices in approximately 90 000 MSMEs and sustaining 
350 000 jobs. 

#13 Climate action 

Climate change is a defining issue of our time.  

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The EU has committed to allocating 20 % of its budget in support of climate-relevant action 
during 2014–2020. This target applies to its external action as well. Here, the EU helped its 
developing partner countries meet their obligations under the Paris Agreement by focusing on 
climate change mitigation and adaptation. 

The EU has systematically integrated climate change considerations into the different sectors 
of its cooperation portfolio. Approximately 55 % of the EU’s contributions to climate action 
during 2014–2017 were the result of its incorporating climate action into its agriculture, food 
security and energy policies.  

In  the  Eastern  Neighbourhood,  the  EU4Climate  programme  continued  to  support  the 
development and implementation of climate-related policies by Eastern Partnership countries, 
helping  to  cut  emissions,  improve  climate  resilience  and  deliver  on  Paris  Agreement 
commitments. Established within the framework of the UNFCC (United Nations Framework 
Convention  on  Climate Change),  the  Green  Climate  Fund,  which  aims  to  assist  developing 
countries in adaptation and mitigation practices to counter climate change, has implemented 
111 projects and reached 310 million beneficiaries, as of August 2019. 

18.4 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions were avoided with EU support (total for 
2014–2018). 

#14 Life below water 

Human activities, and their impact on the rate of climate change, are reducing biodiversity, 
damaging weather patterns and raising sea levels.  

The EU committed EUR 10 million to the Southeast Asian Coral Triangle in 2018. Projects 
will  support  ecosystem  management,  climate  change  adaptation  and  the  expansion, 
administration  and  reinforcement  of  the  marine  protected  areas  network  and  small-scale 
sustainable fisheries. A new support programme with ACP countries, worth EUR 35 million, 
aims to protect and manage biodiversity in developing countries. EUR 17 million will go to 
helping  Pacific  countries  to  build  waste  management  programmes  and  to  address  health, 
marine litter and biodiversity challenges. In the Mediterranean, the GreenMed III programme 
(EUR 48 million) was adopted to promote resource efficiency and sustainable consumption 
and production, as well as clean-up operations. 

2 700 km2 of marine areas were protected with assistance from EU initiatives (2018). 

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#15 Life on land 

An  alarming  decline  in  biodiversity,  paired  with  the  severe  degradation  of  terrestrial 
ecosystems, has major consequences for humanity13. 

In 2018, the EU continued to deliver on its commitments on the sustainable management and 
use of natural resources. Under the forest law enforcement, governance and trade action plan, 
the EU helped 24 countries improve sustainable forest management, enhance legal systems, 
build  national  and  local  capacities,  strengthen  civil  society  organisations  (especially  those 
protecting indigenous people) and boost private-sector compliance with national regulations. 
The EU committed EUR 43.5 million to tackle forestry and wildlife crime, while continuing 
its work to protect biodiversity.  

Nearly 7 million hectares of ecosystems were protected thanks to EU initiatives (2018). 

#16 Peace, justice and strong institutions 

Peace,  justice  and  strong  institutions  are  essential  in  safeguarding  citizens’  rights  and 
security, within the EU and beyond.  

In  2018,  the  EU  launched  several  reforms  to  uphold  the  principles  of  good  governance, 
democracy,  the  rule  of  law  and  human  rights  in  eastern  and  southern  neighbourhood 
countries.  In  the  Western  Balkans,  measures  were  introduced  to  strengthen  judicial 
independence  and  efficiency  and  to  empower  institutions  to  contribute  towards  societal 
change and encourage regional cooperation. 

The  EU  equips  local  authorities  as  partners  in  governance  and  development  through 
democratic participation, human rights promotion, women’s and young people’s participation 
in  the  public  sphere,  and  multi-level  accountability.  The  Common  Security  and  Defence 
Policy, with a budget of EUR 334.86 million in 2018, enables the EU to take a leading role in 
peacekeeping operations, conflict prevention and in strengthening international security. It is 
an integral part of its comprehensive approach towards crisis management.  

Implementation  of  the  2016  security  sector  reform  strategic  framework  continued  in  third 
countries.  The  EU  further  strengthened  links  between  public  administration  reform  efforts 
and  inclusive  and  effective  legal  and  policy-making  processes  and  applied  the  ‘integrated 
diagnostic  decentralisation  framework’  in  five  pilot  countries.  The  framework  will  be  the 
basis of a country-level roadmap for local authorities.  

The  IcSP  funds  activities  on  crisis  response,  conflict  prevention,  peace  building  and  crisis 
preparedness. It addresses global, regional and emerging threats. IcSP activities continued in 
partner  countries  around  the  world,  in  conflict  zones,  in  post-conflict  environments  and  in 
emerging crisis settings. 

13 Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services report, 2018. 

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42 000 human rights violation victims were assisted with EU support (2018). 

#17 Partnerships for the Sustainable Development Goals   

The EU and its partners are working together to deliver the SDGs. 

Delivering  the  goals  requires  partnerships  between  governments  (at  all  levels),  the  private 
sector and civil society. Without local authority involvement, 60 % of the 169 SDG targets 
will  not  be  achieved.  The  Commission,  in  line  with  all  global  agendas,  from  the  Busan 
Principles  to  the  Addis  Ababa  Action  Agenda  and  the  Paris  Agreement,  recognises  the 
importance of partnerships with local authorities.  

Goal 17 focuses on strengthening these partnerships. In 2018, the EU and UN renewed their 
partnership  on  development  assistance,  and  the  Commission  continued  to  develop  tailored 
partnerships for effective development cooperation. Furthermore, the EU and ACP countries 
started to  plan their post-2020 cooperation, aiming to  conclude  an agreement by the end of 
2019. 

The  Spotlight  Initiative  provides  support  to  strengthen  local  organisations  working  to  end 
gender-based  violence.  The  EU  has  also  sought  to  enhance  research  and  innovation 
collaboration, which will foster socioeconomic development and support EU external policy. 
In 2018, major developing partner regions participated in Horizon 2020 collaborative projects 
approximately 225 times14, supported by an EU contribution of EUR 33 million. 

98  countries  had  help  from  the  EU  to  mobilise  revenue,  strengthen  public  financial 
management and improve budgetary transparency (2018). 

14 Figures cover Africa, Central and Latin America and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

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