COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 2024 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's External Action Instruments in 2023
Date: 2024-11-29
Institutions: Directorate-General for International Partnerships, European Commission
Subjects: EU aid, EU migration policy, Russo-Ukrainian issue, activity report, common foreign and security policy, digital transformation, humanitarian aid, peacekeeping, sustainable development, the EU's international role

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION  Brussels, 29.11.2024  SWD(2024) 267 final  COMMISSION STAFF WORKING DOCUMENT   Accompanying the document REPORT FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL 2024 Annual Report on the implementation of the European Union's External Action Instruments in 2023 {COM(2024) 548 final}  
 
 
Table of contents 
1. Introduction: EU response to world developments in 2023 ..................................................................... 9 

1.1. 

The EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (including support to Ukraine 
and partner countries in addressing the global consequences) ................................................. 10 

1.2.  

EU enlargement .......................................................................................................................... 12 

1.3. 

European Neighbourhood Policy ................................................................................................ 15 

1.4. 

International Partnerships .......................................................................................................... 17 

1.5. 

Humanitarian aid and civil protection ........................................................................................ 18 

1.6. 

Security and defence................................................................................................................... 21 

1.7. 

Peace, stability and conflict prevention ...................................................................................... 22 

1.8. 

Human rights and democracy ..................................................................................................... 24 

2.  Delivering  on  our  commitments:  Promoting  EU  values  and  interests  and  fostering  sustainable 
development globally ................................................................................................................................. 26 

2.1.  Global Gateway ........................................................................................................................... 26 

2.2. 

A ‘Team Europe’ approach .......................................................................................................... 27 

2.3.  

Implementing  the  2030  Agenda  and  other  international  and  European  commitments  and 
policies ........................................................................................................................................ 28 

2.4.  Means of implementation .......................................................................................................... 28 

2.5.  Mobilisation of the NDICI-Global Europe cushion ...................................................................... 30 

2.6. 

Policy Coherence for Development ............................................................................................ 30 

2.7.   Development effectiveness ........................................................................................................ 31 

2.8.  

European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD) ........................................................ 31 

3. 

Thematic Overview ............................................................................................................................. 34 

Working together towards the SDGs and results achieved with EU support ......................................... 34 

3.1. 

Human Development .................................................................................................................. 34 

3.1.1. SDG #1 Reduced Poverty .......................................................................................................... 34 

3.1.2. SDG #2 Zero Hunger .................................................................................................................. 36 

3.1.3. SDG #3 Good Health and Well-being ........................................................................................ 38 

3.1.4. SDG #4 Quality Education ......................................................................................................... 39 

3.1.5. SDG #5 Gender Equality ............................................................................................................ 40 

3.1.6. SDG #6 Clean Water and Sanitation ......................................................................................... 42 

3.1.7. SDG #10 Reduced Inequalities .................................................................................................. 43 

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3.1.8. Other major achievements ....................................................................................................... 44 

3.2.  Green Deal .................................................................................................................................. 53 

3.2.1. SDG #7 Affordable and Clean Energy ........................................................................................ 53 

3.2.2. SDG #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities .......................................................................... 54 

3.2.3. SDG #12 Responsible Consumption and Production ................................................................ 55 

3.2.4. SDG #13 Climate Action ............................................................................................................ 56 

3.2.5. SDG #14 Life below Water ........................................................................................................ 57 

3.2.6. SDG #15 Life on Land ................................................................................................................ 58 

3.2.7. Other major achievements ....................................................................................................... 59 

3.3. 

Digitalisation, Science, Technology and Innovation ................................................................... 63 

3.3.1. SDG #9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure ....................................................................... 63 

3.3.2. Other major achievements ....................................................................................................... 66 

3.4. 

Sustainable Growth and Jobs ...................................................................................................... 68 

3.4.1. SDG #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth ............................................................................ 68 

3.5.  Migration and forced displacement............................................................................................ 75 

3.5.1. SDG #10.7 Reduced Inequalities ............................................................................................... 75 

3.6.  Governance, Peace and Security ................................................................................................ 79 

3.6.1. SDG #16 Peace, justice and strong institutions ........................................................................ 79 

4.  Geographic Overview .......................................................................................................................... 88 

4.1. 

Sub-Saharan Africa ...................................................................................................................... 88 

4.1.1. 

Introduction (policy developments) ................................................................................... 88 

4.1.2. 

Implementation .................................................................................................................. 90 

Humanitarian  aid  and  civil  protection  –  responding  to  the  emergency  needs  of  people 
4.1.3. 
affected by conflicts and disasters ...................................................................................................... 97 

4.1.4. 

Crisis response and preparedness .................................................................................... 100 

4.2. 

Asia and the Pacific ................................................................................................................... 102 

4.2.1. 

East Asia and South Asia ................................................................................................... 102 

4.2.2. 

Central Asia ....................................................................................................................... 111 

4.2.3.  Middle East/Gulf region .................................................................................................... 116 

4.2.4. 

The Pacific ......................................................................................................................... 122 

4.3. 

Americas and the Caribbean ..................................................................................................... 125 

4.3.1. 

Americas ............................................................................................................................ 125 

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4.3.2. 

The Caribbean ................................................................................................................... 133 

4.4. 

European Neighbourhood ........................................................................................................ 137 

4.4.1.  

European Neighbourhood East ......................................................................................... 137 

4.4.2.  

European Neighbourhood South ...................................................................................... 150 

4.5.  Western Balkans and Türkiye ................................................................................................... 161 

4.5.1. 

Introduction (policy developments) ................................................................................. 161 

4.5.2. 

Implementation ................................................................................................................ 163 

Humanitarian  aid  and  civil  protection  –  responding  to  the  emergency  needs  of  people 
4.5.3. 
affected by conflicts and disasters .................................................................................................... 170 

4.5.4. 

Crisis response and preparedness .................................................................................... 171 

4.6.  Overseas countries and territories (OCTs) ................................................................................ 172 

4.6.1. 

Introduction (policy developments) ................................................................................. 172 

4.6.2. 

Implementation ................................................................................................................ 173 

5.  Managing Aid .................................................................................................................................... 177 

5.1.  Monitoring, reporting and evaluation ...................................................................................... 177 

5.1.1. 

Reporting ........................................................................................................................... 177 

5.1.2.  Monitoring Systems .......................................................................................................... 178 

5.1.3. 

Reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)...................................................... 178 

5.1.4. 

Evaluation: review of the work programme ..................................................................... 181 

5.1.5. 

Lessons learned ................................................................................................................. 182 

5.2. 

Aid delivery modalities .............................................................................................................. 184 

5.2.1. 

Budget Support ................................................................................................................. 184 

5.2.2. 

Blending ............................................................................................................................ 189 

5.2.3. 

EFSD+, EU budget Guarantees .......................................................................................... 191 

5.2.4. 

Technical Assistance ......................................................................................................... 192 

5.2.5.  

Twinning and TAIEX ........................................................................................................... 193 

5.3. 

Improving ways of working ....................................................................................................... 193 

5.3.1. 

Simplification of procedures ............................................................................................. 193 

5.4. 

Communication & transparency ............................................................................................... 195 

5.4.1. 

Communication ................................................................................................................. 195 

5.4.2. 

Transparency ..................................................................................................................... 198 

5.4.3. 

Learning ............................................................................................................................. 199 

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6. Results annexes ..................................................................................................................................... 201 

6.1. Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 201 

6.2. Methodological basis for selected results reported against the Global Europe Results Framework, 
the EU Results Framework, the IPA III Results Framework and the IPA Performance Framework
 .................................................................................................................................................. 202 

6.2.1. Structure of the corporate results framework ....................................................................... 204 

6.3. Level 2 indicators: Reporting on partner country results supported by the EU (EU RF, IPA PF and 
IPA III) ........................................................................................................................................ 206 

6.4. Level 3: Reporting on policy mainstreaming as measured by budgetary commitments .............. 216 

6.5. Latest results .................................................................................................................................. 218 

6.6. Results of the implementation of the Gender Action Plan III ........................................................ 219 

7.  Budget Support Annexes .................................................................................................................. 224 

8. 

Financial Annexes .............................................................................................................................. 230 

8.1. 

EU external assistance in 2023 ................................................................................................. 230 

8.1.1. 

Introduction to financial tables ......................................................................................... 230 

8.1.2.  

Financial tables .................................................................................................................. 232 

Table of Abbreviations .............................................................................................................................. 358 

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1. Introduction: EU response to world developments in 2023 

This report highlights the key elements of the EU’s foreign policy in 2023, focusing on financial support 
for international partnerships, humanitarian aid, security and defence, foreign policy and enlargement in 
2023.  It  details  the  progress  and  adjustments  in  the  multiannual  financial  framework  for  2021-2027, 
particularly the Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument-Global Europe 
(NDICI-Global  Europe),  alongside  other  instruments  like  humanitarian  aid  and  the  Instrument  for  Pre-
accession Assistance (IPA III), the Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and the European Peace 
Facility (EPF). 

In  2023,  the  EU’s  foreign  policy  landscape  was  predominantly  shaped  by  the  two  devastating  wars 
unfolding on Europe’s borders. On the one hand, Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine, 
which  continues  to  pose  a  serious  security  threat  to  the  European  Union  and  the  international  rules-
based  order.  On  the  other  hand,  a  new  war  in  the  Middle  East  as  a  consequence  of  the  large-scale 
terrorist attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israel on 7 October, that has flared up in Gaza. Both of 
these conflicts directly put the security of the EU at risk. These two unfolding tragedies took place in a 
context of rising geopolitical tensions globally, including various crises in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

These  developments  negatively  impacted  the  functioning  of  the  multilateral  system  and  impaired 
international  cooperation  at  a  moment  when  it  is  needed  the  most  to  address  intensifying  global 
challenges  such  as  climate  change,  nuclear  non-proliferation  and  inequality,  in  parallel  with  the 
momentous transformations required to advance the global green and digital transitions.  

In  this  challenging  global  context,  the  continuous  attempts  by  foreign  actors,  such  as  Russia,  to 
manipulate and interfere in the information environment added further fuel to fire. Foreign information 
manipulation  and  interference  (FIMI)  has  become  a  key  instrument  for  authoritarian  states  in  their 
efforts  to  fracture  and  undermine  democratic  societies.  Throughout  the  year,  the  EU  continued  to 
reinforce its ability to tackle this serious political and security threat, working closely with its Member 
States, international partners and civil society organisations. 

The  European  Union  continued  to  stand  with  Ukraine  and  the  Ukrainian  people,  providing 
unprecedented political, financial, humanitarian, legal and military support while progressive sanctions 
aimed to further weaken Russia`s war machine. Granting Ukraine candidate status in 2023 gave a new 
impetus  to  the  EU  enlargement  process  and  provided  Ukraine  with  the  most  important  security 
commitment the EU can provide: the perspective of EU membership. 

A  significant  development  in  2023  was  the  continued  implementation  of  the  EU’s  Global  Gateway 
strategy,  which  emphasises  sustainable  global  connectivity  through  infrastructure  investment.  The 
cooperation  between  the  European  and  African  Unions,  especially  with  the  Africa-Europe  investment 
package, advanced significantly. The EU is Africa’s leading partner in many areas: from trade, investment 
and  security  to  green  transition  and  digital  transformation.  The  EU  has  supported  the  African Union’s 
request  for  a  structured  participation  in  the  G20,  thus  contributing  to  its  full  integration  into  this 
multilateral forum. 

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The EU’s humanitarian efforts, including the European Humanitarian Response Capacity, adapted to the 
shifting  landscape  of  global  crises,  focusing  on  immediate  response  to  both  ongoing  and  emerging 
humanitarian emergencies. 

Migration management  also continued  to  remain  a priority  for the  European Union, which  required  a 
coordinated European response and increased efforts to strengthen partnerships with origin and transit 
countries, embedding migration within broader cooperation frameworks. 

In  the  realm  of  enlargement  and  neighbourhood  policy,  2023  saw  notable  developments  in  the  EU’s 
relationships  with  Ukraine,  Republic  of  Moldova(1)  and  Georgia.  Ukraine  and  Moldova  were  granted 
candidate  status  in  June  2022  and  the  European  Council  decided  in  December  2023  to  open  formal 
accession  negotiations.  In  addition,  Georgia  was  recommended  to  start  accession  negotiations, 
contingent on meeting certain specified conditions. 

The  EU  continued  its  support  to  democracy  and  human  rights  across  the  world,  deploying  several 
election observation missions in 2023. These missions were conducted in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Maldives, 
Guatemala,  Paraguay,  Liberia  and  Sierra  Leone,  providing  comprehensive,  independent  and  impartial 
assessment of electoral processes, and recommendations for improving the integrity and effectiveness 
of future electoral processes and of the wider process of democratisation in these nations. 

The EU's ongoing commitment to global security and defence was also evident through several aspects 
throughout  the  year;  acting  for  more  flexible  and  responsive  engagement  with  the  launch  of  several 
new  missions  and  operations  in  neighbouring  countries  as  well  as  in  Africa  and  the  Red  Sea.  This 
commitment was characterised by the following objectives: securing against threats through countering 
hybrid threats and FIMI; countering terrorism and promoting disarmament; and investing to strengthen 
the EU’s defence readiness and to ramp up the EU defence industry. This further strengthens the EU as a 
strong  global  and  multilateral  partner,  highlighted  via  initiatives  such  as  the  Schuman  Security  and 
Defence Forum. 

The EU response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine (including support 

1.1. 
to Ukraine and partner countries in addressing the global consequences) 

Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine  and  its  geopolitical  consequences  continued  to  be  the  key 
issue in 2023. 

Demonstrating its unwavering backing for Ukraine, the EU stepped up political, military, humanitarian, 
legal, diplomatic and financial support for the country. In 2023, the EU budget enabled EUR 19.5 billion 
in assistance to Ukraine, including an unprecedented support package of EUR 18 billion in concessional 
loans  under  the  Macro-Financial  Assistance  +  instrument.  The  EU  also  mobilised  EUR  1  billion  for  fast 
recovery, while guarantee agreements signed with international financial institutions have the potential 
capacity  to  unlock  over  EUR  800  million  in  investments  from  the  Ukrainian  private  sector  for  the 
recovery  and  reconstruction  of  the  country’s economy.  EU  Member  States  provided  EUR  28  billion of 
military support, including via the European Peace Facility.  

1 Hereinafter Moldova 

6 

 
 
 
In  addition,  the  EU  provided  unprecedented  humanitarian  and  civil  protection  assistance  aimed  at 
alleviating the suffering of the population and restoration of basic livelihood conditions in war-affected 
regions. Russia’s war of aggression caused unprecedented human suffering and destruction of physical 
infrastructure. The EU has mobilised EUR 300 million in humanitarian assistance in Ukraine for 2023 and 
EUR 20 million for Moldova. Nearly 11 million people across Ukraine(2), including in hard-hit areas, have 
received humanitarian support in Ukraine thanks to the EU and other donors. EU humanitarian funding 
is helping people inside Ukraine by providing them with food, water, essential household items, health 
care, including mental health and psychological support, emergency and winterised shelter, protection, 
including  education  in  emergencies,  and  cash  assistance  to  help  cover  their  basic  needs.  The  EU 
continued the largest, longest and most complex Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) operation in 
history, coordinated by the Emergency Response Crisis Centre (ERCC). The EU activated immediately the 
Temporary Protection Directive giving people fleeing the war in Ukraine residency rights, access to the 
labour market, and means to access suitable accommodation, medical care, and education for children 
in  the  EU.  EU  countries  have  welcomed  over  four  million  people  under  this  temporary  protection 
scheme. The Commission has introduced maximum flexibility so that Member States can support people 
fleeing the war using unspent cohesion funds, thus making available up to EUR 17 billion from both the 
EU and its Member States. 

The EU’s response to Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine continued to be united and determined. 
Following the recommendation from the Commission, in December 2023 the European Council decided 
to  open  accession  negotiations  with  Ukraine.  This  historic  decision  taken  by  EU  leaders  was  a  major 
milestone  in  EU-Ukraine  relations  and  for  future  EU  support.  In  parallel,  the  EU  and  Ukraine  further 
strengthened EU-Ukraine relations through exploiting fully the potential of the EU-Ukraine Association 
Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). 

The Commission also proposed to establish a dedicated financing instrument – the Ukraine Facility – of 
up to EUR 50 billion to provide predictable and flexible support to Ukraine for the period 2024 to 2027 
to support its recovery, reconstruction and modernisation, in line with its EU path. The Facility will cater 
both  for  short-term  State and  recovery  needs  and medium-term  reconstruction  and  modernisation of 
Ukraine  linked  with  EU  accession.  It  will  support  the  transition  towards  a  green,  digital  and  inclusive 
economy that is progressively aligned with EU rules and standards. The  Ukraine Plan, prepared by the 
Ukrainian  government  and  endorsed  by  the  EU,  stands  as  the  main  tool  for  implementation  of  the 
Ukraine  Facility  with  carefully  calibrated  and  sequenced  reforms  and  investments  that  promote 
economic growth, and at the same time support Ukraine’s European path.  

The  Commission  led  the  coordination  efforts  between  Ukraine’s  donors  and  established  jointly  with 
Ukraine and other key partners the G7 Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform in January 2023. Its 
role is to coordinate short- and long-term support for Ukraine’s relief and reconstruction among major 
donors. The platform is co-chaired by Ukraine, the EU and the US. Members of the platform are all G7 
partners  as  well  as  International  Financial  Institutions  like  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB), 
European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development  (EBRD),  World  Bank  and  IMF.  The  secretariat  is 
shared between the EU (hosted at the Commission) and Ukraine. 

2 Global Humanitarian Overview 2023, December Update (Snapshot as of 31 December 2023) | OCHA (unocha.org) 

7 

 
 
 
The  27  EU  Member  States  and  their  partners  around  the  world  condemned  the  unprovoked  and 
unjustified  war  of  aggression,  and  acted  to  isolate  Russia  politically  and  economically.  The  EU  also 
condemned the reported violations of international humanitarian law, international human rights law, 
and international crimes. 

During  2023,  in  close  coordination  with  the  G7  and  other  partners,  the  EU  adopted  three  additional 
packages  of  sanctions  against  those  responsible  for  Russia’s  continuing  war  of  aggression  against 
Ukraine,  and  cracked  down  on  circumvention.  By  the  end  of  2023,  the  EU  had  adopted  a  total  of  12 
packages  of  sanctions  which  include  individual  measures  against  over  1  950  individuals  and  entities 
altogether as well as sectoral measures, including export controls, restrictions on the transport, energy, 
trade, finance and other sectors. Cooperation among Member States and with the Union’s partners in 
the enforcement of sanctions, and notably asset freezes, was enhanced via the activities of the Freeze 
and Seize Task Force, which was established by the Commission in March 2022. 

The  EU also  delivered  two  comprehensive  support  packages to  Moldova(3),  particularly  to  address  the 
impact on the country from Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. 

At the same time, the consequences of Russia’s war against Ukraine continued to impact all regions of 
the  world,  affecting  food  and  energy  prices  and  exacerbating  fiscal  fragilities.  Over  EUR  2  billion 
including contributions by the  Commission, the  EIB, EBRD, and the World Bank has been mobilised to 
scale up the Solidarity Lanes, set out in May 2022 in order to ensure that Ukraine can export grain and 
other agricultural products, as well as import the goods it needs, from humanitarian aid to animal feed 
and  fertilisers.  Furthermore,  the  EU  supported  the  UN-led  efforts  and  those  of  Türkiye  to  find  an 
alternative  solution  to  the  Black  Sea  Grain  Initiative  (from  which  Russia  withdrew  in  July  2023)  that 
would allow the freedom of navigation in the Black Sea region and more grain to flow to the countries 
most  in  need.  In  a ‘Team Europe’  approach(4),  the  EU  and  its Member  States  have  committed  EUR 18 
billion in grants for the period 2021 – 2024 to support food security in partner countries, of which over 
EUR 13.5 billion have been disbursed (EUR 7.5 million in 2022 and EUR 6.1 million in 2023.  

1.2.   EU enlargement  

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has changed the course of European history. The European 
Union  has  responded  with  unprecedented  strength  and  unity.  On  6  October  2023,  at  the  informal 
meeting  of  heads  of  state  or  government  in  Granada,  EU  leaders  reconfirmed  enlargement  as  a  geo-
strategic  investment  in  peace,  security,  stability  and  prosperity(5).  They  highlighted  that  aspiring 
members need to step up their reform efforts, notably in the area of rule of law, in line with the merit-
based nature of the accession process and with the assistance of the EU. In parallel, the Union needs to 
lay the necessary internal groundwork and reforms for further enlargement, to complete the European 
Union. 

3  The  European  Union  will  grant  the  Republic  of  Moldova  another  EUR  250  million;  Support  Package  for  the  Republic  of 
Moldova.  
4 Team Europe approach and Team Europe Initiatives | Capacity4dev (europa.eu) 
5 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/10/06/granada-declaration/ 

8 

 
 
 
The  analytical  reports(6)  completing  the  European  Commission's  opinions(7)  on  the  membership 
application of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia were issued on 1 February 2023. Following the decision of 
the European Council to recognise the European perspective of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia and to 
grant  the  status  of  EU  candidate  country  to  Ukraine  and  Moldova,  on  22  June  2023  the  Commission 
presented an oral update on the progress made by the three countries on the steps and priorities set by 
the European Council. 

On  8  November  2023,  the  European  Commission  adopted  the  2023  enlargement  package(8).  As  in 
previous  years,  the  Commission  took  stock  of  developments  since  the  previous  enlargement  package 
adopted in October 2022(9). It examined the progress made by the Western Balkans and Türkiye and  – 
for  the  first  time  –  Ukraine,  Moldova  and  Georgia,  the  challenges  encountered  and  reforms  to  be 
addressed, and set out conclusions and recommendations for the period ahead.  

In line with the Commission's recommendations, in December 2023, the European Council decided(10) to 
open  accession  negotiations  with  Ukraine  and  Moldova,  to  grant  candidate  status  to  Georgia  on  the 
understanding  that  relevant  steps  are  taken,  and  to  open  accession  negotiations  with  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina once the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria is achieved.  

Regarding the Western Balkans, the analytical examination of the EU acquis (screening) continued with 
both Albania and North Macedonia throughout  2023 and the meetings were completed at the  end of 
the year. The Commission submitted to the Council its reports regarding the first cluster, also known as 
the  Fundamentals  cluster  in  July  2023.  For  Albania,  the  Commission  also  submitted  its  report  on  the 
implementation  of  the  opening  benchmarks  for  the  fundamentals  cluster  in  December  2023.  The  EU 
agreed  in  spring  2023  on visa  liberalisation  for Kosovo*,  applicable  from  1  January  2024. Montenegro 
and Serbia continued with accession negotiations in line with their respective negotiating frameworks. 

At the beginning of 2023, the European Commission prepared at record speed the EUR 1 billion Energy 
Support Package for the Western Balkans(11), which had been announced in December 2022 to address 
the  immediate,  short-term  and  medium-term  needs  in  the  region.  The  substantial  support  package 
helped  the  Western  Balkan  partners  to  handle  increased  energy  prices  and  to  begin  decreasing  their 
dependence  on  Russian  fossil  fuels,  accelerate  decarbonisation  and  improve  the  region’s  energy 
security. EUR 450 million (90 % of the budget support package) was disbursed already in early 2023 to 
cater for the most urgent needs and push for needed reforms.  

The  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  (EIP)  for  the  Western  Balkans(12)  continued  to  bridge  the  socio-
economic gap between the region and the EU and to help its green and digital transition. By 2023, the 
Western  Balkans  Investment  Framework  Board  endorsed  59  flagship  investments  focusing  on 

6 SWD(2023) 30 final, SWD(2023) 31 final, SWD(2023) 32 final of 1 February 2023. 
7 COM(2022) 407 final, COM(2022) 406 final, and COM(2022) 405 final of 17 June 2022. 
8 COM(2023) 690 final of 8 November 2023. 
9 COM(2022) 528 final of 12 October 2022. 
10 europeancouncilconclusions-14-15-12-2023-en.pdf (europa.eu) 
* This designation is without prejudice to positions on status, and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ  
Opinion on the Kosovo Declaration of Independence. 
11 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/AC_23_3196  
12 COM(2020) 641 final of 6 October 2020. 

9 

 
 
 
sustainable  transport,  renewable  energy,  education,  health,  environmental  protection,  and  private 
sector development.  

On  8  November  the  Commission  also  adopted  its  proposal  for  a  new  Growth  Plan  for  the  Western 
Balkans(13),  which  has  the  double  objective  of  boosting  the  Western  Balkan’s  socio-economic 
convergence  with  the  EU  and  accelerating  the  accession  process.  It  is  based  on  four  pillars  aimed  at: 
bringing  the  Western  Balkans  closer  to  the  EU  Single  Market,  deepening  the  regional  economic 
integration, accelerating fundamental reforms and increasing funding. As to the latter, the Growth Plan 
proposed a Regulation for a Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, which would support 
the reform efforts with EUR 6 billion in loans and grants. 

Two high-level geopolitical dialogues were held between the European Commission and the European 
Parliament in 2023 (May and November) to discuss the implementation of IPA III(14), the Commission’s 
proposal for the Western Balkans Growth Plan and the new Reform and Growth Facility. 

The  commitment  of  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  to  close  cooperation  with  the  region  was  also 
underlined in the various summits held in 2023. The Berlin Process Summit on 16 October 2023, held for 
the first time in the region – in Tirana, saw progress in the Common Regional Market, with the signature 
of  the  Agreement  on  recognition  for  professional  qualifications  for  midwives,  vets,  nurses  and 
pharmacists  and  a  number  of  joint  statements  related  to  regional  cooperation.  It  was  also  an 
opportunity to inaugurate the representation office of the College of Europe in Tirana. On 12 December 
2023  EU  and  Western  Balkans  leaders  met  in  Brussels  for  their  fourth  annual  EU-Western  Balkans 
summit.  The  summit  was  an  opportunity  to  reaffirm  the  EU  membership  perspective  of  the  Western 
Balkans and also the need for partners’ sustained and irreversible reform achievements, underpinned by 
EU values and principles. It also presented the first opportunity to discuss the Growth Plan with leaders 
following its adoption by the Commission. 

Türkiye is a key partner of the EU and a candidate country. The European Union has a strategic interest 
in  a  stable  and  secure  environment  in  the  Eastern  Mediterranean  and  in  the  development  of  a 
cooperative  and  mutually  beneficial  relationship  with  Türkiye.  Since  2021,  following  the  guidelines  of 
the  European  Council,  the  focus  in  EU-Türkiye  relations  has  shifted  to  concrete  steps  towards  re-
engagement. 

On 29 November 2023, the Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication on 
the State of play of the EU-Türkiye political, economic and trade relations(15), which includes a number of 
recommendations  for  energising  key  areas  of  cooperation  in  a  phased,  proportionate  and  reversible 
manner, provided that  de-escalation of tensions is sustained, that Türkiye engages  constructively, and 
subject to the established conditions set out in European Council Conclusions(16).  

13 COM(2023) 691 final of 8 November 2023. 
14 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument 
for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III). 
15 JOIN(2023) 50 final of 29 November 2023. 
16 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/48976/250321-vtc-euco-statement-en.pdf 
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/50763/2425-06-21-euco-conclusions-en.pdf 
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/53454/st15033-en21.pdf https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/60797/st15935-
en22.pdf https://www.consilium.europa.eu/media/57442/2022-06-2324-euco-conclusions-en.pdf 

10 

 
 
 
The 2016 EU-Turkey Joint Statement(17) continued to yield results and remained the key framework for 
cooperation on migration. Türkiye sustained its remarkable efforts to host close to four million refugees 
from Syria and other countries. 

1.3. 

European Neighbourhood Policy 

In the context of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine, the EU continued to assist Neighbourhood 
countries  in  tackling  the  causes  of  instability.  In  2023,  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  (ENP) 
mobilised significant  political and financial support for its four priorities(18). Given the global impact of 
Russia’s  war  in  Ukraine,  some  priority  domains,  in  particular  energy  and  food  security,  continued  to 
require specific focus. The political situation in the Southern Neighbourhood has become highly volatile 
following the Israel-Hamas war with fear of spillovers throughout the Middle East. 

In that respect, and in order to mitigate the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, 
the  EU  set  up  a  ‘Food  and  Resilience  Facility’  to  support  the  most  affected  among  the  Southern 
Neighbourhood partners. Under this fund, EUR 225 million are being deployed, tailored to the needs of 
countries  in  the  region  highly  dependent  on  food  imports  disrupted  by  the  war.  Egypt  is  the  biggest 
beneficiary, with EUR 100 million to help expand wheat and grain production and storage capacity. 

Eastern Partnership 

In  a  landmark  decision(19),  in  December  2023  the  European  Council  decided  to  open  accession 
negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova and to grant EU candidate status to Georgia.  

Against the backdrop of Russia's ongoing war of aggression against Ukraine and other challenges in the 
region, the Eastern Partnership delivered results with impact on the lives of people on the ground. At 
the  December  2023  Eastern  Partnership  Foreign  Affairs  Ministerial,  Member  States  and  partners 
reiterated their support for the Eastern Partnership as a framework to address existing challenges and 
promote  shared interests. They also agreed that  as we move  forward, the  Eastern Partnership should 
remain  flexible  and  offer  a  tailored  approach  to  each  country,  ensuring  complementarity  between 
bilateral and regional cooperation and in synergy with the enlargement aspirations of Ukraine, Moldova 
and  Georgia.  Looking  forward,  the  new  political  context  has  paved  the  way  for  renewed  efforts  to 
strengthen  links  with  Central  Asia  and  the  Black  Sea  region,  notably  in  the  area  of  connectivity 
(transport, energy, and digital), as well as with the Western Balkans on the enlargement dimension. In 
parallel, regional programmes across different sectors continued. The 2023 regional action programme 
contributed  to  stronger  resilience,  supported  green  and  digital  transitions,  delivered  on  key  reforms, 
including  tackling  corruption  and  organised  crime,  and  provided  the  tools  to  effectively  monitor  good 
governance and the rule of law in the region.  

The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine continued to cause unprecedented human suffering and 
destruction  of  physical  infrastructure.  The  European  Commission  stepped  up  its  engagement  with 

17 https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/18/eu-turkey-statement/pdf 
18  The  ENP’s  priority  areas:  are  good  governance,  democracy,  human  rights  and  the  rule  of  law;  economic  development  for 
stabilisation; security; and migration and mobility. 
19 European Council Conclusions EUCO 20/23 of 15 December 2023. 

11 

 
 
 
Ukraine,  including  political  dialogue  and  financial  support,  based  on  a  new  instrument,  the  Ukraine 
Facility that will provide EUR 50 billion to Ukraine over the 2024-2027 period. The Facility will cater both 
for  short-term  State  and  recovery  needs,  and  medium-term  reconstruction  and  modernisation  of 
Ukraine  linked  with  EU  accession.  It  will  support  the  transition  towards  a  green,  digital  and  inclusive 
economy that is progressively aligned with EU rules and standards. The European Commission led the 
coordination efforts made by Ukraine’s donors and, in January 2023, established  - jointly with Ukraine 
and other key partners - the G7 Multi-Agency Donor Coordination Platform.  

Following Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023 and the subsequent 
displacement  of  over  100  000  people,  the  EU  provided  swift  support  to  Armenia,  including  through 
humanitarian aid, budget support and the Civil Protection Mechanism. In October 2023, the European 
Council  tasked  the  Commission  and  the  High  Representative  to  present  options  for  strengthening 
relations with Armenia ‘in all their dimensions’. 

The  EU  continued  to  actively  roll  out  its  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  for  the  Eastern  Partnership, 
supporting its Eastern partners in their efforts to stabilise their economies at a time of unprecedented 
geopolitical turmoil. By December 2023, the EU contribution reached EUR 1.77 billion and, through its 
bilateral cooperation, its financial guarantees and its blending projects, it has unlocked EUR 8.5 billion of 
investments.  

Investing  in  human  capital  underpins  the  sustainability  of  economic  recovery.  Through  regional 
programmes  such  as  EU4Youth  and  Erasmus+  Youth,  the  EU  supported  youth  employment  and 
education opportunities.  

Southern Neighbourhood 

In  2023,  the  situation  in  the  Southern  Neighbourhood  remained  volatile.  While  the  countries  of  the 
region  were  slowly  recovering  from  the  consequences  of  the  COVID-19  pandemic  and  the  Russian 
aggression  against  Ukraine,  the  Israel-Hamas  war  and  its  possible  spillover  effects  added  to  the 
protracted  fragilities  in  the  neighbouring  countries  and  increased  the  level  of  uncertainty  regarding 
political, social and economic stability. The region continued to be strongly affected by climate change 
and  natural  disasters,  such  as  earthquakes  and  floods.  The  signature  of  the  Memorandum  of 
Understanding on a strategic and global partnership between the EU and Tunisia, in July 2023, and the 
commitment to work on a Strategic and Comprehensive partnership with Egypt provided a new impetus 
to the cooperation with these partners. 

In this context, the European Commission continued to implement the Economic and Investment Plan of 
the  2021  Agenda  for  the  Mediterranean(20).  EUR  4  billion  were  committed  in  2021  to  2023  (EUR  1.8 
billion  in  2023)  that  will  mobilise  EUR  23.8  billion  in  investments  in  the  green,  digital,  clean  energy, 
water and sanitation, and education sectors. In addition, the 2023 cooperation programmes addressed 
structural reforms, good governance and the rule of law, inclusive economic development, job creation, 
in particular for youth and women, education and vocational training, and social safety nets in the ten 

20 JOIN(2021) 2 final of 9 February 2021. 

12 

 
 
 
partner countries and at regional level. In total, 2021-2023 NDICI commitments for the Neighbourhood 
South amount to EUR 5.2 billion. 

Migration and forced displacement 

Migration  remained  high  on  the  EU  agenda,  especially  in  the  context  of  increased  flows  via  the 
Mediterranean  routes  and  arising  conflicts  in  the  region.  The  EU  continued  building  on  successful 
actions under the multiannual indicative programme for a Multi-country Migration Programme for the 
Southern Neighbourhood (as the follow-up to the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa). In this context, 
actions  in  the  north  of  Africa  focused  on  a  comprehensive  approach  to  migration,  including  the  fight 
against  migrant  smuggling  and  trafficking  in  human  beings,  increased  assisted  voluntary  returns  and 
sustainable reintegration into countries of origin,  border management, protection and legal migration. 
Actions  were  also  adopted  to  address  the  needs  of  refugees  from  Syria  and  host  communities  in 
Lebanon  and  in  Jordan,  as  well  as  in  support  of  the  Syrian  people,  focusing  on  resilience  and  early 
recovery needs.  

In the Eastern Neighbourhood, the EU continued to address the refugee crisis stemming from Russia’s 
war of aggression against Ukraine, not only with humanitarian and protection measures, but also with 
concrete support to the transit, voluntary repatriation and reintegration of affected people, as well as 
support to border management in the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine.  

Institution building 

The European Commission’s institution building instruments contributed to the overall reform process 
in  the  European  Neighbourhood  in  line  with  EU  political  priorities,  notably  the  green  and  digital 
transition, and the regional Economic and Investment Plans, through high-level flagship events.  

In  2023,  TAIEX  (Technical  Assistance  and  Information  Exchange)  delivered  189  events  for  the  Eastern 
Neighbourhood (with 4 459 participants from the region) – many of them in Ukraine and Moldova, and 
55  for  the  Southern  Neighbourhood  (1  523  participants  from  the  region),  including  in  Libya  (with 
support from Italy).  

In  2023,  the  Twinning  instrument  continued  to  support  Ukraine  and  Moldova  as  well  as  Algeria,  with 
France  having  been  involved  in  the  latter.  2023  marked  the  25th  anniversary  of  the  Twinning 
instrument. 

1.4. 

International Partnerships 

In 2023, the EU scaled-up the roll out of the Global Gateway strategy, its contribution to narrowing the 
global  investment  gap  and  accompanying  the  twin  green  and  digital  transitions  beyond  European 
borders.  In  December  2022,  the  Global  Gateway  Board  decided  to  make  2023  the  year  of 
implementation.  Significant  progress  was  achieved  on  the  projects  that  had  already  been  launched. 
Moreover, 138 new flagships were endorsed by the Council towards the end of the year, bringing the 
total number to 225. 

The  year  was  also  marked  by  the  first  Global  Gateway  Forum,  attended  by  20  Heads  of  States  and 
Governments as well as 70 ministers and numerous leaders from the private sector and civil society. The 
Global Gateway governance structure was operationalised, with the first-ever meetings of the Business 

13 

 
 
Advisory Group and of the Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform. And the EU held over a 
dozen Global Gateway business forums in partner countries to engage the private sector. 

In  2023,  the  EU,  its Member  States,  and  the  79  Members of the  African,  Caribbean  and Pacific  States 
(OACPS) signed the successor to the Cotonou Agreement: the Samoa Agreement. This new framework 
will strengthen the  capacity to address  global challenges  together, from sustainable development and 
economic growth to human rights, peace and security, climate change, migration and global health.  

In July, the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda was presented  at the Summit between the EU 
and  the  Community  of  Latin  American  and  the  Caribbean  states  (CELAC),  for  which  Team  Europe 
committed to leverage  EUR  45 billion by 2027. Over the year, the EU also concluded various strategic 
partnerships  with  partner  countries  in  the  region  to  further  cooperation  on  critical  raw  materials, 
energy, digital and climate issues.  

Similarly,  the  EU  stepped  up  strategic  engagement  in  the  Asia-Pacific  region,  as  well  as  its 
implementation of the EUR 150 billion Africa-Europe Global Gateway Investment Package.  

Amidst renewed attacks against multilateralism, the EU redoubled its efforts to advance the Sustainable 
Development  Goals,  as  illustrated  by  the  first  EU  Voluntary  Review(21)  presented  at  the  High-Level 
Political  Forum  2023.  The  EU  also  worked  with  the  G7  and  other  partners  to  coordinate  major 
infrastructure initiatives, such as the development of the Lobito corridor. 

A significant step was taken towards tackling inequalities with the launch of the Inequality Marker, an 
innovative tool to help us better understand, track, and benchmark our impact on reducing inequalities 
across all our sectors of work(22). 

The  EU  and  its  27  Member  States  collectively  remained  the  largest  provider  of  official  development 
assistance (ODA) with EUR  95.9  billion in 2023, accounting for  42  % of global ODA(23)  (0.57 % of gross 
national income (GNI)) based on preliminary OECD data. 

1.5.  Humanitarian aid and civil protection 

The  year  2023  was  largely  marked  by  the  humanitarian  impact  of  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against 
Ukraine and by the escalation of hostilities in the Middle East, with the conflict in and around Gaza at its 
centre. It also witnessed the dramatic consequences of the ongoing conflict in Sudan and the protracted 
complex crises in the Sahel.  

The humanitarian situation  also continued to drastically deteriorate in many other parts of the world, 
due to persistent conflict and insecurity, the impact of climate change, failed governance, and the war of 
aggression against Ukraine, resulting in unprecedented levels of humanitarian needs. According to the 
UN OCHA Global Humanitarian Overview 2023, updated in December 2023(24), 363.3 million people were 

21  European  Commission,  Secretariat-General,  EU  voluntary  review  on  progress  in  the  implementation  of  the  2030  agenda, 
Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2792/343208 
22  European  Commission,  Directorate-General  for  International  Partnerships, The  European  Commission  inequality  marker  – 
Guidelines 
the  European  Union, 
2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2841/051011 
23 Global ODA is defined here as including the ODA reported by the EU collective and all other donor countries. 
24 Global Humanitarian Overview 2023, December Update (Snapshot as of 31 December 2023) | OCHA (unocha.org) 

interventions,  Publications  Office  of 

the  application  and 

scoring  of 

for 

14 

 
 
 
estimated to be in need of humanitarian assistance and protection, an increase of 11.4 % as compared 
to 2022(25). The EU remained a key global humanitarian donor, provided humanitarian assistance of over 
EUR 2 416.7 million in more than 100 countries(26), and teamed up and engaged with Member States to 
assist effectively and adequately  people in need. The  EU pursued its promotion and systematic  public 
advocacy for compliance with international humanitarian law (IHL) and principled humanitarian space, 
including through public statements, interventions in multilateral fora and high-level events, as well as 
through  bilateral  advocacy.  The  EU’s  humanitarian  aid  has  also  focused  on  funding  initiatives  on 
strengthening the monitoring of IHL violations to reinforce evidence-based humanitarian diplomacy.  

The European Commission continued its efforts to address an unprecedented global food crisis through 
a comprehensive ‘Team Europe’  response strategy. As part of this initiative, in 2023, the EU allocated 
over EUR 670 million to humanitarian food and nutrition assistance, well above  the  EU’s commitment 
under  the  Food  Assistance  Convention.  The  European  Commission  continued  also 
its  strong 
commitment  to  forgotten  crises,  allocating  17  %  of  the  initial  2023  budget  (EUR  286  million)  to  such 
crises.  The  EU  remained  engaged  in  education  in  emergencies,  dedicating  10  %  of  the  initial 
humanitarian  aid  budget  (EUR  162 million)  to  support  access  to  safe  and  quality  learning  for  children 
and  adolescents  affected  by  crises.  The  EU  funded  actions  to  protect  children  in  situations  of  armed 
conflict, to prevent, respond to and end grave violations(27). The EU support included case management 
of  children  and  specific  support  to  children  that  had  been  associated  with  armed  forces  and  armed 
groups in their reintegration, training to armed groups on children’s rights, national dialogue on children 
and  armed  conflict,  capacity  building,  monitoring,  and  awareness  raising  among  communities  and 
parties  to  the  crisis,  and  support  to  the  UN  Monitoring  and  Reporting  Mechanism.  In  addition  the 
European  Commission  dedicated  EUR  334  million  to  providing  access  to  quality  health  care  to  those 
most in need, while half of the global population is still not covered by essential health services(28). 

The  EU  continued  the  support  to  projects  targeting  children  affected  by  armed  conflict  such  as  
empowering  survivors  of  conflict  related  sexual  violence  in  South  Sudan,  enhancing  protective 
environments  for  children  at  risk  of  recruitment  by  armed  forces  in  Colombia,   preventing  and 
responding to violence against children by terrorist and violent extremist groups in Iraq, Indonesia and 
Nigeria, promoting the protection of children, adolescents and young people in Northern Mozambique, 
and  strengthening  community  leadership  in  Technical  and  Vocational  Education  and  Training  and  for 
conflict-affected children and youth in Myanmar. 

The European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC) responded to 16 crises affecting 15 countries(29) 
and allocated EUR 56 million for the development and deployment of EHRC capacities and services(30), 

25 Global Humanitarian Overview 2022, December Update (Snapshot as of 31 December 2022) | OCHA (unocha.org). 
26 The evolution of the figure is partially due to a change of methodology, following the modifications in the UNFTS site. 
27  The  Six  Grave  Violations  –  Office  of  the  Special  Representative  of  the  Secretary-General  for  Children  and  Armed  Conflict 
(un.org)  
28 World Health Organisation, World Bank Group. Tracking universal health coverage: 2023 global monitoring report. Sep 2023. 
29  Afghanistan,  Burkina  Faso,  DR  Congo,  Egypt/Palestine,  Kenya,  Madagascar,  Mali,  Armenia,  Nepal,  Niger,  Somalia,  Sudan, 
Chad, Syria, Ukraine. 
30 85 EU Humanitarian Air Bridge flights reached nine countries and transported over 3 880 tonnes of humanitarian supplies. EU 
Humanitarian Aid Flights in seven countries transported over 490 tonnes and 19 400 humanitarian personnel. More than 840 

15 

 
 
 
 
including  Humanitarian  Air  Bridge  operations.  It  delivered  humanitarian  goods  and  transported 
humanitarian workers to hard-to-reach areas where assistance could otherwise not be delivered. A total 
of  EUR  42.95  million  in  humanitarian  emergency  funding  was  mobilised  through  the  Emergency 
Toolbox(31) to respond to unforeseen events around the world in 2023. 

As  regards  civil  protection,  in  relation  to  the  wider  discussions  on  EU  crisis management  structures,  a 
priority  in  2023  was  to  further  consolidate  and  expand  the  central  role  of  the  Emergency  Response 
Coordination Centre (ERCC) as a 24/7 single operational hub managing and facilitating the EU’s swift and 
effective response to a broad range of cross-sectoral crises at home  and around the world, as well as 
improving  the  ERCC’s  anticipatory  planning  and  foresight  capacities  and  capabilities.  The  European 
Commission  strengthened  further  the  UCPM  response  by  ensuring  full  implementation  of  the  revised 
legislation(32).  

The  European  Commission  successfully  negotiated  the  enlargement  of  the  UCPM  to  include  two  new 
Participating States (Ukraine and Moldova). 

The  European  Commission  strengthened  its  own  strategic  ‘rescEU’  reserve  of  capacities  at  EU  level, 
including medical and Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) equipment and has created 
a donations hub in Poland to facilitate donations to Ukraine, from the private sector as well as from G7 
partners.  The  ERCC  conducted  an  advisory  mission  to  Ukraine  to  assess   and  support  Ukraine’s 
emergency services ability to respond to CBRN hazards and evaluate needs for strengthening response 
and preparedness activities. 

In  addition  to  the  activation  of  the  UCPM  for  the  continuation  of  the  large-scale  and  logistically 
challenging  operations  in  Ukraine,  the  mechanism  was  activated  65  times  in  2023  for  various  natural 
and  human  induced  disasters.  Several  large  operations  proved  very  complex,  such  as  the  response  to 
the  major  earthquakes  in  Türkiye  and  Syria  in  February  2023  (the  largest  and  most  comprehensive 
UCPM response to this type of disaster to date). The UCPM also responded in complex emergencies in 
Syria, Libya (dam break) and the conflict in the Middle East. In 2023, the UCPM had a 94 % response rate 
to requests submitted to the Mechanism. 

Lastly, the European Humanitarian Forum (co-organised with the Swedish Presidency of  the  Council  in 
March  2023),  the  High-level  Conference  on  Education  in  Emergencies  (co-organised  with  UNICEF  in 
March  2023),  and  the  Seventh  European  Civil  Protection  Forum  were  occasions  to  re-affirm  the  EU 
leadership and engagement on humanitarian aid and civil protection. 

tonnes  from  the  EHRC  stockpiles  were  donated  to  partners  for  a  value  of  over  EUR  4.4  million  and  more  than  100  partners 
supported, included seven UN agencies, ICRC, IFRC and 12 Member States. 
31  The  Epidemics  tool  and  the  small-scale  tool  were  activated  respectively  eight  and  18  times.  The  Acute  Large  Emergency 
Response  Tool  (ALERT)  was  triggered  14  times.  The  International  Federation  of  Red  Cross  and  Red  Crescent  Societies  (IFRC)) 
Disaster  Response  Emergency  Fund  (DREF)  was  replenished  for  65  operations  in  50  countries,  including  in  relation  to  the 
cholera outbreaks in Africa and floods and earthquakes in northern Africa and Southeast Asia. 
32  Regulation  (EU)  2021/836  of  the  European  Parliament  and  of  the  Council  of  20  May  2021  amending  Decision  No 
1313/2013/EU on a Union Civil Protection Mechanism. 

16 

 
 
 
In  May  2023,  moreover,  the  Council  adopted  Conclusions(33)  on  the  humanitarian  funding  gap,  which 
inter alia set out a voluntary target for Member States of devoting 0.07 % of their gross national income 
(GNI)  to  humanitarian  assistance,  in  the  context  of  the  established  0.7  %  of  GNI  target  for  official 
development assistance. 

1.6. 

Security and defence 

Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine had a shattering effect on European security. Hamas’ terrorist 
attacks on 7 October and the ensuing war in Gaza significantly impacted security and stability in the EU, 
the  Southern  Neighbourhood  and  beyond.  In  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  the  EU  strengthened  its 
capacity to respond to security challenges and consolidate its role as a security provider. 

In 2023, the EU and Member States continued the implementation of the Strategic Compass, which sets 
out the EU’s ambitions over the next five to ten years in the field of security and defence. This second 
year  of  implementation  has  seen  scaling  up  of  assistance  and  initiatives  to  support  Ukraine  militarily. 
This  included  training  of  close  to  40  000  Ukrainian  military  personnel  and  the  capacity  building  of 
Ukrainian armed forces through the EU Military Assistance Mission. Two top-ups of the European Peace 
Facility were decided to allow for stronger support to Ukraine. The EU also launched an ambitious three-
track initiative to produce 1 million rounds of artillery ammunition and missiles in support of Ukraine. By 
the  end  of  2023,  the  total  value  of  military  support  provided  to  Ukraine  was  approximately  EUR  28 
billion,  including  EUR  6.1  billion  of  lethal  and  non-lethal  equipment  via  the  European  Peace  Facility, 
including the ammunition initiative. The EU Advisory Mission in Ukraine continued to support Ukrainian 
law  enforcement  and  security  sector  reform  on  the  ground.  The  EU’s  resolve  and  commitment  to 
support Ukraine for as long as it takes remained unabated.  

Since Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, massive structural changes have been taking place to 
boost the European defence industrial and technological base, building on developments from 2017. In 
October  2023,  to  continue  supporting  Ukraine  and  boost  defence  readiness,  the  EU  adopted  the 
European  Defence  Industrial  Reinforcement  and  Procurement  Act  (joint  procurement)  and  the  Act  in 
Support  of  Ammunition  Production  (ramp  up).  The  implementation  of  key  capability  projects  in  the 
framework  of  the  Permanent  Structured  Cooperation  continued,  with  a  strategic  review  planned  in 
2024. 

In  2023,  the  EU  demonstrated  its  commitment  to  promoting  peace  and  security  through  Common 
Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations. The EU launched a mission in Armenia in 
the context of the deteriorating security situation at the border with Azerbaijan and another in Moldova 
to focus on strengthening resilience to hybrid threats. A Security and Defence Initiative, also including a 
peace  and  conflict  prevention  dimension,  was  launched  at  the  end  of  2023  in  the  Gulf  of  Guinea  to 
address the risk of spillover of terrorism from the Sahel. Work started at the very end of 2023 to prepare 
a new EU maritime operation ASPIDES, in order to provide a swift answer to the growing threat against 
maritime security in the Red Sea. To increase the EU’s capacity to respond quickly to crises, intense work 
is ongoing to make Rapid Deployment Capacity fully operational by 2025. The first ever EU Live Exercise 
held in October 2023 in Spain has already contributed to improve military cooperation on the  ground 
between  Member  States.  European  Peace  Facility  support  to  partner  countries  other  than  Ukraine 

33 Council Conclusions 9598/23 of 22 May 2023. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-9598-2023-INIT/en/pdf 

17 

 
 
 
continued  to  expand  in  2023,  including  to  new  partners  such  as  the  countries  of  the  Gulf  of  Guinea, 
Jordan and Lebanon, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.  

The EU significantly advanced its ability to navigate strategic domains and respond to cyber and hybrid 
threats while defending maritime and space security. In 2023, the European External Action Service and 
the  European  Commission  published  an  updated  Maritime  Security  Strategy,  the  EU  Policy  on  Cyber 
Defence, the new Action Plan on Military Mobility and the first Space Strategy for Security and Defence. 
Overall,  the  EU  increased  its  capacity  to  detect,  protect,  deter  and  defend  against  cyberattacks  and 
hybrid  threats,  including  by  progressing  with  the  development  of  Hybrid  Rapid  Response  Teams. 
Multilaterally,  the  EU  led  international  efforts  in  the  UN  on  international  law  in  cyberspace,  on 
responsible behaviour in space and to uphold and strengthen multilateral frameworks on disarmament 
and non-proliferation.  

There  has  been  an  unprecedented  boost  in  peace,  security  and  defence  partnerships  with  multiple 
actors worldwide,  including the United Nations, NATO,  and numerous bilateral  partners,  resulting  in a 
growing  number  of  security  and  defence  dialogues,  including  thematic  ones,  and  joint  activities, 
including  in  mediation  and  conflict  prevention,  military  mobility,  cybersecurity,  critical  infrastructure 
protection, maritime security and space. The first Schuman Security and Defence Partnership  Forum in 
March 2023 was a success. All these partnerships and joint activities affirmed the growing role of the EU 
as a peace enabler, security provider and defence actor. 

1.7. 

Peace, stability and conflict prevention 

In  a  context  of  the  continuing  Russian  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine,  increasing  instability  in  the 
Sahel  region,  the  war  in  Sudan  that  broke  out  in  April,  and  the  war  in  Gaza  following  the  7  October 
attack  by  Hamas,  the  EU  responded  to  needs  around  the  world  through  its  ‘integrated  approach’  to 
conflicts and crises. 

This  included  timely  crisis response  interventions  under  the  Rapid  Response  Pillar  of  the  NDICI-Global 
Europe  instrument,  which addressed  some of  the  main  conflicts  and  post-crisis  contexts  in  the world. 
This  included  Ukraine  and  its  surrounding  region,  the  countries  of  the  Sahel,  Syria,  the  Democratic 
Republic  of  Congo,  the  Western  Balkans,  and  Haiti  in  addition  to  Ukraine  and  Israel/the  Palestinian 
territories.  Significant  actions  were  launched  in  the  area  of  conflict  prevention,  natural  resources, 
stabilisation,  confidence  building,  cyber  security,  disinformation  as  well  as  sexual  violence  and 
accountability.  Actions  continued  to  support  and  complement  multilateral  actions  and  processes, 
including  Common  Foreign  and  Security  Policy  (CFSP)  actions  across  the  world.  NDICI-Global  Europe 
emphasises  conflict  prevention by means of early warning, conflict-analysis capacity building, training, 
promoting good governance and respect for universal human rights. 

Through its actions, the EU contributed to:  

conflict prevention; 

• 
•  electoral violence prevention; 
•  gender equality; 
•  mediation, dialogue and peace building;  
• 
• 

stabilisation and human security;  
strengthening the rule of law;  

18 

 
 
• 
• 

the fight against violent extremism, stigmatisation and disinformation; and  
security sector reforms.  

The EU also continued to work with partner countries worldwide through long-term actions to build and 
enhance  capacities  to  tackle  global  and  trans-regional  threats,  ranging  from  terrorism  and  organised 
crime to threats to cyber and maritime security, and to tackle the security implications of climate change 
and  environmental  degradation.  These  actions  in  2023  guided  inter  alia  by  the  adoption  of  new  EU 
strategies  and  action  plans  on  counterterrorism,  organised  crime  and  trafficking  in  human  beings 
contributed to bolstering the external dimension of EU internal security policy objectives and priorities.  

The EU seeks to respond rapidly and flexibly to changing priorities and emerging threats. To this end, it 
seeks  to  broaden  partnerships,  promote  European  values  and  build  new  cross-regional  alliances  and 
project  influence,  thereby  contributing  to  the  security  of  the  EU  and  its  citizens  from  an  internal  and 
external perspective. 

Engagement with international and regional organisations remained an EU priority and was reflected in 
its sustained commitment to the rules-based multilateral order.  

The EU contributed to international peace and security also by deploying 14 civilian  Common Security 
and  Defence  Policy  (CSDP)  Missions,  which  support  security  sector  reforms,  border  management  or 
build  capacity of  internal  security  forces  in  the Middle  East,  Africa,  South-Eastern  and  Eastern  Europe 
and the South Caucasus. The EU supported inclusive dialogue and mediation-driven conflict resolution, 
peace and security in the Sahel, West African Coastal countries, Central African countries,  the Horn of 
Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, the Gulf, Latin America, the Western Balkans, the South Caucasus, 
and Asia-Pacific, also through the work of 10 EU Special Representatives and two Special Envoys. Both 
the  EU’s  Action  Plan  on  Women,  Peace  and  Security  (WPS)  and  the  Action  Plan  on  Youth,  Peace  and 
Security  (YPS)  have  been  considered  through  a  deliberate  engagement  of  female  and  young 
peacemakers and mediators.  

Apart from actions addressing the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and illicit trafficking in 
small  arms  and  light  weapons  at  country  and  regional  levels,  the  EU  also  contributed  to  international 
security and peace by supporting non-proliferation and disarmament efforts at the global level through 
support to the effective implementation and, when relevant, universalisation of global non-proliferation 
and disarmament treaties, conventions, mechanisms and programmes(34), as well as the activities of the 
relevant international organisations, such as the International Atomic Energy Agency, the Organisation 
for  the  Prohibition  of  Chemical  Weapons,  and  the  Preparatory  Commission  of  the  Comprehensive 
Nuclear-Test-Ban  Treaty  Organisation.  The  EU  also  supported  a  global  reporting  mechanism  on  illicit 
trading  of  conventional  arms  and  their  ammunition  to  reduce  the  risk  of  their  diversion  and  illicit 
transfer (iTrace) in conflict-affected areas, including Afghanistan, Northeast Syria, Somalia, and the Sahel 
region. 

34 Amongst others the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention, the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004), 
the United Nations Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons, 
the  Arms  Trade  Treaty,  the  Hague  Code  of  Conduct,  the  International  Convention  for  the  Suppression  of  Acts  of  Nuclear 
Terrorism, the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on 
their Destruction or the Convention on Prohibitions and Restrictions on the Use of Certain Conventional Weapons. 

19 

 
 
 
 
1.8.  Human rights and democracy 

In  an  increasingly  complex  global  context  marked  by  multifaceted  global  crises,  continued  democratic 
backsliding  and  undermining  of  human  rights,  the  European  Union  remained committed to  upholding 
and promoting human rights  and democratic principles across the globe.  The EU used the occasion of 
the  75th  anniversary  of  the  Universal  Declaration  of  Human  Rights  to  upgrade  public  diplomacy 
activities and enhance support to the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights. 

EU  electoral  missions  are  flagship  EU  actions  to  support  human  rights  and  democracy.  EU  Election 
Observation  Missions  (EOMs)  aim  at  building  confidence  in  electoral  processes,  assessing  their 
inclusiveness  and  transparency,  and  proposing  recommendations  for  future  improvements.  The 
missions  also  contribute  to  the  reduction  of  electoral  violence,  acceptance  of  credible  results  by  all 
segments  of  society,  and  the  peaceful  transition  of  countries  emerging  from  civil  strife  or  war.  EU 
conflict analysis, including electoral violence risk assessments, increasingly feed into EOM planning and 
deployment. 

In addition, the EU deploys electoral follow-up missions to assess the progress made in electoral reform 
and  the  status  of  implementation  of  Missions  recommendations.  The  EU  deployed  seven  election 
observation  missions  in  2023  (Guatemala,  Liberia,  Maldives,  Nigeria,  Paraguay,  Sierra  Leone,  and 
Zimbabwe), five election expert missions and three follow-up missions.  

A  Global  Team  Europe  Initiative  on  Democracy  (TED)  launched  in  2022  aims  at  strengthening 
coordination and complementarity of EU and EU Member States joint actions in promoting democratic 
governance  in  partner  countries.  The  initiative  comprises  a  network  with  14  EU  Member  States  at  its 
core, supporting projects with research and expertise in three focal areas: accountability and rule of law; 
political and civic participation; and media and digital. Its coordination network with Member States and 
civil society was inaugurated in June 2023.  

A  Global  Initiative  on  Impunity  was  established  to  enhance  global  capacity  and  coordination  in 
monitoring,  denouncing,  and  seeking  accountability  for  international  crimes  and  the  most  serious 
human rights violations. The opportunities and risks brought by the digital sphere to human rights and 
democracy were reflected in a new Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI): a collaboration with Denmark to 
promote and protect local inclusive democratic space in the digital age. 

Thematic  Framework  Partnerships  (FFPAs)  for  human  rights  and  democracy  were  launched  to  create 
strategic, longer-term implementing relationships with high-capacity consortia of NGOs. The FFPAs aim 
to promote the work of human rights defenders and their freedom of assembly and association, with a 
focus  on  youth  activists,  fighting  torture,  advocating  against  the  death  penalty  and  promoting 
independent and pluralistic media and quality journalism. 

In December, the European Union co-organised with a network of human rights NGOs (HRDN) the 25th 
EU-NGO Human Rights Forum, which gathered 300 participants around the theme of ‘Youth as actors of 
change  for  human  rights’.  The  forum  was  an  opportunity  to  discuss  the  work  of  young  human  rights 
defenders, the threats and challenges they face, and to identify ways to engage.  

In 2023, the European Union provided  support to 7 618 human rights  defenders and family members 
through  its  emergency  fund  and  the  flagship  programme  ProtectDefenders.EU,  managed  by  a 
consortium of 12 international NGOs. 

20 

 
 
Regarding the defence and promotion of human rights at the global level, throughout the year the EU 
Special Representative for Human Rights continued to enhance the effectiveness, presence and visibility 
of EU policy on human rights and to ensure the integration of human rights in all areas of EU external 
action.  

21 

 
 
 
 
Delivering  on  our  commitments:  Promoting  EU  values  and 

2. 
interests and fostering sustainable development globally 

2.1.  Global Gateway 

In 2023, the European Commission and the EU Member States strengthened the implementation of the 
Global Gateway strategy with the endorsement of 225 Global Gateway flagship projects. Following the 
Global Gateway Board meeting at the end of 2022, the  first meetings of the Global Gateway Business 
Advisory Group and the Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform took place during the year. 
The first ever Global Gateway Forum took place in Brussels, from 25 to 26 October, in the presence of 20 
Heads of States and Governments and 70 ministers. High-level representatives from the private sector 
and civil society organisations also attended. On that occasion, the EU signed over EUR 3 billion worth of 
commitments  with  a  wide  array  of  partners.  The  European  Commission  also  stepped  up  its 
communication efforts, with a Global Gateway communication strategy agreed with Member States and 
a  number  of  Team  Europe  Global  Gateway  joint  missions  were  organised  (Argentina,  Brazil,  Chile, 
Democratic Republic of Congo, Mexico, Namibia, Rwanda and Zambia). 

The  private  sector  is  key  to  a  successful  implementation  of  Global  Gateway.  It  brings  sustainable 
investments  and  cutting-edge  expertise  to  develop  skills  on  the  ground  in  partner  countries.  Public 
private dialogues  are  facilitated through events such as  the  business forum and over 20 business fora 
with  partner  countries  took  place  in  2023.  Work  on  enhancing  coordination  between  Export  Credit 
Agencies and Development Finance Institutions continued, notably with a focus on three pilot projects 
on: critical raw materials in Kazakhstan, E-buses in Costa Rica, and vaccine manufacturing in Ghana. 

2023  also  marked  the  launch  of  the  EU-Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  Global  Gateway  Investment 
Agenda, in the margins of the EU-CELAC Summit. Global Gateway also framed the EU’s plan to provide 
strategic  investments  during  the  second  EU-Indo  Pacific  Forum  and  the  EU-Central  Asia  ministerial 
meeting.  The  European  Investment  Bank  and  the  European  Commission  signed  agreements  for  EUR 4 
billion  to  support  businesses  in  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific countries  up  to  2027,  supporting  public 
and private investments in key Global Gateway areas. The European Commission also signed 10 critical 
raw  material  partnerships  (Argentina,  Canada,  Chile,  Democratic  Republic  of  Congo,  Greenland, 
Kazakhstan,  Namibia,  Rwanda,  Ukraine  and  Zambia),  designed  renewable  hydrogen  roadmaps  with 
Kenya, Namibia and Kazakhstan, implemented renewable hydrogen strategies with Morocco and Egypt, 
and pledged to invest EUR 2 billion in Brazil’s renewable hydrogen production. 

The  European  Commission  showcased  Global  Gateway  as  a  key  contribution  to  enhancing  critical 
infrastructure  and  achieving  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs)  globally  in  the margins of  the 
fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed Countries, the UN General Assembly High Level 
Week, the COP28 Summit, the G20 Development Ministers meeting, and the G7 Hiroshima Summit. In 
support  of  political  ambitions  to  mobilise  EUR  300  billion  in  investments,  as  set  out  in  the  joint 
communication  on  Global  Gateway,  work  continued  on  the  negotiation  of  financial  guarantees  under 
the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+). A financial monitoring methodology was 
also  developed  to  monitor  the  scale  of  the  investment  mobilised  as  part  of  Global  Gateway 
implementation. 

22 

 
 
2.2.  A ‘Team Europe’ approach 

Sustaining momentum from previous years, the ‘Team Europe’ approach remained a critical element of 
the  EU’s  external  action,  especially  through  the  roll-out  of  the  Global  Gateway  strategy.  Renewed 
political support from Member States was demonstrated through the Council Conclusions on the ‘Team 
Europe’  approach(35),  adopted  in  November  2023,  underlining  inter  alia  the  contribution  of  the  ‘Team 
Europe’  approach  to  the  implementation  of  the  2030  Agenda  for  Sustainable  Development  and  the 
Addis Ababa Action Agenda and the Paris Agreement, as well as the role of the ‘Team Europe’ approach 
in  increasing  the  visibility  of  the  EU  and  in  demonstrating  the  EU’s  global  role,  responsibility  and 
solidarity. In 2023, the implementation of Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) continued to progress with 168 
TEIs in place in more than 80 partner countries.  

The  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  was  also  further  promoted  through  the  Practitioners’  Network  (PN)  of 
European  Development  Cooperation  organisations.  Cooperation  between  the  PN  and  European 
Development  Finance  Institutions  (EDFIs)  and  the  Joint  European  Financiers  for  International 
Cooperation  (JEFIC)  networks  was  encouraged  through  the  organisation  of  an  Inclusiveness  Event  in 
March  2023,  which  focused  on  how  technical  and  financial  cooperation  can  contribute  to  building 
effective partnerships for strengthened development impact and the bridging of the SDG financing gap 
in partner countries.  In terms of guidance,  the  Monitoring and Evaluation framework for TEIs (MORE) 
was introduced during the year. Building on previous support, the technical assistance facility ‘Support 
to European Development Policy’ was continued to assist EU Delegations, Headquarters, and Member 
States  in  the  resource-intensive  coordination  work  generated  when  taking  forward  a  ‘Team  Europe’ 
approach. In 2023, the facility provided support to EU Delegations in 11 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, 
Asia, South America, the Neighbourhoods, as well as to several Commission services. 

implementation  of  TEIs, 

joint 
Alongside  the 
programming documents in place. This represents an overall decrease compared to previous years in a 
period when new ways of working together in a ‘Team Europe’ approach (e.g., TEIs) were introduced. 

joint  programming  processes  continued  with  14 

Furthermore, the EU continued to actively reinforce its partnerships with the UN and the International 
Financial  Institutions  (IFIs),  in  particular  with  the  World  Bank  Group  (WBG)  and  the  International 
Monetary Fund (IMF) to ensure a stronger voice in a ‘Team Europe’ approach around EU priorities. The 
ongoing global discussions on the reform of the Multilateral Development Banks,  and the World Bank 
Evolution  Roadmap  were  the  focus  of  two  formal  and  two  informal  FAC-Development  in  2023  and 
provided  significant  opportunities  for  EU  engagement  with  the  institutions.  The  still  relatively  new 
practice of developing common messages with Member States was continued ahead of the Spring and 
Annual Meetings. In June 2023, the first ever Commission-IMF High Level Dialogue on Development with 
the  participation  of  European  Commissioner  Urpilainen  and  IMF  Managing  Director  Georgieva  took 
place  in  Brussels,  with  commitment  on  both  sides  to  deepen  the  partnership  in  specific  development 
themes. 

35 Council Conclusions 15684/23 of 21 November 2023. https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-15684-2023-
INIT/en/pdf 

23 

 
 
 
To  enhance  knowledge  sharing  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  the  European  Commission  continued  to 
enhance tools such as the Team Europe Initiatives and Joint Programming Tracker(36). 

Implementing  the  2030  Agenda  and  other 

2.3.  
commitments and policies 

international  and  European 

Amidst renewed attacks against multilateralism, the EU redoubled its efforts to advance the Sustainable 
Development  Goals.  Evidence  continued  to  show  that  overall  progress  towards  the  2030  Agenda  has 
been severely disrupted in the last three years, very much exacerbated by the impacts of the COVID-19 
pandemic,  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine,  climate-related  disasters,  biodiversity  loss,  and 
growing  inequalities.  Against  this  background,  the  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs)  Summit  in 
September 2023 was a major opportunity for world leaders to recommit towards the 2030 Agenda and 
to accelerate actions on the SDGs.  

At  EU level, the  SDGs continue  to be  at  the heart of policymaking across all sectors, namely on major 
deliverables such as the European Green Deal, the European Pillar of Social Rights Action Plan, and the 
European Semester. 

At  the  UN  High-level  Political  Forum  in  2023,  the  EU  presented  the  first  ever  EU  Voluntary  Review  on 
SDGs  implementation(37),  which  was  conducted  in  line  with  the  UN  voluntary  reporting  guidelines, 
including  a  broad  consultation,  and  entailed  a  comprehensive  review  of  EU’s  internal  and  external 
progress towards the SDGs. It details how the EU is adding value to the achievement of the goals, while 
also addressing how policy coherence for development helps EU’s strategy to achieve the SDGs. 

In  2023,  and  adding  to  previous  work experience,  the  EU  and  its  Member  States  further  consolidated 
their  commitment  to  contribute  to  the  achievement  of  the  SDGs,  namely  by  putting  the  SDGs  at  the 
centre of the Global Gateway strategy. At the opening session of the SDGs  Summit, President  Von der 
Leyen reaffirmed that Global Gateway is one of our main ways to mobilise resources for  achieving the 
SDGs. 

Building  further  on  the  outcome  of  the  SDGs  Summit,  the  Summit  of  the  Future  in  September  2024, 
aiming  at  reinvigorating  effective  multilateralism,  will  provide  a  key  moment  to  accelerate,  amongst 
other things, the envisioned governance reforms and the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and SDGs. 
To  prepare  for  it,  in  December  2023,  the  Council  adopted  a  joint  written  input  from  the  EU  and  its 
Member States to the zero-draft UN Pact for the Future. 

2.4.  Means of implementation 

In the wake of multiple crises of the recent years, the EU in cooperation with ‘Team Europe’ members is 
helping  its  partner  countries  mobilise  a  combination  of  both  financial  and  non-financial  resources  to 
implement the 2030 Agenda.  

The  EU  has  continued  its  support  to  partner  countries  to  mobilise  diverse  financing  for  SDG 
implementation.  In  2023,  the  EU  further  helped  countries  implement  Integrated  National  Financing 

36 https://capacity4dev.europa.eu/resources/team-europe-tracker/partner-countries/jp_en 
37 European Commission, Secretariat-General, EU voluntary review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 agenda, 
Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2792/343208 

24 

 
 
 
Frameworks  (INFFs),  with  more  than  90  countries  developing  INFFs.  Notably,  this  process  has 
contributed to bond issuances in Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Cabo Verde.  

To mobilise public and private sustainable investment, the European Fund for Sustainable Development 
Plus  (EFSD+)(38)  provides  guarantees  and  subsidies  for  loans  as well  as  capital  investments,  with many 
proposed  investment  programmes  underway  such  as  Finnfund's  Africa  Connected  and  the  European 
Investment  Bank  (EIB)/Bill  and  Melinda  Gates  Foundation’s  Accelerating  Human  Development 
programmes.  In  the  Neighbourhood  and  Enlargement  regions,  EFSD+  guarantees  supported  EUR  1.3 
billion of EIB lending to public sector investment, including flagship projects such as Moldova Solidarity 
Lanes and the Tunisia-Italy power interconnection. In addition, EUR 47 million of guarantee cover was 
utilised  in  2023  for  15  operations  in  Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Georgia,  Morocco,  Palestine  and  Ukraine 
involving the private sector. 

Alongside the EFSD+ and related technical assistance, EU budget support remains a central modality for 
the Commission and an enabler for Global Gateway implementation. Budget support promotes prudent 
macroeconomic  management  (including  debt  sustainability),  sound  public  policies,  results-monitoring 
and accountability, as much as critical reforms for the investment climate. In 2023, budget support was 
used  to  promote  regulatory  reforms  in  the  energy  sector  in  Viet  Nam  and  Benin,  to  encourage 
renewable  sources,  notably  allowing  for  EU  development  finance  institution  (DFIs)  to  fund  given 
investments directly with EU blending support. In the context of Global Gateway Flagship projects, such 
synergies are also sought, for instance, in Kyrgyzstan for digitalisation, Guyana for sustainable forestry, 
Bolivia and Fiji for climate change, and Rwanda and Cambodia for education. 

Moreover, the EU continued its work on scaling up sustainable finance in partner countries. In 2023, the 
EU  moved  closer  to  launching  the  Global  Green  Bond  Initiative,  consisting  of  a  fund  supported  by  an 
EFSD+  guarantee  that  will  pool  capital  from  European  DFIs  and  private  investors  to  invest  in  green 
bonds.  The  EU  also  made  progress  towards  operationalising  the  Sustainable  Finance  Advisory  Hub, 
expected  to  provide  technical  support  for  developing  sustainable  finance  frameworks  and  sustainable 
financial  instruments  in  partner  countries,  including  the  expansion  of  green  bond  markets.  The  High-
Level Expert Group on scaling-up sustainable finance in low- and middle-income countries, mandated by 
the  Commission  as  an  independent  advisory  body,  held  eight  meetings  in  2023  and  published  its 
Preliminary Findings & Recommendations report in June(39), which was presented at the Paris Summit on 
a  New  Global  Financial  Pact.  The  recommendations  of  the  High-Level  Expert  Group  will  inform  the 
Commission for its future strategy on scaling up sustainable finance in EU’s partner countries, while they 
don’t commit the Commission nor do they preclude any policy outcomes. 

The EU took measures to promote local private sector development in partner countries, in particular by 
providing  support  to  young  businesses  in  Africa(40)  and  to  the  renewable  hydrogen  sector  in  Chile(41). 

38 Following the adoption of the NDICI- Global Europe Regulation in June 2021 and its related delegated act in July 2021, the 
EFSD+ started to be operationalised. Regulation (EU) 2021/947 of 9 June 2021 establishing the Neighbourhood, Development 
and International Cooperation Instrument  – Global Europe, amending and repealing Decision  No  466/2014/EU  and repealing 
Regulation (EU) 2017/1601 and Council Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 480/2009. The EFSD+ tools are covered in more details in 
section 5.2.2 and 5.2.3. 
39 Preliminary Findings & Recommendations, High-level Expert Group on scaling up sustainable finance in low- and middle-
income countries, June 2023. 
40 For example: Investing in Young Businesses in Africa (IYBA) | Capacity4dev (europa.eu). 

25 

 
 
 
Moreover, the EU provides regulatory guidance assistance, for example on due diligence requirements 
through  a  dedicated  platform(42).  The  EU  also  promotes  public-private  dialogue  processes,  whether 
general in nature, for instance through the Global Gateway Business Advisory Group, or more targeted, 
as is the case for the European Business Group Tanzania. The EU has also stepped up its assistance to 
investment climate reforms(43).  

2.5.  Mobilisation of the NDICI-Global Europe cushion 

The  European  Commission  made  full  use  of  Global  Europe’s  2023  emerging  challenges  and  priorities 
cushion budget of EUR 1 395 million. 

As in 2022, in 2023 the response to the consequences of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine has 
been  one  of  the  main  drivers  of  mobilisations,  with  a  total  amount  of  EUR  405  million  mobilised  to 
support the Ukrainian Government. 

EUR  419 million  were  mobilised  to  reinforce  the  global  challenges,  human  rights  and  democracy,  and 
civil society organisations thematic programmes. With this, the entire top-ups embedded in recital 70 of 
the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation have been transferred. 

To continue supporting partner countries facing the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, EUR 134 
million were mobilised to support the initiative on vaccine production in Africa, and EUR 225 million to 
support  partner  countries  facing  the  devastating  socio-economic  consequences  of  the  pandemic  on 
education, through the Global Partnership for Education.  

The cushion has also supported Syrians refugees and host communities, both inside the country and in 
the region with EUR 212 million, as part of a wider financial package of support. 

2.6. 

Policy Coherence for Development 

In 2023, the Commission continued efforts to mainstream policy coherence for development (PCD), part 
of the broader Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development (PCSD) approach and its  processes with 
the aim of ensuring coherence between internal and external EU policies and the mainstreaming of the 
external dimension across major European Commission initiatives. 

PCD remains a fundamental element to progress towards the EU’s development cooperation objectives, 
i.e. reduction and – in the long term – eradication of poverty, and key to implement the 2030 Agenda 
and its SDGs. The Commission strives for the full integration of PCD across all phases of the preparation 
cycle of Commission legislative and non-legislative initiatives to assess the potential impacts of internal 
EU policies and initiatives on third countries.  

Furthermore, the European Commission integrated PCD and PCD reporting in its overall work related to 
SDGs implementation, and the first EU Voluntary Review on the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda(44) 
(EUVR) in 2023 addressed how both EU internal and external actions contribute to the SDGs. In line with 

41 For example: TEI RH2 Brochure (ENG).pdf (europa.eu). 
42 For example: Sustainability in Global Value Chains | Capacity4dev (europa.eu). 
43 For example, the European Commission partially funds the Investment Climate Reform Facility. 
44 European Commission, Secretariat-General, EU voluntary review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 agenda, 
Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2792/343208 

26 

 
 
 
this, the EUVR was presented at the United Nations High-level Political Forum (HLPF) meeting by both 
European Commissioners Jutta Urpilainen and Paolo Gentiloni. 

The  EUVR  shows  how  the  European  Commission’s  priorities,  such  as  the  European  Green  Deal,  help 
drive, at home and globally, the transformations necessary to deliver on the SDGs, while leaving no one 
behind.  These  priorities,  are  interconnected  with  the  five  Ps  –  People,  Planet,  Prosperity,  Peace, 
Partnership – of the preamble of the 2030 Agenda. Moreover, the EUVR includes sections on internal/ 
external  coherence  and  policy  coherence  for  development  at  the  beginning  of  the  external  section of 
each SDG chapter. 

Its preparation included engaging a broad range of stakeholders, including EU institutions and advisory 
bodies, Member States, the United Nations, civil-society organisations (CSOs), academia, businesses and 
the  wider  EU  public.  The  EUVR  includes  a  summary  of  collective  views  from  civil  society  on  the 
achievements and challenges in SDG implementation at EU level. 

2.7.   Development effectiveness 

Development  effectiveness  (Busan  principles)  are  actively  promoted  in  EU’s  development  cooperation 
to  achieve  the  best  sustainable  impact  for  those  most  in  need.  The  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  is  a  key 
contribution  to  effectiveness  by  pulling  together  European  resources  (financial  and/or  human), where 
relevant,  and  by  providing  a  common  space  and  framework  for  collaboration  –  in  line  with  partner 
country priorities – and thus increasing the positive impact of the cooperation. 

As  an  active  member  and supporter  of  the  Global  Partnership  for  Effective  Development  Cooperation 
(GPEDC),  the  European  Commission  took  an  active  part  in  developing  the  new  GPEDC  Monitoring 
Framework (2020-2022) which started its rollout in 2023. This new monitoring will provide a better basis 
for analyses on development effectiveness and the more countries taking part in it, the better the basis 
for these analyses. As of end of December 2023, 54 countries had signed up for this voluntary exercise. 
The  European  Commission  provided  financial  contribution  to  the  GPEDC  notably  to  support  partner 
countries in undertaking the GPEDC monitoring exercises. 

2.8.   European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD) 

The  roadmap  for  an  improved  European  Financial  Architecture  for  Development  (EFAD)  is  structured 
around four objectives: affirming a strong EU policy steer, promoting enhanced coordination, building a 
more  inclusive  financial  architecture,  and  ensuring  increased  visibility  and  influence  of  the  EU  and  its 
Member  States  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach.  In  2023,  the  European  Commission  implemented 
numerous activities to strengthen EFAD: 

Policy steer 

Guarantee  policy  discounts  continued  to  be  provided  to  incentivise  investments  supported  by  EFSD+ 
targeting EU  geographic and thematic priorities. Teaming up  among financial institutions continued to 
be  promoted.  In  particular,  the  endorsement  of  several  guarantees  proposed  by  the  Association  of 
Bilateral  European  Development  Finance  Institutions  (EDFI)  allowed  non  pillar-assessed  smaller 
development finance institutions to obtain access to EFSD+ guarantee support. 

The EFSD+ Results Measurement Framework has been rolled out through regular dialogue with Member 
States and finance institutions. Finance institutions have been supported to use this system to report on 

27 

 
 
results  from  EFSD+  interventions  in  a  harmonised  way.  This  will  allow  the  European  Commission  to 
gather and aggregate data. 

A Global Gateway financial tracking mechanism to track progress towards the target of EUR 300 billion 
of investments was set up. 

In 2023, the Sustainable Finance Advisory Hub was approved as a Team Europe Initiative, to coordinate 
and scale up high quality technical assistance on sustainable finance. 

The use of institution-building tools such as TAIEX (Technical Assistance and Information Exchange) and 
twinning  to  provide  capacity  building  through  public  sector  expertise  was  further  encouraged  and 
increased  as compared to 2022. Both tools continued to extend their thematic and geographic scope. 
TAIEX  activities  implemented  beyond  Enlargement  and  Neighbourhood  regions  increased  by  64  % 
compared to 2022. 

In pursuing its objective to increase mobilisation of private investments, the European Commission has 
set up the Global Gateway Business Advisory Group (BAG). The BAG gathers CEOs and senior executives 
of European companies, small and medium-sized enterprises and business associations and provides a 
forum  to  engage  with  the  private  sector  on  the  strategic  orientations  of  Global  Gateway.  The  first 
plenary meeting took place on 27 September 2023. 

More  than  20  EU  Business  Fora  have  been organised  at  regional  and  country  level  in  Africa,  Asia  and 
Latin  America.  European  and  partner  countries’  private  and  public  sectors  actively  took  part  in  these 
events, fostering dialogue and contributing to an improved business climate. 

For  Enlargement  and  Neighbourhood  countries,  a  private  sector  engagement  task  force  has  been 
established  to  intensify  dialogue  with  companies  and  private  financial  institutions  on  possible  co-
investment  in  projects  aligned  with  EU  priorities.  A  ‘Deep Dive’  event  with key  International  Financial 
Institutions  was  organised  in  September  2023  aiming  at  strengthening  links  between  EU  financial 
support  and  the  priority  reforms  needed  to  boost  partner  countries'  growth  potential.  In  addition, 
preparatory work was done to launch the Ukraine Investment Framework in early 2024. 

In  April  2023,  a  Joint  Staff  Working  Document  with  the  main  outcomes  of  the  mapping  of  the  EU 
external  financial  tools(45)  was  adopted.  Furthermore,  in  May  2023  the  Commission  published  the 
Feasibility Study on an EU Strategy on Export Credits. 

With  the  aim  of  enhancing  cooperation  between  Export  Credit  Agencies  (ECAs)  and  development 
finance  institution  (DFIs),  the  European  Commission  identified  potential  pilot  initiatives  in  partner 
countries, in the sectors of critical raw materials, green mobility and health, and organised meetings to 
develop work on these initiatives involving the European Investment Bank (EIB), other EU DFIs and ECAs.  

Coordination 

EU coordination on matters related to international financial institutions was further enhanced in 2023. 
The Multilateral Development Bank Reform was addressed in Council meetings, both the Foreign Affairs 
Council-Development, and the Economic and the Financial Affairs Council, as well as in the G20 forum. 

45 SWD(2023) 96 final of 11 April 2023. 

28 

 
 
 
The practice of developing a set of ‘Team Europe’ messages on development, circulated by the Council 
Presidency for the Spring and Annual Meetings, was continued.  

The  European  Commission  nominates  one  member,  respectively,  of  the  Board  of  Directors  of  the  EIB 
and the EBRD and works towards aligned EU positions in the Boards. The dialogue with both institutions 
addressed  a  number  of  key  policy  areas  where  EU  interest  is  at  stake  (procurement,  security,  trade 
policy, green and digital transitions). 

The  European  Commission intensified coordination with the EU executive  directors at the World Bank 
and  engagement  with  World  Bank  senior  management  throughout  the  year.  The  first  ever  European 
Commission-International  Monetary  Fund  (IMF)  High-level  Dialogue  on  Development  with  the 
participation of Commissioner Urpilainen and IMF Managing Director Georgieva took place in Brussels in 
June  2023,  with  commitment  on  both  sides  to  deepen  the  EU-IMF  partnership  in  specific  themes  and 
countries. 

Following the signature of the financial framework partnership agreement with the Asian Development 
Bank  in  January  2023,  the  European  Commission  intensified  efforts  to  promote  strategic  cooperation 
and  co-financing  through  workshops,  common  events,  pipeline  discussions  and  regular  meetings 
between all relevant services including EU Delegations.  

Inclusiveness 

The  role  of  EU  Delegations  as  coordinators/focal  points  for  European  Financial  Architecture  for 
Development (EFAD) actors at local level has been further strengthened. Advice and support have been 
provided to accompany EU Delegations in their dialogue with Member States, DFIs and private sector.  

Dialogue among implementing agencies, DFIs and public development banks – members respectively of 
the Practitioners’ Network (PN), EDFI and Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation (JEFIC) 
– continued with a focus on how to effectively operationalise partnerships. The theme was at the core 
of the joint PN-European Commission Inclusiveness Event in March 2023. 

The  European  Commission  continued  providing  methodological  advice  to  European  DFIs  undergoing 
complementary pillar assessments and dedicated information meetings for new applicants. 

Visibility 

The  Global  Gateway  Communication  Strategy  was  finalised  and  shared  with  EU  Delegations  in  April 
2023. Several Global Gateway external outreach events were also organised. During the Global Gateway 
Forum in October, several operations were announced in close cooperation with Team Europe partners 
via press releases, social media posts and mini campaigns. 

Five  joint  Global  Gateway/Team Europe missions took  place  in  2023  to  Namibia,  Niger,  Colombia,  the 
Democratic  Republic  of  the  Congo  and  Rwanda.  The  Joint  Missions  to  Niger  and  Colombia  saw  the 
participation  of  EIB  regional  and  local  representatives.  Investment  missions  involving  International 
Financial  Institutions,  government  authorities  and  the  local  private  sector  were  organised  in  the 
Western Balkans countries, Lebanon and Uzbekistan. 

29 

 
 
 
3. 

Thematic Overview  

Working together towards the SDGs and results achieved with EU support 

The priorities of the current Commission have been translated into a portfolio of development actions: 
human  development;  green  deal;  sustainable  growth  and  jobs;  science,  technology,  innovation  and 
digitalisation; migration;  and  governance,  peace  and  security.  They  provide  the  basic  structure  for  the 
sections within this chapter on the thematic overview of international partnerships. At the same time, 
implementing these EU priorities is key to help our partners to implement the Sustainable Development 
Goals  (SDGs).  In  this  report,  main  achievements  of  the  EU’s  actions  are  presented  within  the  above-
mentioned EU global priorities, alongside illustrative trends in relation to respective associated SDGs and 
the  respective  available results,  based on  the existing  EU results  framework. While  for the  purpose  of 
this  chapter,  and  for  readability  purposes,  each  SDG  is  mentioned  only  once  under  an  EU  priority  to 
which it is particularly related, the cross-cutting nature of the SDGs and the strong interlinkages among 
them imply that the content reported under each SDG will often also be relevant to other EU priorities 
as well. 

3.1.  Human Development 

3.1.1. SDG #1 Reduced Poverty 

Poverty eradication in EU cooperation 

Poverty  eradication  remains  central  to  the  EU's  development  cooperation  priorities,  as  mandated  by 
Article  208  of  the  Treaty  on  the  Functioning  of  the  European  Union  (TFEU),  stating  that  the  Union’s 
development cooperation policy ‘shall have as its primary objective the reduction and, in the long term, 
the eradication of poverty’. It is also the primary objective of the European Consensus on Development, 
and a long-term goal for Global Gateway investments. 

SDG trends 

Before  the  COVID-19  pandemic,  extreme  poverty  (EUR  1.97  per  day)  had  been  trending  downwards, 
standing  at  9  %  of  the  global  population  in  2019  (latest  World  Bank  data).  The  pandemic  and  the 
subsequent crises resulted in a reversal of that trend. After a consecutive two-year decline in the Human 
Development  Index (HDI)  in 2020 and 2021, which erased the progress of the previous  five years, the 
global  HDI  value  has  rebounded.  However,  the  HDI  value  continues  to  evolve  below  the  pre-2019 
trend(46). If this continues, the losses will be permanent. 

The increasing number of fragile and extremely fragile countries further exacerbates this trend. Fragile 
contexts account for 24 % of the world’s population with 73 % of those living in extreme poverty(47). 

Meanwhile, 53 % of the global population lacks coverage under any social protection scheme. Related to 
this is the inability of households to meet basic needs, with some 485 million people experiencing these 
deprivations.  

46 Human Development Report 2023-24 | Human Development Reports (undp.org) 
47 States of Fragility 2022 | en | OECD 

30 

 
 
 
 
Specific actions 

Poverty  is  multidimensional  (SDG  1),  affecting  different  aspects  of  well-being,  including  health, 
education, living standards, rights and empowerment, work quality, and security, and the environment 
(multidimensional  poverty  index).  Therefore,  the  actions  aimed  at  reducing  poverty  are  addressed 
within the thematic chapters on human development. 

In this regard, the Commission(48) has largely exceeded its commitment to allocating at least 20 % of its 
Official Development Assistance (ODA) to social inclusion and human development. This spending target 
is aimed at reducing poverty and inequalities and reinforcing social cohesion and access to basic social 
services. It encompasses efforts to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition, ensure access to water and 
sanitation,  as  well  as  to  promote  universal  social  protection  and  health  coverage,  universal  access  to 
quality education and training, and decent work for all within a healthy environment. 

In  2023,  under  the  NDICI-Global  Europe,  all  decided  actions  contributed  to  the  social  inclusion  and 
human development spending target for a total of EUR 4.3 billion (corresponding to 35.5 % out of the 
total committed amount). Cumulative figures 2021-2023 resulted in contributions to the target of EUR 
12.3 billion. 

EU  budget  support  significantly  aids  policy  development  aimed  at  benefiting  the  poor.  Between  2014 
and 2022, 75 % of the EU budget support portfolio (around EUR 11.5 billion globally) contributed to SDG 
1.  As  an  example,  in  Cabo  Verde,  it  triggered  the  development  of  the  National  Extreme  Poverty 
Eradication  Strategy,  which  aims  at  eradicating  extreme  poverty  by  2026,  and  the  creation  of  an 
innovative  financing  instrument  for  domestic  revenue  generation,  the  Fundo  Mais,  that  is  primarily 
funded through tourist tax/overnight stays and reverts into cash transfers for vulnerable families.  

With regards to SDG target 1.3 on social protection, the EU has continued supporting long-term national 
social  protection  system  building.  At  the  country  level,  some  50  country  multi-annual  indicative 
programmes for 2021-2027 have integrated social protection in their priority areas, focusing on policy 
shock-
coverage,  digital  management 
development,  expansion  of 
responsive/adaptive  social  protection,  and  social  protection  in  the  informal  economy  or  across  the 
humanitarian-development nexus.  

information 

systems, 

Two  regional  Team  Europe  Initiatives  (TEI)  also  focus  on  poverty  reduction,  ‘Social  Protection  in  Sub-
Saharan Africa’ and ‘Inclusive and Equal Societies’ in Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on 
promoting social cohesion. Finally, the  EU has completed a global  thematic programme on  ‘Improving 
Synergies  between  Social  Protection  and  Public  Finance  Management’,  being  innovative  in  explicitly 
linking both and paving the way for the Global Accelerator for Jobs and Social Protection.  

The EU’s Generalised Scheme of Preferences (GSP) supports poverty reduction, economic stability and 
sustainable development through unilateral trade preferences to 65 developing countries. In November 
2023, the EU prolonged the current legal framework for GSP until 2027. The latest EU GSP report on the 
effects and implementation of GSP was also published in November 2023(49). It presents an overview of 

48 More specifically the Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships. 
49 Access to EU market boosts sustainable growth in low-income countries - European Commission (europa.eu) 

31 

 
 
 
 
the significant impact the generous access to the EU market has to trigger the most necessary economic 
and social reforms in the beneficiaries countries. The report kicked off the current monitoring cycle, in 
particular for the eight beneficiaries of the Special Incentive Arrangement for Sustainable Development 
and  Good  Governance  (GSP+)(50)  and  their  commitments  to  the  effective  implementation  of  27 
international  conventions  on  human  rights,  labour  rights,  climate  and  environment,  and  good 
governance.  

3.1.2. SDG #2 Zero Hunger  

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) for 2023 – co-funded by the European Union – indicates that 
over  a  quarter  of  a  billion  people  in  59  countries  are  facing  acute  hunger,  with  Burkina  Faso,  Mali, 
Palestine,  South  Sudan  and  the  Sudan  as  some  form  of  hunger  hotspots  of the  highest  concern  level. 
Around 600 million people are projected to be facing some form of hunger in 2030, despite the SDG 2 
commitment on ‘zero hunger’. Similarly, global nutrition targets are unlikely to be achieved by 2025. As 
a response, the EU Institutions committed EUR 8.3 billion in grants to the food security priority in the 
period  2021  to  2024.  This  includes  EUR  4.9  billion  for  short-term  humanitarian  and  macroeconomic 
assistance and EUR 3.4 billion for longer-term support on sustainable food systems(51). 

The EU mobilised over EUR 670 million in humanitarian food and nutrition assistance in 2023. This is a 
significant decrease compared to the exceptional level of funding in 2022, due to budgetary constraints, 
but  still  significantly  higher  than  the  funding  allocated  in  previous  years.  These  funds  were  mostly 
channelled  through  multilateral  institutions,  and  primarily  directed  to  the  countries  most  affected  by 
food  insecurity,  such  as  Afghanistan,  Sudan,  Syria,  Yemen,  Somalia,  the  Democratic  Republic  of  the 
Congo,  South  Sudan  or  Ukraine.  In  the  Occupied  Palestinian  Territories,  humanitarian  food  assistance 
increased  15-fold,  mostly  after  the  outbreak  of  the  recent  conflict.  Sudan  and  Afghanistan  also  saw 
significant increases. In 2023, the EU continued to operationalise the four-pronged response in a ‘Team 
Europe’ approach  to  global  food  insecurity,  including  on  the  sustainable  production  pillar.  Several 
events, including the EU- African Union Agricultural Ministers Meeting in June 2023, the United Nations 
Food Systems Stock Take in July 2023 and the COP28 in December 2023, allowed the EU to confirm its 
leadership in, and engagement to, global food security  –  including in the context of G7 and G20 work 
agendas. 

To support the sustainable transition of agrifood systems, in 2023 two new initiatives were signed with 
the  International  Fund  for  Agricultural  Development  (IFAD)  in  support  of  agroecological  practices  and 
soil health restoration in ACP countries for more than EUR 70 million. These actions will enhance access 
to  agroecological  bio-solutions,  including  seeds,  bio-inputs  (organic  fertilisers  and  bio-pesticides)  and 
mechanical equipment adapted to small-scale agroecology farming practices as well as soil fertility and 
access to finance for rural small-scale investors. 

In  2023,  the  EU  supported  106  humanitarian  nutrition  projects  implemented  by  35  partners  in  27 
countries  targeting  about  30  million  beneficiaries.  The  European  Commission  was  involved  in  the 
preparation and the issuing of the recent WHO guideline on the prevention and management of wasting 

50 Bolivia, Cabo Verde, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Uzbekistan. 
51 This  is  the EU commitment to the  “Team Europe” response  strategy adopted in June 2022. Including the commitments of 
Member States, the global pledge amounts to EUR 18 billion.   

32 

 
 
 
and nutritional oedema (acute malnutrition) in infants and children under five years(52) and is committed 
to support its implementation in all new actions. Keeping in mind the key role the communities will have 
to  play,  the  need  for  strengthening  local  skills,  as  well  as  the  commitments  made  under  the  Grand 
Bargain(53),  the  European  Commission’s  funded  actions  proactively  requested  humanitarian  actors  to 
include  local  capacity  building  and  the  creation  of  an  enabling  environment  for  nutrition  within  the 
health structures in their interventions. 

The  continuum  of  care  is  an  essential  element  for  a  sustainable  response  in  emergencies  or  in 
humanitarian settings and the interdependency between nutrition, health and food security is carefully 
observed.  The  Programmatic  Partnership  approach  was  used  for  several  important  nutrition-related 
actions, to ensure the predictability of funding (essential for this type of interventions) and promote a 
more strategic response. Reducing the dependency of people living in humanitarian, fragile or violence 
affected settings from RUTF(54) and RUSF(55) products, by gradually replacing them with locally produced 
crops  remains  a  challenge  and  the  collaboration  across  European  Commission  departments  and  other 
development actors remains critical in this respect. 

In 2023, the Commission’s Disaster Preparedness Budget line funded programmatic actions in all regions 
to fight food insecurity. For example, in Central America, the Commission with its partners worked on 
increasing  safety,  mitigating  risk,  and  meeting  humanitarian  needs  for  the  vulnerable  populations 
affected by other situations of violence, forced displacement, and food insecurity in the north of Central 
America.  And  in  Kenya,  the  Red  Cross/  Red  Crescent  movement,  through  the  Finnish  Red  Cross,  has 
worked  on  improving  disaster  preparedness  and  response  through  strengthening  anticipatory  action 
and shock-responsive social protection mechanisms. 

In addition, the  EU  remains fully engaged in the Sustainable Cocoa Initiative  to ensure a decent  living 
income  for  cocoa  farmers  while  tackling  social  and  environmental  challenges.  Multistakeholder 
dialogues  have  allowed  for  exchanges  between  all  stakeholders  including  representatives  of  the 
chocolate industry, cocoa traders, farmers organisations, and civil society. During 2023, the initiative led 
to  the  set-up  and  strengthening  of  traceability  systems  for  cocoa  and  monitoring  systems  on 
deforestation and child labour in Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Cameroon. In addition to the technical Focus 
Group  on  Price  and  Markets  (facilitated  by  the  Côte  d’Ivoire-Ghana  initiative  at  regional  level),  the 
European Commission organised three meetings of the Focus Group on Traceability and Standards for 
sustainable cocoa. Finally, the EU, through the work of the Joint Research Centre, is also supporting the 
transition towards a sustainable cocoa supply chain, with contribution to the production and validation 
of land use maps, and with studies on living income gap, traceability costs and agroforestry. 

At the Climate COP28, the EU together with Germany,  France and  the  Netherlands, launched a global 
Team  Europe  Initiative  (TEI)  on  Deforestation-free  Value  Chains.  The  initiative  will  help  address 
deforestation  on  a  global  scale  and  support  the  commitments  outlined  in  the  Glasgow  Leader’s 
Declaration on Forests and Land Use from COP26 to halt and reverse forest loss and land degradation by 
2030. Aligned with the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, the global TEI is designed to halt deforestation and 

52 https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240082830 
53 https://civil-protection-humanitarian-aid.ec.europa.eu/what/humanitarian-aid/grand-bargain_en 
54 Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food. 
55 Ready-to-Use Supplementary Food. 

33 

 
 
 
support partner countries in successfully transitioning to sustainable, deforestation-free, and legal value 
chains. The EU and its Member States announced an initial package of EUR 70 million in new funding for 
the implementation of this TEI, complementing a broad portfolio of ongoing programmes from the EU 
and its Member States on forests, agricultural development and halting deforestation. 

The EU also strengthened its partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement by enhancing 
cooperation  with  the  regional  SUN  hubs  in  Africa,  Latin  America  and  Asia.  The  EU,  together  with 
Member  States,  provided  demand-driven  technical  assistance  on  nutrition  to  a  number  of  countries 
facing increasing levels of malnutrition and facilitated peer-to-peer learning and exchanges to prepare 
for the Nutrition for Growth Summit in France (early 2025). 

3.1.3. SDG #3 Good Health and Well-being  

The  COVID-19  pandemic  made  health  care  and  health  systems  strengthening  a  major  priority  of  the 
European Commission’s international cooperation and notably of the partnership with the African Union 
(AU). 2023 was marked by the further rollout of the EU Global Health Strategy(56) adopted in 2022. 

In  2023,  the  European  Commission’s  global  actions  continued  assisting  low-and-middle  income 
countries to access  and use  quality  preventive  and response measures to  infectious diseases (through 
vaccines, treatment, and diagnostics), channelling funding through and working together with the global 
health  initiatives  such  as  the  ACT-A,  its  vaccines  pillar  COVAX,  the  Global  Alliance  for  Vaccines  and 
Immunisation (GAVI) and the Global Fund. Commitments to support Universal Health Coverage (UHC) by 
funding  the  WHO  led  UHC-Partnership,  women's  health  through  United  Nations  Population  Fund 
(UNFPA)  supplies,  the  fight  against  infectious  disease  (HIV,  Tuberculosis,  Malaria)  through  the  Global 
Fund,  and  childhood  vaccinations  through  GAVI  have  continued  over  the  year.  The  new  global  fund 
hosted  by  the  World  Bank  to  ensure  permanent  and  agile  funding  for  pandemic  prevention, 
preparedness and response beyond the current pandemic, the Pandemic Fund(57), selected programmes 
for  funding  through  its  first  call  for  proposals.  The  European  Commission  is  one  of  the  main  funding 
donors and contributors to the fund’s governance and operations design. 

The European Commission also aims to provide high-quality humanitarian health assistance to the most 
vulnerable in fragile contexts by building as much as possible on pre-existing facilities, programmes and 
systems in a cross-sectoral manner. This includes primary and emergency medical assistance, outbreak 
preparedness  and  response,  sexual  and  reproductive  health  care,  mental  health  and  psychosocial 
support,  amongst  others.  In  2023,  the  Commission  channelled  EUR  334  million  to  its  partner 
organisations  to  support  health  interventions  in emergencies,  humanitarian  crises  and  protracted  and 
forgotten crises. 

Addressing  public  health  issues  and  strengthening  health  systems  and  governance,  including  social 
protection and assistance, remained a key EU objective in the Southern Neighbourhood with supports 
provided  in  Libya  (Towards  a  resilient  health  system),  Morocco  (Programme  d’Appui  Budgetaire  à  la 
Protection Sociale au Maroc - KARAMA-II) and Tunisia (Promotion du régime de l'autoentrepreneur). 

56 European Commission, Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety, EU global health strategy – Better health for all in a 
changing world, Publications Office of the European Union,2022, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2875/22652  
57 https://www.worldbank.org/en/programs/financial-intermediary-fund-for-pandemic-prevention-preparedness-and-
response-ppr-fif/overview   

34 

 
 
 
At  the  regional  level,  under  the  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  the  Commission  advanced  five  health 
initiatives.  The  most  advanced  is  the  Team  Europe  Initiative  (TEI)  on  Manufacturing  and  Access  to 
Vaccines,  medicines  &  health  technologies  in  Africa  (MAV+).  The  objective  of  MAV+  is  to  increase 
equitable access to safe, effective, high quality and affordable essential vaccines, medicines and health 
technologies for all Africans. It follows a 360-degree approach around three dimensions: the supply side, 
the demand side, and the creation of an enabling environment. Several projects are advancing with EU 
support  in  Egypt,  Nigeria,  Senegal,  Rwanda,  South  Africa  and  Ghana  and  primarily  target  vital 
continental vaccine production. The health TEI for Africa on sexual and reproductive health and rights 
(SRHR)  entered  the  implementation  phase,  while  the  TEIs  on  health  security  using  a  One  Health 
approach(58),  public  health  institutes,  and  digital  health  prepared  to  launch  collaborative  actions  with 
African regional counterparts early in 2024. 

3.1.4. SDG #4 Quality Education  

Education  continued  to  be  a  key  area  in  EU  external  relations  as  an  enabler  of  all  Sustainable 
Development Goals, an equaliser of inequalities and driver of economic growth and prosperity for all.  

The EU Global Gateway strategy recognises that economic growth is dependent on an educated, skilled 
workforce and healthy societies. EU investments focused on teachers and learning, more equitable and 
inclusive  education  systems,  and on 21st  century  skills  that  will  enable  partner  countries  to make  the 
most of the digital and green transitions. 

Through  its  membership  of  the  SDG  4  High-level  Steering  Committee,  the  EU  contributed  to  global 
education governance efforts, improving coordination around the education priority areas identified by 
the UN Transforming Education Summit in 2022 in support of progress on SDG 4 goals. 

The Regional Teachers Training Initiative for Sub-Saharan Africa was launched in 2023 as one of the main 
education  flagships.  In  addition,  through  investing  in  the  Global  Partnership  for  Education  (GPE)  and 
Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the EU and EU Member States – together in a ‘Team Europe’ approach - 
reinforced the extensive EU education and training support in around 80 partner countries. 

The  EU’s  work  on  higher  education  amplified  Global  Gateway  infrastructure  investments,  opening  up 
learning opportunities through exchange programmes, and strengthening higher education institutions 
in partner countries. The regional flagship on ‘Youth Mobility for Africa’ showcases the wide-ranging EU 
support,  bringing  together  Erasmus+,  the  Intra-Africa  Academic  Mobility  Scheme,  Harmonisation  of 
African  Higher  Education  Quality  Assurance  and  Accreditation  (HAQAA),  African  Continental 
Qualifications Framework, Young African Leaders Programme, and the Africa-Europe Youth Academy. 

This  approach  helps  to  strengthen  and  harmonise  multiple  efforts,  programmes  and  initiatives 
addressing  international  learning  mobility  and  capacity  building  in  higher  education  and  skills 
development, quality assurance, qualification frameworks and youth leadership in Africa. The initiative 
improves  coordination  between  the  EU  and  its  Member  States,  the  African  Union  and  its  Member 
States, and stakeholders from both continents, by providing a common platform for policy dialogue and 
exchanges. 

58 https://www.who.int/health-topics/one-health#tab=tab_1 

35 

 
 
 
Vocational education and training (VET) is an enabling factor for inclusive and decent employment. As 
part  of  the  EU’s  360-degree  approach  it  seeks  to  ensure  the  sustainability  of  Global  Gateway 
investments.  Employment  is  the  leading  perspective  for  all  VET  interventions, particularly  in  Africa.  In 
2023,  the VET  Toolbox implemented pilot  projects linking skills development to investments in  eleven 
Sub-Saharan  African  countries.  The  upcoming  Team  Europe  Initiative  on  Opportunity-driven  Skills  and 
VET  in  Africa,  which  will  be  launched  in  April  2024,  promotes  a  paradigm shift  where  the  VET offer  is 
reverse  engineered  from  real  job  opportunities.  The  initiative  will  identify  decent  employment 
opportunities and required skills profiles created by investments, value chain developments and other 
market  dynamics  under  the  Global  Gateway  and  orient  VET  interventions  towards  these  employment 
opportunities. Under the regional Team Europe Initiative on ‘Jobs through trade and investment in the 
Southern  Neighbourhood’,  the  project  ‘Youth  NEETS’  has  been  developed  to  improve  the  situation  of 
young  NEET  (Not  in  Employment,  Education  or  Training)  populations  by  increasing  employment  and 
training opportunities. 

In  2023,  under  the  NDICI-Global  Europe,  all  decided  actions  contributed  to  the  education  spending 
target  for  a  total  of  EUR  1.2  billion  (corresponding  to  12.9  %  out  of  the  total  committed  amount). 
Cumulative figures 2021-2023 resulted in contributions to the target of EUR 3.1 billion. 

In  conflicts,  crises  and  humanitarian  emergencies,  the  EU  worked  towards  ensuring  the  right  to 
education for every single child. The EU allocated 10 % of its initial humanitarian aid budget to education 
in emergency contexts, and 13 % of its budget for the non-Neighbourhood, anchoring the EU as a global 
education champion.  

The humanitarian support to education in emergencies and protracted crises reached EUR 162 million in 
2023, benefiting nearly 1.8 million crisis-affected girls and boys and supporting their access to safe and 
quality  learning.  In  March  2023,  on  the  occasion  of  a  High-level  conference  on  Education  in 
Emergencies, the EU issued jointly with UNICEF a call for strengthened collective engagement and for an 
increase in public funding to help children caught up in fragile humanitarian settings to stay in, or return 
to, learning.  

In December 2023, the EU presented a comprehensive education pledge at the Global Refugee Forum, 
highlighting  the  investment  in  refugee  education,  support  to  gender  equality,  engagement  with  local 
stakeholders and refugee communities, support to teachers and to the strengthening of resilience and 
adaptive capacity of education systems. 

3.1.5. SDG #5 Gender Equality  

EU  external  actions  contributed  to  SDG  5  through  political  and  policy  dialogue,  improved  gender 
mainstreaming  across  all  implementing  modalities,  including  EFSD+,  through  Team  Europe  Initiatives, 
and new, ambitious targeted actions. 

In line with the Gender Action Plan III (GAP III), adopted in 2021, all EU external actions must be gender 
mainstreamed.  The  number  of  external  actions  with  gender  equality  as  a  principal  or  significant 
objective  has  increased  significantly,  from  64.71  %  in  2019  to  82.7  %  in  2023,  corresponding  to  EUR 
13.262 million in commitments. Since the launch of the GAP III, 3.8 % of all gender-responsive/targeted 
actions have gender equality as a principal objective.  

36 

 
 
In a ‘Team Europe’ approach, gender equality efforts are also integrated into the EUR 300 billion Global 
Gateway  strategy  –  in  education,  health,  digital,  energy,  and  climate  change  –  contributing  to  more 
inclusive  and  fair  green  and  digital  transitions.  Recently  launched  targeted  actions  promote,  amongst 
others,  decent  work  and  the  fight  against  gender-based  violence  in  Bangladesh,  gender-responsive 
social  protection  in  Malawi,  gender  equality,  peace  and  social  cohesion  in  conflict-affected  regions  in 
Cameroun, women-led green transition in Viet Nam, and inclusion and social cohesion in Latin America 
and  the  Caribbean.  Two  new  global  actions  support  the  Spotlight  Initiative  and  regional  and  global 
networks of women’s organisations to fight gender-based violence.  

In line with the approach and priorities established by the GAP III, new actions seek to promote a gender 
transformative change, by challenging gender stereotypes and eradicating harmful social norms, namely 
through regional actions in the Eastern Partnership and Southern Neighbourhood. 

Efforts have also continued to include a gender dimension in EU-funded humanitarian aid, for instance 
when supporting protection and access to basic services for Afghan refugees in Iran. The EU continued 
to  carry  out  gender-sensitive  needs  assessments  and  analyses  in  its  humanitarian  actions,  in  order  to 
gain  greater  insight  into  the  roles,  access  to  resources,  existing  inequalities  and  supportive  local 
structures  (including  women’s  organisations),  specific  needs,  vulnerabilities,  risks  (such  as  sexual  and 
gender-based violence), coping strategies and capacities of women, girls, boys and men. In addition, the 
EU  kept  supporting  the  prevention,  mitigation  and  response  to  sexual  and  gender-based  violence, 
including  conflict-related  sexual  violence,  through  funding  and  advocacy  activities.  The  EU  allocated 
approximately  EUR  38.5  million  in  2023  from  its  humanitarian  aid  budget  for  targeted  actions  to 
prevent, mitigate and respond to gender-based violence  in emergencies. In addition, EUR 31.5 million 
were allocated to accommodate the sexual and reproductive health and rights needs of women and girls 
in humanitarian situations. 

In  the  framework  of  the  European  Fund  for  Sustainable  Development  Plus  (EFSD+),  the  EU  is  working 
closely  with  International  and  Development  Financing  Institutions  to  promote  women’s  access  to 
finance  and  entrepreneurship,  among  others.  72  %  of  all  reported  EFSD+  operations  in  2023  were 
gender mainstreamed.  

Other  EU-funded  initiatives  to  promote  women’s  labour  market  participation  are  the  Team  Europe 
Initiative ‘Investing in Young Businesses in Africa’ and the Investment Climate Reform (ICR). For instance, 
based  on  the  support  provided  through  the  ICR  Facility,  the  Tanzania  Agricultural  Development  Bank 
Limited launched a Gender Scheme  in March 2023, allowing for wider access of women and youth to 
credit facilities(59).  

EU  delegations  and  the  EU  Ambassador  for  Gender  and  Diversity  engaged  at  country  level  and 
multilaterally  in  the  realisation  of  gender  equality  objectives,  for  instance  by  integrating  a  gender 
perspective  into EU  political decision making, in  political and  policy dialogues  at country level,  and by 
introducing a gender marker into the civilian CSDP work.  

59 https://www.icr-facility.eu/  

37 

 
 
 
Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions and Operations integrated a gender perspective 
in their activities, supporting women’s participation in peacebuilding and addressing sexual and gender-
based violence, including conflict-related sexual violence – not least in Ukraine. 

The EU has used restrictive measures (sanctions) as a tool in its gender equality policy toolbox. In 2023, 
two packages under the EU Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime were adopted in response to sexual 
and gender-based violence crimes. 

3.1.6. SDG #6 Clean Water and Sanitation  

The world is currently off-track to meet SDG 6 targets with 2.2 billion people in the world lacking safely 
managed drinking water services in 2022, around 200 million more than in 2020, while almost half of the 
global population lacks safe sanitation. In 2023, the EU stepped up its commitment to support SDG 6 by 
adopting ambitious commitments for the Water Action Agenda at the UN 2023 Water Conference, and 
notably to support the access of 70 million individuals to an improved safe drinking water source and/or 
sanitation  facility  by  2030  and  to  develop  its  work  to  mobilise  the  private  sector  with  innovative 
financing  under  the  European  Fund  for  Sustainable  Development  (EFSD+),  to  further  increase  its 
reach(60). 

Under the Water Action Agenda, the EU also committed to improve transboundary cooperation across 
water  basins,  including  aquifers,  to  strengthen  regional  integration,  to  reduce  source-to-sea  pollution 
and make water a key driver for sustainable development, green transition and peace. Together with its 
Member  States  and  the  European  Investment  Bank,  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  two  new  flagship 
initiatives  were  launched  in  2023  on  transboundary  water  management  in  Africa  and  Central  Asia 
making  over  EUR  1.1  billion  available  for  transboundary  water  cooperation  on  improved  governance, 
knowledge, and investments with 47 countries in 18 major transboundary water basins. The EU and its 
Southern  Neighbours  are  also  parties  to  the  Barcelona  Convention  and  support  the  Union  for 
Mediterranean water strategy and ‘Water Policy Framework for Actions 2030’. 

The  EU  continued  to  address  the  water-security  link  in  the  context  of  the  EU-UNEP  partnership  on 
climate and environmental security in the Horn of Africa, the Sahel, the Middle East and North Africa. 
2023 was also the year during which the EU upscaled its support to multilateralism on water with the 
UN,  to  overcome  fragmentation  of  the  water  sector  at  international,  regional  and  country  levels,  to 
promote advocacy on the right to water and sanitation, to support a possible future UN Special Envoy 
on water and to support the development of a UN system-wide strategy. 

In  the  Neighbourhood  region,  the  aim  has  been  to  improve  governance  leading  to  regional  and  sub-
regional  water  resilience,  including  at  regional  level,  through  the  Water  and  Environment  Support 
project  and  the  EU4Environment  Water  and  Data  programme  supporting  a  more  sustainable  use  of 
water  resources  and  improving  the  use  of  sound  environmental  data.  New  initiatives  have  been 
launched to improve water supply management, wastewater and sanitation systems in Lebanon (WASH 
– EUTF Madad) as well as in Jordan to continue providing solid waste management services for Syrian 
refugees  and  vulnerable  host  communities  (Al-Ghabawi  waste  treatment  plan).  Furthermore,  key 
investment  projects  for  sustainable  water  management  continued  to  be  supported  in  Jordan  (Aqaba-

60 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-7443-2023-INIT/en/pdf 

38 

 
 
 
Amman Water Desalination and Conveyor project). The EU and its Member States acted as a catalyst, 
through a Team Europe Initiative on Sustainable Water Management. 

Chronic  lack  of  access  to  safe  water  and  sanitation,  combined  with  the  climate  change,  resulted  in  a 
significant raise in cholera outbreaks, as well as an increase in their duration and mortality. During 2023-
2024, the European Commission mobilised the rapid response mechanisms (the Epidemic Tool as well as 
the  Disaster  Response  Emergency  Fund    (DREF)  seven  times  and  funded  responses  under  the  annual 
Humanitarian Implementation Plans (HIP). In order to streamline responses, the EU is working with its 
partners to prepare a coordinated approach, aiming at combining response with prevention, as part of a 
nexus approach. 

The EU has supported, through the Commission’s(61) Disaster Preparedness Budget Line (EUR 700 000), 
the objectives of SDG 6, for example, in Zimbabwe, through the partnership with the Finnish Red Cross 
implementing the Integrated Strategy for Cholera Risk Elimination and Mitigation.  

3.1.7. SDG #10 Reduced Inequalities 

COVID-19 not only wiped out a decade of global progress in reducing inequalities but also worsened the 
global inequality gap amidst various crises, from conflicts to climate change. Since 2020, the world’s five 
wealthiest  individuals  have  doubled  their  wealth,  while  nearly  five  billion  people  have  become 
poorer(62).  Inequality,  across  its  various  dimensions,  is  a  major  constraint  for  achieving  the  SDGs, 
contributing to instability and injustice, both in Europe and in partner countries.  

Given  how  inequalities  intersect  with  all  dimensions  of  sustainable  development,  the  EU  continued 
building a multifaceted response.  

First, the Global Gateway strategy serves as a lever to address inequalities by increasing investment in 
key priorities (energy and climate, digital, transport, health and education and research) whilst pursuing 
a 360-degree approach based on EU values. 

Secondly,  the  EU  continued  implementing  policy  measures  and  programmes  to  support  inequality 
reduction.  This  includes  efforts  against  tax  evasion  and  corruption,  investment  in  social  protection 
systems, human development,  and education in partner countries that are most  in need.  The  EU  also 
designed  the  Team  Europe  ‘Equality  Flagship’  initiatives  in  partner  countries  where  inequality  is  a 
significant challenge and a political priority. From digitalisation in Kenya to decent work in Bangladesh, 
these initiatives are transformational to reducing inequality. 

The EU has actively monitored its efforts on inequalities to target the most vulnerable effectively. The 
first  Inequality  Marker  (‘I-Marker’)  was  launched  to  better  understand,  track  and  benchmark  the 
Commission’s  impact(63)  on  reducing  inequalities,  across  all  sectors.  The  I-Marker  captures  the 
multidimensional  aspect  of  inequalities  actions  financed  by  NDICI-Global  Europe.  The  2023  Council 
Conclusions  on  social,  green  and  digital  transition  recommended  the  broadest  application  of  the  I-

61 The Directorate-General for European Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations. 
62 Oxfam (2024), Davos Report 2024. https://www.flipsnack.com/CA7BEFCC5A8/english_davos_report_2024_print-1/full-
view.html  
63 More specifically, for actions in the non-Neighbourhood. 

39 

 
 
 
Marker, including in Team Europe Initiatives and with regard to the Global Gateway, and encouraged EU 
Member States to use it. 

The Gender Action Plan III ensures full, equal and meaningful participation for all women and girls. The 
human rights-based approach (HRBA)  puts  rights-holders at the centre of  EU cooperation. Through  its 
Global Health Strategy,  the  EU  works  to put  SDG 3 on good health and well-being back  on track. And 
with  the  first-ever  Youth  Action  Plan,  the  EU  supports  young  people  to  lead  the  global  change  by 
engaging, empowering and connecting them. 

Social  protection  is  vital  for  reducing  inequalities  through  redistributive  measures  like  taxes  and 
transfers. It contributes to equal opportunities, income security and access to quality social services.  It 
enables  just  transitions  which  leave  no-one  behind,  by  providing  income  security,  and  mitigates  the 
negative impact of the transitions on income and jobs. 

The EU approach to social protection extends beyond poverty-targeted schemes and supports nationally 
owned social protection systems. The EU draws on its own experience in building strong social security 
systems based on intergenerational solidarity, aiming for universal access, which proves more effective 
in  reducing  inequality  than  narrow  poverty-targeted  schemes.  Consequently,  the  EU  has  initiated  the 
fourth phase of the SOCIEUX+ facility, mobilising EU Member States’ expertise on social protection and 
labour to partner countries. 

The  EU  has  also  increased  support  to  social  protection  through  cooperation  at  country  level  and 
integrated  it  into  regional  Team  Europe  Initiatives  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa  and  Latin  America  and  the 
Caribbean.  

3.1.8. Other major achievements 

The  unprecedented  challenges  of  conflicts,  climate  change,  and  health  pandemics  have  had  an 
enormous impact on children and youth. Representing more than 1.8 billion individuals, young people 
are key agents of change to help shape more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous societies, and progress 
towards global commitments such as the 2030 Agenda and the Paris Agreement.  

In 2023, the Youth Action Plan in EU external action entered into full implementation, aiming to engage, 
empower  and  connect  young  people  as  drivers  of  a  greener,  fairer,  more  equal  and  peaceful  planet. 
More than 30 Youth Sounding Boards in EU Delegations were established, and a monitoring framework 
has  been  put  in  place  to  track  the  progress  of  the  implementation.  The  2023  edition  of  the  EU-NGO 
Forum gathered over 130 young human rights defenders around the topic ‘Youth as actors of change for 
human rights’. 

The EU continued to protect children and children’s rights around the globe, including children in armed 
conflicts. In doing so, it met its commitments under the EU strategy on the rights of the child for 2021- 
2024.  

The role of culture and creative industries for sustainable development is growing. The ACP-EU culture 
programme financed by the 11th European Development Fund has provided young people and women 
with skills, funding and pathways that foster cooperation with the EU, promotes cultural diversity and 
progresses economic growth through around 500 projects in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the 

40 

 
 
Pacific. The EU also continued its efforts for more sustainable financing for creative industries through 
blending (finance and technical assistance) with the CreatiFI programme. 

3.2.  Green Deal  

3.2.1. SDG #7 Affordable and Clean Energy  

In line with the European Green Deal, the Commission continued to support actions in partner countries 
to  increase  sustainable  energy  access  and  decarbonise  the  energy  sector,  contributing  to  renewable 
energy  generation,  access  and  energy  efficiency  solutions,  while  promoting  the  phasing  out  of  fossil 
fuels.  Energy  is  very  prominent  in  the  list  of  Global  Gateway  flagships  and  in  the  Global  Gateway 
Strategy,  covering  a  wide  range  of  energy  solutions,  from  hydropower  to  geothermal  plant,  but  also 
renewable hydrogen, solar plant or biogas, transmission lines and regional interconnections. Out of the 
87  projects  on  the  2023  Global  Gateway  flagship  list(64),  63  were  located  in  non-Neighbourhood 
countries(65),  among which 28  are  related to  the  renewable  energy  sector,  accounting  for 45  %  of  the 
total number. 

Policy dialogue on energy planning and decarbonisation plans is crucial. At COP28, countries agreed to 
global goals to triple renewable energy capacity and double the global annual rate of energy efficiency 
improvements by 2030, and to transition away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and 
equitable manner. One of the noticeable achievements of 2023 was the implementation of the  Africa-
EU  Green  Energy  initiative  (AEGEI).  This  Team  Europe  Initiative  aims  at  supporting,  in  Africa,  the 
deployment of at least 50 GW of renewable electricity generation, providing at least 100 million people 
with  access  to  electricity,  by  2030.  In  November,  at  COP28,  Executive  Vice-President  of  the  European 
Commission  Maroš  Šefčovič  announced  a  pledge  of  more  than  EUR  20  billion  from  Team  Europe 
partners for AEGEI. 

Private sector engagement is a strategic priority for the European Commission, and in the energy sector 
this was achieved especially via the launch of the Global Gateway Business Advisory Group, to identify 
challenges,  opportunities  and  trends,  looking  ahead  for  more  synergies.  Concerning  programmes,  the 
‘One  Stop  Shop’,  established  in  2023,  implemented  by  GiZ  and  funded  by  the  EU,  Germany,  the 
Netherlands,  Austria,  Sweden,  and  Norway,  is  acting  as  an  intermediary  and  connecting  platform 
between  investors  and  financiers.  The  Commission  continued  implementing  investment  de-risking 
financing  instruments,  to  complement  the  ones  available  under  blending  and  the  European  Fund  for 
Sustainable Development guarantees such as DESIREE, ElectriFI, and Climate Investor One, among many 
others.  At  the  Global  Gateway  Forum  in  October,  the  EU,  the  European  Investment  Bank  and 
Bangladesh  signed  agreements  worth  EUR  395  million  for  renewable  energy  projects  to  boost 
renewable energy capacity and access to energy. 

In  2023,  a  Just  Energy  Transition  Partnership  was  concluded  with  Senegal  to  support  decarbonisation 
efforts by accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, and achieving universal access to energy, 
with  EUR  2.5  billion  in  new  and  additional  financing  mobilised  from  international  partners  and 
multilateral development banks. To promote energy security and the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate 

64 https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-6738-2023-INIT/en/pdf 
65 https://international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu/countries_en 

41 

 
 
 
sectors,  renewable  hydrogen  is  also  expected to  play  a  key  role,  with mutual benefits  for  the  EU  and 
partner countries. At the Africa Climate Summit in September 2023, the Green Hydrogen Strategy and 
Roadmap for Kenya was launched. Other examples of support include in Chile, Mauritania and Namibia. 
The EU also signed memoranda of understanding to develop cooperation on renewable hydrogen with 
Argentina and Uruguay. 

The Morocco Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience  programme aims to support the decarbonisation 
and  climate  resilience  of  the  Moroccan  economy  through  an  acceleration  of  the  adoption  of  green 
technologies  and  sustainable  practices  by  businesses  in  Morocco.  The  programme  will  leverage  an 
estimated  EUR  400  million  of  financing.  Overall, the  programme  is expected to  result  in  an  estimated 
saving of 1.5 million gigajoules of energy per year – equivalent to around 250 000 barrels of oil – as well 
as avoiding 185 000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions per year – equivalent to the annual greenhouse gas 
emissions of 110 000 passenger cars per year.  

The EU4Energy programme contributed to further strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks as 
well  as  evidence-based  policy  design  and  promoted  a  conducive  environment  for  sustainable  energy 
investments. The programme supported Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in accelerating the development 
of renewable energy legislation. The Council of European Energy Regulators continued work in Armenia 
and Azerbaijan on the development of liberalised gas markets and energy efficiency measures. 

3.2.2. SDG #11 Sustainable Cities and Communities  

Urbanisation  and  the  role  of  cities  in  the  economy  constitute  a  central  element  in  the  development 
challenges  and  opportunities  in  our  partner  countries.  With  cities  globally  contributing  80  %  of  gross 
domestic product, 70 % of global energy consumption and 70 % of global carbon emissions and nearly 
one billion people living in slums, actions in and by cities will be central for realising the ambitions of key 
strategic initiatives such as the Global Gateway and the external dimension of the European Green Deal. 

2023  saw  advances  in  a  range  of  country  programmes  in  support  of  sustainable  urbanisation,  e.g.,  in 
Tanzania,  Cameroun,  Kenya,  Rwanda,  Ghana  and  Guinea  Bissau.  Urban  investments  have  been 
supported through blended finance, e.g., urban mobility in Senegal, and the EFSD+ will further support 
mobilisation of finance through programmes under the investment window targeting sustainable cities. 
The  urban  development  technical  assistance  facility  provided  support  to  EU  Delegations  and  their 
engagement with counterparts in the field of sustainable urbanisation. 

Local  authorities  will  be  key  for  achieving  SDG  11  and  most  of  the  other  SDGs.  The  European 
Commission is seeking to strengthen links between EU cities and cities in partner countries. The city-to-
city  partnership  for  sustainable  urban  development has  so  far  contributed  to the  establishment  of  57 
partnerships active in the different dimensions of sustainable urban development. 

The  European  Commission  is  the  co-founder  of  the  Global  Covenant  of  Mayors  initiative,  whose 
signatory  cities  commit  to  the  implementation  of  sustainable  energy  policies  as  well  as  local  climate 
change mitigation and adaptation activities. The initiative has regional chapters that receive EU support 
in  every  area  of  the  world  with  the  largest  numbers  of  signatory  cities  in  the  regions  of  the  Eastern 

42 

 
 
Partnership,  Southern  Neighbourhood,  Sub-Saharan  African,  and  Latin  America.  To  date,  the  Global 
Covenant brings together more than 12 600 cities in 144 countries(66). 

Rapid and often unplanned urbanisation is a key factor in  exacerbating disaster risk and the impact of 
disasters. The  European Commission is strengthening disaster preparedness in urban contexts with its 
humanitarian partners, as outlined in the Disaster Preparedness Guidance Note(67). Urban preparedness 
is one of the 2021-2024 funding priorities for the Disaster Preparedness Budget Line. 

The European Union has supported Ukraine in the field of sustainable urban development and planning 
through the New European Bauhaus initiative and the LIFE instrument. 

3.2.3. SDG #12 Responsible Consumption and Production  

The  EU  is  committed  to  pursuing  its  international  cooperation  on  Sustainable  Consumption  and 
Production  (SCP),  including  the  circular  economy,  as  an  essential  contribution  to  SDG  12.  Promoting 
economic  development  models  that  are  more  efficient  in  the  use  of  energy  and  natural  resources  is 
critical to achieve sustainable development within planetary boundaries. EU international cooperation in 
these  areas  focuses  mainly  on  developing  awareness  and  knowledge  to  build  the  case  for  the 
green/circular economy transition, supporting policy and institutional frameworks including via country, 
regional  and  multilateral  policy  dialogues,  promoting  green  business  development  in  key  value  chains 
and  mobilising  finance  for  the  global  circular  economy  transition.  Contributions  to  responsible 
consumption and production also derive from EU actions addressing a range of other SDGs, notably SDGs 
8  (Decent  work  and  economic  growth),  9  (Industry,  innovation  and  infrastructure)  and  13  (Climate 
change). 

At  global  level,  the  objective  is  to  engage  in  multilateral  processes  to  promote  higher  environmental 
standards,  a  level-playing  field  for  the  private  sector  and  the  provision  of  financial  and  technical 
assistance. The EU has stepped up its engagement with non-EU countries, at global, regional and country 
level, to support SCP, with a focus on circular economy. In 2023, over 100  partner countries worldwide 
have  benefitted  from  EU  support  in  relation  with  SCP  and  the  circular  economy  under  the  Switch  to 
Green  and  other  initiatives.  The  latter  includes  SWITCH  to  Circular  Economy  Value  Chains,  regional 
SWITCH  programmes  in  Asia,  Africa  and  the  Mediterranean,  the  AL  Invest  Verde  programme  in  Latin 
America and the Caribbean, the EU for Environment for the East Neighbourhood, the SWITCH to Green 
Facility, and EU-supported global programmes like the Partnership for Action on Green Economy (PAGE) 
and the Green Economy Coalition. Furthermore, in 2023 the EU made new commitments to support the 
circular  economy  transition  through  some  30  bilateral  actions  in  over  25  partner  countries,  as  well  as 
through sub-regional and global actions (SWITCH to Circular Economy in East and Southern Africa, and 
the EU Circular Economy Resource Centre).  

In  2023,  the  EU  supported  partner  countries  in  the  elaboration  of  their  national  circular  economy 
roadmaps  and  action  plans,  including  by  providing  technical  assistance  to  Mauritius,  Nigeria,  Albania, 
and  North  Macedonia,  as  well  as  facilitating  peer-to-peer  exchanges,  notably  among  members  of  the 
Circular  Economy  Coalition  of  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean.  The  EU  also  supported  the 
implementation of green/circular action plans, with initiatives like industrial waste maps in Azerbaijan, 

66 Who we are - Global Covenant of Mayors 
67 https://ec.europa.eu/echo/files/policies/sectoral/dg_echo_guidance_note_-_disaster_preparedness_en.pdf 

43 

 
 
 
Georgia, and Ukraine,  and support to  small and medium-sized enterprises  in adopting SCP practices  in 
key sectors such as plastics and food waste, especially for circular economy and Resource Efficient and 
Cleaner Production. 

The EU further delivered on its  ambition to lead by example a circular economy transition globally, by 
showcasing  relevant  EU  policies,  regulatory  measures  and  international  actions  at  the  World  Circular 
Economy Forum held in Finland. 

Lastly, the EU also supported the revision of the UN PAGE 2030  strategy, which aims to inspire, inform 
and enable a global change:  ‘From Recovery to Economic  Transformation  -  Greener, Circular, and Job-
Rich Economies by 2030’. 

3.2.4. SDG #13 Climate Action  

Climate change is a key priority of the EU’s external action and a central theme of the European Green 
Deal,  in  line  with  the  2030  Agenda,  the  Paris  Agreement  and  the  Sendai  Framework  for  Disaster  Risk 
Reduction.  The  EU  remains  committed  to  contributing  to  SDG  13  on  climate  action  and  engages  with 
partner countries particularly via the development and roll out of Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs) in the 
framework of the Global Gateway. The EU, its Member States and the European Investment Bank are 
together the biggest contributor of public climate finance to developing economies, providing EUR 28.5 
billion in 2022. 

The EU has set in the NDICI-Global Europe Regulation a spending target of 30 % to contribute to climate 
objectives, to which Commission President von der Leyen pledged an additional EUR 4 billion(68). The EU 
also  committed  to  double  its  external  funding  for  biodiversity  to  EUR  7  billion  for  the  period  2021-
2027(69). 

In 2023, under the NDICI-Global Europe, all decided actions contributed to the climate spending target 
for  a  total of  EUR  3.2 billion  (corresponding  to  25 %  out  of  the  total  committed  amount).  Cumulative 
figures for 2021-2023 resulted in contributions to the climate spending target of EUR 8.781 billion.  

At COP28, the EU secured an agreement describing an agreed global decarbonisation pathway for the 
coming decades. Parties also established the operationalisation of funding arrangements and a fund to 
address climate related ‘loss and damage’ in particularly vulnerable developing countries, to which the 
European Commission has pledged EUR 25 million. The EU became a signatory of three non-negotiation 
outcomes: the  ‘Declaration on Climate, Relief, Recovery and Peace’, the  ‘Getting ahead of disasters: a 
Charter on finance for managing risks’, and the ‘Declaration on Climate and Health’. 

Climate change and the environment are being integrated by the EU into all its policies, across a broad 
range of sectors while extending support to partner countries. The European Commission has continued 
to champion methane emission reduction efforts by increasing our contribution to the Global Methane 
Pledge(70), by funding actions in total of EUR 175 million. 

68 https://state-of-the-union.ec.europa.eu/state-union-2021_en    
69 For NDICI-Global Europe and IPA III instruments altogether.  
70 https://www.globalmethanepledge.org/ 

44 

 
 
 
In 2023 further progress was made in the TEI on Adaptation and Resilience in Africa, including a EUR 80 
million contribution to the Adaptation Fund. A decision was adopted to contribute with EUR 30 million 
to the Global Shield against Climate Risks and EUR 10 million to the Africa Risk Capacity in disaster risk 
finance. In 2023 the EU launched new programmes in support of the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative, 
a  flagship  African-led  initiative  to  regreen  the  Sahel  from  Senegal  to  Somalia,  aiming  to  restore  100 
million  hectares  of  degraded  land  and  sequester  250  million  tons  of  carbon,  while  improving  food 
security and transforming millions of lives in the Sahel. 

The EU continues to factor climate and environmental risk considerations into humanitarian actions, in 
line  with  its  commitments  in  the  2021  Communication  on  ‘The  EU’s  Humanitarian  Action:  new 
challenges,  same  principles’(71).  One  of  the  priorities  of  the  dedicated  budget  line  for  preparedness 
focuses on climate and environmental resilience. 

In  2023,  the  European  Commission  dedicated  EUR  78  million  to  disaster  preparedness  activities 
including  for  supporting  communities  to  prepare  for  the  impacts  of  climate  change  and  aimed  to 
mainstream disaster preparedness across EU funded humanitarian actions by making interventions risk-
informed. 

The EU underlines the importance of investing through all available funding sources in the resilience of 
the  communities  most  at  risk  to  climate  change,  thereby  alleviating  the  impact  of  climate  shocks  on 
these  communities.  In  addition,  the  EU  ensures  that  the  environmental  footprint  of  humanitarian  aid 
operations  is  reduced,  for  example  through  switching  from  diesel  generators  to  solar  systems,  thus 
contributing to climate change mitigation. 

All of the above contributes to the voluntary tracking of EU climate-related expenditure from the EU’s 
humanitarian aid budget. The budget is not subject to the 30 % climate mainstreaming target under the 
EU’s  2021-2027  multiannual  financial  framework,  but  it  was  a  commitment  made  in  the  2021 
Communication on the ‘EU’s Humanitarian Action: new challenges, same principles’(72). 

In Ukraine, the EU supported the Ukrainian Climate Office focusing on climate policy development and 
financed initiatives for accounting and phasing out greenhouse gases, ozone depleting substances and 
fluorinated greenhouse gases. 

3.2.5. SDG #14 Life below Water  

Progress  has  been  slow  in  addressing  threats  and  impacts,  including  pollution,  eutrophication, 
overfishing,  biodiversity  and  ecosystems  loss  and  climate  change.  Most  SDG  14  targets  will  not  be 
reached by the set deadline. 

The ocean is an increasingly important aspect of EU diplomacy and cooperation in the context of the EU 
commitment  to  double  external  funding  for  biodiversity  over  2021-2027.  In  2023,  the  European 
Commission  maintained  its  strong  involvement  in  the  negotiations  towards  a  ‘High  Sea  Treaty’(73), 
adopted  in  June  2023.  It  fostered  understanding  of  the  Treaty  among  parliamentarians  in  Africa  and 

71 COM(2021) 110 final of 10 March 2021. 
72 COM(2021) 110 final of 10 March 2021.  
73 BBNJ (un.org) 

45 

 
 
 
Latin America and the Caribbean, and supported small Pacific Island States for ratification through the 
Office of the Pacific Ocean Commissioner. It maintained its position that deep seabed mining should not 
start  before  sufficient  scientific  knowledge  of  deep-sea  ecosystems  is  available,  that  it  can  be 
demonstrated  that  no  harmful  effects  arise  from  mining,  and  the  necessary  provisions  in  the 
exploitation regulations for the effective protection of the marine environment are in place. 

Cooperation  took  place  through  a  dense  network  of  projects  and  programmes  with  an  integrated 
approach  to  address  drivers  of  ocean  degradation,  linking  food  security,  coastal  resilience  and 
livelihoods with natural resources preservation. 

Amidst the current food security crisis, special emphasis was placed on the transformative potential of 
aquatic foods. At the  global level, EUR 20 million were  committed to  develop  new  aquatic food value 
chains for vulnerable populations. The EU also continued to strengthen the sustainability of aquatic food 
value  chains  in  various  countries  through  the  EUR  48  million  ‘FISH4ACP’  programme.  A  mid-term 
evaluation of the programme was launched in 2023 to take stock with all stakeholders and to maximise 
impact for SDG 14. 

Two regional programmes were adopted, in West Africa and Southern Africa, addressing international 
ocean  governance,  sustainable  blue  economy  and  marine  conservation.  The  European Commission,  in 
partnership with the African Union, also set up an Africa-Europe ocean strategic Group with the aim to 
jointly advance the implementation of SDG 14 and the other ocean-related targets of the 2030 Agenda. 
In Benin, the EU supported the management of the Mono delta biosphere reserve and the development 
of  the  Nazoumè-Bouche  du  Roy  marine  protected  area.  In  ASEAN  and  its  Member  States,  the  EU 
promoted enhanced policy action regarding plastic pollution, waste avoidance and waste management 
to prevent plastic pollution. 

In  the  Southern  Neighbourhood,  regional  programmes  have  contributed  to  the  objectives  of  the 
Barcelona  Convention,  targeting  the  causes  of  biodiversity  decline  and  the  protection  of  threatened 
ecosystems.  For  example,  the  Water  and  Environment  Support  project  has  an  important  component 
dedicated to tackling marine pollution, and the SEMPA project contributes to the achievement of Good 
Environmental Status in the Mediterranean. 

In the Eastern Partnership, the EU4EMBLAS programme aims at improving protection of the Black Sea 
through  technical  assistance  for  environmental  monitoring,  capacity  building,  assessment  of 
environmental status and awareness raising. The European Commission also invested EUR 33.5 million 
to  strengthen  marine  environmental  monitoring  and  forecasting  through  its  Copernicus  satellite 
programme  and  Wekeo  service,  allowing  the  international  research  community  to  access  all  products 
describing  the  past,  present  and  future  of  the  earth  system.  A  Copernicus  Regional  Centre  for  Latin 
America and the Caribbean was set up to facilitate access to Copernicus. 

3.2.6. SDG #15 Life on Land  

Further  to  the  adoption  at  UN  Biodiversity  COP15  of  the  ambitious  Kunming-Montreal  Global 
Biodiversity Framework (GBF),  the EU  stepped up its efforts to support  its partners to implement this 
agreement, with a EUR 69 million package on capacity development for the implementation of the GBF. 
With a view to meeting the European Commission’s political ambitions to double its external funding to 
biodiversity  (equivalent  to  EUR  7  billion  for  the  period  2021-2027),  a  comprehensive  approach  that 

46 

 
 
combines  the  development  of  a  substantial  portfolio  of  biodiversity-related  actions  and  the 
mainstreaming of biodiversity across  relevant sectors and actions has been deployed. Specific actions, 
such as the NaturAfrica initiative,  have  been designed to protect  biodiversity while  creating economic 
opportunities and better livelihoods for local populations through an integrated landscape approach. 

At  the  UNFCCC  COP28,  the  European  Commission  signed  a  Memorandum of Understanding  (MoU)  to 
establish  a  Forest  Partnership  with  Honduras.  This  MoU  comes  in  addition  to  the  five  already  signed 
with  Mongolia,  Guyana,  Zambia,  Uganda  and  the  Republic  of  Congo  at  the  UNFCCC  COP27.  Forest 
Partnerships  are  designed  to  address  global  challenges  such  as  climate  change  and  biodiversity  loss, 
while  meeting  socio-economic  development  objectives  through  the  promotion  of  forest-related  value 
chains  and  sustainable  trade  in  wood  products.  In  2023,  all  original  signatory  countries  worked  to 
develop roadmaps for the implementation of the partnerships. The European Commission also further 
pursued  its  work  on  Forest  Law  Enforcement,  Governance  and  Trade  (FLEGT),  notably  via  voluntary 
partnership  agreements  (VPAs),  which  have  helped  improve  governance  and  regulatory  frameworks 
leading  to  greater  transparency  and  accountability,  as  well  as  sustainable  forest  management.  Ghana 
became  the  second  country  in  the  world  and  first  in  the  African  continent  entitled  to  issue  FLEGT 
licenses. 

initiative  objectives. 

In the Sahel and Horn of Africa, the EU continued to support the African-led Great Green Wall initiative. 
The Knowledge for Great Green Wall Action regional programme was signed and started its operations, 
supporting  the  institutional  architecture  of  the  Great  Green  Wall  and  relevant  stakeholders  in 
accomplishing  the 
In  the  Southern  Neighbourhood,  regional  cooperation 
programmes  have  aimed  at  reducing  the  pollution  reaching  the  Mediterranean  Sea  with  a  focus  on 
plastic pollution and strengthening the efficient use of water in urban and rural areas, through a Source 
to Sea continuum approach, while promoting circular economy and contributing to the conservation of 
biodiversity and sustainable management of natural resources in the Mediterranean Region. A regional 
support  for  Mediterranean  forest  genetic  conservation  was  launched,  as  well  as  a  baseline  study  on 
Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF). 

Cooperation  with  Eastern  Partnership  countries  targeted  biodiversity  loss,  ecosystem  restoration, 
sustainable forestry and management of protected areas, including by extending the Emerald Network 
to  ensure  long-term  survival  of  species  and  halt  land  and  habitat  degradation, as  part  of  the  regional 
EU4Environment programme. 

Technical assistance was also provided to Ukraine in the field of biodiversity protection. 

3.2.7. Other major achievements  

Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine  since  February 2022 demonstrated that the  European 
Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC)  can meet  the  needs of partners under 
challenging  and  constantly  evolving  conditions.  The  provision  of  support  to  Ukraine  to  address  the 
consequences of the unprovoked Russian invasion and continued aggression is a priority. This includes 
restoring  stolen,  looted  and  destroyed  nuclear  and  radiation  protection  related  infrastructure  in 
Ukraine. 

The INSC funded programmes in Ukraine continued to be implemented without delays, despite the war-
related  hardship  conditions  such  as  insecurity  and  frequent  electricity  blackouts.  These  achievements 

47 

 
 
are  due  to  the  determination  and  resilient  efforts  of  the  Ukrainian  beneficiaries,  the  implementing 
partners and the coordination efforts of the EU through its support organisations in Ukraine. 

The  EU  also  continued  the  implementation  of  the  EU’s  commitment  under  Annex  3  of  the  Joint 
Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) relating to civil nuclear cooperation with Iran. 

3.3.  Digitalisation, Science, Technology and Innovation  

3.3.1. SDG #9 Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure  

Global Gateway, Digital Connectivity 

In 2023, the EU placed an emphasis on promoting secure and trusted connectivity. It partnered with the 
Democratic  Republic  of  the  Congo,  Colombia,  and  Kenya  to  launch  digital  economy  packages,  as  an 
integrated  approach  to  bridging  the  digital  divide.  Aligned  with  the  Global  Gateway  strategy,  these 
packages  focus  on  critical  areas  such  as  private  sector  engagement,  connectivity,  governance, 
cybersecurity, and Earth observation. 

At  the  Global  Gateway  Forum  in  October  2023,  the  European  Commission  and  Finnfund  signed  the 
Africa  Connected  Programme,  a  landmark  agreement  aimed  at  mobilising  more  than  EUR  1  billion  in 
sustainable  investments  for  digital  infrastructure  and  digital  service  platforms  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa. 
Finnfund  becomes  a  first-time  implementing  partner  of  EFSD+  Guarantees,  where  the  European 
Commission contributes through the NDICI-Global Europe instrument with EUR 100 million. 

Through the ‘Africa-Europe Digital Regulators Partnership’ (2023 Annual Action Plan) the EU took a key 
step  to  boost  a  conducive  environment  for  digital  infrastructure  investments  and  achieve  universal 
digital connectivity in Africa. The programme will promote regional convergence for affordable, secure, 
reliable  and  high-speed  connectivity  infrastructure  and  services.  It  will  also  work  towards  the 
harmonisation of broadband mapping systems in several Sub-Saharan Africa countries. 

2023  enabled  advances  towards  EU  digital  connectivity  goals  moving  from  identification  to  concrete 
pipeline  development  thanks  to  extensive  studies  carried  out  to  identify  and  prioritise  project 
opportunities.  The  focus  remains  on  developing  the  EurAfrica  Gateway  (covering  investments  in 
international submarine cables)  and Regional Fibre Optic Backbones in Africa  (covering investments in 
regional/cross-border  terrestrial  links),  regional  first-  and  middle-mile  projects.  Moreover,  the  EU  is 
seeking  partnerships  to  strengthen  last-mile  connectivity,  which  is  key  to  reaching  end-users  and 
complementing investments in digital infrastructure at national level. 

The Global Gateway flagships launched in 2023 showcase that the ‘Team Europe’ approach is at work to 
reduce  the  digital  divide  and  to enable  secure  and  trusted  digital  connectivity.  Indeed,  the  EU  and  its 
Member States jointly adopted in 2023 the Regional Connectivity Team Europe Initiative (TEI) in Central 
Asia and the ASEAN Sustainable Connectivity TEI paired with the Philippines TEI Digital Transformation 
and Connectivity, and the launch of the Copernicus mirror site in the Philippines. 

The Digital for Development Hub (D4D Hub) and The Knowledge Hub Digital (KHD) 

As of 2023, 16 Member States have joined the Digital for Development Hub (D4D Hub) and all its four 
branches – Africa, LAC, APAC and Neighbourhood Branches – and 10 thematic working groups are now 
actively  promoting  the  EU  human  centric  model  of  digital  transformation  via  increased  coordination, 

48 

 
 
dialogue  and  joint  action  between  the  EU,  its  Member  States,  agencies  and  European  Development 
Finance Institutions (DFIs). 

Meanwhile  the  Knowledge  Hub  Digital  (KHD)  facility  has  provided  twenty-four  technical  assistance 
missions on e-governance and eServices across Africa, the LAC region, and to some Delegations in Asia 
Pacific. In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Democratic Republic of the Congo welcomed KHD experts to work on 
elaborating the country’s Digital Strategy; Rwanda mobilised KHD for Programming Smart Cities TEI, and 
Mozambique  took  KHD  advice  on  its  finance  law  ‘PFM  and  DRM  Support  Programme  2’  and  on 
interoperability. 

E-services, including e-governance and skills, Cybersecurity and cyber-resilience 

In  2023,  EU  took  forward  its  collaborations  with  ITU,  UNDP,  UNESCO,  OHCHR  and  the  UN  overall, 
particularly  on  disinformation,  gender  equality  in  digitalisation  and  artificial  intelligence,  towards  the 
overarching  aim  to  promote  EU’s  open  internet  policy  and  human  centric  digital  governance.  To 
contribute to the same aim, the EU also participated to the Internet Governance Forum 2023 in Kyoto 
and prepared the ground for a deeper cooperation with Smart Africa on e-governance in 2024. 

The  EU  moved  forward  with  implementing  the  Multilateralism  and  Digitalisation  programme  through 
actions  on  capacity  building  in  digital  transformation  for  policy  makers,  open-source  ecosystem 
enablement for public services innovation, universal meaningful connectivity indicators, and partnership 
with UNESCO to support the implementation of the ‘Recommendation on the Ethics of AI’. 

The EU also set up a new regional programme ‘Safe Digital Boost for Africa’ creating space to collaborate 
with  African  counterparts  on  e-governance,  cybersecurity  and  e-commerce.  The  EU  engaged  with  ITU 
and UNDP to join up activities with partners on digital public infrastructure/digital public goods, notably 
through the UN Joint SDG Fund and the new regional e-governance programme. 

The  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  Days  in  Cartagena  in  November  2023  jointly  defined  priorities  for  further 
specific  cooperation  under  the  five  thematic  policy  dialogue  priorities:  e-governance  (digital  identity, 
digital  signature  and  interoperability),  cyber  security,  artificial  intelligence,  data  governance  and 
inclusive connectivity. 

The  EU  also  prepared  a  guidance  note  on  enhancing  digital  skills  and  education,  as  this  is  a  key 
component of EU policies and approach to international digitalisation partnerships. 

The  European  Commission  has  strengthened  its  role and  position  as  a  key  provider  of  cyber  capacity-
building,  enhancing  its  cooperation  at  regional  and  national  level,  building  on  a  needs-based,  human-
centric and multi-stakeholder approach. 

In  the  context  of  the  European  Commission’s  growing  investments  in  digital  programming  but  also  to 
secure  our  investments  on  transports,  infrastructure  and  connectivity,  a  cybersecurity  mainstreaming 
toolbox was developed. It establishes a set of indicators to be considered throughout programming  to 
assess the cyber resilience of initiatives and their vulnerability to malicious cyber activities. 

Digital entrepreneurship 

AEDIB  2.0  is  a  flagship  regional  programme  of  the  EU-African  Union  Summit  -  Regional  Indicative 
Programme for Sub-Saharan Africa with a budget of EUR 35 million. A group of six EU Member States 

49 

 
 
(Belgium,  Germany,  Estonia,  France,  the  Netherlands,  and  Finland)  together  with  the  European 
Commission has worked to operationalise the flagship for an amount of EUR 2.5 million. 

Space Technology and Earth Observation 

The EU space programme increasingly appears as a crucial tool for the green and digital transition across 
Africa,  Asia,  the  Pacific,  Latin  America,  and  the  Caribbean.  It  is  becoming  a  key  framework  for  EU 
cooperation with partner countries. 

The  EU  and  the  African  Union  launched  the  first  part  of  the  EU-Africa  space  partnership  programme 
aimed at strengthening cooperation on Earth observation and satellite navigation, and the second phase 
of the Global Monitoring for Environment and Security and Africa (GMES&Africa) continued to roll out 
successfully. 

The  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  Days  advanced  the  regional  cooperation  on  digital  connectivity  and  space 
with  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  (LAC),  notably  on  preparations  for  two  regional  Copernicus 
centres  and  the  extension  of  the  BELLA  cable.  BELLA  II  aims  at  further  extending  secure  connectivity 
between the EU and LAC research and education networks to countries like Peru, Costa Rica, Guatemala, 
El Salvador, and Honduras, as well as to the Caribbean. 

In Asia, 2023 was the year of the launch of the Copernicus support action programme in the Philippines, 
with the setting up of a Copernicus mirror site and pilot projects supporting better informed decision-
making  for  the  benefit  of  ecosystems  and  local  livelihoods.  A  programme  on  satellite  connectivity  in 
Central Asia aimed at bridging the digital gap was also launched, starting with the regulatory and policy 
connectivity environment. 

Research and Innovation 

Giving  substance  to  Global  Gateway's  education  and  research  pillar  was  a  top  priority  this  year;  for 
instance work advanced to support ‘Regional Centres of Excellence (RCoEs)’ related to green transition 
in  Sub-Saharan  Africa,  to  support  research  and  innovation  through  the  ‘EU-Africa  space  cooperation’ 
programme,  and  to  facilitate  the  implementation  of  the  joint  African  Union-EU  Innovation  Agenda 
adopted on 19 July 2023. 

The  2023  ‘ACP  Innovation  Fund’  activities  included  digital  innovations  in  agriculture,  valorisation  of 
research  results,  intellectual  property,  natural  resource  management,  urban  development,  waste, 
energy  and  One  Health.  The  ‘ACP  Policy  Support  Facility’  provided  high-level  policy  recommendations 
for  new  science,  technology  and  innovation  (STI)  policies  and  strategies  at  the  request  of  Kenya, 
Cameroon, Guinea and organised a mutual learning exercise on research and innovation (R&I) strategies 
and policies, which gathered representatives from 13 OACPS countries. 

The  ‘STI  for  Sustainable  Development  Goals  (SDGs)  Roadmaps  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa’  pilot  project 
initiated in cooperation with the Joint Research Centre in 2022, has moved in 2023 to its second phase, 
focusing on six target countries (the Gambia, Malawi, Mauritius, Namibia, Rwanda and the Seychelles) 
to work on designing STI for SDGs roadmaps to guide investments in R&I. 

In  2023,  the  EU  scaled  up  its  EU4Digital  initiative  with  the  aim  of  driving  the  Eastern  Partnership 
countries’  integration  with  the  EU  digital  single  market  and  promoting  further  investments  under  the 
Economic  and  Investment  Plan.  The  roll-out  of  secure  and  affordable  broadband  connectivity  in  rural 

50 

 
 
areas  and  connecting  more  than  300  Research  and  Education  Institutions  with  their  EU  counterparts, 
benefiting 730 000 students, teachers and scientists was supported. 

3.3.2. Other major achievements 

SDG 9 aims at building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialisation and 
fostering innovation. In 2023, the European Commission and the EU Member States have continued to 
strengthen the implementation of the Global Gateway Strategy through concerted efforts with various 
stakeholders to advance connectivity and infrastructure development(74).  

The  first  Global  Gateway  Forum  of  October  2023  brought  together  over  90  high-level  representatives 
from  partner  countries  and  the  private  sector.  They  sealed  over  EUR  3  billion  worth  of  commitments 
with  a  wide  array  of  partners,  strengthening  the  collaboration  with  the  EU  private  sector.  The  Global 
Gateway Business Advisory Groups was also established. 

In  December  2022,  the  EFSD+  Operational  Board  gave  its  green  light  to  start  the  negotiations  on  40 
guarantee  proposals submitted by European Development Finance  Institutions for Sub-Saharan Africa, 
LAC and Asia Pacific regions, with the aim of mobilising over EUR 50 billion in sustainable investments. A 
package of  24  guarantee  programmes  amounting  to  EUR  2.4  billion  was  endorsed  by  the  Operational 
Board of EFSD+ to support investments – expected to total approximately EUR 17 billion – in the EU’s 
neighbourhood  and  enlargement  countries,  in  priority  areas  like  energy,  digital,  and  private  sector 
competitiveness.  

In Africa, the implementation of the Global Gateway focuses on identifying and preparing investments, 
mainly  along  the  Strategic  Transport  Corridors  endorsed  in  2021.  Twelve  operations  have  been 
approved (or are about to be approved), for a total investment of more than EUR 3 billion, with an EU 
contribution exceeding EUR 300 million. In the Asia–Pacific region, emphasis was placed on developing 
the  Trans-Caspian  corridor  in  Central  Asia.  In  addition,  investments  in  urban  mobility  in  India,  and 
railway and ports projects in South-East Asia are under consideration.  

In Latin America and Caribbean, priority lies on implementing the Global Gateway Investment Agenda, 
launched  during  the  2023  EU-CELAC  Summit,  with  focus  on  urban  mobility,  railway  and  regional 
maritime transport projects involving EU Financial Institutions. 

On  more  global  files,  several  initiatives  have  been  undertaken  to  promote  the  decarbonisation  of 
transport  as  ‘MobiliseYourCity’  aimed  at  providing  clean  transport  solutions  for  urban  mobility, 
promoting the use of renewable and low carbon fuels for maritime transport and sustainable aviation 
fuels.  Furthermore,  the  Global  Green  Shipping  Corridors  initiative  has  also  been  launched  to 
complement these efforts. 

74  In  accordance  with  the  2030  Agenda  and  the  G20  Principles  for  Quality  Infrastructure  Investment,  aligned  with  EU  policy 
priorities such as Green Deal, Digitalisation and Sustainable Growth. 

51 

 
 
 
3.4. 

Sustainable Growth and Jobs 

3.4.1. SDG #8 Decent Work and Economic Growth  

2023 showed the necessity to scale up action in support of sustainable investments and their enabling 
environment  around  Global  Gateway  flagships  and  beyond.  The  level  of  priority  and  urgency  further 
increased on certain strategic files for the Commission. These included for instance the partnerships on 
critical raw materials in the context of a fast evolving geopolitical context following the adoption of the 
Commission’s  ‘CRM  package’  on  16  March  2023,  cooperating  with  partners  on  the  development  of 
sustainable regional value chains, and scaling up engagement with the private sector. More broadly, the 
Commission  reinforced  its  action  in  support  of  sustainable  growth,  decent  jobs  and  investments, 
including around the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) in July. 

Supporting, de-risking and scaling up investments in partner countries  

Significant  progress  was  achieved  on  EFSD+  deployment,  including  the  signature  of  the  first  Open 
Architecture  guarantees  in  October  and  of  19  EFSD+-related  contribution  agreements  with  13 
implementing partners.  

The  negotiations  of  Open  Architecture  guarantees  went  forward  despite  significant  challenges. 
Externally,  the  current  geopolitical  context  requires  intensive  and  reactive  risk  monitoring  (including 
foreign  currency  risk)  around  financial  operations  in  partner  countries.  Internally,  there  is  a  need  to 
combine  effective  steering  of  EFSD+  towards  delivery  on  Global  Gateway  geographic  and  thematic 
priorities,  contributions  to  NDICI-Global  Europe  targets  and  maintaining  an  acceptable  risk  level  and 
enough leverage on investments generated in partner countries.  

This was addressed in particular through intense rounds of internal consultations, active steering by the 
Commission  and  consultations  with  all  relevant  Team  Europe  stakeholders.  Very  intense  work  was 
conducted  throughout  the  year  with  the  EIB  to  further  improve  coordination  and  joint  steering  of 
operations in third countries, in particular in support of targeted SME financing.  

More  generally  on  risk  management  for  development  cooperation,  the  Risk  Management  Framework 
Plus exercise coordinated by the Commission confirmed the relevance of its scope (all instruments and 
all countries in principle) but also the need for a more streamlined tool, which will be used as of 2024. 

Sustainable Finance 

In 2023, the High-level Expert Group (HLEG) continued its reflections on scaling up sustainable finance in 
low-and middle-income countries and published its Preliminary Findings & Recommendations report in 
June(75). The recommendations of the High-Level Expert Group will inform the Commission for its future 
strategy  on  scaling  up  sustainable  finance  in  EU’s  partner  countries,  while  they  don’t  commit  the 
Commission nor do they preclude any policy outcomes. 

Further  progress  was  made  towards  the  launch  of  the  Global  Green  Bond  Initiative  (GGBI),  aiming  to 
promote the development of green bond markets in LMICs. Work also advanced on the establishment of 
the  Sustainable  Finance  Advisory  Hub,  a  technical  assistance  programme  providing  support  on  the 

75 Preliminary Findings & Recommendations, High-level Expert Group on scaling up sustainable finance in low- and middle-
income countries, June 2023. 

52 

 
 
 
development  of  sustainable  finance  frameworks  and  sustainability-related  financial  instruments  in 
partner countries. The hub will also have a technical assistance arm dedicated to the GGBI. 

Creation of decent jobs  

The  Commission  continued  to  develop  and  mainstream  the  employment  impact  assessment  methods 
and practices to promote the creation of more and better jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa in cooperation with 
ILO.  The  number  as  well  as  certain  quality  aspects  of  the  jobs  created  by  EU-supported  investments 
were  estimated  and  drivers  for  job  creation  were  further  identified.  Capacities  of  partner  countries’ 
public institutions on how to systematically integrate the employment impact considerations into policy 
design were improved. Employment impact assessment methods were also discussed and disseminated 
among financial institutions. 

Tools  to  support  partner  countries  were  further  developed  with  regards  to  implications  of  new  EU 
legislation  setting  higher  standards  for  access  to  the  EU  market.  In  anticipation  of  the  Corporate 
Sustainability  Due  Diligence  Directive  (CS3D),  three  new  projects  aimed  at  promoting  accompanying 
measures  targeting  key  stakeholders  in  partner  countries  were  initiated,  providing  amongst  others 
access  to  training  and  relevant  information  to  guide  due  diligence  in  value  chains.  The  Commission 
advanced  its  work  with  EU  Member  States  on  a  Global  Team  Europe  Initiative  that  seeks  to  bring 
together,  in  a  help  desk,  information  and  guidance  for  partner  countries’  stakeholders  on  available 
accompanying measures. 

Further  work  was  conducted  on  strengthening  the  respect  of  international  labour  standards  and 
especially  on  eradicating  child  labour,  with  one  flagship  project  (CLEAR  Cotton)  ending  and  bringing 
about valuable results and a new important project on eradicating child labour in the coffee and cobalt 
value chains starting. 

Amongst  others,  the  Commission  further  supported  the  Team  Europe  Initiative  on  Investing  in  Young 
Businesses in Africa (IYBA). Several new programmes started or were developed: 

-  A new programme, IYBA SEED, which works to strengthen African entrepreneurship ecosystems, 

started implementation in Benin, Togo, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa. 

-  A new blended finance programme, IYBA Invest. 
- 

The first part of the IYBA WE4A (Women’s Entrepreneurship for Africa) was contracted. 

IYBA was also launched at country level in Togo, Kenya and Comoros. 

In  2023,  the  Commission  supported  financial  access  for  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises,  capacity 
building and economic development, with a special focus on women entrepreneurs in Libya, Jordan and 
Lebanon. Two new regional projects have also been contracted in 2023 to promote an enabling policy 
and regulatory framework for women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion and access to finance. 

Trade facilitation, investment climate, economic and fiscal governance 

EU  Business  Fora  are  unique  events  to  promote  active  dialogues  between  public  and  private 
stakeholders,  local  and  European  including  business  organisations,  chamber  of  commerce,  etc.  The 
Commission  organised  over  20  fora  at  regional  and  country  level  in  Africa,  Asia  and  Latin  America. 
European  and  partner  countries’  private  and  public  sectors  actively  participated.  The  procurement 
procedure to establish a permanent structure for the EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF Secretariat) was 
completed. 

53 

 
 
The Commission set up the  Global Gateway Business Advisory Group (BAG)  as one of the main ways to 
engage with the private sector and ensure it is heard in the implementation of Global Gateway at strategic level. 
The  BAG  gathers  CEOs  and  senior  executives  of  European  companies,  small  and  medium-sized 
enterprises and business associations to assist the European Commission to strengthen cooperation on 
Global Gateway strategy and implementation with the European private sector. 

The  Commission  further  strengthened  economic  and  fiscal  governance  through  various  financing 
instruments,  support  to  reforms  and  policy  dialogue  within  the  framework  of  Budget  Support  in  line 
with  EU  Global  Gateway  objectives.  Five  additional  actions  were  approved  under  the  ‘Collect  more  - 
spend better’ agenda and the Commission financed and contributed to numerous assessments of public 
finance management and procurement systems. It also consolidated Team Europe coordination in IFIs. 

Case study 

EU-LAC Business Round Table: As part of the EU-CELAC Summit, the European Commission, the Inter-
American Development Bank (IDB) and the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) 
hosted  the  EU-LAC  Business  Roundtable  on  17  July  2023.  Bringing  together  high  level  political  and 
business leaders, participants discussed the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA).  

The Investment Agenda is the roadmap of strategic priorities that the EU has chosen to invest in with its 
Latin American and Caribbean partners, powering the new EU-LAC partnership, as well as the fair green 
and digital transitions. The close cooperation with the private sector to deliver on this ambitious agenda 
is and will remain key.  

Participants  explored  opportunities  for  investments  in,  amongst  others,  renewable  energy  and 
renewable  hydrogen,  critical  raw  materials,  decarbonisation,  transport  infrastructure  projects,  5G and 
last-kilometre connectivity, digitalisation for public services, and sustainable finance and green bonds. 

3.5.  Migration and forced displacement 

3.5.1. SDG #10.7 Reduced Inequalities 

Migration 

In  2023  the  EU  further  developed  its  strategic  approach  on  migration.  Anchored  on  comprehensive 
partnerships,  targeted outreach  and  tailor-made  support,  EU  support  was  guided  by  dedicated  Action 
Plans covering the key migratory routes towards Europe. Migration Action Plans were adopted in June 
for the Western Mediterranean and Atlantic routes and in October for the Eastern Mediterranean route. 
The Commission also invested at global level, including through the Global Alliance to Counter Migrant 
Smuggling, launched in November 2023. Furthermore, Talent Partnerships initiated with five key partner 
countries  (Morocco,  Tunisia,  Egypt,  Pakistan  and  Bangladesh)  were  taking  shape  in  2023,  promoting 
skills and labour mobility benefitting both the partner countries and Europe. 

Migratory  pressure  from  North  Africa  saw  a  sharp  increase  in  2023.  In  line  with  the  Migration  Action 
Plans  launched,  EU  commitments  of  EUR  318  million  were  adopted  aiming  to  continue  to  improve 
capacities  in  the  areas  of  protection  and  social  cohesion,  migration  governance,  combatting  migrant 
smuggling, facilitating voluntary returns, reintegration and legal migration.  

In the Western Balkans, migratory pressure decreased by 31 % in 2023 compared to 2022, thanks to EU 
support, implementation of the EU Western Balkans action plan through visa policy alignment, increased 

54 

 
 
EU  agencies’  presence,  and  extensive  EU  funded  migration  programmes  in  the  area  of  border  and 
migration  management.  In  Türkiye,  an  additional  EUR  3  billion  was  provided  for  refugee  and  host 
community support for the period 2021-2023. Since 2023 there has been renewed cooperation with the 
EU,  including the  definition of  specific  priorities  and programmes in close  collaboration.  In June  2023, 
implementation  started  for  a  new  regional  programme  for  the  Western  Balkans  aimed  at  combatting 
migrant smuggling and trafficking in human beings. 

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the coup d’état in Niger in July occurred in an increasingly unstable Sahel region, 
complicating the management of mixed migration movements across the routes. The new situation has 
limited  the  resettlement  of  refugees  evacuated  from  Libya  under  the  Emergency  Transit  Mechanism 
(ETM), and complicated the voluntary return of migrants stranded in the north of Niger. Between August 
2022  and  November  2023,  the  NDICI-Global  Europe  funded  Migrant  Protection,  Return  and 
Reintegration  programme  assisted  14  171  migrants  with  voluntary  returns  from  Sub-Saharan  African 
countries,  while  19  578  migrants  received  reintegration  support.  EU  engagement  with  Mauritania 
gained momentum in the context of increased irregular arrivals to the Canary Islands. EU engagement 
was also strengthened with Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Senegal and The Gambia, after the launch of the 10-
point plan for Lampedusa, addressing increased irregular arrivals from Tunisia and Libya.  

In Asia, migration dialogues started with Bangladesh and Pakistan in March 2023, including the launch of 
respective  Talent  Partnerships.  New  actions  were  adopted  in  the  areas  of  sustainable  reintegration 
(Pakistan),  preventing  and  addressing  trafficking  in  human  beings  and  smuggling  of  migrants  (South 
Asia), and labour migration (South-East Asia). The Cooperation and Dialogue on Migration and Mobility 
(EU project  supporting the  Common  Agenda on Migration and  Mobility) with India entered its second 
phase in October 2023, with the aim to strengthen legal migration pathways and reinforce institutional 
capacity  and  improve  awareness  of  irregular  migration  and  its  risks.  A  challenging  situation  unfolded 
following the decision of the Pakistan government that foreigners without valid documents had to leave 
Pakistan  by  1  November  2023.  More  than  400  000  Afghans  returned  to  Afghanistan  from  Pakistan 
between  September  and  December  2023,  exacerbating  existing  challenges  in  that  country.  In  this 
context,  the  EU’s  support  in  addressing  basic  needs  and  supporting  livelihoods  of  the  people  of 
Afghanistan remained all the more relevant. 

In  the  Americas,  the  EUROFRONT  programme  boosted  the  creation  of  the  ATHENS  Network  allowing 
improved  exchange  of  information  on  falsified  passports  and  travel  documents  between  Colombia, 
Ecuador, Peru, Argentina and Paraguay. In addition, EUROFRONT  promoted the creation of a  Regional 
Platform against Human Trafficking and Illicit Migrant Smuggling, in agreement with 10 South American 
countries.  

Forced displacement 

In  2023  the  Commission  upheld  its  commitments  towards  refugees,  asylum  seekers  and  their  hosting 
countries. At the Global Refugee Forum in December 2023, the EU pledged approximately EUR 9 billion 
across  15  thematic  areas,  spanning  from  specific  displacements  such  as  the  Afghanistan,  Syria  and 
Ukraine  crises  to  commitments  in  the  fields  of  refugee  education,  protection,  gender  equality,  and 
climate  action,  etc.  EU  support  in  2023  focused  on  easing  the  pressure  on  host  countries,  enhancing 
refugee  self-reliance,  expanding  access  to  third  country  solutions  and  promoting  durable  solutions 
through immediate humanitarian aid and medium- to long-term development interventions to persons 
in need of international protection but also internally displaced persons in various countries.  

55 

 
 
In the Middle East, the  EU continued to provide  support in response to the Syrian  displacement  crisis 
ensuring access to and delivery of basic services through a conflict-sensitive approach to refugees from 
Syria in neighbouring countries as well as to internally displaced people in Syria. At the Seventh Brussels 
Conference  on  Supporting  the  future  of  Syria  and  the  region,  the  EU succeeded  in  mobilising  support 
through  international  pledges  totalling  EUR  5.6  billion  for  2023  and  beyond.  Moreover,  the  EU 
continued to support Palestinian refugees in the region.  

In  the  Eastern  Neighbourhood,  the  European  Commission  continued  its  support  to  protect  refugees 
from  Russia’s  aggression  against  Ukraine,  providing  humanitarian  aid,  assisting  in  transit,  voluntary 
repatriation,  and  reintegration  efforts.  In  Moldova,  the  EU  response  helped  refugees  from  Ukraine  at 
border  crossing  points,  transit  hubs  and  refugee  accommodation  centres  as  well  as  with  cash-based 
interventions, winter support and protection services. EU support to Armenia addressed the integration 
needs of over 100 000 Karabakh-Armenians following Azerbaijan’s military offensive in September 2023. 
Since  the  beginning  of  the  Russian  aggression,  EU’s  overall  support  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  to 
Ukraine has amounted to over EUR 88 billion by the end of 2023. This includes economic, military, and 
humanitarian support from the EU and its Member States. On 31 December 2023, 4.31 million non-EU 
citizens who fled Ukraine had temporary protection status in the EU. 

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the Sudan crisis received specific attention following the coup in April 2023, which 
uprooted  over  six  million  people,  adding  to  the  three  million  people  already  displaced  within  Sudan, 
making it the largest internal displacement crisis in the world. By the end of 2023 the conflict had led to 
over  1.5  million  individuals  displaced  into  neighbouring  countries.  EUR  30  million  were  activated  to 
support Chad, South Sudan and Ethiopia in addressing the Sudanese displacement situation. 

In Asia, additional support was mobilised to address the basic needs and support the livelihoods of the 
people  of  Afghanistan,  including  over  EUR  57  million  for  forcibly  displaced  populations  within  the 
country.  The  EU  continued  to  provide  support  to  improving  social  cohesion  and  living  conditions  of 
Rohingya  refugees  and  host  communities  with  a  EUR  35  million  contribution.  Finally,  an  integrated 
response  to  resilience  and  food  security  was  adopted  to  support  forcibly  displaced  communities  in 
Yemen (EUR 14.8 million). 

In  the  Americas,  the  EU  sustained  its  leading  role  in  the  global  response  to  the  Venezuelan  crisis.   In 
March 2023, the  EU co-organised the  Venezuela Solidarity conference,  raising EUR 815 million in new 
funding.  In  2023,  two  new  programmes  were  adopted,  supporting  the  socio-economic  integration  of 
migrants in Colombia and the inclusion of migrants and refugees in the social protection system in Peru. 
EU support continued for the Comprehensive Regional Protection and Solutions Framework (MIRPS) to 
promote a coordinated regional response to forced displacement. 

In 2023, all decided actions contributed to the migration and forced displacement spending target with a 
total of EUR  1.673  billion. Cumulative figures for  2021-2023 resulted in contributions to the migration 
and forced displacement spending target of EUR 5.531 billion(76).  

76 Data subjected to regular quality checks. 

56 

 
 
 
3.6.  Governance, Peace and Security  

3.6.1. SDG #16 Peace, justice and strong institutions  

Peaceful,  democratic  and  resilient  societies  are  a  prerequisite  to  other  development  objectives  and 
human security, with SDG 16 acting as an enabler for other SDGs. The persistent democratic backsliding 
continued to worsen in 2023, deepening the challenges on governance, peace and security. The number 
of  ‘politically  estranged’  contexts  has  grown,  making  the  EU’s  efforts  to  build  long-term  peace  and 
security  capacities  as  well  as  resilience  even  more  pertinent  than  before.  In  line  with  SDG  16, 
governance,  peace  and  security  remain  crucial  for  EU’s  external  engagement  on  sustainable 
development. 

The  humanitarian-development-peace  (HDP)  nexus(77)  has  been  one  of  the  major  vectors  of  action, 
targeting  the  root  causes  of  fragility  and  crises,  and  building  up  the  resilience  of  individuals, 
communities  and  institutions.  In  this  context,  the  EU  has  improved  the  mainstreaming  of  peace  and 
security, as well as resilience and conflict sensitivity, in its programmes and has continued to pursue the 
‘Team  Europe’  approach,  including  when  fighting  organised  crime  and  the  illicit  financial  flows 
underpinning their activities.  

The  EU  took  initiatives  and  supported  various  actions  to  prevent  and  combat  terrorism,  violent 
extremism,  and  radicalisation.  The  coherence  of  actions  related  to  resilience,  peace  and  conflict 
sensitivity was ensured through shared analysis of the root causes and drivers of fragility and crisis. In its 
action  at  country,  regional  and  multilateral  level  (for  example,  the  co-chairmanship  of  the  Global 
Counterterrorism Forum), the EU promotes an approach where rule of law and human rights are at the 
core of counterterrorism actions. 

In  2023,  the  Commission  updated  the  EU  toolset  for  conflict  analysis  and  conflict  early  warning  (Joint 
Staff Working Document) rationalising the existing instruments and better aligning them with EU foreign 
policy, including CFSP/CSDP actions, and programming priorities. The updated toolset allows for a better 
identification of options for preventive actions, conflict-sensitive engagement and peacebuilding, based 
on a joint analysis of conflict risks and dynamics. 

In  2023,  the  EU  continued  support  to  a  stronger  Europe  in  the  world  by  promoting  an  integrated 
approach  to  Security  Sector  Reform  (SSR),  as  well  as  by  offering  expertise  and  support  to  capacity 
building and the strengthening of the entire criminal justice chain in partner countries. 

EU  election  observation  is  a  crucial  tool  for  reinforcing  democratic  institutions  and  upholding  the 
principles  of  the  rule  of  law.  In  2023,  the  EU  deployed  15  electoral  missions  (Election  Observation 
Missions, Election Expert Missions, Election Follow-up Missions) and supported civil society monitoring 
of electoral processes. 

The EU contributes to international peace  and security also by deploying 14 civilian Common Security 
and  Defence  Policy  (CSDP)  Missions,  which  support  security  sector  reforms,  border  management  or 
build  capacity of  internal  security  forces  in  the Middle  East,  Africa,  South-Eastern  and  Eastern  Europe 
and the South Caucasus.  

77 Resilience and Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus - European Commission (europa.eu) 

57 

 
 
 
The Commission continued to support a project managed  by CEPOL in co-operation with EUROPOL, to 
enhance  the  institutional  capacities  of  Western  Balkans  law  enforcement  authorities  to  identify  and 
prioritise training needs to tackle more efficiently and effectively the threats posed by organised crime 
and terrorism and to improve the operational capacities of the WB law enforcement on priority crime 
areas  to  implement  effective  and  efficient,  up-to-date  investigation  techniques  and  use  modern 
international cooperation instruments. 

The Global Team Europe Initiative on Democracy (TED)’s coordination network with 14 Member States 
and  civil  society  was  inaugurated  in  June  2023.  The  initiative  promotes  democratic  governance  in 
partner countries. As part of the TED, a flagship initiative EU System for Enabling Environment (EU SEE) 
was  launched  at  the  end  of  2023  to  systematically  monitor  and  enhance  support  to  an  enabling 
environment for civil society in 86 partner countries in support of democracy. In addition, new Financial 
Framework  Partnership  Agreements  between  the  EU  and  global  Civil  Society  Organisation  (CSO) 
networks,  targeting  women  and  youth  organisations  as  well  as  networks  and  organisations  active  in 
areas falling under European Commission priorities, were also concluded in 2023. A Global Initiative on 
Impunity was established to enhance global capacity and coordination in monitoring, denouncing, and 
seeking accountability for international crimes and the most  serious human rights  violations. A  Digital 
Democracy Initiative (DDI) was launched in a collaboration with Denmark to promote and protect local 
inclusive democratic space in the digital age.  

2023 marked the first year of the implementation of the Youth Action Plan in EU external action (2022-
2027) which puts young people at the heart of its external action as an actor of positive change. Two 
flagship  initiatives  were  launched:  the  Women  and  Youth  in  Democracy  Initiative  which  supports  the 
engagement  of  women  and  youth  participation  in  public  and  political  affairs,  and  the  Youth 
Empowerment  Fund  which  will  provide  grants  and  capacity  building  to  youth-led  initiatives.  Concrete 
mechanisms for facilitating youth engagement in EU policy making were set up with the renewal of the 
Global  Youth  Sounding  Board  for  international  partnerships  and  the  creation  of  more  than  30  youth 
sounding boards in EU Delegations. 

Civil  society  and  local  authorities’  involvement  in  Global  Gateway  and  Team  Europe  Initiatives  is  key, 
including for leaving no one  behind and adherence  to key principles enshrined in the Global Gateway 
strategy,  as  well  as  for  monitoring  and  oversight.  Therefore  a  ‘Global  Gateway  Civil  Society  and  Local 
Authorities  (LAs)  Dialogue  Platform’  was  established  in  October  2023  to  help  ensure  that  the 
implementation of Global Gateway is fully inclusive. The Platform consists of 57 members representing a 
mix of CSO networks, platforms, social partners, professional and business associations and associations 
of  LAs,  all  working  in  the  area  of  international  development.  It  was  set  up  as  a  working  group  of  the 
Policy Forum on Development (PFD), which regularly organises consultations on regional and thematic 
programming and implementation. In 2023, the PFD consulted on 15 occasions, including on the mid-
term reviews of the Regional Multi-annual Indicative Programmes, the EU Voluntary Review on the 2030 
Agenda, and GAP III implementation.  

In  terms  of  support  for  CSOs  that  encompasses  both  actions  delivered  ‘through’  CSOs  and  actions 
targeting  CSOs  (‘to  CSO’),  commitments  amount  to  approximately  EUR  3.58  billion  for  the  first  three 
years  (2021-2023)  of  this  MMF.  The  share  of  CSO  support  over  the  total  commitments  under  NDICI-
Global Europe has increased from approximately 12.7 % in the previous MFF to 15.4 % in the new cycle. 

58 

 
 
Allocations  to  support  Local  Authorities  through  geographic  programmes  amount  to  around  EUR  499 
million for the period 2021-2023, nearly reaching the NDICI-Global Europe indicative benchmark of EUR 
500 million (Art. 36). 

The  Development  Education  and  Awareness  Raising  programme  supported  projects  that  engage 
Europeans in global issues related to social, economic, and environmental development. As the 2014-
2020 projects are coming to an end, they have empowered young people to imagine ways of addressing 
global  crises  and  counter  fear-based  thinking.  Projects  have  fostered  active  global  citizenship  to 
promote justice, human rights and democracy, co-responsibility, equity, and sustainable development. A 
new round of calls for proposals concluded in 2023 with some 16 new projects. 

The EU also continued to support justice system reforms in the Western Balkans, focusing on efficiency, 
independence,  integrity  and  professionalism  of  the  judiciary.  To  protect  the  Rule  of  Law  and 
Fundamental  Rights,  the  EU  maintained  its  strategic  partnership  with  the  Council  of  Europe’s 
Commission for the Efficiency of Justice. 

In  2023,  new  actions  contributing  to  the  ‘human  rights,  democracy  and  good  governance’  thematic 
target under NDICI-Global Europe geographic programmes totalled EUR 2.460 billion (corresponding to 
25.1 % out of the total committed amount under geographic programmes). 

4. 

Geographic Overview  

4.1. 

Sub-Saharan Africa  

4.1.1. 

Introduction (policy developments)  

EU  relations  with  the  African  Union  (AU)  focused  on  the  joint  implementation  of  the  commitments 
under  the  Joint  Vision  for  2030  agreed  at  the  2022  EU-AU  Summit  in  all  four  areas:  i)  Africa-Europe 
Global  Gateway  Investment  Package  worth  EUR  150  billion;  ii)  peace,  security  and  governance;  iii) 
migration and mobility; and iv) multilateralism. The next EU-AU Foreign Affairs Ministerial and the first 
Ministerial Follow-Up Committee meetings in Brussels will be  a key occasion to take stock, accelerate 
actions and move the political dialogue forward. 

Africa has been very actively advancing its quest for greater representation in the international system. 
The  European  Council  sent  a  strong  signal  in  supporting  the  AU’s  reinforced  presence  in  international 
fora,  notably  the  AU‘s  permanent  membership  of  the  G20.  The  ensuing  G20  New  Delhi  Leaders’ 
Declaration welcoming Africa as new permanent member of the G20 was a welcome development. 

The Samoa Agreement, the successor of the Cotonou Agreement, was signed in Apia on 15 November 
2023  and  is  provisionally  applied  as  of  1  January  2024.  It  provides  a more  ambitious  and  modernised 
political and legal framework for relations with the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean 
and Pacific States (OACPS), with a stronger focus on key areas such as climate, investment and political 
cooperation.  The  agreement  continues  to  build  on  a  common  foundation  at  EU-OACPS  level, 
complemented  by  three  regional  protocols,  including  the  Africa  Protocol,  focusing  on  the  region’s 
specific  needs,  priorities  and  regional  integration  processes,  with  a  dedicated institutional  framework. 
One  of  the  ambitions  of  the  new  agreement  is  to  increase  EU-OACPS  political  cooperation  in  the 
international scene. 

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While remaining a priority for the EU, West Africa faced many challenges in 2023, suffering notably from 
political  instability,  in  particular  with  the  coup  in  Niger  and  its  regional  consequences,  and  from  the 
deteriorating security and humanitarian situation in the Sahel and beyond, with many negative impacts 
on the populations. Despite notable exceptions such as the positive outcome of the presidential election 
in  Liberia,  the  region  also  faced  several  worrying  dynamics  in  terms  of  governance,  democracy  and 
human rights. Hostile views towards the West  increased, in a tense geopolitical environment affecting 
all  the  region.  The  weakening  of  regional  organisations  such  as  the  Economic  Community  of  West 
African States (ECOWAS), and the crisis of coordination bodies such as the G5 Sahel are other important 
evolutions.  This  complex  environment  led  the  EU  to  adapt  its  overall  political  approach,  actions  and 
instruments:  cautious  regarding  the  growing  hostility  of  military  transition  regimes  (central  Sahel), 
including with sanctions and suspension of many actions; and ambitious towards the countries with a 
strong  potential  and  a  positive  political  dynamic, with  the  help of various  external  action  instruments 
(three  fully  fledged  electoral  observation  missions  in  the  region,  peace  and  mediation  support,  EU 
Special Representative (EUSR) Sahel initiatives, and financial instruments such as NDICI-Global Europe or 
the European Peace Facility). The EU applied an integrated approach to help building stability as well as 
long-term socio-economic development, and address root causes of the conflicts in the region, but also 
the continuous important challenges related to migration. 

The EU closely monitored developments in Central Africa and pursued its foreign policy objectives via a 
variety  of  instruments,  including  its  bilateral  regular  political  dialogues  and  ad  hoc  exchanges  with 
countries  and  regional  international  organisations  and  its  development  partnerships.  The  EU  started 
implementing  the  various  strands  of  its  new  Great  Lakes  Strategy  adopted  in  February  2023  and 
continued to support the difficult transition process in Chad. The EU supported politically, and at times 
financially,  local  and  international  mediation  and  conflict  resolution  initiatives.  The  EU  deployed  an 
expert mission to the  Democratic  Republic of Congo (DRC) on  the occasion of the  general elections in 
December  2023.  The  EU  reviewed  and  adapted  its  autonomous  restrictive  measure  regimes  against 
human rights violators and conflict drivers in the DRC and Burundi and calibrated its global human rights 
sanctions  regime  with  reference  to  individuals  and  entities  operating  in  the  Central  African  Republic 
(CAR). 

In  the  Southern  Africa  and  Indian  Ocean  region,  South  Africa  faced  an  unprecedented  energy  crisis, 
which undermined the country’s economic activity contributing to increased political tensions ahead of 
the 2024 elections. At COP28, South Africa unveiled the JETP Implementation Plan that includes the new 
areas of renewable energy production, energy efficiency and road to rail that will expand the range of 
decarbonisation investments by JET Partners. EU supports this partnership as part of the International 
Partners  Group.  Zambia  saw  the  worst  epidemic  of  cholera  of  the  past  20  years  while  Malawi  and 
Mozambique  were  severely  hit  by  tropical  storm  Freddy  in  March.  In  the  run-up  to  the  elections  in 
Zimbabwe  on  23  August,  the  democratic  and  civic  space  further  contracted.  The  EU  Elections 
Observation Mission concluded that the elections fell short of international standards and were marked 
by a curtailment of rights and the lack of a level playing field.  

The EU sent an Election Experts Mission to Madagascar where elections took place on 16 November in a 
tense  political environment. Elections in Eswatini were  generally peaceful and brought  continuity to a 
regime  of  absolute  monarchy.  The  EU  further  deepened  its  partnership  with  the  region.  It  held 
Ministerial meetings with South Africa and Angola and signed with the latter the first ever Sustainable 
Investments  Facilitation  Agreement  worldwide.  It  increased  its  cooperation  with  Zambia  with  the 

60 

 
 
signature  of  a  critical  raw  materials  partnership  and  launched  the  Global  Gateway  Lobito  corridor 
project  linking  Angola,  Zambia  and  DRC.  The  EU  pursued  its  close  engagement  with  Mozambique  to 
support  the  country  in  its  fight  against  armed  violence  in  Cabo  Delgado.  The  EU  became  a  Dialogue 
Partner of  the  Indian  Ocean  Rim  Association  (IORA)  and  confirmed  its  role  as  security  provider  in  the 
Indian Ocean with the conclusion of an EU-Seychelles agreement to fight drugs and arms trafficking off 
the coast  of Somalia. The EU  continued providing humanitarian aid to several countries  in  the region, 
including Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. 

For the Horn of Africa and East Africa region 2023 was an important year. With Kenya, which is a pillar 
of stability for the region and an important partner, the EU signed an Economic Partnership Agreement 
(EPA) aiming at enhancing economic, political, and security cooperation. With Somalia, after the election 
of a new president, the EU agreed on a Joint Operational Roadmap to improve its economy, governance 
and security.  In Ethiopia, the  Cessations of Hostilities Agreement  of 2022, which ended the conflict  in 
Tigray,  continued  to  be  implemented  in  2023,  paving  the  way  for  a  progressive  normalisation  of 
relations  with  the  EU.  Nevertheless,  the  security  situation  in  another  parts  of  the  country,  notably  in 
Amhara  region,  raised  concerns.  A  transitional  justice  policy  framework,  including  accountability  for 
human  rights  violations,  still  needs  to  be  set  up  before  a  return  to  previous  levels  of  Strategic 
Engagement. On the negative side, in Sudan, a war erupted in April and caused a massive humanitarian 
crisis.  The  increased  pressure  on  belligerents  via  sanctions  has  not  borne  fruit,  and  the  regional  spill-
over effects are increasing. 

4.1.2. 

Implementation  

EU  external  action  instruments  were  deployed  in  2023  to  continue  both  addressing  challenges  and 
tapping  into  opportunities.  Ongoing  support  for  the  AU's  Agenda  2063  and  initiatives  like  the  African 
Continental  Free  Trade  Area  (AfCFTA)  underscored  the  EU's  commitment.  The  Memorandum  of 
Understanding (MoU) on the Lobito Corridor, signed with likeminded partners and partner countries in 
Sub-Saharan  Africa  exemplified  the  Global  Gateway's  comprehensive  vision 
for  sustainable 
development,  regional  integration  and  growth.  The  MoUs  on  critical  raw  materials  signed  with  the 
Democratic  Republic  of  Congo  and  Zambia  further  highlighted  the  importance  attached  to  building 
sustainable, value-adding value chains in sectors which are key to the green and digital transition. 

Overall,  in  2023,  the  roll-out  of  the  Global  Gateway  Africa-Europe  Investment  Package  continued  to 
focus on closing the financing gap by mobilising innovative financing, including the private sector, in a 
‘Team  Europe’  approach.  The  2023  Global  Gateway  Forum  exemplified  the  implementation  of  Global 
Gateway  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa,  which  featured  the  signature  of  agreements  worth  more  than  EUR  3 
billion, including 13 for Sub-Saharan Africa. By the end of 2023, EUR 12 billion were committed for 440 
specific  projects  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa,  including  EUR  7.6  billion  for  country  programmes  and EUR  4.3 
billion for regional programmes. In 2023, the Council also endorsed 39 Global Gateway flagship projects 
in Africa, for which implementation is under way. 

Human Development and Inequalities 

In 2023, the Team Europe Initiative on Opportunity-driven Skills and Vocational Education and Training 
(VET) in Africa Initiative was adopted. This EUR 75 million initiative will orient VET interventions towards 
decent  employment  opportunities  in  selected  sectors  and  value  chains  under  the  Global  Gateway 
strategy  and  other  flagship  initiatives  through  a  technical  assistance  facility,  regional  exchange  on 

61 

 
 
public-private-partnerships and a competitive funding mechanism to finance regional and multi-country 
VET initiatives. 

In line with the Youth Action Plan in EU External Action, the Africa-Europe Youth Academy will provide 
opportunities to young leaders in their respective fields and communities to connect, exchange, improve 
their  leadership  skills  and create  a  network  of  change-makers.  A  EUR  30  million  action  ‘Africa-Europe 
Cultural Cooperation and Promotion of inter-cultural dialogue and cultural diversity’ was also adopted 
in  2023  and  will strengthen  EU-Africa  and  intra-Africa  regional  and  multi-  country  cultural  co-creation 
and cooperation between artists, creators and cultural professionals. 

In Somalia, The Education Access and Quality Improvement Programme impacted 100 000 learners by 
enhancing learning environments, providing supplies, scholarships, and teacher training. This has led to 
the notable  progress  in education system strengthening, including recruitment of 2 600 teachers with 
plans  for  an  additional  3  000  in  2024.  In  Madagascar,  the  EU-supported  platforms  like  ‘Jeunes  & 
engagés’  provided  a  voice  and  leadership  training  for  youth,  fostering  their  active  participation  in 
society. 

Likewise in Mozambique, the EU became one of the largest supporters of the Education sector, initiating 
its contribution to the Education Support Fund, FASE (EUR 50 million), benefitting more than 8.5 million 
young Mozambican girls and boys and 100 000 teachers a year, through access to quality education and 
achieving learning outcomes. 

In  the  framework  of  the  Global  Gateway  health  package  the  action  ‘Strengthening  One  Health 
surveillance,  early  detection  and  prevention  of  emerging  zoonotic  diseases  in  Africa’  was  adopted  in 
2023 (EUR 30 million). Alongside this action, part three of the Regional dimension and management of 
the  Team  Europe  Initiative  (TEI)  on  Manufacturing  and  Access  to  Vaccines,  Medicines  and  Health 
Technologies in Africa was adopted (EUR 50 million), a TEI on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights 
in Sub-Saharan Africa was launched in December 2022, and the action on Improved access to Innovative 
and life-saving commodities for sexual and reproductive health in Africa (EUR 20 million) was launched 
in 2023. 

In East Africa, the European Commission is supporting programmes in the Health Sector. For instance in 
Burundi the Programme d’Appui de la Santé supported with EUR 55 million for over 900 health centres, 
improving  service  quality  and  governance.  In  Zimbabwe,  the  EU  advocated  for  increased  domestic 
financing in health care, leading to improved primary health care services through the Health Resilience 
Fund,  as  well  as  an  increase  in  village  health  workers  for  5.4  million  people  providing  various  health 
services, resulting in a 4 % increase in access to quality primary health care services. 

Green Deal 

With  the  Team  Europe  Iniative  (TEI)  on  Adaptation  and  Resilience  in  Africa,  the  EU  displayed  its 
commitment  to  respond  to  the  request  for  funding  for  particularly  vulnerable  countries  hit  hard  by 
climate disasters. To that end, two programmes were launched aiming at minimising losses and damage 
through services, applications and data to support disaster risk financing and transfer. They also target 
the strengthening of capacities for African partners to access meteorological and climate satellite data 
and to deliver adequate information, in particular for early warning systems. 

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Several  milestones  were  reached,  contributing  to  the  implementation  of  the  Africa-EU  Green  Energy 
Initiative TEI. In Zambia, a Financing Agreement was signed with Zambian authorities to start work on 
the rehabilitation of the Kariba Dam. 

The Naturafrica programme (EUR 160 million) is at the core of the EU efforts in the biodiversity sector in 
Africa through an innovative, people-centred approach. It identifies key landscapes for conservation and 
development  where  the  EU  will  focus  its  support  to  create  jobs,  improve  security  and  sustainable 
livelihoods, while preserving the ecosystems and wildlife that are vital to all. Efforts in 2023 focused on 
signing  two  simplified  financing  agreements  with  the  West  African  Economic  and  Monetary  Union 
(UEMOA) and the Southern African Development Community (SADC). 

The first two regional ocean programmes in Sub-Saharan Africa were adopted covering 13 countries in 
West  Africa  (West  Africa  Sustainable  Ocean  Programme,  EUR 59 million)  and  three  in  Southern  Africa 
(Blue Benguela Current Programme, EUR 11 million). 

At the regional level, the pressures on water resources and water quality of the basins prompted action, 
notably  in  the  Lake  Tanganyika  basin.  A  successor  to  the  Lake  Tanganyika  Water  Management  was 
adopted, the TAKIWAMA project, to continue the preservation effort around the whole basin. 

In  2023,  a  new  TEI  was  also  launched  to  support  investment  in  the  energy  transition  and 
decarbonisation of Mauritania's economy by developing its renewable hydrogen industries. In East and 
Central  African,  the  Commission  implemented  projects  in  Cameroon  and  the  Republic  of  Congo.  In 
Southern African, a Global Gateway Flagship in Lesotho is focusing on the implementation of measures 
to  tackle  soil  erosion  and  restore  land  and  water  resources,  while  a  Roadmap  for  the  strategic 
partnership on renewable hydrogen and CRM value chains has identified concrete actions in Namibia. 

Sustainable Growth and Jobs 

In 2023 engagement with the public and private sector  to build economies which are more inclusive, 
sustainable,  and  dynamic  has  been  pursued  through  policy  alignment  and  the  promotion  of  efficient 
regulations in the framework of several regional programmes. The TEI ‘Investing in Young Businesses in 
Africa’, launched in three countries in 2023 (in addition to  two  in 2022), jointly developed with 10 EU 
Member  States,  aims  to tackle  some  of  the  main challenges  faced  by  the  micro-,  small,  and  medium-
sized  enterprises  (MSMEs)  and  entrepreneurial  ecosystems.  Also,  the  contribution  to  the  Alliance  for 
Financial Inclusion through the Women Economic Empowerment and Financial Inclusion project (WEEFI 
Africa)  adopted  in  2023  for  a  total  of  EUR  27  million  aims  at  fostering  economic  stability,  promoting 
gender  equality,  and  stimulating  youth  engagement  and  combating  primary  issues  hindering  financial 
inclusion in Sub-Saharan Africa.  

A  special  attention  has  been  given  to  the  promotion  of  business-to-business  and  business-to-
governments practices as the development of a EU-Africa Business Forum (EABF) permanent structure 
started in 2023 with the signature of the contract (EUR 15 million). The EABF permanent structure will 
be instrumental to organise in-country business fora and the continental EU-Africa Business Fora back-
to-back  with  the  EU-AU  Summits  in  2025  and  2028.  The  promotion  of  circular  economy  through  the 
adoption of the ‘Switch to Circular Economy Programme in Eastern and Southern Africa’ (EUR 40 million) 
will promote sound environmental-friendly policies and practices across governments and businesses in 
10 different Countries. The BlueInvest Africa initiative financed by the European Maritime, Fisheries and 

63 

 
 
Aquaculture Fund, will continue to support the innovation and creativity of African entreprises active in 
the blue economy by organising match-making with investors. 

Concerning  economic  integration,  the  continued  support  to  the  implementation  of  the  African 
Continental  Free  Trade  Area  (AfCFTA)  has  ensured  the  recognised  position  of  the  EU  as  a  strategic 
partner  for  Africa.  In  particular  the  operationalisation  of  the  AfCFTA  Technical  Assistance  Facility, 
implemented in 2023, is a success story for coordinated and effective action of the EU and its Member 
States.  

In West Africa, the European Commission adopted actions presented by financial institutions aiming at 
leveraging additional funding notably for operations, for example in water adduction and sanitation in 
Benin,  renewable  energy  in  Cabo  Verde,  green  agricultural  value  chains  in  Côte  d’Ivoire,  Liberia  and 
Senegal,  urban  transport  to  Senegal,  and  road  infrastructure  /  strategic  corridors  in  Guinea  Bissau.  In 
addition,  loans  have  been  awarded  to  financial  intermediaries  in  Mauritania  to  support  small  and 
medium-sized enterprises with a focus on youth employment and gender equality.  

In  Uganda,  the  EU  has  continued  the  successful  implementation  of  the  access  to  finance  and  private 
sector development portfolio. Business Forums have been organised with Tanzania, Botswana, Namibia 
and Angola.  

In  Southern  Africa  and  the  Indian  Ocean  significant  progress  has  been  made  over  the  past  year,  for 
example in the TEI ‘Investing in Young Businesses in Africa’ (Comoros), the renovation and extension of 
the Mauritius airport and in the implementation phase of the three private sector support programmes 
financed  under  the  European  Development  Fund  in  Madagascar.  In  Seychelles,  the  EU's  significant 
intervention  through  the  Port  Victoria  Extension  and  Rehabilitation  project,  in  collaboration  with  the 
European Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and the  Agence Française de Développement  (AFD), aims to enhance 
the capacity and efficiency of the commercial port within Port Victoria. This project is pivotal for the EU's 
Global  Gateways  strategy  in  the  West  Indian  Ocean  Region,  with  the  objective  of  fostering  socio-
economic growth in Seychelles. 

Meanwhile, in Madagascar, various sectors including transport, energy, and private sector development 
have seen notable advances. Infrastructure projects like the rehabilitation and modernisation of roads 
RN6, RN13, and RNT12A are underway, contributing to improved connectivity. In addition, efforts in the 
energy  sector  with  projects  like  ‘Angovo’  for  rural  electrification  highlight  the  EU's  commitment  to 
sustainable development. Moreover, support for the private sector through initiatives like CLIM-INVEST 
and INCUBOOST, along with trade facilitation programmes, demonstrate the EU's multifaceted approach 
to fostering economic growth and social development in Madagascar. 

In the margins of the PGII event at the G20 in India in September 2023, the EU and the US released a 
Joint  Statement  teaming  up  to  support  the  development  of  the  Lobito  Corridor,  a  critical  economic 
corridor  stretching  from  Angola’s  Port  of  Lobito  into  the  DRC  and  Zambia.  Joint  EU-US  support  will 
include  infrastructure  investment,  soft  measures  for  trade  and  transit  facilitation,  and  investments  in 
related  sectors  along  the  corridor  (agriculture  value  chains,  energy,  transport/logistics,  and  TVET)  in 
Angola, DRC and Zambia. During the Global Gateway Forum in October 2023, the EU and the US signed - 
together  with  Angola,  DRC,  Zambia,  the  African  Development  Bank  (AfDB)  and  the  Africa  Finance 
Corporation (AFC) - a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to define the roles and objectives for the 
Corridor’s  expansion,  across  multiple  sectors  and  partners.  The  overall  objective  is  to  unlock  the 

64 

 
 
enormous potential of the region, enhance export possibilities for Angola, DRC and Zambia, and create 
local value added and jobs. 

Digitalisation, Science, Technology, and Innovation 

In  the  digital  sector  the  D4D  Hub  is  further  strengthening  the  coordinated  partnership  between 
European  and  the  African  actors  and  ensuring  the  promotion  of  European  human-centric  values  and 
standards. Several programmes have been launched in the frame of regional TEI  ‘Digital economy and 
society  in  Africa’  aiming  at  establishing  conducive  regulations  and  promote  regional  convergence  for 
affordable,  secure,  reliable  and  high-speed  connectivity  infrastructure  and  services,  notably  for  the 
research and education networks.  

The EU’s digital cooperation entered a new phase with four new major initiatives launched over the year 
on  digital  connectivity,  digital  economy  /  TVET,  digital  governance  and  digital  democracy  in  Kenya. 
Further support was given to the digital transformation in Botswana as well as to the enhancement of 
governance and the enabling environment in the ICT Sector in Zambia.  

Migration and Forced Displacement 

On  migration  management  the  priority  has  been  to  protect  and  assist  the  voluntary  return  and  the 
reintegration  of  migrants  along  the  Atlantic/Western  Mediterranean  and  the  Central  Mediterranean 
routes.  Other  priorities  of  2023  included  the  continental  and  regional  migration  dialogues  (EUR  22 
million  contract  with  the  International  Centre  for  Migration  Policy  Development  (ICMPD)),  improving 
migration policies and fighting migrant smuggling in the Horn of Africa (EUR 40 million Better Migration 
Management programme contracted with GIZ). 

On  forced  displacement  the  regional  programme  focused  in  2023  on  protecting,  assisting  and 
facilitating durable solutions for Burundian refugees including both support for their return to Burundi 
and assistance in neighbouring countries hosting them. Ten contracts were signed for a total amount of 
EUR 40 million. In addition two new actions were adopted as part of the 2023 Annual Action Plan (AAP) 
to  support  the  integration  of  forcibly  displaced  populations  in  urban  settings  and  to  improve  data 
gathering and research on both forced displacements and migratory flows. 

The Flexible mechanism for migration financed initiatives in six countries to support either the outcome 
of  EU  migration  dialogue  with  those  countries  or  to  encourage  the  adoption  and  implementation  of 
appropriate  migration  management  and  forced  displacement  policies.  Initiatives  were  approved  in 
Mauritania, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan/Chad and South Africa. 

In  Uganda,  new  projects  have  been  concluded  with  funding  from  regional  and  thematic  financial 
programmes.  This  includes  the  ‘EU  Flexible  Mechanism  for  Forced  Displacement  and  Migration  in 
Uganda’  and  the  ‘EU  Regional  action  to  provide  durable  solutions  for  the  Burundian  refugee  crisis  – 
Uganda  Component’.  The  new  project  pipeline  has  led  to  an  important  expansion  of  the  refugee 
response portfolio by including new areas of work such as support to local authorities/urban refugees, 
access to employment and basic services, and environmental degradation 

Governance, Peace and Security (and conflict prevention) 

On  Governance,  the  priority  of  the  regional  programme  was  strengthening  and  harmonising  African 
Union,  regional  organisations,  and  civil  society  organisations’  electoral  support  capacities  (EUR  10 

65 

 
 
million).  In  addition,  the  EU  supported  the  implementation  of  the  African  Union  Transitional  Justice 
Roadmap (EUR 5 million). 

On peace and security, the regional programme supported the International Conference for the Great 
Lakes  Region  efforts  to  manage  conflict  in  the  Great  Lakes  Region  including  a  better  governance  of 
mineral  resources  (EUR  10  million).  A  second  priority  was  to  combat  transnational  threats.  These 
included new actions being adopted in the 2023 AAP to combat illicit financial flows (EUR 40 million) and 
maritime  security  (EUR  45  million),  and  the  launch  of  the  programme  to  support  to  the  Académie 
Internationale  pour  la  Lutte  Contre  le  Terrorime  (EUR  10  million).  The  third  and  final  priority  was  to 
prevent and mitigate the impact of conflict on communities living in borderland area. A ‘safe the seas for 
Africa’  programme  (EUR  45  million)  covering  the  Western  Indian  Ocean  and  the  Gulf  of  Guinea  will 
enhance maritime security of the coasts of Africa. 

In  West  Africa,  several  actions  were  adopted  targeting  economic  and  political governance  and rule of 
law,  for  example  in  Guinea-Bissau,  Liberia,  Ivory  Coast,  Ghana  and  Nigeria.  The  EU  applied  a 
humanitarian-development-peace  nexus  approach  to  its  engagement  towards  partner  countries 
particularly in the Sahel and the coastal countries. 

In Somalia, the EU continues to reinforce institutional capacities while building up operational capacities 
of the Somali Security Forces, paying monthly salaries to more than 2 400 Federal Member State police 
officers across the country. Equipment and infrastructure works were also delivered: six police stations 
including furniture, four trucks for the Darwish forces, IT equipment for the implementation of an Asset 
Management System for Banadir, and a CID HQ building and its holding facility in Mogadishu. 

In  Lesotho  the  EU  trains  police  officers  on  human  rights  and  the  first-ever  child-friendly  courts  in 
Lesotho to ensure better access to justice for children were created. 

A Youth Sounding Board has been implemented in DRC to promote EU dialogue and youth engagement 
on the common values and interests of the EU and the DRC. 

Food security and nutrition 

Concerning Agri-food systems, at regional level the livestock-pastoralism ‘package’ has been completed: 
the  West  Africa  pastoralism  programme  (2022  AAP  –  EUR  60  million)  has  been  complemented  by  a 
similar programme in the Horn of Africa (EUR 40 million) and a transversal action of EUR 8 million on the 
eradication of PPR (Peste des petits ruminants). 

The  EU  effort  on  promoting  the  agro-ecological  transitions of  food  systems  in  Sub-Saharan  Africa  has 
been  materialised  into  the  EUR  150  million  Desira+  programme.  It  will  allow  boosting  investments  to 
better  understand  and  use  ecological  processes,  to develop  agro-ecological technologies,  to  stimulate 
and bring innovations to scale, to mobilise and strengthen the capacities of national research, farmers’ 
organisations,  NGOs  and  the  private  sector,  and  to  improve  enabling  policies  for  agro-ecology  and 
sustainable food systems. Furthermore two contracts were signed in 2023 under the Great Green Wall 
Initiative (EUR 13 million) to support the development of a mosaic of green and productive landscapes 
across 18 countries in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa. 

The  European  Commission  supports  food  security  and  nutrition  initiatives  in  Kenya,  Cameroon  and 
Zambia. For instance, in Zambia, under the Agriculture Value Chain Facility, an agreement with a EUR 20 

66 

 
 
million investment, an initiative enabling loans for small and medium-sized businesses in the agriculture 
and  aquaculture  sectors,  was  signed  with  First  Capital  Bank  Zambia  as  the  second  local  financial 
intermediary bank through an additional EUR 2.6 million grant from the EU. 

The  Pan African Network for Economic  Analysis of Policies (PANAP)(78)  established in cooperation with 
the  Joint  Research  Centre,  the  African  Union  Commission  -  Agriculture,  Rural  Development,  Blue 
Economy, and Sustainable Environment (ARBE), and the Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA) 
in 2019. The  network, established under the aegis of the  AU-EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference,  is 
conducting  research  on  economic  analysis  of  policies  focusing  on  Africa’s  Food  Systems  and  that 
supports its sustainable transition. 

Case study on a Global Gateway flagship 

ICC  WAPP  –  Inauguration  of  the  Information  and  Coordination  Centre  of  the  West  Africa  Power 
Pool(79) 

The  EU  supported  the  construction  and  equipment  of  the  West  African  Power  Pool  Information  and 
Coordination  Centre  (WAPP-ICC)  through  a  grant  under  the  European  Development  Fund  of  EUR  38 
million  (EUR 30 million for infrastructure and equipment  and EUR 8 million for capacity building).  The 
5000  m2  state-of-the-art  building  located  on  3.75  hectares  in  the  Abomey-Calavi  municipality  in  the 
North of Cotonou was inaugurated on 17 November 2023.  

The  ICC  is  the  centrepiece  of  the  regional  single  market  which  aims  to  ensure  more  a  reliable  and 
affordable  electricity  supply  to  the  population  of  West  Africa,  47  %  of  whom  (more  than  160  million 
people)  are  still  lacking  access  to  electricity.  The  single  market  which  is  currently  under  development 
should enable lower prices and ensure a more reliable provision of electricity. Well managed, stabilised, 
and widely interconnected grids also offer the opportunity to integrate a larger capacity of renewable 
sources with storage facilities and thereby reduce dependence on fossil fuels.  

The ICC will serve as a real-time central monitoring and electricity trading hub providing ECOWAS with 
the means to effectively coordinate data exchange with other Control Area Centres, thereby enhancing 
a reliable and secure operation of the Interconnected Power Systems.  

As  a  follow-up  to  the  ICC, a  EUR  25 million  financing  agreement  was  signed  with  ECOWAS  in  October 
2023 to support its commission and specialised organisations (Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority 
and  Centre  for  Renewable  Energy  and  Energy  Efficiency)  for  the  operationalisation  of  the  WAPP 
interconnected network as well as the increase of renewable energy share in the energy mix. 

Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) in Dakar, Senegal 

The  project,  to  which  the  EU  and  PROPARCO  DFI  contributed  has  allowed  the  acquisition  of  a  100  % 
electric bus fleet and associated equipment. All the buses are already in Dakar since end of 2023. Pilot 
testing is ongoing in early 2024, and the opening of the facilities to the public is foreseen for mid 2024.  

78 https://datam.jrc.ec.europa.eu/datam/area/PANAP 
79 Le nouveau Centre d'Information et de la Coordination du Wapp | EEAS (europa.eu) 

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The expected impact of the BRT is better access in terms of duration, comfort and safety for people in 
the  city  of  Dakar  to  economic  and  job  opportunities  and  to  urban  social  services,  while  improving  air 
quality. 

© CETUD (Conseil Exécutif des Transports Urbains de Dakar) 

Senegalese President Macky Sall said: “This Sunday, 14 January 2024, another qualitative jump towards 
modern Senegal. Like the Regional Electric Train, the BRT supports us in the new era of mass transport 
revolution, which addresses today’s difficulties and anticipates future problems.” 

The Head of the EU Delegation in Senegal said: “The BRT is a project of such magnitude and importance, 
with such a visible and direct impact for the population of Dakar and the climate, that the EU considers it 
to be a flagship project of the Global Gateway strategy.” 

4.1.3.  Humanitarian  aid  and  civil  protection  –  responding  to  the  emergency  needs  of  people 
affected by conflicts and disasters 

East Africa 

The conflict that erupted on 15 April 2023 in Sudan has led to a major regional crisis in East Africa. More 
than  half  of  the  population,  about  25  million  people,  needed  humanitarian  aid  and  protection.  An 
estimated  19  million  children  were  out  of  school  in  2023.  Sudan  continued  to  be  the  largest 
displacement  crisis  globally.  The  country  also  recorded  the  highest  rate  of  child  malnutrition  globally, 
with 17.7 million people being acutely food insecure and about five million classified in emergency (IPC 

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Phase 4) with the potential to slip into pockets of IPC 5 (Catastrophe/Famine). By December 2023, over 
nine million people were internally displaced, and Sudan hosted about one million refugees, while over 
an additional 1.6 million people fled violence to neighbouring countries.  

Consequently, the European Commission scaled up its response in the entire region, allocating a total of 
EUR 37.5 million to neighbouring countries on top of the EUR 128 million funding for the crisis in Sudan. 
The  European  Commission  also  helped  to  improve  logistics  in  Eastern  Chad  to  allow  humanitarian 
partners to scale up their response and mobilised other donors, including through a pledging conference 
on 19 June 2023, where Team Europe pledged a third of the USD 1.5 billion total pledges. A high-level 
event was afterwards co-hosted by the EU in New-York during the UN General Assembly (UNGA) week. 

The overall humanitarian situation in the Horn of Africa region has continued to be affected by conflicts, 
extreme climatic events including due to El Niño, by epidemics and economic shocks over the course of 
2023 with close to 35 million people estimated in need of assistance in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia.  

In  Ethiopia,  despite  the  2022  Cessation  of  Hostilities  Agreement  with  a  ceasefire  to  the  northern 
conflict, the legacy of the conflict continued. Concerns increased in 2023 about the conflicts in Amhara 
and Oromia, driving up humanitarian and protection needs, and violations of international humanitarian 
law (IHL). After the devastating and prolonged drought in southern and southeastern Ethiopia, most of 
the  affected  regions were  hit  by  widespread  flooding  in  the  last  quarter of  2023,  affecting  1.5 million 
people. At  the end of 2023, the  estimated number of refugees hosted in Ethiopia was more than 963 
000.  In  2023,  the  EU  mobilised  EUR  84.8  million  in  total  over  the  year  to  provide  life-saving  relief  to 
vulnerable  people.  The  EU  continued  with  its  advocacy  efforts  and  devoted  considerable  efforts  to 
improve accountability of aid. 

Kenya  continued  to  host  over  676  000  refugees  and  asylum  seekers.  The  end  of  the  year  budget  for 
Kenya was EUR 16.2 million, including EUR 3 million in response to the drought affecting the Arid and 
Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). 

In 2023, Somalia was very close to a situation of famine triggered by a devastating drought, the result of 
five consecutive failed rainy seasons, which caused the death of 43 000 people. Only a few months later, 
equally  historic  heavy  Deyr  rains  and  related  massive  flooding  severely  hit  the  country.  They  affected 
about  2.5  million  people.  In  2023,  the  country  also  witnessed  overall  historic  levels  of  internal 
displacement  with  2.9  million  people  displaced  by  climatic  shocks  and  conflict.  The  2023  final 
humanitarian allocation amounted to EUR 84.4 million. 

In South Sudan the political and security situation remained extremely fragile. Overall, the humanitarian 
situation is disastrous. The country has the highest proportion of its population in need of humanitarian 
assistance  (72  %,  9  million  people  in  the  United  Nation  Humanitarian  Needs  and  Response  Plan  for 
2024), and the highest proportion of its population suffering from severe food insecurity (65 %, 8 million 
people).  More  than  four  million  people  are  displaced.  The  conflict  in  Sudan  is  generating  an 
unprecedented  wave  of  returns  and  arrivals,  with  over  480  000  people  having  crossed  the  border  in 
2023.  The  EU  mobilised  EUR  91.7  million  for  humanitarian  actions,  including  EUR  10.2  million  in 
response to the impact in South Sudan of the crisis in Sudan.  

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Uganda hosts the largest refugee population in Africa and the sixth largest in the world with close to 1.6 
million refugees fleeing conflicts mainly from South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The 
EU’s  support  is  crucial  to  provide  life-saving  humanitarian  assistance  to  both  refugees  and  host 
communities.  In  Uganda  the  EU  supports  the  roll  out  of  the  Comprehensive  Refugee  Response 
Framework(80). The EU allocated a total of EUR 35.2 million in humanitarian aid in 2023. 

Humanitarian needs remained high in Burundi mainly linked to structural problems, high poverty rates 
and lack of  access to basic social services. 1.6 million people out of a  population of 13  million needed 
humanitarian  assistance.  In  2023,  the  European  Commission  provided  over  EUR  9  million  in 
humanitarian funding. 

West and Central Africa 

The Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Mauritania, Mali, Chad and Niger) are among the poorest and the most 
fragile  in  the  world  facing  recurrent  emergencies  driven  by  conflict,  the  food  and  nutrition  crisis, 
epidemics  and  the  effects  of  climate  change.  Various  decisions  made  by  the  transition  authorities  in 
Central Sahel have  significantly changed the conditions for aid delivery. In 2023,  the EU responded to 
emergency  humanitarian needs of  the  most  vulnerable  populations  in  these  countries, mobilising EUR 
181.4  million  to  support  multisectoral  humanitarian  interventions,  benefiting  about  6.7  million 
vulnerable  people.  Moreover,  EU  aid  supported  humanitarian  access  to  hard-to-reach  areas  through 
humanitarian air services and humanitarian civil-military coordination. In 2023, the EU also funded the 
response to the outbreak of the Sudan crisis in the East of Chad.  

In north-east Nigeria, the situation remained particularly complex, with an estimate of 8.3 million people 
in  need,  including  more  than  two  million  forcibly  displaced  and  considerable  food  security  risks  for 
people unable to access assistance (estimated at one million). Access to those in need remained an issue. 
More than 24.8 million people are in IPC3+. In 2023, the European Commission provided over EUR 47.4 
million in humanitarian funding. 

The Democratic Republic of the Congo has faced a further deterioration of its humanitarian crisis due to 
conflict in the east of the country but also in Mai-Ndombe province close to Kinshasa. This continued to 
cause  large-scale  displacement (6.9 million internally displaced people in total) and serious protection 
concerns  including  very  high  level of  gender-based violence.  Around  26.4  million  people were  acutely 
food insecure. The EU humanitarian funding for the DRC reached EUR 100 million in 2023. The EU also 
implemented EU Humanitarian Aid Flights to transport humanitarian staff and goods and organised two 
Humanitarian Air Bridges. 

The Central African Republic has been affected by conflict and a resulting humanitarian crisis for more 
than 10 years now. In 2023, the number of people in need had increased, reaching 3.4 million people. 
This  context  also  remains  dangerous  for  humanitarian  partners  to  operate  in,  due  to  the  continuous 

80 UNHCR - Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. 

70 

 
 
 
 
conflict and to the opportunistic criminal behaviour of non-State armed groups (NSAGs). In 2023, the EU 
provided multisector assistance for a total amount of EUR 24 million. 

Nine out of ten regions of Cameroon continue to be impacted by three complex humanitarian crises. In 
2023, 4.7 million people needed emergency assistance. Cameroon had more than one million internally 
displaced people, and close to half a million refugees. The EU mobilised a total of EUR 21.2 million.  

Southern Africa and Indian Ocean 

The Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region is prone to more frequent and intense natural disasters due 
to  climate  change  and  human-induced  disasters  caused  by  conflict  and  violence,  resulting  in  loss  of 
lives and destruction of livelihood assets, leading to population displacement and millions of people in 
need of assistance. In Mozambique a total of 2.2 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance 
and protection. In 2023, the EU allocated over EUR 26 million to respond to the Cabo Delgado crisis. In 
Madagascar, around 2.3 million people urgently needed humanitarian assistance, following devastating 
cyclones and droughts since 2020. In 2023, the EU allocated over EUR 18 million for humanitarian aid in 
Madagascar.  In Zimbabwe, nearly  4.25  million  people  were  estimated  to  be  acutely  food  insecure.  In 
2023, the EU allocated EUR 8.5 million for humanitarian aid in Zimbabwe. 

In 2023, the EU allocated EUR 72 million to respond to multiple needs in the region, including disaster 
preparedness  and  responding  to  epidemics,  notably  cholera outbreaks  in  Malawi  and  Zimbabwe.  This 
funding helped address the acute levels of food insecurity, including additional support to mitigate the 
impact of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It also included support provided in response  to 
the  consequences  of  the  2023  cyclonic  season  which  hit  Madagascar,  Malawi  and  Mozambique 
requiring  additional  assistance  to  support  their  national  responses  complemented  by  additional 
transport means through the UN’s Humanitarian Air Service. 

4.1.4.  Crisis response and preparedness 

With  11  new  crisis  response  actions  related  to  Sub-Saharan  Africa  launched  in  2023  under  the  Rapid 
Response Pillar of the NDICI- Global Europe, the EU responded to the numerous crises in the region.  

Following the outbreak of war in Sudan in April, the EU has adopted two new actions focusing on efforts 
to prevent violence  against  civilians as well as on strengthening civil society in its work  on mediation, 
conflict resolution and countering disinformation. Furthermore, support was provided in both Chad and 
Egypt to address consequences related to the arrival of people fleeing the fighting in Sudan. During the 
year,  the  EU  also  launched  a  climate-sensitive  stabilisation  action  in  Somalia  as  well  as  support  to 
accountability  and  inclusive  conflict  resolution  and  reconciliation  in  Ethiopia.  Both  in  Central  African 
Republic and in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo EU actions in support of peace efforts continued, 
as did support to countries in coastal West Africa to respond to the risk of spillover of the conflict in the 
Sahel.  In  Nigeria  a  crisis  response  action  addresses  efforts  to  promote  peace  and  stability,  with  an 
emphasis on the Niger Delta, by mitigating conflicts over natural resources and in Mozambique efforts 
to  stabilise  the  northern  region  of  Capo  Delgado  through  support  to  strengthen  the  criminal  justice 
chain was launched.  

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In  2023,  the  EU  supported  peace  and  security  in  sub-Saharan  Africa  also  by  five  civilian  Common 
Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions and two EU Special Representatives.  

The  European  Union  CSDP  Mission  in  Mali  (EUCAP  Sahel  Mali),  launched  in  2014  and  extended  to 
January  2025,  continued  to  support  the  Malian  internal  security  forces.  The  Regional  Advisory  and 
Coordination  Cell  (RACC),  embedded  within  EUCAP  SAHEL  Mali,  continued  to  improve  coordination 
between  the  G5  Sahel  structures  and  countries  to  enhance  regional  cooperation  and  operational 
capabilities in the field of defence and security. 

The  EU  CSDP  Mission  in  Niger  (EUCAP  Sahel  Niger)  supported  the  capacity  of  the  Nigerien  security 
forces  to  fight  terrorism  and  organised  crime.  The  implementation  of  the  mandate  was  negatively 
impacted by the coup d’état in July 2023. 

The European Union Advisory Mission to Central African Republic (EUAM RCA) continued to support the 
establishment  of  rule-based  governance,  increase  the  capacities  within  the  Ministry  for  Interior  and 
Public  Security,  and  foster  a  sustainable  transformation  of  the  Central  African  Republic's  Internal 
Security Forces and their operational effective functioning and deployment. 

In  2023,  the  EU  Capacity Building  Mission  in  Somalia  (EUCAP  Somalia)  continued  its work to  enhance 
Somali  maritime  civilian  law  enforcement.  In  particular,  it  worked  to  reinforce  the  Somali  capacity  to 
carry  out  fisheries’  inspections  and  enforcement,  ensure  maritime  search  and  rescue,  counter 
smuggling,  fight  piracy  and  police  the  coastal  zone  on  land  and  at  sea.  It  pursued  these  objectives  by 
supporting national authorities in developing the necessary legislation and setting up judicial authorities 
beyond providing the necessary mentoring, advice, training, and equipment to Somali maritime civilian 
law enforcement entities. 

In 2023, the EU established and launched a new Mission named ‘European Union Security and Defence 
Initiative in support  of West  African countries  of the  Gulf of Guinea’, to support  the  capacities of the 
security forces of Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana and Togo to contain terrorist armed groups. The Initiative 
has a civilian and a military pillar.  

The  EU  Special  Representative  (EUSR)  for  the  Sahel’s  mandate,  extended  until  31  August  2024, 
contributed actively to regional and international efforts to achieve lasting peace, security, stability and 
sustainable  development  in  the  region.  Furthermore,  the  EUSR  aimed to  enhance  the  quality,  impact, 
and visibility of the EU’s multi-faceted engagement in the Sahel in an integrated way. 

The  EUSR  for  the  Horn  of  Africa  actively  contributed  to  regional  and  international  efforts  to  achieve 
peaceful coexistence  and lasting peace, security, and development within and among the countries in 
the  region.  The  EUSR  also  engaged  with  the  countries  of  the  Red  Sea  and  Nile  Basin  as  well  as  with 
relevant regional or international entities as appropriate. The mandate of the EUSR was extended until 
31 August 2024.  

The iTrace IV action contributed to the prevention of diversion and illicit trafficking of conventional arms 
and their ammunition by documenting and tracing those arms and ammunition in Somalia and the Sahel 
region. 

The EU increased support to biosecurity in the region through the EU Chemical, Biological, Radiological 
and Nuclear (CBRN) Centres of Excellence initiative, with actions focused on enhanced early detection of 

72 

 
 
and  preparedness  for  emerging  viral  diseases,  strengthened  epidemiology  response  and  enhanced 
capacity of public health laboratories to produce reliable test results and establish quality management 
systems.  

73 

 
 
 
4.2.  Asia and the Pacific 

4.2.1.  East Asia and South Asia 

4.2.1.1. Introduction (policy developments)  

Indonesia took over the ASEAN Chair in 2023, leading to an intensification of dialogue with the country. 
The  EU-ASEAN  Plan  of  Action  to  Implement  the  Strategic Partnership  (2023-2027)  was  taken  forward, 
with  the  EU  High  Representative  for  Foreign  Affairs  and  Security  Policy/Vice-President  (HRVP)  of  the 
European Commission Josep Borrell reviewing progress at the EU-ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference in 
Jakarta in July, where he also took part in the ASEAN Regional Forum. At the ASEAN Indo-Pacific Forum 
in  September,  the  EU  presented  22  Global  Gateway  Team  Europe  projects  contributing  to  green 
innovative  financing,  and  digital 
infrastructure  and  resilient  supply  chains,  sustainable  and 
transformation in ASEAN.  

Free  trade  agreement  negotiations  were  accelerated  with  Indonesia  and  resumed  with  Thailand.  In 
Manila in July, the President of the Commission also announced the intention to work towards resuming 
negotiations with the  Philippines. The EU  commenced  negotiations for a digital trade agreement with 
Singapore to enhance legal certainty for end-to-end digital trade.  The EU, together with UK, leads the 
work on this Parnetship on behalf of the International Partners Group. 

A major milestone in the European Union's joint efforts to fight climate change was reached in 2023 at 
COP28, with the launch of the Resource Mobilisation Plan for Viet Nam, concluded in the framework of 
the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with the International Partners Group. 

The EU worked closely with Indonesia as the ASEAN Chair to address the situation in Myanmar/Burma. 
Following  the  2021  military  coup,  the  Council  continued  to  extend  its  targeted  sanctions  on  those 
responsible  for  the  coup  and  for  the  suppression  of  democracy,  as  well  as  against  entities  which 
provided financial and other support to the military regime. The EU continued to support ASEAN’s Five-
Point  Consensus  to  try  to  address  the  Myanmar  crisis,  advocated  for  a  global  arms  embargo  and 
deepened its engagement with the National Unity Government and other anti-coup stakeholders. 

The EU continued using its presence in Afghanistan to reach out to the Afghan people and to ensure a 
basic communication channel with the Taliban de-facto authorities in Kabul. Following a series of edicts - 
issued towards the end of 2022 and at the beginning of 2023 - further limiting women and girls’ social 
and  economic  rights,  the  EU  decided  to  pause  the  signature  of  new  contracts  with  aid  providers  and 
launched a review of basic needs and humanitarian aid. In order to continue the delivery of assistance in 
line with international commitments a set of guidelines was devised with an overarching ‘for women by 
women’ principle. This allowed the EU to resume operations in September 2023.  

Despite a growing political and economic uncertainty in  Pakistan, with overdue elections, a care-taker 
government  and  an  economy  in  need  of  structural  reforms,  the  EU  continued  to  engage  with  a  first 
comprehensive dialogue on migration and mobility held in Islamabad, and a strengthened cooperation 
on migration issues.  

The 29th EU-Japan Summit on 13 July 2023 in Brussels reaffirmed the closeness and strength of the EU-
Japan relationship. The discussions on relations and global challenges confirmed a strong convergence 

74 

 
 
on economic security and the green and digital transitions. Agreement was achieved on the creation of a 
Strategic Dialogue at foreign ministers’ level and to further develop the security partnership. 

After  a  break  of  almost  four  years,  the  European  Commission  hosted  the  8th  Development  Dialogue 
between the European Union and the Republic of Korea (RoK), which took place in Brussels in February 
2023.  As  like-minded  partners,  the  EU  and  RoK  exchanged  on  the  state-of-play  of  their  development 
cooperation policies and priorities, such as the EU Global Gateway strategy and respective Indo-Pacific 
strategies.  Concrete  areas  for  potential  cooperation  in  third  countries  were  explored,  notably  on  the 
basis of an ongoing mapping exercise made in collaboration with EU delegations and Korean missions in 
the ASEAN region. 

In  Mongolia,  2023  saw  sustained  discussions  initiated  by  the  donor  community  regarding  the  energy 
policy  and  the  share  of  renewable  energy  in  a  carbon-based  economy,  which  was  at  the  centre  of  a 
corruption  scandal  but  also  instrumental  in  the  strengthening  of  economic  recovery.  Otherwise,  the 
topic  of  Critical  Raw  Materials  (CRM)  did  not  progress  except  for  an  investment  contract  with  France 
concerning uranium, which is still to be finalised.  

The  Council  Conclusions  of  30  June  2023  reaffirmed  the  EU’s  multifaceted  policy  approach  towards 
China,  where  it  is  simultaneously  a  partner,  a  competitor  and  a  systemic  rival,  and  reiterated  the 
importance of cooperating with China on global challenges and to promote our interests, in particular in 
the areas of climate, sustainable development, health, food security, debt relief and disaster reduction.  

At the Global Gateway Forum in October 2023, President of the European Commission Ursula von der 
Leyen,  together  with  Bangladesh  Prime  Minister  Sheikh  Hasina,  launched  the  negotiations  on  a  new 
Partnership and Cooperation Agreement to expand and develop the relationship between the EU and 
Bangladesh. Celebrating 50 years of partnership, the EU and Bangladesh reaffirmed their commitment 
to  further  strengthen  their  strategic  engagements.  The  European  External  Action  Service  led  a 
monitoring mission in November in the framework of EU’s enhanced engagement under the Everything 
But Arms (EBA) scheme, focusing on progress on the protection of human rights, including labour rights, 
in the country. 

The EU supported Sri Lanka in its process of economic recovery and the implementation of reforms for 
the  benefit  of  the  people  of  Sri  Lanka.  The  EU  and  Sri  Lanka  enjoyed  good  cooperation  on  maritime 
security under the EU-funded CRIMARIO (Critical Maritime Routes in the Indian Ocean) programme.  

EU-India  relations got a boost  during India’s G20 Presidency, with a number of high level visits to the 
country. The Leaders met in the margins of the G20 Summit in September, HRVP visited New Delhi and 
took  part  in  the  Raisina  Dialogue,  and  many  Commissioners  travelled  to  different  events.  The  first 
meeting of the newly created EU-India Trade and Technology Council took place on 16 May, addressing 
key trade, energy and technology challenges and further strengthening cooperation in these areas. The 
EU and India also advanced in their negotiations for an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and talks on an 
Investment Protection Agreement as well as an Agreement on Geographical Indications. 

4.2.1.2. Implementation 

Human development and inequalities  

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In  Cambodia,  an  EUR  40  million  programme  contributing  to  the  two  Team  Europe  Initiatives 
emphasising  gender  and  governance  perspectives  in  education,  was  approved  in  2023  to  reinforce 
technical and STEM education. The new programme already helped secure an additional grant of USD 
10 million from the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) to Cambodia, mobilised in partnership with 
Japan, reinforcing the EU’s cooperation with the GPE and the UN. Cambodia hosted the second edition 
of the European Higher Education Fair at the EU Delegation premises, with the participation of seven EU 
Member States, which saw the participation of 350 young Cambodian students.  

Throughout 2023, the European Union's assistance for basic needs and livelihoods in Afghanistan was 
suspended, due to restrictions imposed by the Taliban’s regime on women's employment within NGOs 
and later, UN agencies. This pause in operations persisted until a thorough six-month evaluation of the 
‘for women by women’ principled approach was completed, ensuring the active participation of Afghan 
women and girls in the aid process. The EU maintained vigilant oversight to uphold non-discrimination 
principles during this time. Following this period, the EU restarted its activities, strictly adhering to the 
principled  approach,  thereby  finalising  the  contracting  for  the  envisaged  2022  aid  projects. 
Concurrently, in November 2023, the EU approved a new financial package to continue support for the 
basic  needs  of  the  Afghan  population,  with  a  particular  focus  on  women,  the  vulnerable,  internally 
displaced persons, and returnees. 

This  renewed  commitment  will  enhance  access  to  essential  services,  including  health  care  (with  an 
emphasis on mental health and substance abuse treatment), nutrition, water, sanitation, hygiene, and 
education.  In  addition,  the  EU  will  provide  livelihood  support  with  a  special  emphasis  on  fostering 
income 
women's  economic 
generation,  business  assistance  services,  and  improvements  in  food  security,  agriculture,  local  value 
chains, market access, and microfinance. 

independence,  aiming  to  alleviate  poverty  through  community-led 

Nearly  three  years  after  the  military  coup,  the  EU  remains  committed  to  support  the  people  of 
Myanmar, while the nation plunges into a deeper political, socio-economic, and humanitarian crisis. In 
2023,  the  EU  adopted  a  new  EUR  55  million  package,  which  includes  two  programmes  aimed  at 
addressing human development and inequalities, namely the EUR 23 million programme for ‘Sustainable 
Livelihoods  and  Inclusive  Growth’  and  a  EUR  10  million  programme  entitled  ‘Gender  based  violence 
response,  mitigation  and  prevention  in  Myanmar’.  Two  EU  education  programmes  started  their 
activities in 2023. The EUR 4.7 million ‘EU Mobility Programme for Myanmar (EMPM)’, implemented by 
three  European  scholarship  agencies  (DAAD,  Campus  France  and  Nuffic)  provides  50  scholarships  in 
ASEAN  universities,  while  the  EUR  15  million  programme  ‘Quality  for  Basic  Education  Pathways  for 
Children  (QBEP4C)’,  co-funded  by  the  EU,  Finland  and  DFAT  and  implemented  by  UNICEF,  delivers  a 
supplementary  basic  education  programme  to  overcome  learning  losses  caused  by  the  pandemic  and 
the political crisis, and facilitates return to formal schooling.  

In the face of the deepening economic crisis in Myanmar, in 2023 support to livelihoods has been more 
relevant  than  ever.  EUR  23  million  were  dedicated  to  support  ‘Sustainable  Livelihoods  and  Inclusive 
Growth’,  while  implementation  of  the  multi-donor  ‘Livelihoods  and  Food  Security  Fund  (LIFT)’ 
continued. 

In  December  2023,  the  European  Union,  in  collaboration  with  the  UNDP  and  UNICEF,  initiated  the 
Youth-Led  Environmental  Learning  and  Leadership  (YELL)  programme  in  Malaysia  to  engage  youth  in 
environmental  and  climate  action,  aligning  with  the  EU's  Deforestation  Regulation's  impact  in  the 

76 

 
 
region. In addition, the EU advanced its Human Rights and Democracy Country Strategy, committing EUR 
600 000 through a Contribution Agreement with the International Labour Organisation (ILO) to combat 
child  labour  in  Sabah's  oil  palm  plantations  by  enhancing  educational  and  vocational  training  access. 
Furthermore, EU support to civil society organisations contributed to the promotion of gender equality, 
women's  empowerment,  and  LGBTIQ  inclusivity,  despite  a  contracting  civic  space  and  prevailing 
conservative  attitudes.  This  funding  also  bolstered  the  defence  and  advancement  of  the  social  and 
economic rights of indigenous populations in Sabah State. 

In  Viet  Nam,  support  to  the  rule  of  law  continued under  the  EU  Justice and  Legal  Empowerment (EU 
JULE) programme. Results achieved in 2023 included the preparation of a national legal empowerment 
strategy and the implementation of an awareness raising campaign targeted at vulnerable groups. The 
project  also  helped  to  align  domestic  laws  with  international  human  rights  conventions,  such  as  the 
International Convention on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and to support Viet Nam in preparing the 
Fourth Periodic Report on the implementation of the ICCPR. The programme also successfully supported 
17 initiatives of non-state actors to strengthen legal and judicial access for disadvantaged and vulnerable 
groups. 

The  European  Union's  budget  support  programme  has  been  instrumental  in  advancing  technical 
education  in  Bangladesh.  In  2023,  this  support  facilitated  the  training  of over  1  000  TVET  teachers  in 
various  occupations  and  technologies,  with  200  of  them  obtaining  certification  under  the  National 
Technical and Vocational Qualification Framework. In addition, the EU budget support programme has 
played  a  vital  role  in  advocating  and  engaging  in  policy  dialogue  to  emphasize  the  importance  of 
ensuring an adequate and well-distributed teacher workforce across primary schools. As a result, a total 
of 55 721 teachers have been recruited and deployed, out of the targeted 61 166 teachers within the 
duration of the budget support programme.  

Green Deal 

In  October  2023,  at  the  Global  Gateway  Forum,  the  EU,  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and 
Bangladesh signed agreements worth EUR 400 million for renewable energy projects contributing to a 
sustainable  green  transition  of  the  country’s  power  sector  and  to  the  achievement  of  its  climate 
mitigation  targets.  The  agreements  include  an  EUR  350  million  EU-guaranteed  loan  from  EIB, 
complemented by a blending support package of EUR 45 million to provide technical assistance and an 
investment  grant.  An  accompanying  Green  Energy  Transition  project  worth  EUR  12  million  (including 
EUR  7  million  co-financing  by  Germany)  aims  to  work  on  the  policy,  legal  framework  and  investment 
climate  to  facilitate  an  inclusive  green  energy  transition.  Projects  will  contribute  to  boost  access  to 
energy  and  rural  development  throughout  Bangladesh,  consisting  mainly  of  utility  scale  solar 
photovoltaic and onshore wind projects, and potentially associated battery energy storage systems. 

The  regional  programme  SWITCH  Asia,  covering  sustainable  consumption  and  production,  entered  its 
third phase in January 2023, and extended eligibility to finance activities in the Middle East and Pacific 
countries. One component provides policy support through technical advisories and the other provides 
grants. A call for grants proposals, amounting to EUR 24 million, received over 160 submitted concept 
notes by the end of 2023. 

One  year  after  the  endorsement  of  the  Political  Declaration  in  December  2022,  the  Just  Energy 
Transition Partnership (JETP) for Viet Nam advanced with the formalisation of the Resource Mobilisation 

77 

 
 
Plan  (RMP).  This  development  followed  the  establishment  of  the  JETP  secretariat  by  the  Vietnamese 
Government  in  August  2023.  Throughout  the  year,  a  series  of  high-level  policy  dialogues  and 
consultative assemblies regarding the JETP Resource Mobilisation Plan were successfully convened. 

Within the JETP framework, the Team Europe Energy Transition Facility for Viet Nam Electricity (EVN), 
amounting  to  EUR  16.6  million,  was  contracted  with  the  French  Development  Agency  (AFD).  This 
pioneering  financing  mechanism  will  provide  technical  assistance  to  EVN,  facilitating  the  preparation 
and  execution  of  investment  projects  that  are  in  alignment  with  Viet  Nam's  commitments  to  carbon 
neutrality and the coal phase-out objectives declared at COP26. 

The Comprehensive Investment and Policy Plan (CIPP) for Indonesia was published in November 2023, 
one  year  after  the  launch  of  the  Just  Energy  Transition  Partnership  (JETP).  The  CIPP  underpins  the 
implementation  of  the  partnership  between  the  Government  of  Indonesia  and  the  International 
Partners  Group.  Within  the  framework  of  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  the  EU,  with  the  European 
Investment Bank and its Member  States,  are the largest pledgers  under the  JETP, with  EUR  3.4  billion 
committed, mostly in the form of loans accompanied by grants.  

The  EU  promoted  Global  Gateway  investments  through  dialogue  and  outreach,  including  the 
organisation  of  a  high-level  event  during  the  ASEAN  Indo-Pacific  Forum, one  of  the  flagship events  of 
Indonesia’s chairmanship of ASEAN during 2023. 

Cooperation on environment and climate change remains politically sensitive. Progress has been made 
in  launching  and  implementing  actions  on  oceans  and  on  circular  economy,  where  the  EU  enjoys 
constructive cooperation with the Government. 

The rapid growth and economic development of Malaysia, linked to the country’s location alongside the 
Strait of Malacca, made Malaysia a maritime nation and a gateway to Southeast Asia. Port of Antwerp-
Bruges  International  (PoABI)  and  Perbadanan  Kemajuan  Negeri  Perak  (PKNP),  a  state  development 
agency,  have  formed  a  strategic  partnership  to enable  the  establishment  and operation of  the Lumut 
Maritime Industrial Cluster (LUMIC) in Perak state. The EU awarded a EUR 1.9 million grant for feasibility 
studies  and  a  master  plan  by  the  two  partners,  recognising  the  port’s  potential  as  a  logistics  and 
industrial hub for unhindered trade access, including for strategic commodities. PoABI will come forward 
with an initial investment of between EUR 12 and 20 million. 

During  the  Global  Gateway  Forum  in  2023,  the  EU  and  the  Philippines  signed  the  Green  Economy 
Programme (see here), part of the Philippines Team Europe Initiative Green Economy (EUR 466 million) 
launched  in  July  2023  by  President  von  der  Leyen  (see  here).  Totalling  EUR  60  million,  the  EU 
contribution  will  support  the  transition  towards  circular  economy,  reducing  waste  and  plastic  usage, 
promoting  energy  efficiency,  and  deploying  renewable  energy  to  address  the  impacts  of  the  climate 
crisis. To achieve this, the EU will collaborate with the national government, local government units, and 
the private sector to  promote green investments, bonds, and skills, focusing on greener supply chains 
and production processes. 

Under  the  Cooperation  Facility  for  Thailand,  the  EU  conducted  a  study  on  the  impact  of  the  EU 
deforestation regulation in the country, focusing on rubber. 

The  EU  participated  to  the  International  Conference  of  Climate  Resilient  Pakistan  held  in  Geneva  in 
January 2023, organised after the 2022 devastating floods. EU support, in a ‘Team Europe’ approach, to 

78 

 
 
the  government’s  Resilient  Recovery, Rehabilitation, and  Reconstruction  Framework  (4RF)  of  EUR  500 
million announced by President of the European Commission von der Leyen at the Geneva Conference 
has almost doubled to EUR 932 million. In this context, the EU is focusing its support notably on energy, 
water and resilient rural economic recovery. 

In 2023, climate change adaptation was central to several EU projects in Myanmar. The ‘Securing Energy 
Needs and Transition of Rural areas in Myanmar (SENTRUM)’ programme was signed at the end of 2023, 
and will increase access to sustainable energy in rural Myanmar by promoting renewable electricity and 
energy-efficient products for MSMEs and rural households. 

In India, the 2023 ‘Green Transformation’ programme (EUR 12.5 million) will support policy dialogue in 
the EU-India Energy Panel and Joint Working Group on Renewable Energy, the development of an EU–
India Green Hydrogen Partnership and promote the uptake of offshore wind in close coordination with 
EUFIs  (EIB,  KfW,  AFD,  others).  EU-India  sustainable  finance  cooperation  will  be  strengthened,  with 
pipeline  development  supported  at  regional  and  state  level,  and  with  credit  lines  mobilised  through 
EUFI’s  towards  green  investments  (energy  efficiency,  renewable  energy,  electric  vehicles,  green 
transition, and others). Agro-ecology and natural farming will also be supported. 

Team Europe in Mongolia focused its Global Gateway endeavours on environment, climate and energy, 
where good progress was recorded in 2023. The contribution agreement between EU and EBRD ‘Choir-
Sainshand transmission line project’, for the construction of a 220 km double circuit transmission line, 
was signed in November 2023. The programme  ‘ASDIP - Aimag and Soum Centres Green and Resilient 
Regional  Development  Investment’,  which  aims  at  promoting  a  transformative  model  for  green 
territorial development and green urban–rural linkages, combining loans and grants for a total of  USD 
735 million and involving ADB, EIB, EU and the Government of Mongolia, was signed in December 2023. 
The  Forest  Partnership  roadmap,  previously  enshrined  in  the  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU) 
signed  by  the  Commission  President  and  Mongolian  President  on  the  margins  of  the  COP27,  was 
officially  endorsed  on  3  July  2023,  with  the  ambition  to  address  the  protection,  restoration  and 
sustainable management and use of Mongolia’s forests.  

As  the  green  transition  is  one  of  the  key  areas  of  EU-China  cooperation,  the  EU-China  High-Level 
Environment and Climate Dialogue was held in July, setting the framework for enhanced cooperation in 
the  fields  of  emissions  trading  systems,  climate  change  modelling,  adaptation,  methane  emission 
reductions,  Carbon  Border  Adjustment  Mechanism  (CBAM),  plastics  and  clean  energy  transition. 
Targeted  policy  dialogues  and  programmes  also  focused  on  the  transition  to  a  circular  economy  as  a 
priority  for  cooperation,  and  the  need  to  address  the  global  demand  for  illegal  wildlife  products, 
pollution control, deforestation and biodiversity protection.  

Research cooperation is continuing under the EU’s key funding programme for research and innovation, 
Horizon Europe,  in areas of mutual interests to tackle  global challenges through two research flagship 
initiatives  on  food,  agriculture  and  biosolutions,  and  climate  change  and  biodiversity,  in  line  with  the 
ongoing  discussions  on  the  Joint  Roadmap  for  the  future  of  EU-China  cooperation  in  science, 
technology, and innovation (the Roadmap), the Global Approach Strategy, and the ‘de-risking - not de-
coupling’ approach presented in President von der Leyen’s speech of March 2023 and confirmed by EU 
Council  Conclusions  in  June  2023.  At  the  same  time,  cooperation  has  been  restricted  in  innovation 
actions, due to persisting imbalances in the science, technology, and innovation cooperation with China 
and lack of progress on the Roadmap framework conditions related to innovation.  

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Sustainable growth and jobs 

In  Myanmar,  capacity-building  for  export  of  agricultural  products  continued,  despite  macro-economic 
and trade policy challenges, through the ‘ARISE Plus Myanmar’ trade-related assistance programme. The 
EU continued to strengthen responsible business practices in Myanmar during 2023 and reaffirmed its 
support  to  hundreds  of  thousands  of  vulnerable  women  working  in  the  garment  sector  through  the 
official  launch  in  March  of  the  Multi-stakeholder  Alliance  for  Decent  Employment  in  the  Myanmar 
Apparel  industry  (‘MADE  in  Myanmar’),  which  strives  to  reach  critical  industry  improvements  and 
protect livelihoods. 

As the main partner of Cambodia in the fisheries and aquaculture sectors, the European Union funded 
programmes  contributing to jobs  creation, social and economic development  as well as  food security. 
Special  efforts  were  dedicated  in  this  sector  to  meet  requirements  and  controls  complying  with  EU 
standards,  allowing  imports  from  Cambodia  to  access  the  European  market.  Following  a  possibly 
positive audit by the European Commission, the adopted measures may allow the EU to lift its red card 
on Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated (IUU) fishing in the near future. 

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

For  ASEAN,  as  part  of  the  Sustainable  Connectivity  TEI,  a  substantial  package  of  EUR  60  million  of 
support  was  adopted  in  April  2023.  Three  contracts  were  signed,  well  ahead  of  the  deadline  for 
contracting at the end of 2024, with first new projects about to start on higher education, civil aviation 
and intellectual property rights.  

As  part  of  the  Global  Gateway  strategy  in  2023  in  the  Philippines,  the  EU  signed  a  contribution 
agreement with the European Space Agency to implement the Copernicus programme (see  here), and 
launched in April, the first earth observation in South-East Asia, the Copernicus Philippines Programme 
(EUR 10 million) (see here). The programme supports the development of a National Copernicus Mirror 
Site (data centre) to be a repository of satellite data for the Philippines.  

In  2023,  preparation  work  started  for  the  Philippines  Digital  Economy  Package  and  the  Team  Europe 
Initiative on Digital Connectivity  (SSC was approved in October 2023). The package  will support  digital 
connectivity  to  enhance  secure  and  reliable  digital  connections  to  expand  the  Copernicus  mirror  site, 
support  capacity  building  for  cybersecurity,  and  policy  and  regulatory  support  for  5G  roll  out. 
Furthermore,  with  complementary  support  through  the  ASEAN  Connectivity  TEI,  the  objective  is  to 
expand the Copernicus mirror site to other pilot countries in South-East Asia. 

In 2023, work was carried out under the EU-Japan Connectivity Partnership to identify joint connectivity 
projects  in  Africa  and  the  Indo-Pacific.  This  included  three  connectivity  workshops  in  Tokyo  which 
brought together the EU, EIB, Japanese Ministries and agencies and EU Member States. 

Migration and forced displacement 

A comprehensive package of support was approved in 2023 to cover migration and forced displacement 
challenges in the region. This includes support to displaced Rohingya in Bangladesh, vulnerable groups 
and  labour  migration  in  South-East  Asia.  New  programmes  to  support  legal  pathways  for  migration 
(‘Talent Partnerships’) with Bangladesh and Pakistan were also created. 

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The EU’s basic needs assistance in Afghanistan contributes to tackling the root causes of migration. In 
the  context  of  Pakistan’s  decision  in  September  2023  to  deport  up  to  1.7  million  (undocumented) 
Afghans as well as an increased forcible return from Iran, the assistance delivered included addressing 
the  challenges  of  forced  displacement  due  to  high  numbers  of  Afghans  arriving  in/returning  to 
extremely  fragile  host  communities  with  very  limited  access  to  basic  services  and  livelihood 
opportunities.  EU  funded  projects  provided  for  enhanced  protection  spaces,  access  to  gender-
responsive  health  services  as  well  as  education  and  livelihood  opportunities  in  host  communities  and 
areas of  return.  The  EU  also  increased  the  EU  contribution  to the  Regional  Team Europe  Initiative  for 
Afghan  displacement  through  which  the  EU  strives  to  provide  durable  solutions  for  displaced  Afghans 
and  their  host  communities  in  Afghanistan  and  neighbouring  countries,  to  support  better  migration 
management and the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

In the Philippines over the last 20 years the EU has been one the biggest foreign development partners 
providing  support  to  Mindanao  and  the  peace  process.  The  EU  under  the  Partnership  for  Peace  and 
Development  in  Mindanao  programme  adopted  in  2023  is  supporting  with  EUR  27  million  good 
governance,  support  to  the  peace  process  to  ensure  commitments  in  the  peace  agreement  are 
implemented,  and  support  to  human  security  by  reinforcing  the  humanitarian-development-peace 
nexus  approach  to  increase  resilience  and  address  horizontal  conflict  drivers  and  other  sources  of 
instability including human-made and natural disasters. 

In  Myanmar,  EUR  20  million  were  committed  for  the  programme  ‘Support to Peace,  Democratisation 
and Resilience in Myanmar’. In addition, the EU supported multi-donor ‘Joint Peace Fund (JPF)’ started 
the implementation of its new strategy and project pipeline, demonstrating its continued value in terms 
of coordination, scale and responsiveness to shifting conflict dynamics. In 2023 JPF conflict management 
mechanisms and partners recorded and responded to hundreds of incidents such as air strikes, arbitrary 
arrests, unlawful detention and torture, and other protection-related issues.  

Empowering  civil  society  continued  to  be  at  the  heart  of  the  EU’s  development  actions  in  Myanmar 
during  2023.  Through  granting  and  sub-granting  schemes  the  EU  provided  support  to  enhance  the 
capacity and autonomy of local CSOs to provide services. Finally, the humanitarian-development-peace 
(HDP) nexus remained the key guiding principle of EU programming in Myanmar. In 2023, the EU funded 
programme  ‘Nexus  Response  Mechanism  (NRM)’,  worked  with  17  national  and  international  partners 
and  more  than  80  civil  society  organisations  in  six  area-based  projects  covering  nine  conflict-affected 
states and regions. 

Food security and nutrition 

In  Myanmar,  during  the  first  half  of  2023,  78  of  the  multi-donor  ‘Livelihoods  and  Food  Security  Fund 
(LIFT)’ partners implemented 94 projects in all 14 states and regions, and benefitted 7.3 million people 
in 276 townships including areas heavily affected by conflict. LIFT partners reached 176 521 individuals 
(63 % female) with nutrition-specific or nutrition-sensitive programming. 

Case study 

In  Laos  the  flagship  2024  Global  Gateway  Team  Europe  programme  on  agriculture  value  chain  and 
connectivity (TICAF), was approved as part of the 2023 Annual Action Plan (AAP - EUR 20 million). The 

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TICAF  includes  support  to green  economy  sectors  (coffee,  tea,  and  forest-based  products) to  increase 
EU-Laos  quality  trade,  as  well  as  two  additional  complementary  EFSD+  operations:  a  blending 
agreement  signed  with the  EIB  in  December  2023 (EUR  8.4  million)  under  the  Asia  Pacific  Investment 
Facility  (APIF)  to  finance  connectivity  infrastructure  and  logistics  to  access  markets  (ASEAN  highway 
linking Thailand-Laos and Viet Nam); and direct support to private investment in agriculture and forestry 
(guarantee operations with European financing institutions), under contracting at Headquarters’ level. 

4.2.1.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

South Asia 

Faced  by  droughts,  insecurity  and  violence,  restrictions  for  women  to  participate  in  society,  and  food 
insecurity, the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan continued to worsen with the number of people in 
need increasing to 29 million in 2023. At the end of 2023, 15.8 million people were acutely food insecure 
(40 % of the population). The situation of women and girls remained particularly dire as their rights and 
opportunities were further restricted by the interim Taliban leadership. The EU pursued its priorities set 
after the Taliban takeover, focusing on alleviating the  impact of the  grave humanitarian crisis through 
our basic needs aid package and engagement with the de facto authorities on inclusion, human rights, 
and the provision of an enabling civic space for civil society and the media to operate fairly and freely in 
the  country.  In  2023,  approximately  EUR  157  million  were  allocated  to  the  crisis  to  provide  lifesaving 
assistance. Also, Humanitarian Air Bridge (HAB) flights delivered 710 tonnes of life-saving medical relief 
items mainly for humanitarian organisations in Afghanistan. 

In 2023, Pakistan has been marked by intense rainfall, landslides and flash floods across all provinces of 
the  country.  Combined  with  an  unprecedented  economic  crisis  marked  by  high  inflation,  the 
humanitarian  needs  continue  to  persist  with  at  least  10.5 million  people  still  in  need of  assistance.  In 
2023,  the  EU  provided  EUR  18.5  million  in  humanitarian  assistance.  The  initial  allocation  (EUR  6.5 
million) was intended to support education and disaster preparedness, while an additional funding (EUR 
12 million) was mobilised to respond to the worsening humanitarian situation due to the floods.  

South-East Asia 

Myanmar  was  hit  by  the  extremely  severe  Cyclonic  Storm  Mocha,  which  brought  fatalities  and  more 
than EUR 2 billion in estimated damage. Furthermore, coordinated attacks by opposition forces against 
the  military  at  the  end  of  2023  brought  an  escalation  of  the  conflict  and  a  rapid  rise  in  the  rate  of 
displacement. Accordingly, the humanitarian situation in Myanmar continued to deteriorate, with 18.6 
million  people  in  need  and  about  2.6  million  internally  displaced.  To  respond  to  the  growing 
humanitarian needs across the country, the EU provided close to EUR 33 million in 2023 in humanitarian 
aid. An additional EUR 3 million were allocated to help the many refugees fleeing the country, including 
to Thailand, India, Malaysia and Indonesia. EU assistance focused on protection, food, health, nutrition, 
water and sanitation, shelter and education in emergencies. 

As the Rohingya crisis entered its sixth year, the Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh remained the host to 
the  world's  largest  refugee  camp  with  almost  one  million  aid  dependent  Rohingya  refugees.  With  no 
prospect for a rapid resolution of the crisis in sight, especially after the military coup in Myanmar, the EU 

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contributed over EUR 31 million from its humanitarian, emergency and disaster preparedness budget to 
alleviate the suffering of Rohingya refugees and their host communities in Bangladesh in 2023. Over 32 
000  Rohingya  refugees  on  the  island  of  Bashan  Char  also  benefited  from  EU  humanitarian  assistance. 
The  key  needs  addressed  included  food  assistance,  health,  nutrition,  water  sanitation,  and  hygiene 
(WASH), protection, shelter and education.  

In 2023, the EU provided over EUR 4.6 million in humanitarian and disaster preparedness assistance to 
the  Philippines,  to  address  needs  arising  from  conflict  in  Mindanao  and  natural  disasters.  The  main 
sectors of intervention were food security, WASH, shelter, education in emergencies, health, protection, 
and  disaster  preparedness.  The  EU  contributed  to  alleviating  the  needs  of  almost  100  000  persons 
displaced due to conflict and natural catastrophes including typhoons, floods and volcanic eruptions. In 
addition, the EU supported the authorities to be better prepared in case of disasters.  

The  EU  provided  over  EUR  4  million  in  disaster  preparedness  and  humanitarian  assistance  to  Nepal, 
supporting  the  efforts  of  national  and  local  authorities  to  better  prepare  for  a  wide  range  of  natural 
disasters. The EU  also provided immediate  humanitarian assistance  following the  major earthquake  in 
Western  Nepal,  delivering  shelter,  WASH  and  protection  assistance  to  the  most  vulnerable  families 
affected.  The  European  Humanitarian  Response  Capacity  stock  based  in  Kuala  Lumpur  was  also 
mobilised to provide tents adapted to the harsh winter conditions. 

4.2.1.4. Crisis response and preparedness  

New  EU  crisis  response  actions  financed  by  the  rapid  response  pillar  were  launched  in  Pakistan, 
Myanmar  and  Afghanistan.  In  Pakistan,  the  Commission  deployed  rapid  response  resources  to 
strengthen  the  ability  of  the  government  of  Pakistan  to  prevent  and  counter  violent  extremism  and 
terrorism.  Support  was  provided  to  the  capacity  of  law  enforcement  institutions,  according  to 
international  best  practice,  to  enable  a  better  understanding  of  terrorism  cases  and  to  bring  justice 
closer to the people. 

In Myanmar, the EU helped increase compliance with international humanitarian law among emerging 
armed  actors  and  contribute  to  the  protection  of  human  security  and  vulnerable  conflict-affected 
civilians, in particular women, children and minorities. 

In Afghanistan, the EU continued to promote social accountability and inclusive dialogue and to support 
the protection of the Afghan population, as well as the prevention of violence towards minorities and 
marginalised  groups.  The  EU  also  continued  to  provide  support  at  the  regional  level  to  displaced 
Afghans, notably via UN agencies. 

4.2.2.  Central Asia 

4.2.2.1. Introduction (policy developments) 

High-level relations between the EU and Central Asia intensified in 2023, confirming strong political will 
in  all  five  Central  Asian  countries  to  engage  with  the  EU.  The  EU  continued  to  work  on  the 
implementation of the EU Strategy on Central Asia from 2019, while addressing the impact of Russia’s 
war of aggression against Ukraine and supporting regional cooperation. The situation in Afghanistan also 
continued to inform the EU’s policy towards the region.  

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In  May  2023,  high-level  officials  and  representatives  from  Central  Asia,  EU  institutions,  EU  Member 
States  and  international  institutions,  including  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and  the  European 
Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) met in Almaty, Kazakhstan for the second EU-Central 
Asia  Economic  Forum.  They  discussed  common  economic  initiatives  to  support  the  green  and  digital 
transition, improve the business environment, and develop trade and connectivity in Central Asia. The 
Forum  included  a  business  event  to  exchange  views  with  private  sector  representatives  and  facilitate 
business contacts between the EU and Central Asia. 

In June 2023, the second Leaders’ Meeting took place in Cholpon-Ata, Kyrgyzstan, with the participation 
of President Michel and the Presidents of the five Central Asian countries. On 23 October 2023, the 19th 
EU-Central  Asia  Ministerial  meeting  was  chaired  by  High  Representative  Borrell  in  Luxembourg  in  the 
presence,  for  the  first  time,  of  the  EU27  Foreign  Ministers.  On  this  occasion,  the  EU  and  Central  Asia 
endorsed the Joint EU-Central Asia Roadmap for Deepening Ties between the EU and Central Asia, which 
identifies 79 concrete action points (including the decision to hold a Summit) for enhancing dialogue and 
cooperation between the two regions.  

Central Asia showed considerable interest in developing sustainable transport links with the EU. The EU 
conducted  a  study  on  Sustainable  Transport  Connections  between  Europe  and  Central  Asia,  led  and 
funded by the European Commission and implemented by the EBRD, and published in June 2023. The 
Study  identified  the  development  of  the  Trans-Caspian  Transport  Corridor  (TCTC)  as  the  most 
sustainable option and proposed 33 hard infrastructure investment needs across the region and seven 
coordinated actions on soft connectivity. The Global Gateway Forum which took place in Brussels from 
25 to 26 October 2023 provided an opportunity to follow up on the recommendations of the study, and 
was well attended by Central Asian partners. 

Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA) negotiations with Tajikistan were launched in 
February 2023. 

Human rights were discussed with all Central Asian countries in the annual human rights dialogues. 

In September 2023, EU grants of EUR 20 million to the regional Central Asia Team Europe Initiative on 
Water, Energy and Climate Change, and EUR 20 million to the Team Europe Initiative on Digitalisation, 
were adopted. 

4.2.2.2. Implementation  

The  European  Union  continued  to  pursue  the  primary  objectives  of  the  EU  Strategy  on  Central  Asia, 
aiming to foster resilience, prosperity, and regional cooperation amidst the geopolitical dynamics caused 
by  Russia's  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine.  Emphasising  connectivity  as  a  policy  cornerstone,  the 
Global  Gateway  strategy  is  especially  relevant  for  the  landlocked  Central  Asian  region  seeking  to 
enhance  its  transport,  energy,  and  digital  infrastructure.  Connectivity  remains  therefore  a  critical 
objective for the EU's engagement with Central Asia. 

At  the  second  EU-Central  Asia  Economic  Forum  held  in  May  2023  in  Kazakhstan,  the  EU  and  Central 
Asian  representatives  acknowledged  the  growing  strategic  significance  of  their  partnership.  All 
participants expressed a collective resolve to further economic transformation in Central Asia, stressing 
the need to improve the business climate and transition to green and digital economies, and to bolster 
EU-Central Asia economic and trade relations.  

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The  Team  Europe  Initiatives  on  Water,  Energy  and  Climate  Change  and  on  Digital  Connectivity  made 
significant  progress  in  2023.  To  advance  the  connectivity  agenda,  the  EU  took  active  steps  to 
operationalise  the  Study  on  Sustainable  Transport  Connections  between  Europe  and  Central  Asia. 
Moreover,  the  adoption  of  a  new  regional  ‘Prosperity’  programme  of  EUR  15.4  million,  will  support 
internationalising Central Asian businesses, and build capacity in the field of critical raw materials. 

Human development and inequalities  

Social  sector  and  (vocational)  education  and  training  remain  at  the  heart  of  the  EU  cooperation  with 
Central Asia. The EUR 10 million regional programme on ‘Dialogue and Action for Resourceful Youth in 
Central Asia’, implemented by the European Training Foundation from 2022 to 2027, supports inclusive 
and  labour  market  relevant  skills  development  opportunities  for  young  people.  Within  its  framework, 
national and regional consultations were arranged to map the current policy environment and the needs 
of key stakeholders and identify main gaps and opportunities. The regional programme also contributed 
to  the  preparation  of  the  session  on  education  during  the  fourth  EU-Central  Asia  Civil  Society  Forum, 
which saw the participation of about 100 representatives from civil society and the public and private 
sector, including researchers and media operators. 

Green Deal 

Under the Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change, in 2023 the EU adopted a EUR  
20  million  grant  and  organised  two  working  group  meetings.  This  work  aims  to  establish  a  regional 
coordination mechanism, expand activities on water and sustainable energy, and support the priorities 
under  the  International  Fund  for  Saving  the  Aral  Sea  Basin  programme.  An  EU-funded  EUR  19  million 
grant,  approved  in  December  2023,  aims  at  supporting  the  greening  of  the  cotton  value  chain  in 
Tajikistan,  a  critical  sector  for  the  sustainable  development  of  the  country.  The  Kyrgyz  Republic 
approved a new water law, regulating the management and conservation of water resources, fulfilling a 
pre-condition to a new budget support programme on water whose financing should be in the AAP to be 
proposed for adoption in 2024. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

The  enhancement  of  the  connectivity  agenda  between  the  EU  and  Central  Asia  is  important  to 
sustainable growth and jobs. The 2023 Study on Sustainable Transport Connections between Europe and 
Central Asia, published in June 2023, and the planned Investors’ Forum (29 to 30 January 2024) aim to 
begin  the  long-term  development  of  the  Trans-Caspian  Transport  Corridor  with  Europe  and  improve 
connectivity between Central Asian partner countries.  

Further  supporting  sustainable  growth  and  jobs,  in  November  2023,  the  EU  adopted  a  new  regional 
‘Prosperity’  programme  of  EUR  15.4  million,  to  further  the  Central  Asia  connectivity  agenda  by 
developing  the  Trans-Caspian  corridor  and  help  internationalise  businesses,  as well  as  paving  the  way 
for  capacity  development  in  the  field  of  critical  raw  materials.  The  EU  also  disbursed  the  first  EUR  4 
million  tranche  of  the  total  EUR  30  million  approved  in  2022  for  the  Tajikistan  Technical  Education 
Budget Support programme, in the aftermath of the 2022 reforms of public financial management. 

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

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The EU adopted an EUR 20 million grant to implement the  Regional Team Europe Initiative on Digital 
Connectivity,  which  aims  to  establish  an  enabling  environment  promoting  regulatory  and  legislative 
reforms,  last  mile  access,  and  cybersecurity.  This  paves  the  way  for  launching  satellite  infrastructure 
investments that will give Central Asia autonomy on internet connectivity.  

Migration and forced displacement 

In  2023,  the  EU  identified  and  supported  solutions  for  the  graduates  of  the  regional  programme 
‘Supporting  the  Economic  Empowerment  of  Afghan  Women  through  Education  and  Training’ 
(implemented  by the  UNDP  from  2019  to 2027), who  did  not  want  to  return to  Afghanistan  after  the 
change of regime in 2021. The EU Delegations in the region closely followed up on the identification of 
temporary  solutions  in  three  host  countries:  Kazakhstan,  Kyrgyzstan,  and  Uzbekistan.  The  EU  also 
financed the Spanish government’s proposal to grant 22 Afghan graduates the opportunity to continue 
studying in a public university in Spain in 2023-2024. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

In Uzbekistan, the EU started the implementation of a programme worth EUR 8 million to support the 
Ministry  of  Justice  in  the  implementation of  its  reforms, with  a  particular  focus  on  anti-corruption.  In 
addition,  the  2023  Annual  Action  Plan  was  adopted,  consisting  of  a  EUR  5  million  measure  to  further 
support the delivery of public services and the e-governance reform.  

The EUR 9 million cooperation facility 2021-2024 for Kazakhstan, aimed at facilitating the execution of 
the  Enhanced  Partnership  and  Cooperation  Agreement  (EPCA),  focusing  on  sustainable  economic 
development, initiated its operations in December 2023.  One of the two components of the Technical 
Assistance, also launched in December 2023, aims at expediting the implementation of the most critical 
aspects  of  the  EPCA,  notably  including  rule  of  law,  with  the  objective  of  strengthening  the  legal 
framework  and  institutions,  upholding  human  rights  (including  labour  rights),  and  ensuring  justice  in 
accordance with Venice Commission standards. 

Food security and nutrition 

In Uzbekistan, the Financing Agreement of a second budget support operation to support the agri-food 
sector and sustainable livelihoods (EUR 27 million)  was signed. In addition, two contracts were signed 
(EUR  10.2  million)  with  the  French  Agency  for  Development  (AFD)  and  the  UN  Food  and  Agriculture 
Organisation  (FAO)  to  support  the  Green  Economy  Reform  in  Uzbekistan  and  ensure  food  security 
practices.  

Case study 

The EU promotes a regional approach to connectivity in Central Asia that involves all five Central Asian 
countries.  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine  and  the  shifting  of  cargo  volumes  from  the 
previously dominant Northern Corridor in favour of routes passing through Central Asia has accelerated 
the need to boost efficiency and capacity on these Central Asian connections. 

A Study on Sustainable Connections between Europe and Central Asia, funded by the European Union 
and  conducted  by  the  European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and  Development  (EBRD),  was  published  in 
June 2023. The study identifies investment opportunities and sustainable transport connections for the 
five Central Asian countries to bolster their economic potential by improving linkages with each other 

86 

 
 
and  with  Europe.  It  pinpointed  33  hard  infrastructure  investment  needs,  including  the  modernisation 
and reconstruction of existing railways and roads, the construction of additional rail and road links, the 
expansion of port capacity, including the acquisition of rolling stock, and the establishment of logistics 
centres  and  warehousing.  Furthermore,  the  study  identified  seven  coordinated  actions  on  soft 
connectivity measures, such as trade facilitation, harmonising tariffs, streamlining customs procedures 
and  border  controls,  enhancing 
interoperability,  liberalising  markets,  and  digitalising  transport 
documentation.  

Following the publication of the Study, the EU started consultations with partners aimed at starting the 
mobilisation of the EUR 18.5 billion, corresponding to the estimated cost of these measures, paving the 
way for holding an Investors Forum in January 2024. 

4.2.2.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

The  Central  Asia  region’s exposure  to  natural  hazards  and  water  scarcity  enhances  vulnerabilities  and 
generates a high risk of conflict, including water disputes, emphasising the importance of protection of 
people on the move and disaster preparedness. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and the 
instability  in  Afghanistan  add  another  layer  of  vulnerability  to  the  region,  further  emphasising  the 
importance of protection of people on the move and disaster preparedness. In 2023, the EU allocated 
around  EUR  3  million  for  Kyrgyzstan  and  Tajikistan  under  the  Pilot  Programmatic  Partnership  (PPP) 
implemented by the International Federation of the Red Cross (IFRC). The PPP (implemented from 2022 
to 2025) plays an essential role in supporting local communities to prepare for, respond to, and recover 
from disasters. 

4.2.2.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

Actions  carried  out  under  the  crisis  response  component  of  the  rapid  response  pillar  of  NDICI-Global 
Europe supported work with Central Asian partners in the areas of stability, social cohesion and cross-
border dialogue, directly implementing the priorities set in the new EU strategy on Central Asia.  

A  crisis  response  action  supports  capacities  in  Kyrgyzstan,  Tajikistan,  and  Uzbekistan  to  reintegrate 
citizens returned from conflict zones, primarily from Iraq and Syria, and to hold to account perpetrators 
of international crimes.  

Through  the  thematic  programme  on  peace,  stability  and  conflict  prevention, the  EU  is  boosting  local 
conflict  transformation  and  peacebuilding  initiatives  in  the  ethnically  diverse  Fergana  valley  that 
straddles Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan and where relations remain tense.  

Under the NDICI-Global Europe (thematic peace and stability pillar), the EU continued to support efforts 
to  prevent  and  counter  violent  extremism  across  the  region  in  particular  under  the  ‘Strengthening 
Resilience  to  Violence  and  Extremism’  (STRIVE)  Asia  programme,  through  a  whole  of  society/multi-
stakeholder approach.  

In addition, The EU UN Global Terrorist Threat Facility commenced work in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. 

The  EU  Special  Representative  for  Central  Asia  continued  to  monitor  the  situation  on  the  ground 
including through travelling to the areas where violence had broken out and, where appropriate offered 
dialogue  facilitation  and  good  offices.  She  continued  to  engage  with  the  respective  governments  and 

87 

 
 
civil  society  following  the  outbreak  of  violence  in  Kazakhstan,  on  the  Kyrgyz-Tajik  border,  and  in 
Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan. 

4.2.3.  Middle East/Gulf region  

4.2.3.1. Introduction (policy developments) 

The partnership between the EU and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and its member states, as set 
forth  in  the  Joint  Communication  on  ‘a  Strategic  Partnership  with  the  Gulf’(81),  maintained  its 
momentum  throughout  the  year.  On  1  June  2023,  Luigi  Di  Maio  was  appointed  as  the  first-ever  EU 
Special Representative (EUSR) for the Gulf. The 27th EU-GCC Joint Council that was held in Muscat on 10 
October  2023  generated  very  positive  outcome,  namely  the  establishment  of  a  structured  EU-GCC 
Security  Dialogue,  the  intent  to  swiftly  organise  a  first  ever  GCC-EU  Summit,  agreement  on  the  co-
organisation  of  a  High  Level  Security  Forum  on  Regional  Security  and  Cooperation,  agreement  on 
humanitarian affairs cooperation, and agreement on the updated EU-GCC Joint Action Programme.  

Within  this  framework  the  EU  continued  engaging  with  GCC  partners  on  the  basis  of  the  bilateral 
Cooperation  Arrangements  it  has  concluded  with  the  six  GCC  member  states,  holding  Senior  Officials 
Meetings  sectoral  working  groups  and  Political  Dialogues  respectively  with  the  UAE  (Abu  Dhabi,  6 
March),  Qatar  (Brussels,  18  July),  the  Kingdom  of  Saudi  Arabia  ((KSA)  Brussels,  31  July),  Bahrain 
(Manama, 20 November) and Kuwait (Brussels, 11 December). 

The EU focused on the implementation of the five set priority policy areas: prosperity (including trade, 
economic diversification, transport, digitalisation, research and innovation, and space), green transition 
and energy security, regional stability and global security (including political-military dialogue, maritime 
security,  disaster  prevention  and  preparedness,  CBRN,  conflict  prevention  and  mediation, 
counterterrorism,  cyberspace,  judicial  cooperation,  hybrid  attacks,  strategic  communication),  a  global 
humanitarian  and  development  partnership,  and  people  (rule  of  law  and  good  governance,  human 
rights, culture, education etc.).  

The  level  and  intensity  of  bilateral  political  exchanges  also  increased.  Saudi  Foreign  Minister  Prince 
Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud visited Brussels on 13 February, and Qatari State Minister for Foreign Affairs Al-
Muraikhi  visited  on  20  March.  The  Emirati  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs,  Sheikh  Abdullah  bin  Zayed  Al 
Nahyan  visited  Brussels  on  16  May  and  COP  President  Sultan  Al-Jaber  on  6  June.  President  of  the 
European Council Charles Michel met the Crown Prince/Prime Minister of Saudi Arabia on 10 September 
in the margins of the G20 summit in New Delhi. President of the European Commission Ursula von der 
Leyen met the UAE's President, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, in Abu Dhabi on 7 September. 
High  Representative/Vice-President  (HRVP)  Josep  Borrell  met  with  the  Saudi  Foreign  Minister,  Prince 
Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in Muscat on 9 October and in Manama on 18 November. He also visited Qatar 
on 19 November and the UAE (Sir Bani Yas forum) on 6 to 7 November. He paid his first visit to Oman on 
10 to 11 October on the occasion of co-chairing the EU-GCC Joint Council. 

The EU was well represented at the COP28 in Dubai (30 November to 12 December) with the President 
of  the  European  Council  Charles  Michel,  the  President  of  the  European  Commission  Ursula  von  der 
Leyen, seven Commissioners and the EU Special Representative (EUSR) for the Gulf attending. 

81 JOIN(2022) 13 final of 18 May 2022. 

88 

 
 
 
On  his  part,  the  EUSR  for  the  Gulf,  Luigi  Di  Maio,  visited  all  GCC  countries  on  several  occasions  after 
taking  up  his  duties  in  June.  As  regards  human  rights,  with  the  exception  of  Oman,  Human  Rights 
Dialogues were held with all GCC countries in the course of 2023.  

Parliamentary  engagement  has  also  been  active,  notably  the  visit  of  the  European  Parliament  (EP)’s 
Delegation  for  the  Arabian  Peninsula  (DARP)  to  Saudi  Arabia  in  November  for  the  16th  KSA-EU 
interparliamentary meeting. The EP Delegation for Iraq paid a visit to the country in March 2023. On 17 
to  19  December  2023,  DARP  visited  Yemen  (Aden),  and  met  with  the  UN  Special  Envoy  (UNSE)  Hans 
Grundberg  in  Amman  on  17  December.  In  addition,  an  UAE  Delegation  visited  Strassbourg  on  14 
September for the 8th EU-UAE IPU meeting.  

The EU welcomed the appointment of Mohammad Al-Sudani as Prime Minister of Iraq  on 27 October 
2022  which  allowed  the  EU  to  re-launch  bilateral  institutional  engagement.  The  EU  held  the  third 
Cooperation  Council  with  Iraq  on  19  March  2023  in  Brussels,  followed  by  the  Subcommittee  on 
Democracy and Human Rights on 11 July 2023. Progress was also registered on the migration file, with 
Iraq’s  improved  cooperation  on  returns  and  readmissions  and  the  signature  of  several  bilateral 
Memoranda  of  Understanding  with  EU  Member  States.  The  HRVP  met  with  Foreign  Minister  Fuad 
Hussein in the margins of the 7th Syrian Conference, while President Charles Michel met Prime Minister 
long-term 
in  October  2023.  The  EU  continues  to  provide  humanitarian  assistance, 
Al-Sudani 
development  aid  and  support  to  dialogue,  reconciliation,  stabilisation,  and  accountability  for  Da’esh 
crimes (UNITAD). The EU also supports civilian security sector reform, notably through the ongoing EU 
Advisory  Mission  (EUAM)  whose  mandate  was  reviewed  in  2023,  as  well  as  the  efforts  of  the  Global 
Coalition against Da’esh, to which it is a non-military partner. 

Throughout 2023, the EU continued its active diplomatic outreach to relevant actors in Yemen, in close 
coordination with the UN. As part of its efforts to contribute to peace and stability, the EU has in 2023 
continued its integrated approach to the peace process to promote coherence and effectiveness of the 
EU and Member State actions. In addition to support to the UNSE, the EU has also continued support to 
de-escalation  and  peace-making  initiatives,  stabilisation,  development  assistance  and  humanitarian 
support. On 23 December, UNSE Grundberg publicly announced that he had secured the agreement of 
the parties (including the Presidential Leadership Council and the Houthis) on the main principles of an 
UN-led peace process leading to a final comprehensive and inclusive peace deal, including a permanent 
nation-wide ceasefire. Unfortunately, these efforts have been recently put on hold due to the situation 
in the Red Sea.  

In line with Council Conclusions (December 2022), the EU continues its critical engagement in Iran based 
on a comprehensive policy approach considering all options at its disposal: critical where necessary, and 
ready to engage, on the basis of mutual respect, where interests align. 

4.2.3.2. Implementation 

Human development and inequalities 

In December 2023, a COP28 side event on education was organised in a ‘Team Europe’ approach with 
the  Islamic Development Bank  (IsDB)  and  Dubai  Cares  in Dubai,  the  United  Arab  Emirates. The event, 
which  saw  the  participation  of  a  German  government  representative,  was  entitled  ‘Global  Gateway: 

89 

 
 
building  resilient  education  systems  and  the  role  of  education,  teachers,  and  youth  in  supporting 
vulnerable populations for achieving a sustainable future’.  

The  European  Union's  actions  in  Iraq  have  effectively  contributed  to  policy  reform  and  system 
enhancement  in  various  sectors,  including  education,  technical  and  vocational  education  and  training 
(TVET),  and  social  protection.  Notably,  the  initiative  ‘Promoting  Girls’  Education  in  Iraq’,  funded  with 
EUR 1 million and adopted in 2023, is dedicated to improving girls' access to and completion of primary 
and  lower  secondary  education.  Complementing  the  EU's  substantial  programmes  supporting  Iraq's 
overall  national  reform  for  quality  basic  education,  in  collaboration  with  government  entities  at  both 
federal  and  local  levels,  this  initiative  also  fosters  partnerships  with  civil  society  to  raise  community 
awareness  about  the  value  of  girls'  education,  and  encourages  parental  support  for  educational 
attainment, while engaging civil society in the oversight of educational services. 

Green Deal 

Iraq's  advances  for  example 

The  EU  bolstered  its  commitment  to  programmes  in  Iraq  that  focus  on  climate  change  adaptation, 
mitigation,  and  the  transition  to  a  low-carbon  economy.  Through  technical  assistance,  the  EU  has 
facilitated 
in  climate-resilient  agriculture,  climate-adapted  urban 
reconstruction, sustainable water systems, energy transition, as well as the promotion of green finance 
and private sector development. The ‘Greening Iraq’ initiative, part of the 2023 Annual Action Plan and 
funded  with  EUR  18.9  million,  capitalises  on  the  favourable  dynamics  to  further  the  climate  change 
agenda  and  align  with  the  Iraqi  Government  aspirations.  This  initiative  aims  to  catalyse  the  green 
economy  and  assist  Iraq  to  shift  away  from  fossil  fuels  to  fulfil  its  climate  change  obligations.  It  also 
endeavours  to  protect  the  environment  and  biodiversity,  enhance  climate  resilience  through 
environmental justice, and support Iraq in aligning with EU strategic priorities and interests. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

In  addition  to  ongoing  and  newly  signed  programmes  to  bolster  economic  development,  the  Team 
Europe  Initiative  for  Iraq  ‘TAEUFIQ’,  which  was  officially  launched  during  Europe  Day  celebrations  in 
May 2023 in Baghdad, contributes to increased, diversified, sustainable and inclusive economic growth, 
leading to improved livelihoods and decent employment in Iraq, through joint policy dialogue and the 
coordination of the joint programme portfolio. Throughout 2023, in the framework of TAEUFIQ, the EU 
and  several  Member  States  conducted  a  joint  policy  dialogue  in  the  areas  of  access  to  finance  and 
banking  sector  reform,  business  development  and  the  investment/business  enabling  environment. 
TAEUFIQ also actively contributed to developing the private sector and investment in Iraq. 

Actions aimed at fostering the Yemeni population’s resilience are planned within the  Special Measure 
for  Yemen,  adopted  by  the  European  Commission  in  September  2023.  This  will  address  the 
shortcomings in the economy by supporting the functioning of key economic institutions and fostering 
the  economic  empowerment  of  young  people  and  women,  towards  a  greener,  more  sustainable 
business model.  

Migration and forced displacement 

The  Afghan  Regional  Displacement  Team  Europe  Initiative  is  the  EU’s  coordinated  response  to  the 
continuing  Afghan  regional  displacement  crisis.  Initiatives  in  Iran  supporting  education,  health  and 

90 

 
 
livelihoods as well as regional initiatives that  cover Iran are part of this TEI. These support Afghans in 
Iran as well as host communities.  

In Iraq, the EU continued its engagement with the Iraqi authorities in the migration dialogue, as well as 
supporting  Iraq  in  creating  the  conditions  and  perspectives  for  all  Iraqis  -  in  particular  youth  and 
displaced  populations  and  returnees  -  to  thrive  in  a  more  prosperous,  shock-resilient  and  democratic 
Iraq,  for  example,  through  strengthening  the  overall  national  and  migration  specific  governance 
capacities,  and  addressing  the  root  causes  of  fragility,  migration  and  forced  displacement  including 
through  job  creation  and  TVET.  The  European  Commission  adopted  a    2023  Annual  Action  Plan 
specifically devoted to migration within the Regional Multiannual Indicative Programme (RMIP) to tackle 
solutions for displaced and vulnerable populations. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

A  workshop  on  Fragility  Risk  and  Resilience  Assessments  (FRRAs)  with  the  Islamic  Development  Bank 
(IsDB)  was  organised  in  Brussels  in  September  2023.  Participants  included  Multilateral  Development 
Banks (MDBs), UN Agencies, and other international organisations. 

At a critical time for the UN-led process in Yemen, the EU provides multi-track support to the Office of 
the  Special  Envoy  of  the  Secretary-General  for  Yemen  (OSESGY),  and  to  international  and  local  NGOs 
covering a wide  spectrum of Track II activities and grassroots dialogue. This helped affirm the EU as a 
key supporter of a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.  

Food security and nutrition 

Actions aimed at strengthening food security in Yemen are foreseen in the Special Measure adopted by 
the European Commission in September 2023, building upon a layered nexus response, and providing 
longer-term  livelihoods  support  and  community  asset  development,  with  dedicated  agri-business 
activities.  

Case study 

In  2023,  the  European  Commission  continued  its  support  in  Iraq  to  the  Global  Gateway  flagship 
‘Reviving the Spirit of Mosul and Basra’, implemented by UNESCO, contributing to economic recovery as 
well as social cohesion through creation of decent jobs (so far around 5 000 have been created) in the 
re-construction of  historical  urban  centres,  and  rehabilitation of  houses,  as well  as  in  the  provision of 
support to  small and medium-sized enterprises active  in various sectors,  and the  cultural and creative 
industries.  The  European  Commission  signed  a  contract  for  a  third  phase  of  the  successful  initiative, 
accompanied by substantial public outreach and communication. 

4.2.3.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

The escalation of violence in the Middle East following the terrorist attack on Israel in October 2023 led 
to  large-scale  destructions  in  Gaza  and  the  displacement  of  the  entire  Palestinian  population  residing 
there (2.2 million people). Humanitarian needs across the occupied Palestinian territory are massive in 
all  sectors.  Violence  also  escalated  in  the  West  Bank,  including  East  Jerusalem.  The  EU  responded  by 
quadrupling its assistance to Palestine to more than EUR 100 million to address the most basic needs of 
Palestinians.  Despite  the  considerable  security  and  logistical  challenges,  EU  humanitarian  partners 

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continued to respond to the crisis in all sectors. In 2023, 33 Humanitarian Air Bridge flights supported 
humanitarian partners and EU Member States in the transport of nearly 1 435 tonnes of humanitarian 
goods.  The  UCPM  was  activated  multiple  times,  providing  multi-faceted  support,  including  through 
repatriation flights, in-kind assistance, and logistical support. 

The  European  Commission  continued  to  address  the  needs  of  the  population  in  Syria,  as  well  as  the 
needs of Syrian refugees and vulnerable host communities in neighbouring countries (Türkiye, Lebanon, 
Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq). Inside Syria, 15.3 million people needed humanitarian assistance in 2023. The 
EU  maintained  its  focus  on  multi-sectoral  life-saving  actions,  providing  more  than  EUR  262  million  of 
assistance to support the most vulnerable impacted by this crisis, further compounded by the series of 
earthquakes  in  February  2023  that  struck  in  particular  northwest  Syria.  This  assistance  contributed 
notably to the vital delivery of food, medicine, clean water, emergency shelter, as well as protection and 
Education in Emergencies in the form of non-formal education. In Lebanon and Jordan, more than 4.6 
million people were in need of humanitarian assistance. The EU’s humanitarian funding supported the 
most vulnerable in sectors such as health, protection and education. 

The European Commission was also directly involved in international diplomatic initiatives related to the 
Syria crisis, such as the Brussels 7th Conference on ‘Supporting the future of Syria and the region’ held in 
June 2023, the Humanitarian Task Force of the International Syria Support Group in Geneva, and other 
advocacy efforts to promote the respect of humanitarian principles and International Humanitarian Law. 

After  nine  years  of  war,  and  a  fragile  truce,  Yemen  is  facing  a  tragic  humanitarian  situation  further 
exacerbated by climate change, a collapse of health and education systems, epidemics, landmines and a 
migration crisis. In 2023, 21.6 million people (67 % of the population) needed humanitarian assistance 
and protection services. 17 million faced acute food insecurity and 4.5 million people were displaced. In 
2023, the EU allocated EUR 145.12 million in humanitarian aid to assist those affected by the conflict, 
disasters  and  displacement  in  Yemen,  focusing  on  the  most  vulnerable  and  disadvantaged.  The 
assistance included health  care, nutrition, food, protection, education in emergencies, water, hygiene, 
and shelter interventions. In addition, the European Commission organised the main donor coordination 
events  on  Yemen  jointly  with  Sweden,  contributing  to  a  united  voice  among  actors  in  humanitarian 
negotiations.  The  latest  Senior  Officials  Meeting  (SOM)  took  place  on  23  May  2023,  agreeing  on 
common  messages  as  well  as  on  12  concrete  measures  addressing  humanitarian  advocacy,  access, 
humanitarian space, quality of aid, funding, and the humanitarian-development-peace nexus initiatives 
on the drivers of the crisis. 

Five years since the end of the conflict against the Islamic State (IS), the humanitarian situation in Iraq 
remains  fragile.  Approximately  2.5  million  people  remain  in  need  of  humanitarian  assistance  and  1.1 
million  are  internally  displaced.  The  conflict  has  uprooted  millions  of  people,  eroded  social  cohesion, 
disrupted access to basic services, destroyed livelihoods and led to increased protection risks. In 2023, 
the  European  Commission’s  strategy  continued  to  focus  on  reinforcing  the  resilience  of  affected 
displaced  populations  through  integrated  protection  response,  legal  assistance  (civil  documentation), 
and education support, in addition to a lighter multi-sector assistance to the most vulnerable displaced 
households living in informal settlements. 

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4.2.3.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

In Syria, the EU responded to the January 2023 earthquake in the northwest of the country. In parallel, 
support continued to  stabilisation efforts in  northeast  Syria, to the UN-led peace  efforts, as well as to 
the UN International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) promoting accountability for crimes 
committed in Syria since 2011. During 2023, IIIM contributed information, evidence and legal analysis to 
landmark  cases  such  as  the  French  court’s  arrest warrant  for  President  Assad over  the  alleged  use  of 
banned chemical weapons against his own people.  

In Iraq, the EU continued its support to Iraq’s reintegration of Iraqi returnees from northeast Syria and 
the EU UN Global Terrorist Threat Facility provided an important assistance to register and screen Iraqi 
returnees living in Al Hol Camp.  

The EU continued its support of Security Sector Reform through the EU Advisory Mission (EUAM Iraq), 
providing strategic advice and expertise to the Iraqi authorities on the civilian aspects of security sector 
reform, including the National Security Strategy. The mission also contributed to ensure accountability 
for  crimes  committed  by  Da’esh,  by  institutionalising  the  implementation  of  national  strategies  to 
manage threats from violent extremism and terrorism. 

Support  was  also  ensured  for  international  efforts  to  ensure  accountability  for  crimes  committed  by 
Da’esh through the work of the United Nations Investigative Team to Promote Accountability for Crimes 
Committed by Da'esh/ISIL (UNITAD).  

In Israel and the Palestinian Territories, the EU was already supporting peace efforts, notably those lead 
by  the  EU  Special  Representative  for  the  Middle  East  Peace  Process  (EUSR  MEPP)  towards  a  final 
settlement of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. These efforts have been increased following the 7 October 
attack into Israel by Hamas and the launch of a full-scale war on Gaza, both with additional support for 
peace efforts and with support to meet the overwhelming medical and psychological needs caused by 
the extreme  levels  of  violence  experienced  by civilians  in  Israel  and  in Palestine.  Furthermore,  the  EU 
finances two civilian Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) Missions: the EU Police Mission for the 
Palestinian  Territories  (EUPOL  COPPS)  based  in  Ramallah  in  the  West  Bank,  and  the  EU  Border 
Assistance Mission for the Rafah Crossing Point (EUBAM Rafah) based in Ramat Gan, Israel.  

Meanwhile,  in  Yemen,  support  continued  to  UN-led  peace  efforts,  including  through  support  to 
mediation and truce monitoring efforts. The EU also supported the UN in its work, within a challenging 
political framework, to avert a major environmental disaster linked to the fast deteriorating floating oil 
storage and offloading vessel SAFER.  

The  EU  action  in  support  of  the  United  Nations  Verification  and  Inspection  Mechanism  (UNVIM)  in 
Yemen  contributes  to  the  efforts  to  restore  the  unimpeded  free  flow  of  commercial  items  to  Yemen 
through  the  provision  of  a  transparent  and  effective  clearance  process  for  commercial  shipments 
destined for Yemeni ports which are not under the control of the government of Yemen and has been 
extended until September 2024.  

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4.2.4.  The Pacific 

4.2.4.1. Introduction (policy developments) 

The  Pacific Island Countries  (PICs)  are key partners for  the EU  in a number of important policy areas, 
including climate action and green transition, ocean governance and environmental protection. They are 
also important allies in upholding the international rules-based order with the UN at its core. 

The EU is a Dialogue Partner of the Pacific Islands Forum (PIF), the region’s main political organisation, 
and  participated  in  the  2023  PIF  Leaders  Meeting  in  Cook  Islands.  The  EU  is  the  first  and  so  far  only 
Permanent  Observer  of  the  Pacific  Community  (SPC),  the  main  technical  and  scientific  regional 
organisation of the Pacific. 

The EU’s strategic priorities for the  region are  underpinned by the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the 
Indo-Pacific,  adopted  in  2021,  which  highlights  the  strategic  relevance  of  the  region  for  Europe’s 
prosperity and security. The Global Gateway strategy supports a number of priorities of the Indo-Pacific 
strategy, providing a viable and attractive offer for partner countries by boosting transparent and value-
based  investments  for  a  sustainable,  resilient  and  cooperative  infrastructure  development.  The  EU’s 
priorities are also closely aligned with the  priorities of the 2050 Strategy of the Blue Pacific Continent 
endorsed by PIF Leaders, notably in areas such as economic development, climate change, oceans and 
environment, people, technology and connectivity, and peace and security. 

The new Partnership Agreement with the African, Caribbean, and Pacific states was signed in November 
2023 in Apia, Samoa. The Samoa Agreement includes a new Pacific Protocol which provides for stronger 
region-to-region  engagement.  The  shared  priorities  of  the  Pacific  Protocol  will  guide  EU-Pacific 
cooperation for years to come.  

At  multilateral  level,  the  Pacific  countries  unanimously  supported  most  UN  resolutions  as  regards 
Ukraine.  Pacific  countries  suffered  from  supply  chain  disruptions  as  well  as  higher  food  and  energy 
prices resulting from the Russian war.  

The EU strengthened relations with the Pacific region during 2023 through conducting ministerial, Senior 
Official  Meetings  and  Political  Dialogues.  The  EU  advanced  steadily  in  the  preparation  of  the  Team 
Europe  Initiative  ‘Green  Blue  alliance  for  the  Pacific  and  Timor-Leste’  that  promotes  equal  societies, 
fundamental  values,  human  development,  and  peace  and  security  across  18  partner  countries  and 
Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). 

4.2.4.2.  Implementation 

Human development and inequalities  

In  Papua  New  Guinea,  the  Spotlight  Initiative  supports  the  establishment  of  the  permanent 
Parliamentary  Committee  on  Gender  Equality  and  Women’s  Empowerment  (GEWE).  A  two-day  GEWE 
Summit,  organised  at  the  end  of  November  2023,  served  as the  official  closing  event of  the  Spotlight 
Initiative.  Building  on  this  positive  experience,  the  EU  adopted  in  2023  a  follow-up  programme  to 
continue  supporting  work  on  protecting  survivors  of  gender-based  violence,  strengthening  access  to 
justice and ending violence against women and girls.  

Green Deal 

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In  Papua  New  Guinea,  the  EU  launched  the  Forest,  Climate  Change  and  Biodiversity  (FCCB)  project, 
which  forms  the  basis  of  the  Team  Europe  Initiative  ‘Our  Forest,  Our  Future’.  In  the  course  of  2023 
France officially confirmed its intention to participate in the Initiative.  

In  Fiji,  the  EU  signed,  in  2023,  a  EUR  12.8  million  Financing  Agreement  kicking-off  the  country’s 
implementation of its cross-cutting Budget Support programme ‘Climate Change Act’. 

In  Samoa,  the  EU  is  a  key  partner  in  the  water,  sanitation,  and  hygiene  (WASH)  sector.  During  her 
mission to Samoa at the end of 2023, on the occasion of a meeting with the Prime Minister of Samoa, 
Commissioner  Urpilainen  announced  the  disbursement  of  a  EUR  3  million  tranche  within  the  Budget 
Support programme for WASH and Climate Change Adaptation. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

In 2023 the EU signed a EUR 7 million Financing Agreement for Technical and Vocational Education and 
Training (TVET) in the agro-forestry sector in Timor-Leste. The programme, which will be implemented 
by  the  International  Labour  Organisation  (ILO),  seeks  to  promote  green  and  sustainable  economic 
diversification  and  resilience  in  the  country  through  private  sector  development,  and  TVET  for  youth 
integration in the labour market. 

At the end of 2023, the EU started implementing a project in partnership with the International Trade 
Centre (ITC) aimed at supporting Timor-Leste’s accession to the Association of South-East Asian Nations 
(ASEAN), to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and to the Economic Partnership Agreement.  

Migration and forced displacement 

Although the EU does not fund projects in the Pacific specifically devoted to address forced migration, 
most bilateral aid mainstreams activities aimed at combating the root causes of migration, such as food 
and water scarcity due to climate change events (droughts or floodings). In 2023, a EUR 3 million action 
was  adopted  to  address  the  water  management  in  the  Federated  States  of  Micronesia,  notably  to 
combat  water  scarcity  due  to  more  frequent  droughts  and  saline  contamination  of  groundwater 
reserves. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

After  a  slow  start  in  2022  and  several  adjustments,  the  budget  support  ‘Partnership  for  Good 
Governance’ in Papua New Guinea managed to achieve the indicators allowing the disbursement of the 
2022 and 2023 combined fixed and variable tranches for a total of EUR 4.25 million. 

Food security and nutrition 

The  final  tranche  of  the  EDF  funded  Budget  Support  in  the  agriculture  sector,  focusing  on  a  much 
needed  reform  of  the  Ministry  of  Agriculture,  was  disbursed  to  Fiji’s  government  in  2023.  In  the 
aftermath of the COVID crisis, when a large number of Fijian families returned to their home villages to 
grow  basic  food  products,  this  successful  budget  support  programme  paved  the  way  to  better 
performing and diversified agricultural practices, reducing Fiji’s dependency on food imports. 

In  Timor-Leste,  the  EU  has  been  supporting  the  nutrition  sector  for  several  years,  and  a  new  EU  12 
million  budget  support  action  on  Social  Inclusion  and  Nutrition  was  adopted  in  2023.  The  ongoing 
Nutrition  Budget  Support  programme  ‘Partnership  for  Improving  Nutrition  in  Timor-Leste’  (PINTL) 

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contributed  to  increase  the  cure  rate  of  Severe  Acute  Malnutrition  among  infants  and  children  under 
five, which has increased from 66 % to 83 % between 2016 and 2022. 

Vanuatu,  which  is  located  on  the  earthquake-prone  ‘ring  of  fire’  and  sits  at  the  centre  of  the  Pacific 
cyclone belt, was hit in the course of 2023 by five tropical cyclones and multiple earthquakes.  Despite 
these  natural  disasters  affecting  the  implementation  of  the  Value  Chain  Budget  Support  programme 
(VaVaC), the EU managed to disburse the EUR 1.4 million fifth fixed tranche to Vanuatu’s government. 
The  programme,  which  commenced  in  May 2018,  focuses on  equitable,  broad-based,  and  sustainable 
economic  growth  and  recovery  in  the  coconut,  beef,  fruits  and  vegetables  value  chains.  It  aims  to 
promote better organisation, climate-resilient production, value addition, safety and quality, and trade 
resilience.  

The Financing Agreement (EUR 4.5 million) for the Coconut Sector Rehabilitation Programme in Tuvalu 
was  signed  in  May  2023.  The  overall  objective  of  this  action  is  to  increase  sustainable  agricultural 
productivity and economic growth in Tuvalu with a specific focus to rehabilitate the coconut industry. 

Case study 

In Fiji, the ‘Hydropower Scheme Qaliwana/Vatutokotoko’ project remains a priority for the EU, despite a 
constantly  shifting  agenda  on  the  side  of  the  public-private  Energy  Fiji  Limited  (EFL),  which  is  the 
designated partner on behalf of the Fijian government. A Letter of Intent was signed between EFL and 
the EIB on March 2023, expressing the bank’s readiness to support this ambitious project, which aims at 
considerably  reducing  Fiji’s  dependency  on  fossil  fuels  and  helping  the  country  to  respect  its 
commitment of carbon neutrality in 2050. This will be shaped in the form of a loan covering 50 % of the 
construction costs. A decision was expected initially to be taken at the beginning of 2023 but, due to the 
change  of  government  which  took  place  after  Christmas  2022,  it  is  now  expected  to  be  taken  in  the 
second quarter of 2024. 

4.2.4.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

Several Pacific islands have been hit by natural hazards, in particular Vanuatu, requiring EUR 0.8 million 
of support to address the humanitarian consequences of tropical cyclones and drought. 

4.2.4.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

In  Papua  New  Guinea,  peace-building  efforts  at  community  level  were  pursued  to  help  build  trust 
among communities and bringing positive change in understanding, behaviour and commitment of the 
key  stakeholders  (such  as  local  government,  civil  society  actors,  police  and  communities)  to  reach 
appropriate, non-violent solutions to disputes. 

In line with the EU’s Strategy  for Cooperation in Indo-Pacific, the Critical Maritime Routes Indo-Pacific 
(CRIMARIO II) project established new partnerships with South and Southeast Asian partners to boost 
interconnected maritime coordination to enhance maritime security. 

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4.3.  Americas and the Caribbean 

4.3.1.  Americas 

4.3.1.1. Introduction (policy developments)  

In 2023, the EU made tangible progress in its engagement with Latin America and the Caribbean. Many 
high-level  visits  took  place  by  various  members  of  the  College  including  President  Von  der  Leyen, 
Commissioner  Urpilainen  and  the  High  Representative/Vice-President  Josep  Borrell,  as  well  as  by 
members  of  EU  Member  States´  governments.  President  von  der  Leyen  visited  Argentina,  Brazil  and 
Chile in June 2023. 

In June  2023, the  Commission and the  High Representative adopted the Joint Communication ‘A New 
Agenda  for  Relations  between  the  EU  and  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean’,  making  the  case  for  a 
stronger  and  modernised  partnership  through  reinforced  political  engagement,  boosting  trade  and 
investment, and building more sustainable and inter-connected societies.  

The EU-CELAC Summit held in Brussels on 17 to 18 July 2023 was a historic encounter eight years after 
the previous one. It brought together leaders of all 60 countries from both regions. Leaders committed 
to renewing and modernising the bi-regional partnership and to hold regular summits every two years 
(the  next  one  will  be  in  Colombia  in  2025).  The  EU,  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  with  the  Member 
States, presented the Global Gateway investment agenda for the region that amounts to EUR 45 billion 
until 2027 in areas including renewable energies, transport, digital transformation and pharmaceutical 
innovation.  In  the  margins  of  the  Summit,  a  Joint  Declaration  for  an  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  with  20 
countries from the region was adopted. Two side-events, the EU-LAC Forum ‘Partners in change’ and the 
Business Round Table, fostered engagement with civil society, youth, local authorities and private sector 
representatives.  

To complete the cycle, the Council approved Conclusions on relations between the European Union and 
Latin America and the Caribbean in November.  

The EU-CELAC Summit also gave a vital impulse to bilateral relations between the EU and LAC countries. 
New  cooperation  avenues  were  opened  in  strategic  areas:  Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoU)  on 
deepening  cooperation  on  energy  were  signed  with  Uruguay  and  Argentina,  and  on  critical  raw 
materials  with  Argentina  and  Chile.  A  MoU  on  an  enhanced  political  agenda  was  concluded  with 
Ecuador,  with  a  focus  on  security  and  the  environment.  The  EU  also  signed  Memoranda  of 
Understanding on consultations with El Salvador and Honduras.  

The  EU-Chile  Advanced  Framework  agreement  was  signed  on  13  December  2023  after  five  years  of 
negotiations.  It  is  the  most  modern  and  ambitious  agreement  signed  with  any  LAC  country.  The 
Agreement will deepen cooperation on the transition to renewable energy and sustainable use of raw 
materials, while providing an advanced level of shared trade and sustainability commitments on climate, 
biodiversity, labour rights, gender equality and sustainable food systems.  

The  EU  continued  building  stronger  bi-regional  partnerships  on  common  sectoral  priorities,  including 
through the organisation of a High-level pharmaceutical Forum on 21 March, the launch of the EU-LAC 
Digital Alliance in March in Colombia, and the LAC-EU Ministerial meeting on Environment and Climate 
in Costa Rica in May 2023. In the area of security, the second ministerial meeting between the EU and 

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the Latin American Internal Security Committee (CLASI) took place in Brussels in September. For the first 
time,  the  EU  was  the  Guest  of  Honour  at  the  largest  book  fair  in  the  Spanish-speaking  world  in 
Guadalajara, Mexico, a stepping stone to a more ambitious cultural diplomacy engagement.  

4.3.1.2. Implementation 

The EU Global Gateway strategy is the overarching framework for Commission action in Latin America 
and  the  Caribbean  (LAC), with  a  focus  given  to  a  jointly  agreed  investment  agenda.  The  EU-LAC GGIA 
includes  a  list  of  some  130  projects.  It  is  an  endeavour  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach,  as  is  the 
commitment to mobilise up to EUR 45 billion before 2027 for Global Gateway in Latin America and the 
Caribbean. Project examples include a Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Renewable Hydrogen in Chile (also 
supported by the EFSD+’s Latin America and Caribbean Investment Fund, LACIF), the development of a 
sustainable lithium value chain in Argentina and Bolivia, support to the Costa Rican government’s plan 
to shift public transportation to electric buses and trains, the improvement of maritime connectivity in 
the  Caribbean  as  well  as  the  fight  against  the  sargassum  plague,  and  the  Tropical  Forests  Initiative  in 
Brazil that will boost green economic development to prevent deforestation in the Amazon.  

Human development and inequalities 

The EU-LAC Days, in the framework of the third EU-CELAC Summit, included an EU-LAC Forum ‘Partners 
in  Change’  with  Youth,  Civil  Society  and Local  Authorities  and  an  EU-LAC  Business  Round  Table  which 
presented  important developments  in the region and advocated  for a more  inclusive  approach,  and a 
multi-stakeholder mechanism to foster the future bi-regional partnership. 

As  a  follow-up,  the  event  ‘Multi-actor  Dialogue  Forum:  Just  Green  Transition,  Inclusive  Digital 
Transformation, and Social Cohesion’ in October 2023, funded by the EU and organised in Costa Rica by 
the  EU-LAC  Foundation,  took  place.  Commission  services  renewed  the  support  to  the  EU-LAC 
Foundation with a EUR 2 million grant to continue facilitating the involvement of civil society and other 
key stakeholders in the bi-regional dialogue between EU and LAC.  

Regarding  education,  social  cohesion  and  the  fight  against  inequalities,  the  new  EU  programme 
‘Inclusive Societies in LAC’ (EUR 60 million) was announced by Commissioner Urpilainen at the high-level 
opening of the EU-LAC Forum in July 2023. This represented a key milestone to signal EU commitment to 
social cohesion in LAC, as well as a key contribution to the regional Team Europe Initiative (TEI) ‘Inclusive 
and Equitable Societies’ implemented jointly with six EU Member States.  

In 2023, the programme EUROsociAL Bridge (EUR 1 million) allowed for further EU-LAC collaboration in 
social policy reforms and regional networks, building on the work of the EU programme EUROsociAL+, 
which  also  quick-started  studies  to  develop  the  above  TEI  to  explore  how  to  underpin  the  social 
dimension of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda (GGIA) in a 360-degree approach.  

A  LAC  regional  Erasmus+  Week  took  place  in  Panama  in  November  2023.  It  was  the  first  regional 
gathering since 2017, with more than 150 participants and stakeholders of these international actions. 
There was also a call in 2023 to build capacity for VET (Vocational Education and Training) providers to 
strengthen public-private cooperation. 

In  the  field  of  health,  the  EU-LAC  Partnership  on  ‘Health  Resilience  and  Equitable  Access  to  Health 
Products’ achieved progress in its priority areas thanks to the High-level Forum ‘Sharing pharmaceutical 

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innovations between the EU and LAC’ held in Brussels in March 2023, the Matchmaking B2B event, and 
the  identification  of  GGIA  investment  projects  on  health,  water,  sanitation  and  hygiene.  Two  EFSD+ 
initiatives selected to underpin health investments in LAC through the European Investment Bank (EIB) 
and the Gates Foundation initiatives were approved in 2023. 

An EU-PAHO (Pan American Health Organisation) partnership was established in July 2023 on ‘Equitable 
access to health technologies and local manufacturing capacities in LAC’ (EUR 3.8 million), with a view to 
strengthening  regulatory  frameworks,  and  supporting  health  research,  technology  transfer  and 
innovation  to  enhance  manufacturing  capacities  as  key  drivers  to  enable  sustainable  pharmaceutical 
production and private sector investment.  

In  September  2023,  the  ‘EU-Central  America  Business  Forum  on  Innovation  in  the  Pharmaceutical 
Sector’ took place in Costa Rica, where discussions included the study ‘Regulation in the pharmaceutical 
sector in Central America’, regulatory and market access issues, and GGIA investment opportunities.  

Reconstruction  and  rehabilitation  projects  funded  under  the  EFSD+  LACIF  blending  facility,  beyond 
physical  infrastructure,  aim  at  revitalising  communities  and  enhancing  resilience  when  facing  natural 
disasters  by  encompassing  socio-economic  initiatives,  to  empower  local  populations  and  to  stimulate 
economic growth. An exemplary flagship project for this sector is the Reconstruction Framework Loan 
(EUR  77.4  million)  signed  with  the  EIB  to  support  the  reconstruction  of  small-scale  infrastructures 
damaged during the 2016 Earthquake in Ecuador.  

In  Bolivia,  the  EU  budget  support  operation  ‘Increased  access  to  sanitation  in  rural  areas’  continued 
delivering  during  2023.  It  contributed to  provide  access  to  basic  sanitation  services  to more than  170 
000 persons in rural areas from 2019 to 2022, and 140 rural municipal governments ensured access to 
improved sanitation services in health centres and schools. 

Green Deal 

During  the  EU  CELAC  Summit,  the  EU  stepped  up  its  energy  cooperation  with Argentina  and  Uruguay 
with  the  signature  of  two  Memoranda  of  Understanding  (MoU).  The  former  sets  out  key  areas  of 
cooperation,  including  renewable  energy,  hydrogen,  and  methane  emissions  abatement  and  stresses 
the  need  to  provide  a  socially  just  energy  transition.  The  latter  highlights  renewable  energy,  energy 
efficiency  and  renewable  hydrogen  as  key  areas of cooperation  as  both  the  EU  and  Uruguay  strive  to 
reach climate neutrality by 2050.  

Only half of LAC countries have Multiannual Indicative Programmes (MIPs), thus the provision of support 
to  the  external  dimension  of  the  EU  Green  Deal  continued  to  be  a  key  priority  under  EU  regional 
cooperation  in  2023  directly  supporting  Global  Gateway  implementation.  The  EU’s  Team  Europe 
Initiative  (Green  transition)  flagship  programme  on  environment  and  climate  change,  Euroclima, 
provided assistance in the development and implementation of policies in key sectors, namely energy, 
renewable hydrogen, sustainable transport and water management. Euroclima operates by identifying 
key priorities for EU support during dialogue processes held with interested countries. Implementation 
is carried out by agencies of EU Member States and/or the United Nations system. 

Examples of projects carried out in 2023 include the strengthening of energy efficiency in the Nationally 
Determined Contributions (NDCs) in strategic sectors for Argentina and Chile, the strengthening of the 
Administrative  Associations  of  Community  Water  and  Sewerage  Systems  (ASADAS)  in  the  Greater 

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Metropolitan Area (GMA) of Costa Rica to improve their management and resilience to climate change, 
and the follow-up and monitoring of climate finance flows in LAC contributing to the fulfilment of the 
Paris Agreement. Moreover, during 2023, AL-INVEST Verde (EU-LA Alliance for Sustainable Growth and 
Jobs),  implemented  a  number  of  important  actions  related  to  the  EU  Deforestation  regulation  in  LAC 
during 2023.  

Green  Deal  country  projects  promote  energy  efficiency  and  innovation  under  the  Global  Gateway 
umbrella. Examples include EU investments supporting a fair green transition for LAC economies, such 
as the EFSD+ LACIF blending facility supported ‘Global Gateway Renewable Hydrogen Funding Platform 
for  Chile’,  part of the  Global  Gateway  flagship  Promotion  of  Renewable  Hydrogen  (RH2)  in  Chile.  This 
flagship is endowed with over EUR 200 million and with a projected total investment of more than EUR 
1.25  billion,  signed  with  the  EIB  and  KfW  (the  German  Development  Bank)  in  2023  and  designed  to 
channel private sector funding to the first renewable hydrogen projects at industrial scale in Chile. Other 
examples  are  electricity 
interconnection  projects  among  LAC  countries  (e.g.,  Ecuador,  Peru), 
development  of  the  lithium  value  chain  in  Argentina  and  Bolivia,  and  support  to  deforestation-free 
agricultural production in Brazil and in Costa Rica, where the EU is prepared to support, under a TEI, the 
promotion  of  public  electrical  transport  and  a  solid  plan  for  the  management  of  the  equipment, 
operations, services and technology.  

Sustainable growth and jobs 

Partnerships on Critical Raw Materials (CRM) were concluded in 2023 with Argentina and Chile. Various 
actions including high level missions to the three sub-regions, business missions to Argentina and Bolivia 
and  an  economic  mission  to  Guyana  in  2023  contributed  to  start  implementing  the  EU-LAC  Global 
Gateway  Investment  Agenda 
in  the  different  countries  and  consolidating  a  partnership  that 
encompasses cooperation, investment and trade. 

The  private  sector  is  essential  for  the  GGIA.  AL-INVEST  has  been  the  regional  spearhead  of  EU 
cooperation  in  this  area  over  the  last  30  years.  Currently,  AL-INVEST  Verde  (EU-LA  Alliance  for 
Sustainable  Growth  and  Jobs)  has  a  stronger  focus  on  sustainability  and  the  green  agenda.  It  has 
continued  to  support  LAC's  public  and  private  sectors,  especially  MSMEs,  and  reinforcing  Intellectual 
Property Rights (IPR), through, for example, providing grants to MSMEs (to support deforestation-free 
sustainable value chains of the agri-food sector and promoting the low carbon and circular economy) as 
well as technical assistance to the public sector on the EU Deforestation Regulation (traceability systems 
for deforestation-free value chains of coffee, soya, beef and leather in Brazil and Argentina).  

In addition to raising public awareness and providing specialised training for the judiciary and customs 
systems, AL-INVEST has continued developing during 2023 the new concept of ‘mentorships’, aiming at 
supporting some LAC countries to prepare new Geographical Indications (GIs) and trademarks, fostering 
the transfer of green technologies and adding economic value to local sustainable value chains. 

In November 2023, a new edition of AL-INVEST was approved (AL-INVEST Next), to continue delivering in 
these  key  priority  areas  and,  in  addition,  to  take  over  other  key  actions  previously  undertaken  by  the 
Foreign Policy Instrument (FPI), such as market access, sustainable value chains on critical raw materials 
and responsible business conduct (RBC).  

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Under  the  EFSD+  LACIF  blending  facility,  the  programme  ‘Implementation  of  the  NDCs  in  the  Urban 
Mobility Sector in LAC’, signed in 2023, will promote sustainable transport in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, 
Colombia, Ecuador, Mexico, and Panama. It aims to improve public urban mobility and non-motorised 
its  Nationally  Determined 
systems  (walking  and  cycling),  to  assist  each  country 
Contributions (NDCs) to the Paris Agreement, lowering greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate 
change impacts.  

in  achieving 

Regional  EFSD+  LACIF  initiatives  such  as  the  Triple  Bottom  Line  Inclusive  Finance  (TIF)  continued 
delivering during 2023 with EUR 59.4 million of total investments that are bringing together the tools, 
actors and financing necessary to improve access to finance for low-income populations and small and 
medium-sized  enterprises,  whilst  reducing  climate  risk  and  vulnerability,  especially  in  the  case  of 
smallholder farmers. 

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

The EU-LAC Digital Alliance programme (EUR 50 million) was launched in spring 2023 with an opening 
event  in  the  presence of the  European Commission’s Vice-President Vestager in Colombia. The Digital 
Alliance adopted a EU-LAC Joint Declaration (EU and 20 LAC countries) during the EU-CELAC summit in 
July 2023. The Digital Alliance programme has a central policy component establishing policy dialogues 
between EU and LAC covering artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, connectivity, digital government and 
data governance. A special focus is put on central America with ad-hoc policy dialogues.  

Another part of the programme concerns, under the Global Gateway flagship ‘Digital’, the expansion of 
the  BELLA  cable  infrastructure  to  Central  America  through  the  BELLA  II  grant.  On  the  occasion  of  the 
Digital Alliance Days in November 2023, Colombia announced its decision to connect to the BELLA cable.  

Another  large  regional  infrastructure  investment  consists  of  the  creation  of  two  Copernicus  satellite 
earth  observation  centres.  The  first  will  emerge  from  the  expansion  of  a  national  centre  in  Chile  to 
provide services to the entire region in the areas of land and marine observation. The second Copernicus 
centre will be created from scratch in Panama and will focus on disaster resilience and preparedness.  

The  Digital  Alliance  has  also  a  private  sector  component  with  the  provision  of  acceleration  services 
granted  to  successful  partnerships  between  start-ups  and  larger  companies  from  EU  and  LAC.  These 
joint ventures will cover a number of areas, starting with smart production in 2023 and clean technology 
in 2024. An example for investment programmes at bilateral level supporting a fair digital transition is 
the EU support provided to Colombia to connect 85 % of the population  to the  internet. This support 
focuses  specially  on  reaching  the  most  remote  areas  of  Colombia,  which  would  be  difficult  for  the 
private sector to cover without public funds, as well as those where a stronger presence of the state will 
be conducive to the peace efforts undertaken by Colombia. 

Migration and forced displacement 

The Commission has been active in supporting LAC countries in dealing with the effects of Venezuelan 
migration  to  neighbouring  countries.  For  instance,  a  new  EUR  10  million  action  adopted  in  2023  for 
Colombia  will  help  the  socio-economic  integration  of  Venezuelan  migrants  in  Colombia  in  coherence 
with  the  national  policy.  In  March  2023,  Canada  and  the  European  Union  co-hosted  the  International 
Conference  in  Solidarity  with  Venezuelan  Refugees  and  Migrants.  The  event  aimed  to  maintain  the 
visibility  of  this  crisis,  and  to  continue  to  support  host  countries  in  the  Latin  America  and  Caribbean 

101 

 
 
region  that  are  undertaking  significant  efforts  to  welcome  and  integrate  Venezuelan  refugees  and 
migrants. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

EU  support  to  peace  has  continued  during  2023.  A  Team  Europe  Initiative  provides  support  to 
Colombia’s  ‘Total  Peace’  policy,  and  includes  a  budget  support  operation  ‘Contributing  to  the 
implementation  of  the  Peace  Agreement  by  supporting  the  Social  and  Economic  Reincorporation  of 
former  FARC-EP members in  Colombia'.  The  EU  supports  the  enhancement of  the  technical skills of 1 
638  ex-FARC  members,  of  which  39  %  were  women,  through  an  EU  budget  support  operation.  As  a 
result, since 2019, a cumulative total of 7 525 persons in reincorporation are reported to have access to 
formal education through either the public system or a form of vocational training (individuals may have 
taken  more  than  one  course).  Of  these,  13  %  refer  to  primary  education  and  84  %  to  secondary 
education and the remaining 3 % to higher education. These persons benefitted from vocational training 
programmes,  improving  their  skills  and  competences  to  conduct  income  generating  activities.  In 
addition, 1  646 people in the  process  of reincorporation have  been granted secured access  to land in 
2022. Access to education and land are crucial elements for a successful reintegration process. 

EU  Regional  security  programmes  with  LAC  partners  (EL  PAcCTO  on  transnational  organised  crime, 
COPOLAD  on  the  fight  against  drugs,  and  EUROFRONT  on  border  management)  continued  to  deliver 
during 2023 on their key role in underpinning bi-regional cooperation in the field of justice and security. 
The new EL PAcCTO 2.0 programme (EUR 58.8 million) started running from November 2023. The new 
programme is aligned with the New Agenda for Relations between the EU and LAC, the TEI on Justice 
and Security with LAC, and the EU strategy to tackle Organised Crime for the period 2021-2025. 

Food security and nutrition 

The budget support operation in Honduras ‘Increasing Food Security and Nutrition (FSN) investment at 
municipal level’ contributed to an increase in FSN municipal investments of 63  % in 2021 and 80  % in 
2022 (compared to 2018 levels), by leveraging public local investments in water and sanitation, hygiene, 
natural  resources,  food  assistance,  land  tenure,  agriculture,  entrepreneurship,  and  health  sectors. 
During 2023, the EU supported the allocation of EUR 18 750 to each municipality to fund agriculture and 
entrepreneurship initiatives for the inclusion of the most vulnerable population (5.65 % exclusively for 
women  groups)  and  improve  availability  and  access  to  food.  During  2023,  the population  trained  and 
certified under a competency-based training model increased from 4 000 to 22 042 persons. 

Case Studies 

On  sustainable  finance,  the  EFSD+  LACIF  co-financed  the  Latin  American  Green  Bond  Fund  (LAGreen) 
programme. The fund was established in December 2019 by KfW with seed capital from the EU and the 
German  Ministry  for  Economic  Development  and  Cooperation  (BMZ)  and  started  its  operational 
activities in 2021. The Fund’s mission is to generate climate, environmental and social impact through 
the provision of responsible green finance in Latin America and the Caribbean. This objective is pursued 
by  supporting  the  development  of  the  nascent  green  bond  market  in  the  region,  which  has  great 
potential  to  mobilise  substantial  volumes  of  funding  from  public  and  private  investors  for  sustainable 
projects. Up to the end of 2023, the Fund supported seven bond issuers, in Colombia, Peru, Costa Rica, 
Ecuador, Mexico and Panamá, to access the market and helped to improve the green credentials of their 

102 

 
 
bonds.  The  issuers  include  banks,  leasing  companies  and  a  first  corporate.  LAGreen  also  serves  as  a 
platform 
including  European 
for  strengthening  the  partnership  with 
governments,  multilateral  organisations,  development  finance 
institutions,  and  private  sector 
stakeholders, to join forces in promoting impact finance. The EU’s EUR 13 million commitment for Junior 
Shares  in  LAGreen  aims  to  serve  as  starting  capital,  being  leveraged  with  contributions  from  other 
public-sector investors, DFIs and private investors, with the objective of reaching a volume of USD 500 
million after five years of activity.  

like-minded 

investors, 

On Critical Raw Materials two Strategic Partnerships were signed with Argentina and Chile in 2023. As 
part  of  the  external  dimension  of  the  Critical  Raw  Materials  Act,  the  EU  is  establishing  mutually 
beneficial strategic partnerships with third countries in full alignment with the Global Gateway strategy 
and through a ‘Team Europe’ approach. 

These strategic partnerships cover  all the stages  of the  CRM value  chain (from  exploration extraction, 
processing, refining to recycling and waste management) but also the surrounding ecosystem, notably 
energy provision, transport, connectivity and infrastructure development. They put an emphasis on high 
environmental,  social  and  governance  (ESG)  standards  and  creating  value  addition  at  local  level  for 
resource rich developing and emerging countries. Successful business missions to Argentina and Bolivia 
have brought businesses and public/private stakeholders together. It is clear that there is a  significant 
need for the public sector to engage and help create an enabling environment for investment and to de-
risk what is considered a highly risky investment climate and high-risk sector. The missions have started 
to  bring  together  political,  industrial  and  financial  elements  to  rally  stakeholders  around  supporting 
concrete CRM investment projects in LAC. 

4.3.1.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

The situation in Latin America and the Caribbean continued to be marked in 2023 by several overlapping 
complex  emergencies,  including  the  internal  and  regional  impact  of  the  crisis  in  Venezuela,  the 
humanitarian consequences of the armed conflict in Colombia as well as the pervasive violence in Haiti, 
Central America, Mexico and Ecuador. In addition, the LAC region registered growing numbers of people 
affected  by  extreme  natural  events  (which  are  more  frequent  due  to  climate  change),  growing 
displacement  and  migration,  increasing  poverty  and  socio-economic  instability.  Furthermore,  in  2023 
the  region  suffered  the  impacts  of  the  climate-related  phenomenon  El  Niño,  including  higher  food 
insecurity. In total, the EU allocated EUR 152.8 million on humanitarian aid in 2023 to the region. 

Despite  hopes  for  improvements,  in  2023,  Venezuela’s  socio-economic  and  political  crisis  worsened 
with severe humanitarian consequences for 20.1 million people. Since the beginning of the crisis, more 
than 7.7 million people have left the country. In 2023, the EU allocated EUR 75 million to the crisis and 
continued to provide integrated protection and humanitarian assistance to the most vulnerable groups, 
inside Venezuela and in the region, across all relevant sectors. To offer more visibility to this crisis and its 
regional  dimension,  in  March  2023,  the  European  Commission  co-organised  with  Canada  a  Solidarity 
Conference with refugees and migrants from Venezuela. The European Commission continued its efforts 
to improve operating conditions and access for humanitarian actors through donor coordination and the 
Commission services-facilitated Humanitarian Aid Working Group of the International Contact Group. 

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The  humanitarian  situation  in  Colombia  remained  alarming  in  2023  due  to  the  persisting  internal 
conflict,  compounded by the impact of more than 2.5 million Venezuelan migrants and refugees in the 
country.  Border  areas  with  Venezuela  and  the  Pacific  coast  have  been  particularly  affected  by 
widespread violence. In Colombia, the EU allocated EUR 28.7 million to, amongst others, assist victims of 
the armed conflict and climate-related disasters and to respond to the Venezuelan and transcontinental 
mixed migration crisis. 

In  South  America,  the  EU  also  supported  communities  affected  by  climate-related  events  (such  as 
flooding  and  drought)  through  both  emergency  assistance  and  disaster  preparedness  actions  to 
strengthen national and local capacities.  

in  the  sub-region,  and 

In 2023, the Central America region continued to bear the effects of high exposure to natural hazards and 
epidemics, endemic poverty as well as complex socio-economic and political situations and social unrest. 
In  2023,  9.3  million  people  in  Guatemala,  Honduras  and  El  Salvador  needed  humanitarian  assistance, 
with  main  drivers  being  increased  internal  displacement  (around  1  million  people  affected),  human 
rights  violations,  impacts  of  natural  hazards  and  the  weather  phenomenon  El  Niño  aggravating  food 
insecurity 
increasing  transcontinental  and  extra-continental  population 
movements. For example, the number of people transiting through the Darien Gap in Panama increased 
dramatically  during 2023 with more than 500 000 persons reported, doubling the number of 2022. In 
2023,  the  EU’s  response  of  EUR  24.95  million  focused  on  addressing  the  critical  needs  of  the  most 
vulnerable: People on  the  move,  victims  and  survivors  of  violence,  including  organised  crime,  notably 
women and children, through protection and relief assistance, provision of food assistance and short to 
medium-term livelihood recovery and protection, and multi-sectoral approaches incorporating disaster 
preparedness  to  improve  capacities  for  rapid  response  and  early  action.  Further,  the  EU  provided 
emergency assistance in the aftermath of Hurricane Otis in Mexico. 

4.3.1.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

In  Latin  America,  the  EU  renewed  its  support  to  confidence  building,  mediation  and  dialogue  in  the 
border  zone  of  Belize  and  Guatemala.  In  Venezuela,  the  EU  launched  a  new  crisis  response  action  to 
support confidence building and community outreach activities in targeted areas of Venezuela. The EU 
has continued supporting Ecuador to address the penitentiary crisis as well as the socio-environmental 
conflicts in the  country, especially linked to illegal exploitation of natural resources. In addition, three 
new  Financing  Decisions  were  adopted  to  preserve  civil  space  in  Central  America,  support  peace 
consolidation  in  Colombia,  and  strengthen  security  coordination  through  a  new  ‘Fusion  Centre’  in 
Ecuador.  

Support  was  also  provided  to  develop  the  Latin  America  and  Caribbean  Cyber  Competence  Centre 
(LAC4) as a regional hub for cyber capacity building including mapping of ongoing initiatives(82).  

Through  the  Organisation  of  American  States  (OAS)  the  EU  contributes  to  countering  the  illicit 
proliferation and trafficking of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition, and at mitigating 
their  impact  in  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean.  This  is  done  in  the  framework  of  the  EU  Strategy 
against Illicit Firearms, Small Arms & Light Weapons and their Ammunition: ‘Securing Arms, Protecting 

82 Initiatives accessible on the EU CyberNet website. 

104 

 
 
 
Citizens’.  The  EU  is  also  actively  contributing  to  strengthening  biological  safety  and  security  in  Latin 
America in line with the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1540 (2004)(83). 

The  EU’s  Global  Illicit  Flows  Programme  (GIFP)  flagship  initiative  continued  to  support  partner 
countries’  law  enforcement  and  criminal  justice  authorities  in  their  efforts  to  tackle  transnational 
organised  crime,  be  it  in  relation  to  narcotics,  illicit  arms  trafficking,  wildlife  crime  or  illicit  financial 
flows. A substantive example is the Trigger VI action led by Interpol in cooperation with United Nations 
Office  on  Drugs  and  Crime  (UNODC)  in  13  South  American  countries,  which  led  to  the  recovery  of 
around 200  000 illicit  firearms, ammunition and explosives, the arrest of almost  4 000 individuals and 
the  destruction  of  27  cocaine  labs.  Additional  operational  cooperation  with  Latin  America  is  done 
through EMPACT firearms and the El PAcCTO project. 

4.3.2.  The Caribbean 

4.3.2.1.  Introduction (policy developments) 

2023 was a very meaningful year for the EU-Caribbean relations. The election of Saint Vincent and the 
Grenadines as CELAC Presidency Pro Tempore in January was a good start for raising the profile of the 
Caribbean  in  the  relaunch  of  the  wider  EU-CELAC  relations.  The  EU  hosted  a  dedicated  EU-Caribbean 
Leaders’  Meeting  on  17  July,  before  the  opening  of  the  Summit.  It  was  the  only  such  sub-regional 
meeting, and a recognition of the Caribbean as a distinct group that deserves the EU’s special attention. 
The increased momentum for the  EU-Caribbean partnership was  further advanced by continued high-
level engagement throughout the year, including bilateral meetings of the EU Presidents with Caribbean 
leaders, and a visit of then EVP Timmermans to the sub-region. The HRVP was in Cuba in May for the EU-
Cuba Joint Council in the framework of the Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA), which 
offers  the  framework  for  a  constructive  but  critical  engagement  with  the  country.  In  November,  the 
EUSR  for  HR  Gilmore  also  visited  Havana  to  hold  a  very  meaningful  4th  Political  Dialogue  on  Human 
Rights under the Agreement. 

The  EU  and  its  Member  States  and  a  majority  of  the  Organisation  of  African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific 
States (OACPS) signed the Samoa Agreement on 15 November in Apia. However, by the end of 2023, a 
number  of  OACPS  countries  had  still  not  signed  it,  and  hence  did  not  take  part  in  its  provisional 
application starting on 1 January 2024. The Caribbean protocol of the Agreement, tailored to the sub-
region's  needs  and  dynamics,  will  allow  for  an  unprecedented  regional  focus,  with  its  own  specific 
governance.  

The  EU  maintained  cooperation  efforts  with  the  Caribbean  in  the  framework  of  three  partnerships, 
designed  to  address  the  region’s  multifaceted  vulnerabilities:  Green  Deal,  Economic  Resilience  and 
Trade, and Governance, Security and Human Development. The partnerships are being  animated via a 
‘Team  Europe’  approach,  and  will  be  further  implemented  through  the  Global  Gateway  EU-LAC 
Investment Agenda launched at the EU-CELAC Summit. A separate case is Haiti, the largest recipient of 
EU assistance in the region, which is still engulfed in a deep and multifaceted crisis (with impact on the 
wider region), for which EU efforts focus on a humanitarian-development-peace nexus approach. 

83 http://unscr.com/en/resolutions/1540 

105 

 
 
 
4.3.2.2. Implementation 

Human development and inequalities 

In  the  wake  of  COVID-19,  some  projects  funded  by  EFSD+  LACIF  have  focused  on  preventing  and 
mitigating the impact on the  most vulnerable population groups. In 2023, a health blending operation 
started  to  transform  the  Queen  Elizabeth  Hospital  in  Barbados,  which  supports  the  government’s 
programme  to  enhance  the  competitiveness  of  public  services  in  health.  This  project  is  starting  to 
benefit 45 000 patients, with EUR 43 million of EU contributions and IDB loans. 

In  addition,  in  2023  the  IDB-led  ‘Programme  to  support  the  health  system  strengthening  of  the 
Bahamas’  was  signed.  This  programme  will  enhance  the  capacity  of  primary  health  care  and  deliver 
accessible  and  high-quality  services  to  the  Bahamas  population,  by  facilitating  access  and  improving 
services for approximately 70 000 people. 

The  EU  is  also  a  partner  of  the  Caribbean  Public  Health  Agency  (CARPHA).  The  European  Commission 
mobilised support and EU Member States expertise in 2023 to carry out a health needs assessment for 
Caribbean  countries  under  the  Caribbean  Cooperation  Facility  as  well  as  to  support  their  regulatory 
frameworks.  At  country  level,  in  2023  health-related  projects  were  in  preparation,  notably  in  Mexico 
and  Cuba.  Furthermore,  in  October  2023,  a  TAIEX  Regional  Workshop  on  EU-Caribbean  Regulatory 
Systems for Health Products was organised by the Commission and gathered key stakeholders such as 
regulatory authorities in Caribbean and EU Member States, the European Medicines Agency, and global 
actors  such  as  PAHO/WHO,  to  focus  on  reinforcing  regulatory  capacity  in  the  Caribbean,  improving 
regional  quality  and  monitoring  of  health  products,  and  providing  a  better  regulatory  framework  for 
local production. 

Green Deal 

Under  the  Global  Gateway  flagship  Climate  and  Energy,  the  Global  Green  Bond  Initiative  envisages 
support  to  creating  an  enabling  environment  for  the  issuance  of  Green  Bonds  in  the  Dominican 
Republic,  an  action  which  is  also  part  of  the  national  TEI  ‘Dominican  Republic  Green  and  Sustainable 
Transition’ on sustainable finance. Further, the Green Bonds GGIA infrastructure investment opportunity 
supports the development of the green bond market in Costa Rica, Colombia, Dominican Republic and 
Peru to mobilise capital for financing the sustainable transition and access to finance. 

EFSD+  LACIF is enabling potential investment in the Caribbean to promote climate  resilience,  improve 
public health, support environmental protection and healthy oceans. Under the Caribbean Sustainable 
Water  Management  and  Clean  Oceans  Programme,  the  EIB  in  collaboration  with  other  development 
financial institutions is building a project pipeline focused on sustainable water resource management, 
wastewater  treatment,  storm  water  management  and  solid  waste  management  in  several  Caribbean 
countries. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

The EFSD+ LACIF blending facility also provides financial support to projects that address critical needs in 
the  banking  and  financial  services  sector  in  LAC  (e.g.,  technological  infrastructure,  digital  banking 
solutions,  and  robust  financial  systems)  to  improve  accessibility  and  inclusivity,  particularly  for 
underserved  communities.  The  EUR  54  million  project  ‘Greening  the  Caribbean  Financial  System’  was 

106 

 
 
signed  in  2023,  bringing  investment  grants  and  additional  funding  with  a  gender  focus  to  reduce 
greenhouse gas emission, increase climate resilience and reduce social vulnerabilities.  

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

During  the  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  Days  in  Cartagena,  Colombia  in  November  2023,  it  was  agreed  to 
open a specific policy discussion with the Caribbean countries. In particular, it was agreed to develop by 
June 2024 a Toolbox supporting the legal and regulatory needs in the Digital Alliance policy areas.  

In  Jamaica  progress  continued  during  2023  on  the  EU's  initiative  supporting  inclusive  access to  digital 
technology  in  education  and  MSMEs.  In  the  Dominican  Republic,  the  LAC  Cyber  Competence  Centre 
continued during 2023 to providing training in cybersecurity for civil servants of all LAC countries.  

The LACIF blending operations with the IDB in Barbados and Bahamas also target actions on connectivity 
and  digitalisation  to  enhance  the  efficiency  of  delivering  digital  services,  aiming  at  improving  patient 
care and increase sanitary staff satisfaction. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

EU LAC Regional programmes EL PAcCTO (transnational organised crime), COPOLAD (fight against drugs) 
and  EUROFRONT  (border  management),  continued  to  play  a  key  role  in  underpinning  the  bi-regional 
cooperation in the field of justice and security. The third EU-CELAC Summit reinforced the commitment 
of both regions to strengthen cooperation initiatives in the field of citizen security and social justice, by 
further enhancing the EU-LAC Partnership on Justice and Security. In this context, the new EL PAcCTO 
2.0  programme  (EUR 58.8 million), approved by end 2022, started running from November 2023 until 
December 2027 and now, for the first time, has expanded its work also to the Caribbean.  

Case study 

The Global Gateway flagship ‘Addressing the threat of the sargassum algae plague in the Caribbean’ was 
launched  in  2023.  Identifying  sargassum  as  an  example  of  a  regional  Caribbean  project,  the  Global 
Gateway Investment Agenda builds upon the EU’s active role in laying the foundations for collaboration 
between Caribbean States and territories in the fight against this invasive species, and aims to provide a 
structured, political, and practical approach to tackle this challenge. 

The  exponentially  increased  accumulation  of  the  sargassum  sea  algae  since  2011  is  the  direct 
consequence of increased climate change. Not only are accumulations growing at an alarming rate, 2023 
is  projected  to  see  twice  as  much  as  in  any  of  the  previous  years.  The  consequences  of  sargassum 
accumulation  on  Caribbean  shores  vary  from  one  country  to  another,  but  three  main  strands  can  be 
identified:  impact  on  the  environment  (coastal  and water  quality  erosion  and  deterioration  of marine 
ecosystems), impact on the economy (loss of traditional livelihoods e.g., fishing,  and some estimations 
already indicate a significant drop in tourism directly linked to sargassum), and impact on public health 
(decomposition  gas  exposure  and  bioaccumulation  of  toxins  in  food  sources),  all  of  which  results  in 
increasing costs for affected coastal communities in the region. For a region classified amongst the most 
vulnerable to climate change in the world, the impact of sargassum can be significant.  

In 2023, a policy dialogue platform was set up to continue developing this priority GGIA project. 

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4.3.2.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

Haiti 

5.2 million Haitians were in a dire humanitarian situation in 2023, of which 1.9 million were in need of 
protection. Gang violence expanded from the capital Port au Prince to other departments, in particular 
to the Artibonita. The number of people facing acute hunger in the country has more than doubled in 
the  last  several  years,  reaching  4.9  million  in  2023.  220  000  people  are  internally  displaced,  most  of 
them living in spontaneous sites without access to basic services such as food, potable water and health 
or  education  services.  Against  this  background,  the  EU  has  mobilised  EUR  18.5  million  in  2023  to 
mitigate  the  acute  food  insecurity  and  malnutrition  in  the  country,  to  assist  and  protect  victims  of 
violence,  to  respond  to  the  cholera  outbreak,  and  to  support  education  in  emergencies.  The  EU  also 
invested  EUR  2 million  in disaster  preparedness  in  a  country which  is  particularly  exposed  to multiple 
sudden onset natural and climatic disasters. 

The wider Caribbean 

In the Caribbean, 45 million people – representing the entire population – are highly exposed to natural 
hazards,  including  stronger  tropical  storms,  hurricanes,  earthquakes,  longer  lasting  droughts,  and 
volcanic eruptions, now aggravated by the effects of climate change. Furthermore, the high dependence 
on imports  of fuel,  food and inputs  for the  agricultural sector, the  effects of the  post-COVID-19 crisis, 
and  the  conflict  in  Ukraine  have  had  a  significant  impact  on  both the  availability  of certain  foodstuffs 
and their prices and affect the levels of hunger and malnutrition. In response, at the end of 2023, the EU 
mobilised EUR 3 million that have been used mainly to strengthen vulnerable populations’ food security 
and nutrition in the Dominican Republic. 

In 2023, the EU has remained engaged to support resilience and disaster preparedness in the subregion 
for  a  total  of  EUR  4  million.  The  overall  objective  has  been  to  support  Regional,  National  and  Local 
Disaster  Risk  Management  organisations  as  well  as  to  strengthen  vulnerable  communities’ 
preparedness  and  resilience  in  a  subregion  that  is  highly  exposed  to multiple  sudden  onset natural 
and climatic hazards. 

4.3.2.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

In the Caribbean, the EU continued its engagement with the local civil society to cultivate leadership for 
community  mediation  and  peacebuilding  in  vulnerable  communities  in  Haiti  under  the  NDICI-Global 
Europe  thematic  programme  for  Peace,  Stability  and  Conflict  Prevention.  In  addition,  a  new  action  is 
under  preparation  to  address  the  exploitation  and/or  management  of  natural  resources  in  the  Latin 
America and the Caribbean region. 

The ‘Operation Caribe’ facilitated enhanced information sharing and coordinated rummage activities of 
Joint Maritime Control Units (JMCUs) on targeted vessels in the Caribbean region. This operation aimed 
to  intensify  law  enforcement  while  evaluating  the  strength  and  capacity  of  SEACOP’s  Maritime 
Intelligence Units (MIUs) in real-time information sharing. 

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4.4. 

European Neighbourhood  

4.4.1.   European Neighbourhood East  

4.4.1.1. Introduction (policy developments)  

In  the  Eastern  Neighbourhood  (Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Georgia,  the  Republic  of  Moldova  (hereinafter 
Moldova), Ukraine, and Belarus), 2023 continued to be dominated by Russia’s war of aggression against 
Ukraine on the one hand, and the deepening of EU’s relations with several eastern partner countries on 
the  other  hand.  This  culminated  in  the  decision  by  the  European  Council  in  December  2023  to  open 
accession  negotiations  with  Ukraine  and Moldova,  and  grant  Georgia  the  status  of  candidate  country. 
Consequently,  the  EU’s  relations  with  these  countries  are  entering  a  new  phase,  guided  by  the  EU’s 
enlargement policy.  

However, 2023 was also marked by Azerbaijan’s military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh in September, 
indicating that further destabilisation in the region remains a possibility, while underscoring the need for 
the EU’s continued engagement in the region. The EU demonstrated commitment to promoting security, 
stability,  and  peace  in  the  region,  including  through  the  normalisation  process,  facilitated  by  the 
President of the European Council. In addition, the  EU expressed readiness to deepen and strengthen 
relations with Armenia in all its dimensions, as mandated by the European Council. At the same time the 
EU also pursued cooperation with Azerbaijan. With regard to Belarus, the EU continued supporting the 
people of Belarus and its civil society, and their aspirations for a democratic and sovereign Belarus.  

The Annual Eastern Partnership (EaP) Foreign Affairs Ministerial meeting in December 2023 reaffirmed 
that  the  current  ‘recovery,  resilience  and  reform’  agenda  for  the  EaP  remains  valid  and  that  the  EaP 
remains  an  important  vehicle  for  regional  cooperation  based  on  a  more  flexible  and  streamlined 
approach.  In  2023,  the  EaP  framework  continued  to  deliver  support  tailored  to  the  needs  of  each 
partner, supporting those on the enlargement path, and strengthening cooperation with others in areas 
of mutual interest. Strengthening resilience, promotion of the rule of law, gender equality and respect 
for  human  rights  remained  the  foundations  for  this  cooperation.  Looking  forward,  the  new  political 
context has paved the way for renewed efforts to strengthen links with Central Asia and the Black Sea 
region, notably in the area of connectivity (transport, energy, and digital), as well as Western Balkans on 
the enlargement dimension.  

The  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  for  the  Eastern  Partnership  remains  the  key  instrument  in  this 
respect and has already mobilised EUR 7.5 billion in investments (as of 1 December 2023). The five long-
term  policy  objectives  in  key  priority  areas  are:  economy  and  connectivity;  rule  of  law  and  security; 
environment  and  climate;  digital;  and  fair  and  inclusive  societies.  The  EU's  support  to  EaP  countries 
continued to reflect its conditionality and incentive-based approach upon the implementation of agreed 
structural reforms.  

The EU continued cooperation with Armenia on its ambitious reform agenda and the implementation of 
the  EU-Armenia  Comprehensive  and  Enhanced  Partnership  Agreement.  There  is  shared  ambition  to 
increase cooperation through the launch of a new Partnership Agenda, which would focus on stepping 
up  investments,  boosting  security  and  defence  cooperation,  and  strengthening  sectoral  cooperation. 
The  EU  assistance  focused  on  supporting  the  socio-economic  recovery  of  the  southern  region  in 
Armenia,  in  particular  Syunik,  as  the  region  most  affected  by  the  2020  war.  Under  the  2022  Annual 

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Action Plan,  the  EU  continues  its  budget  support to justice  reform  and  put  in  place  a  budget  support 
programme  dedicated  to  education.  Support  to  boosting  climate  resilience  and  sustainable  energy 
solutions was also undertaken. The implementation of the EIP continued, with progress on most flagship 
projects. The EU has provided EUR 17.65 million in humanitarian assistance and EUR 15 million in budget 
support  since  September  2023  to  assist  efforts  by  the  Armenian  authorities  to  host  around  100  000 
Karabakh Armenians.  

In a context of increasing restrictions to fundamental freedoms, especially in the second half of the year, 
the EU continued to keep the rule of law and respect for human rights at the core of its dialogue with 
Azerbaijan. As such, the EU continued to promote governance reforms and remained the largest donor 
to  civil  society  in  the  country.  The  EU  has  addressed  relevant  concerns  with  the  authorities  in  official 
fora,  such  as  the  annual  Sub-Committee  on  Justice,  Freedom,  Security  and  Human  Rights  and 
Democracy held in May in Brussels. The Annual Action Programme (AAP) for 2023 includes support for 
energy  efficiency  and  renewable  energy,  criminal  justice  reform,  and  a  flexible  facility  for  a  stronger 
economy and structural reforms to create a better business environment and investment climate. 

The EU has also played a central role in facilitating the Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks, demonstrating 
its commitment to a peaceful and prosperous South Caucasus. In this context, a new full-fledged civilian 
EU Mission to Armenia (EUMA) was launched in February 2023, with a two-year mandate. The mission is 
tasked to observe and report on the situation on the ground, contribute to human security in conflict-
affected areas, and contribute to building confidence. The Council decided to strengthen the mission in 
December 2023, by increasing its presence on the ground from 138 staff to 209.  

In  Belarus,  the  rampant  repression  of  all  segments  of  Belarusian  society  continued.  Human  rights 
organisations refer to more  than 30 laws  and orders amended in 2023 to legalise  the  repression. This 
includes areas affecting the freedom of conscience or religion, media, employment, and holding specific 
positions in state bodies, and national minorities. The trend also includes the legislative strengthening of 
the security sector. There are still around 1 500 political prisoners in detention, subjected to torture and 
ill  treatment.  At  least  five  have  lost  their  lives  since  2021.  Many  have  been  held  incommunicado  for 
months.  In  September,  the  regime  adopted  a  decree  restricting  the  delivery  of  passports  and  other 
consular  services  to  Belarusians  abroad.  This  was  done  with  the  clear  intention  to  target  people  who 
have  left  the  country  and  to  make  their  status even more  vulnerable.  The majority of the  democratic 
opposition,  activists  and  independent  journalists  remain  in  exile.  Lukashenka  has  made  Belarus  an 
accomplice of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine by putting its territory and infrastructure at the 
disposal  of the  Russian troops  from  day  one  of  the war.  The  EU  has  replied with  a  united  and  strong 
condemnation,  and  adopted  a  seventh  package  of  sanctions  in  August.  At  the  same  time,  the  EU 
continued  to  provide  sustained  support  to  civil  society,  victims  of  the  repression,  independent  media 
and defenders of human rights and democracy. A new Special Measure 2023 was adopted in December 
to support civil society in Belarus bringing the total support to the people of Belarus to over EUR 140 
million since August 2020. 

The European Council granted Georgia the status of candidate country in December 2023, based on the 
European  Commission  recommendations  and  on  the  understanding  that  nine  steps  specified  in  the 
Commission’s  enlargement  report  are  taken.  These  nine  reform  priorities  are  now  the  guiding 
framework for Georgia’s next steps on the EU accession path. 2023 was marked by political polarisation, 
not  only  among  political  actors,  but  also  at  society  and  community  level.  Georgia  continued  to 

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implement successfully sectoral reforms in particular those linked to the Deep and Comprehensive Free 
Trade  Area  (DCFTA).  The  most  pressing  challenges  were  related  to  the  judicial  reform,  de-
oligarchisation,  electoral  legislation,  independence  of  State  institutions,  freedom of media,  expression 
and  assembly.  The  assistance  planned  in  2023  (total  of  EUR  85  million)  took  into  account  the 
geostrategic challenges that Georgia faces. The package focuses in particular on balanced territorial and 
human capital development,  as well as energy diversification to accelerate the implementation of the 
Economic and Investment Plan. Another strand of this assistance aims at enhancing Georgia’s resilience 
and  capacity  to  address  national  security  threats,  including  hybrid  threats,  critical  infrastructure 
protection, cybersecurity  legislative  frameworks  and  disinformation.  The  country  also  benefitted  from 
EUR 30 million under the European Peace Facility (EPF) to modernise its defence sector (adding to the 
previous EUR 32 million assistance measure in 2022 and 2021).  

In  Moldova,  the  positive  momentum  for  structural  reforms  has  continued,  culminating  with  the 
European  Council's  decision  in  December  2023  to  open  accession  negotiations.  In  particular,  the 
European Commission, in its enlargement report, recommended that Moldova take further measures in 
the  areas  of  comprehensive  justice  reform,  the  fight  against  corruption,  and  de-oligarchisation  to 
consolidate the progress achieved thus far. In 2023, Moldova continued sectoral reforms to fully exploit 
the EU-Moldova Association Agreement, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement 
(DCFTA),  and  joined  several  EU  programmes.  While  the  pressure  from  the  refugee  crisis  has  lessened 
and  crucial  reforms  have  stabilised  the  country’s energy  sector with the  help of  EU  support, Moldova 
continued  to  face  the  spillover  effects  of  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine.  The  country  has 
remained a target of pervasive hybrid actions by Russia and its proxies, notably through cyber-attacks, 
foreign  information  manipulation  and  interference,  including  disinformation,  aimed  at  obstructing 
democratic  processes  in  the  country.  In  2023,  the  EU-Moldova  cooperation  on  security  and  defence 
matters  exponentially  increased.  The  EU  launched  the  EU  Partnership  Mission  in  the  Republic  of 
Moldova (EUPM Moldova) under the Common Security and Defence Policy to enhance the resilience of 
the  security  sector.  In  addition,  the  EU  established  a  dedicated  sanctions  regime  and  adopted  a 
corresponding  listing  against  those  seeking  to  destabilise  Moldova.  The  country  has  continued 
benefitting  from  a  significant  assistance  measure  under  the  European  Peace  Facility  (EPF),  which 
amounted to EUR 40 million for 2023. Through its Autonomous Trade Measures, the EU has supported 
Moldova’s economy by ensuring duty-free and quota-free treatment for its exports.  In June 2023, the 
EU presented a comprehensive package of support for Moldova to address the impact of Russia's war of 
aggression against Ukraine and to bring the country closer to the EU. Moldova has also benefited from 
the ongoing Macro-Financial Assistance operation worth a total of up to EUR 295 million. 

Throughout 2023, the European Union increased its political, military, financial, humanitarian, legal and 
diplomatic support to Ukraine and the Ukrainian people. By the end of 2023, EU’s support amounted to 
EUR 88  billion. This included an EUR 18 billion package of  macro-financial assistance for 2023, making 
the EU the major source for Ukraine budget funding that year. Furthermore, preparations were made to 
set up a EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility for the years 2024-2027, which was adopted in 2024. EU Member 
States’ military support amounted to EUR 28 billion of which EUR 6.1 billion was via the EPF. The EU also 
continued to support the Ukrainian security sector, inter alia through the civilian EU Advisory Mission 
(EUAM  Ukraine)  and  continued  training  Ukrainian  soldiers  via  the  EU  Military  Assistance  Mission 
(EUMAM). By end 2023, close to 40 000 soldiers had undergone training. Crisis response measures also 
supported  mine  action,  early  recovery  and  support  to  social  cohesion  contributing  to  human  security 

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and  resilience.  In  December  2023,  the  European  Council  took  the  decision  to  open  accession 
negotiations with Ukraine, in line with Commission’s recommendation. In parallel, the EU and Ukraine 
further  strengthened  EU-Ukraine  relations  through  exploiting  fully  the  potential  of  the  EU-Ukraine 
Association Agreement including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA). The EU 
continued and further intensified diplomatic outreach to third countries in support of Ukraine  and on 
Ukraine’s Peace Formula, as the only framework for a just and sustainable peace, and as instructed by 
the  June  European  Council,  the  EU  started  discussions  with  Ukraine  on  the  future  EU  security 
commitments in November 2023, with a view to a conclusion in 2024. 

A  unique  type  of  support  to  the  Eastern  Partnership  is  done  through  the  territorial  cooperation 
programmes INTERREG where Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia and Armenia participate on equal footing with 
Member  States  to  support  jointly  developed  projects.  These  projects  cover  social  and  economic 
development of local communities, for enhanced cooperation between public authorities and for a safer 
Europe and its neighbours through, for example, border crossing infrastructure, mobility, and migration 
management. 

4.4.1.2. Support to Ukraine  

Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine  continued  to  cause  unprecedented  human  suffering  and 
destruction of physical infrastructure. The EU stepped up its engagement with Ukraine in all fields. The 
first  ever  Ukraine  government  to  European  Commission  meeting  took  place  in  February  2023,  just 
before the EU-Ukraine Summit, which underscored the EU’s unwavering broad support and dedication 
to enhance Ukraine’s integration with the EU. 

Throughout  2023, the  EU  increased  political, military,  financial,  legal  and  humanitarian  and  assistance 
support to Ukraine. By the end of 2023, the EU had provided  EUR 88 billion to Ukraine and its people. 
This  amount  encompassed  over  EUR  25  billion  of  macro-financial  assistance  loans,  accompanied  by 
reforms,  to  keep the  Ukrainian  state  afloat with  regular  disbursements,  and  EUR  28  billion of military 
support from EU Member States, including via the EPF. The EU also continued to support the Ukrainian 
security  sector,  inter  alia  through  the  civilian  EU  Advisory  Mission  (EUAM  Ukraine)  and  continued 
training  Ukrainian  soldiers  via  the  EU  Military  Assistance  Mission  (EUMAM).  By  end  2023,  close  to  40 
000  soldiers  had  undergone  training.  Crisis  response  measures  also  supported  mine  action,  early 
recovery and support to social cohesion contributing to human security and resilience. 

The EU also ensured duty-free and quota-free treatment for Ukrainian exports with Autonomous Trade 
Measures, supporting Ukraine’s economy to the tune of EUR 2 billion in additional export revenue.  

The historic decision taken by EU leaders in December 2023 to open accession negotiations with Ukraine 
is  a  major  milestone  in  EU-Ukraine  relations  and  for  future  EU  support  to  the  country.  EU  assistance 
played  a  pivotal  role  in  helping  Ukraine  to  advance  on  its  ambitious  reform  path.  EU  Flagship 
programmes  on  judicial  reform,  the  fight  against  corruption,  public  finance  management,  digital 
transformation  and  decentralisation  reform  continued  to  deliver  high-level  policy  advice  and  capacity 
building  support  across  key  reform  areas,  which  will  remain  essential  with  the  upcoming  accession 
negotiations.  

The EU has continued to support public administration reform and enhancing the qualifications of civil 
servants,  supporting  the  development  of  the  Law  on  Administrative  Procedures,  which  entered  into 

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force  in  December  2023,  and  training  more  than  10  000  officials  on  new  procedures.  As  of  end 
December 2023,  5  700  civil  servants  had  registered to the  e-learning  platform  to  follow  16  e-learning 
courses developed by the College of Europe in Natolin (Poland) in cooperation with the National Agency 
of Ukraine on Civil Service to increase Ukrainian civil servants’ understanding of EU affairs and acquis. 

With Russia’s full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine continuing and bringing massive destruction to 
the country, EU assistance is implemented under extremely challenging conditions. In order to facilitate 
the  fast  recovery  of  damaged  critical  infrastructure,  two  actions  with  a  combined  budget  of  EUR  624 
million were approved in 2023, including a EUR 250 million state building contract (budget support) to 
support  quick  repairs  of  critical  infrastructure,  recovery  and  to  help  small  farmers  to  enhance  food 
security.  

More than 32 million LED bulbs were distributed to the population and relevant public institutions via 
the  exchange  programme  for  incandescent  lamps  launched  by  the  government  and  Ukrposhta.  The 
campaign in particular targeted pensioners and citizens in smaller towns and remote areas, in an effort 
to enhance energy efficiency and reduce electricity consumption. 

The EU4Recovery programme, covering 10 regions in the east and south of Ukraine, focused on building 
local capacity and restoring service delivery in front-line and war-affected communities and regions. The 
supply of essential equipment to the State Emergency Services in response to the Kakhovka dam crisis 
allowed  their  units  to  work  more  effectively  in  affected  areas  to  monitor  and  prevent  potential 
environmental  threats.  The  EU4Resilient  Regions  programme  established  modular  housing  for  250 
internally displaced persons (IDPs) in the Chernivtsi region. 

EU  provided  vital  support  for  Ukraine’s  digital  state,  which  has  been  one  of  the  symbols  of  Ukraine’s 
resilience during the Russian war of aggression. The EU support has enabled Ukrainian government to 
step up the provision of digital services, collecting electronic evidence for persecution of  international 
crimes and enhancing cybersecurity.  

Russia’s  war  of  aggression  in  Ukraine  resulted  in  a  health  emergency,  to  which  the  EU  provided 
immediate  response  by  repurposing  nearly  EUR  36  million  for  civil  protection  and  urgent  medical 
supplies. Commission services also supported the purchase of 100 school buses for Ukraine for children 
to be able to  safely return to school. This contributed to the  ‘School buses for Ukraine’  EU Solidarity 
Campaign launched by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena 
Zelenska.  On  4  November  2023,  the  Commission  President  officially  handed  over  the  school  buses  to 
Ukrainian local authorities during a ceremony held in Kyiv. 

Significant  support  was  also  provided  to  Ukraine  in  the  framework  of  the  international  actions  of  the 
Erasmus+  programme,  financed  through  the  External  Action  Instruments.  In  2023,  Erasmus+  financed 
more than 3 500 mobility opportunities for Ukrainian higher education students and academic staff to 
come to Europe.  

4.4.1.3. Implementation 

During 2023, EUR 319.75 million in budgetary credits were committed in bilateral and incentive-based 
funding.  This  includes  bilateral  contributions  to  the  Neighbourhood  and  Investment  Programme  (NIP) 
and the Civil Society Facility, but excludes Ukraine bilateral contributions and a EUR 20 million transfer 

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from  the  incentive  envelope  to  the  NIP.  These  funds  were  utilised  to  support  the  activities  described 
below. 

Human Development 

Supporting  civil  society,  independent  media,  youth  participation  in  democracy,  people-to-people 
contacts,  gender  equality  and  health  resilience  are  core  goals  of  the  regional  and  bilateral  financial 
assistance.  

In 2023, the implementation of the regional EU4Culture project continued in all six Eastern Partnership 
(EaP)  countries.  The  EU4Culture  project  takes  an  inter-regional  approach  to  promote  intercultural 
dialogue and knowledge exchange and contributes to improving local governance in the culture sector 
through support for regulatory processes and participative policy dialogue. 

EU4Youth  phase  IV  was  launched  and  aims  to  build  capacities  of  national  youth  councils  and  other 
representative youth structures as well as Youth Ministries, youth departments and agencies to jointly 
implement more structured youth dialogue. This phase foresees a small-scale grants scheme to engage 
youth  organisations  and  young  people  from  remote  areas  and  connect  them  with  peers  in  partner 
countries and EU Member States. 

At the end of 2023, a new regional project which will advocate for the necessary education reforms and 
strengthen the quality of the education systems of the EaP countries, was agreed. The construction of 
the ‘School of Europe, Tbilisi’ is ongoing with the school scheduled to be officially opened in September 
2024. 

The Ministries of Health in the EaP countries have continued to benefit from a EUR 42 million regional 
programme implemented by the World Health Organisation. The support now provided, builds on the 
response  to  the  COVID-19  pandemic  to  strengthen  routine  immunisation  in  the  EaP  countries.  It 
provides  technical  and  operational  assistance  to  respond  to  measles  outbreaks  while  tailoring 
immunisation services to address inequality in vaccination, especially among vulnerable groups. 

In  Armenia,  the  EU  continued  to  support  the  implementation  of  reforms  aiming  to  improve  labour 
market  efficiency  and  employability  with  particular  emphasis  on  agricultural  employment,  and 
improving  the  quality  of  science,  technology,  engineering,  and  mathematics  (STEM)  education.  In 
addition to 23 ongoing projects,  eight  new grant  projects  with civil society organisations, including on 
emergency support to the displaced population, were signed.  

In Azerbaijan, assistance for the modernisation and reform of the education system to meet the needs 
of the labour market and align with competency-based education standards, continued. Reforms in the 
education  system,  including  vocational  education  and  training  (VET),  remained  one  of  the  most 
supported sectors.  

In  light  of  the  regime’s  involvement  in  Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine  and  in  light  of 
European  Council  Conclusions  of  February  2022,  the  EU  has  stopped  engaging  with  Belarusian 
authorities  and  targets  its  support  to  the  people  of  Belarus.  Assistance  to  Belarusian  students,  both 
through  support  to  an  advanced  training  and  learning  programme  and  by  supporting  independent 
educational institutions, was provided.  

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In  Georgia,  implementation  of  the  skills  development  and  matching  for  labour  market  needs 
(Skills4Jobs) programme supporting the Skills Agency and improving VET continued.  

In Moldova, the implementation of the National Education Strategy is ongoing in the framework of the 
Economic and Investment Plan’s flagship on investing in Moldova’s human capital and preventing ‘brain 
drain’, complementing Moldova’s membership of the Horizon Europe programme. 

In  2023,  EU  expertise  mobilised  through  the  TAIEX  instrument  assisted  Armenian  authorities  in 
improving  job  vacancy  statistics  and  recommendations  for  job  seekers.  Furthermore,  a  TAIEX  Multi-
Country  Workshop  on  'Building  Bridges  for  Youth  Participation'  took  place  in  several  countries.  The 
workshop  clarified  the  role  of  youth  policy  at  EU,  national  and  local  level  and  recognised  the  role  of 
public authorities in developing and implementing youth policies and dialogue.  

Green Deal 

The implementation of the Green Deal is a priority, and the regional programmes allocate 20 % of the 
overall budget to environmental and climate resilience. The importance of this priority is also echoed in 
the  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  with  around  half  of  the  planned  investments  supporting  green 
objectives.  

Several  regional  programmes  are  providing  support  for  environmental  and  climate  action,  including 
EU4Environment,  EU4Climate,  and  EU4Energy.  These  programmes  are  instrumental  for  facilitating 
policy reform and institution building in the partner countries.  

The EU4Energy programme contributed to further strengthen legislative and regulatory frameworks as 
well  as  evidence-based  policy  design  and  promoted  a  conducive  environment  for  sustainable  energy 
investments. The programme supported Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in accelerating the development 
of renewable energy legislation. The Council of European Energy Regulators continued work in Armenia 
and Azerbaijan on the development of liberalised gas markets and energy efficiency measures. 

In December the EU4Climate project that provided substantial support to the development of Nationally 
Determined  Contributions  and  adaptation  planning  concluded.  It  will  be  succeeded  by  a  new 
EU4ClimateResilience programme on Decarbonisation and Climate Resilience in the EaP.  

In 2023, the implementation of the third phase of the Covenant of Mayors East (CoM East) programme 
focused on assisting local authorities with access to finance to implement their Sustainable Energy and 
Climate Action Plans. By the end of 2023, 518 municipalities, covering about 50 % of the population of 
the EaP region, had become signatories.  

In Armenia, support is provided for renewable energy and energy efficiency in public buildings through 
the  EIP.  Other  assistance  is  destined to  provide  continuing  support  to  the Masrik-1  Solar Power Plant 
and to upgrade the Caucasus electricity transmission line. The EU4Sevan project  continued to support 
water  management  and  protection  of  Lake  Sevan.  Technical  assistance  has  also  been  provided  via 
Twinning for strengthening protection and sustainable use of biodiversity. 

In Azerbaijan continued support for renewable energy and energy efficiency was included in the Annual 
Action Programme. 

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In Georgia, co-financing of two major energy projects was approved in 2023, laying the groundwork for 
future  trade  in  clean  energy  across  the  Black  Sea.  The  EU  agreed  to  co-finance  the  Georgia  energy 
transmission  programme  to  upgrade  the  transmission  and  distribution  networks.  Co-finance  for  the 
rehabilitation of the Enguri hydropower plant was also agreed.  

Moldova has taken important steps to cut its dependence on Russian gas and continued to benefit from 
its  connection  to  ENTSO-E,  the  continental  European  electricity  system.  An  EU  budget  support 
programme has supported the authorities in these efforts through mitigating the impact of high energy 
prices for the most vulnerable households and promoting energy efficiency initiatives. 

TAIEX advanced the European Green Deal through a flagship workshop on biodiversity policy targeting 
all partner countries. Tailor-made events also shared best EU practice in the fields of energy efficiency, 
sustainable transport, waste management, carbon pricing and water management. 

Through  Twinning,  a  project  with  Czechia  and  Finland  to  support  Armenia  in  enhancing  biodiversity 
protection came to an end in 2023. A twinning project in Azerbaijan to strengthen hydrometeorological 
and climate services with Finnish, French and Lithuanian institutions in a consortium, is ongoing.  

Green Deal Success Story 

Sustainable Energy Week (SEW) 2023 started on 20 June and became a successful and engaging event, 
emphasising youth and women's active participation. Overall, the SEW2023 garnered significant media 
attention  in  all  four  countries  (Armenia,  Georgia,  Moldova,  and  Ukraine)  with  213  publications  in 
national  media  outlets  and  on  social  media  platforms,  reaching  an  audience  of  over  200  000  people. 
Overall, in the framework of SEW2023, over 200 events involving around 74 000 individuals, including 
representatives from various sectors, experts, and the general public were organised.  

Sustainable Growth and Jobs 

Throughout  2023,  the  roll-out  of  the  EIP  to  support  the  EaP  partners  in  their  efforts  to  stabilise  their 
economies  at  a  time  of  unprecedented  geopolitical  turmoil  continued.  Since  the  launch  of  the  EIP  in 
2021,  EUR  8.5  billion  of  investments  have  been  leveraged.  The  support  provided  has  continued  to 
contribute to improving the investment and business environment, addressing gaps in access to finance 
and financial infrastructure and supporting economic integration and closer trade ties. Support for the 
full  implementation  of  DCFTAs  and  CEPA  as  well  as  other  trade  agreements,  through  cooperation 
programmes  and  participation  in  political  dialogue  continued.  A  new  dedicated  programme  providing 
support  to  the  intellectual  property  agencies  in  Ukraine,  Moldova  and  Georgia was  launched  in 2023, 
together with European Union Intellectual Property Office.  

In Armenia, support to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) development and access to finance 
continued  with  investments  under  the  EIP.  The  EU-Armenia  SME  Fund  continued  investing  in  solar 
power  and  agribusinesses,  while  the  EU4Business  project  boosted  tourism  and  tech  startups. 
EU4IMPACT launched successful business incubation rounds, resulting in more than 100 new companies 
being created. The Advice for Small Business project has created over 1 100 jobs to date.  

Supporting sustainable economic diversification of Azerbaijan remained an underlying objective of the 
EU’s assistance in this sector. In 2023, support for development, economic growth, competitiveness and 
employment generation in the rural regions of Azerbaijan, notably in the region of Lankaran continued. 

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Implementation  of  the  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  as  well  as  support  to  enhancing  capacity, 
greening and financial sustainability of local businesses is ongoing. 

Phase  II  of  the  ‘Advice  for  Small  Business  in  Belarus’  programme,  signed  in  2021,  has  been  fully 
repurposed  to  provide  advisory,  technical  and  capacity-building  assistance  support  to  SMEs  relocated 
abroad. 

Supporting SMEs to reap the full benefits of the DCFTA in Georgia has been a top priority and is one of 
the  EIP  flagships.  Through  the  EU4Business  regional  initiative,  over  65  000  SMEs,  corresponding  to 
around  30  %  of  all  active  SMEs  in  the  country,  have  been  supported.  In  addition,  a  Twinning  project 
‘Strengthening  Capacity  of  the  Competition  Agency  of  Georgia’  continued  implementation  with 
Lithuania.  

Supporting  SMEs  in  Moldova  is  one  of  the  flagships  of  the  EIP.  In  2023,  a  grant  to  support 
entrepreneurship 
for  the  Development  of 
in  Moldova, 
Entrepreneurship, was provided. 

implemented  by  the  Organisation 

Digitalisation, Science, Technology and Innovation 

In 2023, the EU scaled up its EU4Digital initiative with the aim of driving the EaP countries’ integration 
with  the  EU  digital  single  market  and  promoting  further  investments  under  the  EIP.  The  roll-out  of 
secure  and  affordable  broadband  connectivity  in  rural  areas  and  connecting  more  than  300  Research 
and  Education  Institutions  with  their  EU  counterparts,  benefiting  730  000  students,  teachers  and 
scientists was supported. The EU4Digital facility launched an e-commerce accelerator benefiting 40 EaP 
SMEs  as  well as  an  online digital  skills  academy  for  thousands of  SMEs’  staff  to  be  trained on  how  to 
promote, register, sell and ship their products to the EU. The EU4Digital facility also implemented key 
pilot projects between Ukraine, Moldova and Romania in the fields of e-customs, including in support of 
the Solidarity Lanes initiative and as part of wider roadmaps to develop Digital Transport Corridors with 
the EU.  

The  process  of  bringing  Ukraine  and  Moldova  into  the  EU  Roam  Like  at  Home  area,  following  the 
amendments  of  the  telecommunications  annexes  in  the  Association  Agreements  in  April  and  October 
2023  respectively  is  continuing.  The  Commission  also  assessed  that  a  long-term  arrangement  for 
bringing  Georgia  into  the  EU  roaming  area  was  possible  based  on  the  EU-Georgia  Association 
Agreement.  

The  Cyber-East  programme  supported  capacity-building  activities  to  strengthen  national  cybersecurity 
governance and legal frameworks notably in Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia in line with the Directive on 
security of Network and Information Systems (NIS Directive).  

In Armenia, the EU4Digital facility initiated a market analysis, which will help pave the way for further 
investments in broadband connectivity. The facility also initiated a pilot on e-identification and one on e-
commerce  to  increase  trade  with  the  EU.  Under  the  EaPConnect  project,  52  Research  and  Education 
Institutions have been connected via high-speed connectivity with their EU counterparts, benefiting 47 
000 students and researchers. 

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Azerbaijan  continued  benefiting  from  activities  under  the  regional  EU4Digital  programme  which 
included promoting and developing digital skills. As part of the EIP, a loan was provided to finance the 
rollout of state-of-the-art broadband infrastructure to more than 280 000 households in rural areas.  

In Georgia, the EU4Digital facility is preparing to undertake a review of the national legislation against 
the  EU  roaming-related  acquis.  The  facility  also  finalised  a  report  and  action  plan  on  ‘Women’s 
mentorship  in  tech  programmes  in  the  EaP  countries’,  which  will  provide  the  basis  for  a  dedicated 
programme implemented under EU4Smart Economic Development. 

In  Moldova,  phase  II  of  the  EU4Digital  Initiative  was  launched  and  continued  to  support  the  digital 
reform agenda. Support was provided to the Customs Service to implement the Agreement on mutual 
recognition  of  Authorised  Economic  Operators  that  entered  into  force  on  1  November  2023.  The 
implementation of the  bilateral  project  ‘EU4Moldova:  Start  up  City  Cahul’  continued  with activities  to 
boost  STEM  education  and  coding.  Digitalisation  of  SMEs  nationwide  through  the  EU4SMEs  project 
started in April that is co-funding seven national SME programmes, one of which is dedicated to digital 
transformation of SMEs.  

Migration and forced displacement 

Comprehensive migration and border management continue to be among the EU’s priorities in the EaP 
region. In Ukraine, through the Integrated Border Management programme worth EUR 15 million, the 
EU  supported  border  management  continuity  and  strengthening  of  Ukrainian  border  management 
agencies.  In Moldova,  as  part  of  the  2023  EU  Support  Package,  the  EU  has  allocated  EUR 4 million  to 
support capacities of Moldovan police, border guards and customs services. In Georgia, the EU’s total 
support  of  EUR  15.2  million  was  allocated  to  multiple  integrated  border  and  migration  management 
programmes as well as mainstreaming migration into development processes. 

The  EU  supports  the  implementation  of  agreements  on  visa  facilitation  and  readmission  as  well  as 
continued cooperation on visa liberalisation and readmission with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The 
EU  actively  contributes  to  strengthening  migration  management  and  capacity-building  in  this  area, 
including through cooperation with the European Border and Coast Guard Agency (Frontex). The EU and 
partner  countries  are  also  working  to  implement  balanced  partnerships  between  EaP  countries  to 
facilitate legal migration, mobility and people-to-people contacts. 

Governance, peace and security 

Promoting  reforms  in  good  governance  and  security,  strengthening  the  rule  of  law  and  fighting 
corruption  and  organised  crime  are  an  intrinsic  part  of  the  EaP  agenda.  Addressing  these  issues  is  a 
necessary  precondition  for  boosting  economic  and  social  development  in  the  region.  Cooperation 
between EU law enforcement agencies and partner countries continued in the framework of the fight 
against organised-crime programme and over 1 000 law enforcement officers received training. 

In 2023, the EU continued to provide budget support to Armenia to further strengthen judicial and legal 
reforms, as well as anti-corruption policies. Furthermore, constitutional reform, police reform, including 
on  procurement,  as  well  as  the  establishment  of  the  new  Ministry  of  Interior  were  supported. 
Complementary  technical  assistance  in  the  justice,  law  enforcement  and  security  sectors  in  line  with 
CEPA  commitments  is  continuing.  Support  on  anti-corruption  in  the  public  sector  is  being  provided 
through an ongoing Twinning.  

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In Azerbaijan, several ongoing projects, continued providing assistance to improve, alternative dispute 
resolution,  capacity  building  in  asset  recovery  and  increased  efficiency  in  anti-money-laundering 
measures. Support was  also provided for drafting of the National Asset Recovery Law,  Asset  Recovery 
Strategy  and  Action  Plan  as  well  as  a  restructuring  plan  for  the  establishment  of  the  National  Asset 
Recovery Office and Asset Management Office. 

In Georgia, the Security, Accountability and Fight Against Crime (SAFE) programme continues supporting 
civilian oversight  of  the  security  sector  and  improved  border management.  Advances  in  areas  such  as 
cybersecurity,  human  rights  and  public  finance management  were  also  supported.  The  EU Monitoring 
Mission (EUMM)  remains on the  ground along the administrative  boundary  lines  with the break-away 
territories. Confidence building measures continued through the EU4Dialogue project.  

In Moldova, support to justice reforms continued in 2023, through the launch of a project to support the 
implementation of justice reform. The EU Border Assistance Mission to Moldova and Ukraine (EUBAM) 
continued  its  support  to  the  customs  and  border  services.  The  EU  Partnership  Mission  (EUPM)  was 
established  to  contribute  to  the  strengthening  of  crisis  management  structures  and  to  enhance 
resilience  to  hybrid  threats,  cybersecurity  and  countering  foreign  information  manipulation  and 
interference. Support for improved cooperation between communities on both banks of the Nistru river 
continued through the EU Confidence Building Measures Programme. 

Case study 

The EU4Climate project which concluded in December 2023, has provided strong and steady support to 
the  Eastern  Partnership  (EaP)  countries  in  formulating  ambitious  climate  policies  and  legislation  since 
2018. The EaP countries are highly exposed to the impacts of climate change and are regularly grappling 
with  heat stress,  droughts,  floods  and  landslides,  with  an  annual temperature  increase  surpassing the 
global  average  and  a  significant  decrease  in  precipitation.  Climate  change  impacts  are  affecting  all 
economic  sectors,  and  particularly  energy  infrastructure,  agriculture,  human  health,  water  resources, 
forestry and tourism. All of these make ambitious climate action more urgent than ever. 

Objective: The EU and UNDP worked in close collaboration to increase the policy  ambition of the EaP 
countries in fighting climate change. The programme was financed by the EU with EUR 8 million and co-
financed by UNDP with EUR 800 000. 

Results: 

- In response to the requirements of the Paris Agreement, EU4Climate assisted Georgia, Armenia, and 
Azerbaijan  in  preparing  their  long-term  low  greenhouse  gas  emission  development  strategies  (LT-
LEDS).  Moldova  was  supported  in  developing  the  updated  LEDS  2030  and  carrying  out  a  stakeholder 
consultation. Ukraine had already prepared its long-term strategy before the start of the project. 

- Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (MRV) of GHG emissions is a crucial tool in the fight against 
climate change. MRV refers to the methods countries use to collect data on emissions, actions to reduce 
emissions,  and  support  for  these  efforts.  The  Project  made  good  progress  in  developing  national 
inventory systems and MRV approaches.  Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Moldova customised their 
MRV systems based on their needs and feedback from stakeholders. 

119 

 
 
 
 
-  Armenia,  Azerbaijan,  Georgia,  Moldova,  and  Ukraine  developed  17  sectoral  mainstreaming  studies, 
dealing  with  energy,  agriculture,  Land  use,  land  use  change  and  forestry,  transport,  health,  gender, 
waste and water. 

- Ukraine adopted the Environmental Security and Climate Adaptation Strategy up to 2030. 

4.4.1.4. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

Russia’s  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine  continued  to  have  a  devastating  impact  on  millions  of 
Ukrainian  citizens,  resulting  in  civilian  deaths  and  suffering,  massive  displacement,  large-scale 
destruction of critical  infrastructure,  and  causing  unprecedented  humanitarian needs.  The  situation  in 
areas  closer  to  front  lines  and  those  under  Russia’s  and  Russian  proxies’  military  control  remained 
extremely  volatile.  More  than  17.6  million  people  in  the  country  needed  humanitarian  support  in 
2023(84). The EU allocated EUR 300 million to address immediate humanitarian needs, bringing the total 
assistance  to  EUR  785  million  since  February  2022.  This  assistance  has  contributed  to  reaching 
approximately  11  million  people  across  Ukraine(85),  supporting  sectors  including  winterisation,  cash 
assistance, protection, health care and education through its humanitarian partners. Also, the European 
Commission continued the largest, longest and most complex Union Civil Protection Mechanism (UCPM) 
operation in history. In 2023, the Emergency Response Coordination Centre (ERCC) received one request 
for  assistance  from  Ukrainian  authorities,  which  was  updated  50  times.  A  medical  evacuation  hub  in 
Poland  was  also  financed  for the  medical evacuation  of  Ukrainian  citizens or  other  persons  located  in 
Ukraine  suffering  from  severe  illness,  war  injuries  and  life-threatening  conditions,  requiring  urgent, 
specialised,  or  long-term  medical  care.  In  2023  alone,  2  297  patients  were  evacuated  from  Ukraine. 
Moreover,  an  advisory  mission  to  Ukraine  was  completed  in  October  2023  to  ensure  the  efficient 
management  of  burns  and  trauma  patients. With the  new  reserves  created  in  2023,  amounting  to 21 
stockpiles  hosted  by  16  Member  States,  the  rescEU  medical  and  CBRN  stockpiles  comprise 
countermeasures,  devices,  and  personal  protective  equipment  that  pose  a  significant  risk  of  rapid 
depletion or increased demand during crisis scenarios.  

Since the start of Russia's war of aggression more than 984 000 Ukrainian refugees fled to Moldova, of 
which  nearly  112  000  remain  in  the  country(86).  In  response,  the  EU  made  available  EUR  20  million  in 
emergency  assistance,  including  cash  assistance  and  protection  services,  to  address  the  needs  of 
refugees and their host communities. 

Following  Azerbaijan’s  military  operation  in  September  2023  in  Nagorno-Karabakh  (NK)  and  the 
preceding  months-long blockage of the Lachin corridor between NK  and Armenia, more  than 100 000 
Karabakh  Armenians  fled  to  Armenia(87).  The  EU  provided  EUR  12.6  million  in  humanitarian  aid  to 

84 https://reliefweb.int/report/ukraine/ukraine-humanitarian-needs-overview-2023-december-2022-enuk. 
85 Global Humanitarian Overview 2023, December Update (Snapshot as of 31 December 2023) | OCHA (unocha.org). 
86 https://data.unhcr.org/en/situations/ukraine. 
87 UNHCR - Refugee Crisis in Armenia.  

120 

 
 
 
 
support the most vulnerable displaced people in Armenia as well as those that remained in NK, ensuring 
access to basic needs, protection, health care, shelter, food, and livelihoods assistance. 

4.4.1.5. Crisis response and preparedness 

Crisis  response  actions  continued  to  respond  to  the  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine,  with  six  crisis 
response packages for Ukraine and an additional two for Moldova.  

The  actions  in  Ukraine  focused  on  support  to  civilians,  locally  identified  needs,  early  recovery  in 
liberated  areas,  and  access  to  education  as  well  as  health  care.  It  also  included  a  strong  focus  on 
accountability, support to international investigations, promotion of international humanitarian law and 
specialised assistance to victims of sexual violence.  

In Moldova, the EU continued to respond to the energy crisis and provided comprehensive support to 
enhance  the  country's  overall  resilience,  from  humanitarian  and  refugee-related  support,  support  to 
border  management  (including  through  the  EUBAM),  as  well  as  security  and  defence  support.  Given 
Russia's increased hybrid actions against Moldova, additional focus was placed not only on support for 
cybersecurity and addressing disinformation but also on increasing resilience locally to diverse types of 
destabilisation attempts.  

In  Belarus  assistance  to  democratic  civic  engagement  and  leadership  was  stepped  up  amid  a  further 
deteriorating human rights situation and the regime’s support to Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. 
This resulted in further restrictions of citizens’ fundamental freedoms and forced even more Belarusians 
to relocate abroad. 

The EU continued its support to finding peaceful solutions to conflicts in the South Caucasus, including 
the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.  

During 2023, the EU continued to provide humanitarian assistance, social cohesion and support for mine 
action in Armenia and Azerbaijan. However, implementation in Nagorno-Karabakh was disrupted when 
the EU’s only implementing partner on the ground, the International Committee of the Red Cross, lost 
access  during  the  blockade  of  the  Lachin  Corridor.  The  Lachin  Corridor  was  the  only  land  route 
connecting  Nagorno-Karabakh  with  Armenia  and  was  subject  to  various  blockades  by  Azerbaijan 
between 12 December 2022 and the military operation on 19 September 2023. The blockades impeded 
supplies of food and medicine for long periods of time and meant that a serious humanitarian crisis was 
already  unfolding  inside  Nagorno-Karabakh  when  Azerbaijan  launched  its  attack  on  19  September  to 
reclaim  the  region.  Following  the  military  operation,  more  than  100  000  Karabakh  Armenians  fled, 
primarily  to  Armenia.  The  EU  mobilised  EUR  12.6  million  in  humanitarian  aid  in  the  aftermath  of  the 
attack to cover emergency needs, and in-kind support under the Union Civil Protection Mechanism was 
also provided. 

In Georgia, the European Union Monitoring Mission in  Georgia (EUMM Georgia) continued to provide 
civilian monitoring of the Parties' actions and contribute to long-term stability in Georgia and the wider 
region.  The  mission  also  engaged  in  confidence  building  measures  and  reports  on  conflict-related 
incidents and developments in Georgia. 

In Ukraine, support to the government to revamp its mine action sector and return suspected hazardous 
land  to  productive  use  was  further  enhanced  during  the  year.  Assistance  to  Ukraine’s  effort  to 

121 

 
 
investigate and prosecute international crimes committed in the  context of Russia’s war  of aggression 
against Ukraine also increased, both at the domestic and international level. A strong focus was put on 
the establishment of the International Centre for the Prosecution of the Crime of Aggression  (ICPA) at 
Eurojust  in  The  Hague,  and  on  the  investigation  and  prosecution  of  conflict  related  sexual  violence. 
Assistance to Ukraine’s efforts in reaching out to global partners was put in place and further support to 
tackling  disinformation  continued  through  the  dedicated  government-run  Centre  for  Strategic 
Communication and Information Security.  

The EU Advisory Mission for Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine (EUAM Ukraine) assists Ukraine 
in  the  field  of  civilian  security  sector  reform,  including  police  and  the  rule  of  law.  Following  Russia’s 
military  aggression  against  Ukraine,  the  mandate  of  the  mission  has  been  amended  to  include  close 
coordination  with  law  enforcement  agencies  to  facilitate  the  flow  of  refugees  from  Ukraine  to 
neighbouring  Member  States  and  the  entry  of  humanitarian  aid  into  the  country.  It  also  provides 
strategic  advice  to  Ukrainian  authorities  on  the  prosecution  and  investigation  of  international  war 
crimes. 

The EU supports Ukraine’s efforts to combat illicit trafficking in Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) 
including firearms, ammunition and explosives, in cooperation with the Organisation for Security and 
Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and the South-eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control 
of  Small  Arms  and  Light  Weapons  (UNDP-SEESAC),  thus  enhancing  the  operational  and  supervisory 
capacities of national authorities, improving the legislative and regulatory framework and raising public 
awareness.  

4.4.2.   European Neighbourhood South  

4.4.2.1. Introduction (policy developments)  

The Joint Communication on a ‘Renewed partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood, A new Agenda 
for the Mediterranean’(88) was adopted in February 2021 with related Council Conclusions(89) in April of 
the  same  year.  The  Agenda  for  the  Mediterranean  with  the  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  (EIP) 
annexed  to  it  is  the  EU’s  main  political  framework  for  the  Southern  Neighbourhood.  The  Agenda  had 
been prepared and adopted during a complex and unstable period, marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. 
Apart from several already existing crises affecting the Southern Neighbourhood region, the Russian war 
of aggression against Ukraine is having wide-ranging geopolitical consequences for the Middle East and 
North Africa while the scale of the impact of the Israel – Hamas war on the entire region is not yet clear. 

Despite  the  challenging context, the EU  has demonstrated its commitment in providing its partners in 
the  Southern  Neighbourhood  all  possible  support,  both  politically  and  economically.  In  line  with  the 
Agenda  for  the  Mediterranean  we  have  continued  working  to  achieve  the  two  main  objectives  of 
enhancing our Partnership and working together to realise untapped strategic opportunities. 

Due  to  the  situation  in  Israel/Gaza  –  Palestine,  the  2023  EU-Southern  Neighbourhood  Ministerial, 
initially  scheduled  to  take  place  on  27  November,  was  postponed,  while  the  8th  Union  for  the 

88 JOIN(2021) 2 final of 9 February 2021. 
89 Council Conclusions 7931/21 of 19 April 2021.  

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Mediterranean Regional Forum held in Barcelona on 27 November focused on the situation in Israel and 
Gaza.  

The work for the preparation of bilateral political frameworks (Partnership Priorities) continued in 2023. 
Negotiations could in particular progress, in parallel, for Palestine and Israel, but were frozen from the 
7  October.  For  Syria  and  Libya,  no  Joint  Documents  are  under  consideration,  and  EU  programming  is 
done under Special Measures. 

Having  reached  the  halfway  point  in  the  2021-2027  programming  period,  the  EU  launched  and 
completed in 2023 the mid-term assessments of the Multi-annual Indicative Programmes (MIP) for each 
country,  for  the  regional  MIP,  and  the  multi-country  MIP  dedicated  to  migration.  This  exercise  has 
allowed an important stock-take with a view to ensure that objectives and priorities are on track. The 
Mid-term  review  process  is  expected  to  be  completed  in  2024,  with  the  adoption  when  necessary  of 
amendments  to  the  MIPs.  The  territorial  cooperation  cross-border  programme  Italy-Tunisia  and  the 
transnational  programme  NEXT  MED  that  operate  directly  in  the  Mediterranean  Sea  basin  continue 
providing support for developing joint solutions on the most pressing needs of the regions. 

Building  on  its  cross-sector  Partnership,  the  EU  continued  shaping  its  dialogue  and  cooperation  with 
Morocco, with various exchanges  and  high level contacts throughout  the year. In  January 2023, HRVP 
Borrell  visited  the  country  and  met  with  the  Head  of  Government,  the  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs, 
African  Cooperation  and  Moroccans  Living  Abroad,  as  well  as  interlocutors  from  civil  society  and  the 
private sector. The official visit  was  an opportunity for  an  in-depth discussion and update on  progress 
made in implementing the EU-Morocco Partnership.  

In  2023  the  EU  continued  to  actively  engage  and  provide  assistance  to  Tunisia,  which  remained  in  a 
delicate  political  and  socio-economic  situation.  Contacts  at  various  levels  were  maintained  during  the 
year and included official working visits of EU Commissioners and Member States Ministers of Foreign 
Affairs  on  behalf  of  HRVP  Borrell.  The  President  of  the  Commission  visited  the  country  twice,  to 
announce and witness the signature of the EU-Tunisia Memorandum of Understanding on 16 July 2023, 
providing  a  new  framework  for  partners  to  advance  a  range  of  joint  priorities  comprising  five  pillars 
(macro-economic stability, trade and economy, green energy transition, people to people contacts, and 
migration and mobility) for cooperation. 

EU relations with Egypt enjoyed a positive momentum in 2023 through various high-level visits, political 
and thematic dialogues in Cairo and Brussels and enhanced cooperation across key policy areas. The EU 
and Member States confirmed the prospect of a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership with Egypt in 
recognition  of  its  key  role  for  stability  in  the  region.  EU-Egypt  political  relations  intensified  in  the 
aftermath  of  7  October  and  the  ensuing  Israel-Hamas  war,  with  Egypt  exerting  major  efforts  in 
facilitating  humanitarian  aid  delivery  to  Gaza,  negotiating  a  humanitarian  pause  and  the  release  of 
hostages,  and  convening  international  diplomacy  to  seek  consensus  on  a  ceasefire  and  a  political 
solution to the conflict. The EU-Egypt Association Committee was held in Cairo and paved the way to the 
10th meeting of the EU-Egypt Association Council to be held in January 2024. At COP28 in the UAE EU-

 This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual 
positions of the Member States on this issue. 

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Egypt  cooperation  on  climate  change  was  solidified  with  the  signature  of  a  Joint  Declaration  on  an 
Egypt-EU Water Partnership.  

The EU continued working towards reinvigorating the EU-Algeria Partnership. In March 2023, the visit of 
HRVP  Borrell  to  the  country  allowed  for  in-depth  discussions  on  regional  stability,  human  rights,  the 
fight  against  corruption,  but  also  the  EU-Algeria  Energy  Partnership,  with  a  particular  focus  on  the 
potential of  renewable energies.  Throughout  the year,  institutional meetings  in  the  framework of  the 
Association Agreement  between EU  and Algeria  took  place, with a number of sectoral sub-committee 
meetings enriching the dialogue. The specific trade barriers imposed by Algeria remained a central issue 
to be resolved. 

The EU has further intensified its engagement with Jordan to pursue a constructive policy dialogue and 
assistance in a broad range of areas, regional issues and within the Union for the Mediterranean. In the 
framework of the new EU-Jordan Partnership Priorities for the period 2021-2027, all relevant thematic 
subcommittees were organised in Brussels or Amman in 2023. On 7 November, European Commission 
President  Von  der  Leyen  and  President  of  the  European  Council  Michel  hosted  His  Majesty  King 
Abdullah  II  in  Brussels  and  the  EU  announced  a  substantial  new  EU  support  package  to  Jordan  worth 
EUR  902  million  in  grants  and  EUR  500  million  in  loans  by  the  EIB.  On  16  November,  European 
Commission President Von der Leyen held a meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II in Amman. 

The EU dialogue and cooperation with Lebanon continued, with various exchanges and visits throughout 
the year. On 20 July, the Council extended for one year a framework for targeted restrictive measures to 
address  the  situation  in  Lebanon,  including  the  possibility  of  imposing  sanctions  against  persons  and 
entities who are responsible for undermining democracy or the rule of law. The EU-Lebanon dialogue on 
regional  security  and  stability  issues  further  intensified  following  increasing  tensions  at  the  Lebanese 
border  with  Israel,  with  a  view  to  avoiding  regional  escalation  risks.  On  21  December,  the  European 
Union decided to  allocate EUR 205.5 million to address  several priority areas to support the country’s 
stability  and  recovery.  The  EU  continued  to  provide  assistance  to  Lebanon  and  local  communities  for 
hosting Syrian refugees. 

The EU remained committed to the resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict based on the two-state 
solution. After the terrorist  attacks  by Hamas against  Israel on  7 October,  the EU has emphasised the 
right of Israel to defend itself in line with international law and international humanitarian law. We have 
reiterated the importance of ensuring the  protection of all civilians at  all times. The EU has voiced its 
deep concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza. We have called for continued, rapid, safe and 
unhindered  humanitarian  access  and  aid  to  reach  those  in  need,  through  all  necessary  measures, 
including  humanitarian  corridors  and  pauses  and  cessations  of  hostilities.  The  EU  welcomed  the 
adoption of UN Security Council resolutions 2712 and 2720.  

In order to provide urgent humanitarian aid to those civilians most in need in Gaza, the EU quadrupled 
its humanitarian assistance in 2023 to more than EUR 100 million, with the Commission announcing an 
initial  EUR  125  million  for  year  2024.  The  Commission  also  adopted  a  EUR  118.4  million  assistance 
package  in  December  2023  to  support  the  Palestinian  Authority.  In  2023,  the  EU  has  also  continued 
supporting,  politically  and  financially,  the  United  Nations  Relief  and  Works  Agency  for  Palestine 
Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), in close cooperation with the international donor community.  

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The  High  Representative  /  Vice-President  has  engaged  with  regional  and  international  partners  who 
could  have  a  positive  role  to  play  in  preventing  further  escalation.  He  spared  no  efforts  to  revive  the 
political process, including through the EU Special Representative for the Middle East Peace Process and 
his work on a regional comprehensive peace approach. 

The EU continued to provide assistance across Syria and in neighbouring refugee-hosting countries. The 
EU and its Member States are the largest donors of humanitarian aid for Syria, having provided over EUR 
30 billion since 2011. The EU continues to support the efforts of the UN Special Envoy for Syria to find a 
credible sustainable and inclusive  political solution as the only  route  to lasting and just  peace in Syria 
through a Syrian-led, UN facilitated political process according to Security Council Resolution 2254. The 
EU  continued  to  be  a  partner  to  the  Global  Coalition  to  defeat  Da’esh  and  maintained  substantial 
restrictive  measures  on  the  Assad  regime.  Two  major  conferences  took  place  in  2023:  the  20  March 
International  Conference  ‘Together  for  the  people  of  Türkiye  and  Syria’  held  after  the  6  February 
earthquakes where EUR 7 billion were raised from the international community, followed in June by the 
Seventh Brussels Conference on ‘Supporting the Future of Syria and the region’, hosted by the European 
Union, where EUR 5.6 billion were raised for 2023 and beyond. 

In Libya, the EU’s efforts focused on fostering stability both in the country and the wider region. The EU 
remained engaged with partners, supporting the inter-Libyan dialogue and the UN-led mediation efforts 
headed by UN Special Representative Bathily. The latter met with HRVP Borrell in Brussels in September 
2023.  This  was  an  opportunity  to  discuss  the  way  forward  and  how  to  address  the  challenges  in 
relaunching the country’s political process following the postponement of the 2021 national elections. 
The EU also continued its engagement in Libya through Operation EUNAVFOR MED IRINI, which enforces 
the UN arms embargo, and the EU Integrated Border Management Assistance Mission (EUBAM), which 
provides  capacity-building  to  Libyan  authorities  in  the  areas  of  border  management  and  law 
enforcement.  

4.4.2.2. Implementation 

In 2023, the  Neighbourhood South has been affected by natural disasters that added to the structural 
fragility  (climate  change,  desertification  and  water  scarcity)  and  to  the  socio-economic  impact  of  the 
Russian aggression against Ukraine. The political situation in the region became highly volatile following 
the  Hamas-Israel  war  with  fear  of  spillovers  throughout  the  Middle  East  increasing  the  level  of 
uncertainty regarding political and economic stability. Some countries are affected by protracted crisis, 
such as the neighbours of Syria hosting a significant number of Syrian refugees and Libya that remains 
divided.  

As  regards  Palestine*,  the  EU  carried  out  an  intense  review  of  its  cooperation  portfolio  in  view  of 
concerns  about  the  risks  of  funds  deviation  to  terror  financing  and  the  robustness  of  EU  safeguards 
measures applied to EU funding. While no misuse of EU funds had been detected an enhanced level of 
safeguards was decided to further minimise residual risk. The review conclusion allowed to commit 2023 
PEGASE  funds,  sending  a  strong  signal  of  support  to  the  Palestinian  Authority  that  finds  itself  in  the 
midst of a financial crisis. 

In this context, the European Commission continued to implement the Economic and Investment Plan of 
the 2021 Agenda for the Mediterranean. EUR 4 billion have been committed in 2021 to 2023 (EUR 1.8 

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billion  in  2023)  that  will  mobilise  EUR  23.8  billion  in  investments  in  green  transition,  digital,  clean 
energy, water and sanitation, private sector development, and education sectors.  

The  2023  cooperation  programmes  addressed,  both  at  country  and  regional  level,  structural  reforms, 
good  governance  and  the  rule  of  law,  inclusive  economic  development,  job  creation,  in  particular  for 
youth  and  women,  education  and  vocational  training,  and  social  safety  nets,  migration  and  mobility, 
including  targeted  support  for  populations 
in  need,  particularly  Syrian  refugees  and  hosting 
communities. In total, NDICI-Global Europe commitments for 2021 to 2023 amount to EUR 5.2 billion. 

Strengthening partnerships with Southern  Neighbourhood  countries is a critical objective  both for  the 
EU and partner countries. In Tunisia, the signature of the MoU in July 2023 represents an important step 
for  our  work  along  key  areas  of  mutual  interest,  including  the  resumption  of  macro-economic 
discussions.  The  EU  continued  to  support  regional  dialogue  and  fora,  notably  the  Union  for  the 
Mediterranean (UfM). As co-president of the UfM, the EU steers, together with the South co-presidency, 
the action of the organisation and sets the priority areas for a stronger cooperation and integration in 
the Euro-Mediterranean region. In 2023, the annual operating grant from the Commission amounted to 
EUR 4.3 million. 

Human development and inequalities  

In  2023,  ongoing  support  continued  to  address  the  multidimensional  aspects  of  poverty  and  social 
exclusion,  including  through  programmes  supporting  rural  development,  food  security  and  climate 
change resilience.  

In Egypt, the financing agreement for the ‘EU for Decent Life’ programme (EUR 50 million) was signed. In 
addition,  implementation  of  the  EUR  24  million  rural  development  programme  will  provide  essential 
support to poor and vulnerable populations in Egypt. 

The  EU  continued  to  be  a  steady  supporter  of  the  provision  of  essential  services,  education,  social 
assistance  and  health  care  to  Syrian  refugees  and  hosting  communities  in  Lebanon  and  Jordan,  while 
supporting also Syrian people inside Syria (EUR 57 million). The EU Trust Fund in response to the Syrian 
crisis (Madad) has supported 10.5 million individuals since its creation in 2015 to address critical needs. 
In 2023, a package worth EUR 140.5 million was adopted for Lebanon to continue supporting the impact 
of the Syrian crisis, covering social protection, education and water. In Jordan, the EU committed EUR 90 
million  to  support  refugee’s  access  to  education,  social  assistance  and  to  strengthen  solid  waste 
management in refugees camps. 

Addressing  public  health  issues  and  strengthening  health  systems  and  governance,  including  social 
protection  and  assistance,  remained  a  key  EU  objective  in  the  Southern  Neighbourhood  with  support 
provided  in  Libya  (Towards  a  resilient  health  system  in  Libya,  EUR  16  million),  Morocco  (Programme 
d’Appui  Budgetaire  à  la  Protection  Sociale  au  Maroc  -  KARAMA-II,  EUR  130  million)  and  Tunisia 
(Promotion du régime de l'autoentrepreneur, EUR 1 million). In Palestine*, the EU supported hospitals in 
East  Jerusalem  with  a  financial  contribution  to  partially  cover  the  outstanding  invoices  of  medical 
referrals. 

The  European  Commission  kept  giving  high  priority  to  education  in  the  Southern  Neighbourhood 
countries  for  instance  in  Tunisia  (Programme  d’Appui  Budgetaire  au  Secteur  de  l’Éducation,  EUR  65 
million) to support the governance and digitalisation of the sector, to improve primary school realities 
for children and better match the curricula with job market needs, and in Morocco through the Support 

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to  higher  education,  research,  innovation  and  mobility  (EUR  46  million).  The  second  phase  of  the 
successful school modernisation programme in Tunisia was signed with the EIB in 2023 (EUR 65 million, 
including  an  EIB  loan  of  EUR  40  million)  for  the  construction  of  80  new  green  primary  schools,  the 
provision of modern digital equipment as well as school transport. 

Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) projects have been supported in Egypt (Support 
to  Youth  Employability  and  Skills,  EUR  25  million)  and  Jordan  (Education  and  TVET  budget  support 
programmes,  EUR  85  million  adopted  in  2023)  to  address  skills  shortage  and  enhance  vocational 
education and training systems. In Morocco, a programme to  promote cultural and creative industries, 
social  inclusion  and  gender  equality,  has  been  launched  (EUR  10  million).  Under  the  regional  Team 
Europe  Initiative  on  ‘Jobs  through  trade  and  investment  in  the  Southern  Neighbourhood’,  the  project 
‘Youth  NEETS’  (EUR  3  million)  has  been  developed  to  improve  the  situation  of  young  NEETs  (Not  in 
Employment,  Education  or  Training)  by  increasing  employment  and  training  opportunities.  Equally, 
actions  for  promoting  inclusive  and  quality  education  for  women,  youth  and  vulnerable  groups  have 
been  supported  across  the  region,  for  example,  in  Lebanon  (EUR  30  million  under  2023  special 
measures).  In  Jordan,  the  EU  has  adopted  programmes  worth  EUR  165  million  in  the  sectors  of 
education,  higher  education  and  TVET  promoting  access,  inclusiveness  and  quality  of  education  and 
TVET for young Jordanians and vulnerable populations, including refugees (both in refugees camps and 
in hosting communities). 

Green Deal 

Key  flagship  initiatives  have  moved  forward  in  support  to  the  modernisation  of  economies  with  a 
particular focus on green transition, resilient  economy, renewable  energy (solar, wind,  and  hydrogen), 
energy  efficiency  as  well  as  sustainable  agriculture  practices,  water  management  and  environmental 
protection.  Better  access  to  climate  finance  was  mainstreamed.  The  EU-Egypt  Water  Partnership 
declaration  was  signed  at  COP28  in  Dubai.  The  regional  EU-funded  Clima-MED  project  focused  on 
supporting  local  authorities  in  the  development,  implementation  and  financing  of  their  Sustainable 
Energy and Climate Action Plans. The EU also signed in 2023 two complementary initiatives at local level 
(Local  Climate  Adaptive  Living  facility)  with  the  objective  to  integrate  climate  change  into  local 
governments’ planning and budgeting systems. In Morocco, in the framework of the EU-Morocco Green 
Partnership,  the  programme  ‘Al  Ard  Al  Khadraa’  (Terre  Verte)  promoted  climate  resilient  practices, 
sustainable agriculture practices (water use efficiency) and forestry management (reforestation). 

The  EU  cooperation  on  energy  has  focused  on  numerous  domains  including  the  promotion  of 
renewables and green molecules (hydrogen and derivatives) at country and regional levels. Cooperation 
on a sustainable energy transition has advanced for instance in Morocco with the launch of a dedicated 
support  to  green  energy  (EUR  50  million)  and  the  adoption  of  a  new  programme  to  promote  green 
finance,  decarbonisation  and  the  integration  of  electricity  markets  (Morocco  decarbonisation  and 
Climate  resilience  programme,  EUR  25.6  million).  In  the  framework  of  the  EU  support  to  Lebanon’s 
Green Agenda (EUR 32 million), two projects have been contracted in 2023 to support Competitiveness 
and Growth through Resource Efficiency and Circularity Approaches (EUR 10 million) and as part of the 
EUR  22  million  programme  for  Sustainable  Energy  for  Public  Services  entities,  entrepreneurship  and 
innovation (support to industry and SMEs: EUR 2.7 million). 

A  new  dynamism  among  European  donors  provided  the  necessary  funding  to  initiate  the  Italy-Tunisia 
electricity interconnexion project ‘ELMED’. A EUR 307.6 million grant by the Connecting Europe Facility 

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was  approved  in  August  2023,  complemented  by  a  financing  set-up  through  the  EFSD+  adopted  in 
December, blending a European Commission grant of EUR 27 million with EIB, EBRD and KfW loans to 
work  on  infrastructures  and  the  reform  of  the  electricity  market.  In  a  complementary  action,  the 
European  Commission  adopted  through  EFSD+  a  EUR  20  million  grant  blended  with  an  EBRD  loan  to 
enhance  the  Tunisian  electricity  grid  infrastructure,  promote  energy  security  and  increase  energy 
generation from renewable sources at lower tariffs. 

The  regional  MED-GEM  project  initiated  its  activities  in  2023  to  catalyse  cooperation  on  renewable 
electricity and hydrogen. In parallel, work has continued on harmonising energy regulatory frameworks 
(through  the  Mediterranean  Energy  Regulators  –  MEDREG  project)  and  enhancing  electrical 
interconnections  in  the  Mediterranean  (through  the  Mediterranean  Transmission  System  Operators 
MED-TSO  project).  The  MEETMED  project  pursued  its  activities  in  promoting  energy  efficiency  in 
buildings  and  appliances  at  regional  level.  The  Commission  also  focused on  the  development  of  clean 
transport solutions, providing support for instance in Morocco to the extension of the tramway network 
in  the  Rabat-Sale-Temara  urban  area.  Finally,  energy  efficiency  in  Southern  Neighbourhood  public 
buildings (schools, health facilities or social housing) is now supported through the PEEB MED regional 
programme.  

On  environmental  protection  and  biodiversity  conservation,  the  regional  Water  and  Environment 
Support programme pursued its contribution to reducing the pollution reaching the Mediterranean Sea 
and strengthening the efficient use of water in urban and rural areas. In addition, the IMAP MPA project 
(‘Towards  achieving  the  Good  Environmental  Status  of  the  Mediterranean  Sea  and  coast  through  an 
ecologically and efficiently managed and monitored network of Marine Protected Areas-MPA’) animated 
the MPA network. 

New initiatives have been launched to improve water supply management, wastewater and sanitation 
systems in Lebanon (WASH  –  EUTF Madad, EUR 30 million) as well as in Jordan to continue  providing 
solid  waste  management  services  for  Syrian  refugees  and  vulnerable  host  communities  (Al-Ghabawi 
waste  treatment  plan,  EUR  72  million  provided  by  the  EU  and  EBRD).  Furthermore,  key  investment 
projects for sustainable water management continued to be supported in Jordan (Aqaba-Amman Water 
Desalination and Conveyor project), which will provide 300 million cubic  meters of fresh water a year, 
alleviating water scarcity in Jordan. The EU and its Member States acted as a catalyst, through a Team 
Europe Initiative on Sustainable Water Management, that has so far leveraged over EUR 740 million in 
grants and loans. In Egypt, the Gabal Asfar Wastewater Treatment Plant Stage III will contribute to the 
improvement of Egypt’s wastewater treatment services and capacity. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

The Commission accompanied EU companies and private investors in seeking business opportunities in 
the Southern Neighbourhood, including by using the EFSD+ instruments for more strategic investments. 
In  2023,  24  guarantee  schemes  supporting  private  sector  operations were  selected  for  a  total  of  EUR 
916  million  guarantee  coverage  for  connectivity,  micro-,  small,  medium-sized  enterprises  financing, 
sustainable cities, sustainable agriculture, sustainable finance, and human development projects. 

The Commission  promoted social  and inclusive  economy as a vector for job creation and expansion of 
economic opportunities. New projects have been launched in Tunisia to support innovative methods of 
raising public awareness of public economic policies (EUR 4.5 million), promote the auto-entrepreneurs’ 

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system (EUR  1 million) and support  green entrepreneurship (EUR 12 million). To foster  new models of 
entrepreneurship  and  social  economy,  the  Commission  launched  the  regional  programme  ‘Impact 
Together’ (EUR 10 million grant). Other new 2023 programmes address employment policies, including 
for youth and women. In Algeria, it will improve the integration and development of skills, in particular 
for young people and women, through strengthening the capacity of labour market institutions. In Egypt, 
the  EU  Support  to  Youth  Employability  and  Skills  programme  will  aim  at  improving  the  matching  of 
technical education and training programmes with labour market needs.  

In  2023,  the  Commission  supported  financial  access  for  SMEs,  capacity  building  and  economic 
development,  with  a  special  focus  on  women  entrepreneurs  in  Libya,  Jordan  and  Lebanon.  Two  new 
regional projects have also been contracted in 2023 (EUR 5 million) to promote an enabling policy and 
regulatory framework for women entrepreneurs’ financial inclusion and access to finance. In Lebanon, 
the  Sustainable  energy  transition  programme  (EUR  11  million),  adopted  in  November  2023,  aims  to 
support  innovation  and  sustainable  energy  transition  in  the  private  sector,  including  SMEs  through 
technical assistance and limited grant co-financing. The Commission adopted the new project EU4SKILLS 
in  Libya  (EUR  7  million)  to  promote  skills  and  employability  for  the  private  sector  development  and 
adopted  a  new  EUR  7  million  programme  to  better  align  Libyan  workforce  skills  to  the  needs  of  the 
labour market. 

The EU has continued to support the nexus between trade, investment and job creation, notably under 
the regional project ‘Mainstreaming Employment into Trade and Investment (METI)’ (EUR 5 million) for 
policy  makers  such  as  in  Egypt,  Jordan,  Morocco  and  Tunisia.  The  regional  Team  Europe  Initiative  on 
‘Jobs  through  trade  and  investment’  gained  further  momentum  culminating  in  the  UfM  Trade  and 
Investment Forum in Brussels in December 2023. 

The EU has funded projects aimed at harnessing the potential of innovation and the green transition to 
promote sustainable job creation. For instance, the regional project ‘From Innovation to Creation’ (EUR 8 
million)  has  been  designed  to  improve  the  effectiveness  of  start-up  ecosystems  and  create  jobs  in 
Palestine*, Jordan, Lebanon and Tunisia. 

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

Digitalisation  of  societies  is  a  core  priority  of  EU’s  action  in  the  region  for  more  inclusive  and 
opportunity-filled economic and social development. Cooperation in the digital domain has progressed 
in  a  comprehensive  manner  with  the  development  of  key  digital  infrastructures  such  as  the  MEDUSA 
submarine  cable  project  to  provide  fast  and  secure  connectivity  between  the  EU  and  Northern  Africa 
(initial  cost  of  EUR  342  million).  In  Egypt,  a  new  Support  to  Digital  Transformation  (Masr  el  Rakamia, 
EUR  10  million)  has  also  been  approved  in  2023  to  support  digital  transition,  boost  innovative  digital 
solutions and further reduce the current digital divide. In Jordan, the Commission has been supporting 
the digitalisation efforts of the Ministry of Justice to improve case-load management and promoting e-
learning with the Jordanian Ministry of Education. 

Migration and forced displacement  

After more than a decade of conflict in Syria, the scale, severity and complexity of needs of the Syrian 
population remain extensive, while large-scale, conflict-related, displacement also persists at significant 
levels. Over 6.8 million Syrians are internally displaced and a further 5.6 million are refugees, primarily in 
neighbouring countries. In 2023 special measures for Syria (EUR 57 million), Jordan (EUR 90 million) and 

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Lebanon (EUR 140.5 million) were adopted. The EU with  its Member States are the main donor in the 
international  response  to  the  Syrian  crisis,  with  over  EUR  30  billion  mobilised  since  2011  in 
humanitarian,  stabilisation  and  resilience  assistance.  The  EU  hosted  the  Brussels  7th  Conference  on 
Supporting  the  future  of  Syria  and  the  region  on  14  to  15  June  2023,  mobilising  aid  from  the 
international community amounting to EUR 9.6 billion for 2023 and beyond, including EUR 5.6 billion in 
grants and EUR 4 billion in loans. 

Migratory  pressure  from  North  Africa  via  the  Central  and  Western  Mediterranean  routes  has  seen  a 
sharp increase compared to 2022. To address this issue, the Commission presented EU Action Plans for 
the Central Mediterranean route in November 2022 and for the Atlantic/Western Mediterranean Route 
in June 2023. These plans were followed by commitments of EUR 318 million in 2023, which include the 
additional EUR 110 million announced by President von der Leyen in her letter to Leaders ahead of the 
European Council of 23 to 24 March. This amount adds to the approximately EUR 373 million committed 
in 2021 and 2022. The programmes, which are being developed, aim to continue and build on successful 
actions under the EU Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF). The 2023 programmes targeted border management, 
anti-smuggling and anti-trafficking, protection, legal mobility and return and reintegration in Tunisia and 
Libya. In the frame of the Talent Partnerships launched in North African countries, funding support has 
been  provided  to  boost  mutually  beneficial  international  mobility  based  on  better matching  of  labour 
market needs and skills between the EU and partner countries. 

Governance, peace and security 

Good  governance  and  rule  of  law  are  essential  aspects  of  EU  values  when  cooperating  with  third 
countries. In Palestine*, the EU continued to finance the Palestinian Authority (via PEGASE) and UNRWA, 
contributing to maintaining essential public services for Palestinian citizens. It is accompanied by a policy 
dialogue aimed at encouraging reforms, which includes an incentive-based framework that links part of 
this  support  to  reform  achievements  in  key  sectors.  In  Libya,  the  EU  continued  to  provide  technical 
assistance  in  areas  such  as  public  administration,  democratic  governance,  gender,  access  to  justice, 
public awareness on the rule of law, the fight against corruption and money laundering, strengthening 
CSOs’ capacities, and promoting human rights. A new EUR 18 million programme to support Governance 
and Stabilisation in Libya was adopted in 2023. The Commission also provided support to improve public 
service  delivery  and  strengthen 
local  public  service  delivery  through  technical  assistance  to 
municipalities  such  as  in  the  sector  of  solid  waste  management  (EUR  7.5  million).  In  Tunisia,  the 
Commission continued its support for CSOs through an overall amount of EUR 62 million. In addition, the 
Commission  selected  six  new  grant  projects  to  strengthening  CSOs’  organisational  capacities  in  the 
promotion of human rights protection (including LGBTQI + rights). In Lebanon, a Women Empowerment 
Hub (EUR 6 million) has been launched to increase women’s leadership and participation in the political, 
economic and public spheres and to work on key legislative reforms to protect women from all forms of 
violence.  Furthermore,  the  Building  Integrity  and  National  Accountability  project  (EUR  2.8  million)  is 
being implemented to enhance the role of civil society actors in enhancing governance, accountability, 
and transparency in Lebanon. In Jordan, the Commission continued to support rule of law and access to 
justice  for  all,  including  for  refugees  and  host  communities,  by  implementing  a  EUR  39  million 
programme. In Egypt, the Commission’s Support to Resilience of future generations (EUR 8 million) was 
approved in 2023. The action will support national efforts to improve the policy, legal and institutional 
frameworks to address the gaps in the child protection system. 

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On  transitional  justice  and  accountability  in  Syria,  the  EU  continued  to  support  access  to  justice 
mechanisms  for  142  survivors  of  international  crimes  and  human  rights  violations  to  pursue  diverse 
accountability goals. The EU also adopted a Roadmap for EU support to Syrian Civil Society in February 
2023, developed with inputs from the Syrian civil society. 

EU  action  supports  cultural  dialogue,  media  freedom  and  organisations  and  individuals  that  defend 
democratic values. The Anna Lindh Foundation (ALF) is at the core of  promoting intercultural relations 
and  mutual  understanding  in  the  Mediterranean  region.  ALF  civil  society  networks  are  activated  to 
develop  intercultural  dialogue  and  activities  at  national  and  regional  level,  and  cooperate  through 
regional exchanges and training on peer-to-peer enhancing capacities modules. In this regard, more than 
531 activities and 39 events were organised in 2023 involving 90 organisations, reaching 32 300 direct 
and indirect beneficiaries. The EU is also supporting the European Endowment for Democracy, together 
with Free Press Unlimited and Journalisme et Citoyenneté, providing training and support to individuals, 
organisations and independent media that promote democratic values and freedom of expression. 

Food security and nutrition 

In  order to  strengthen  resilience  and  mitigate  the  consequences  of Russia’s war  of aggression  against 
Ukraine, the European Commission set up a new Food and Resilience Facility (FRF) to support the most 
affected  among  our  Southern  Neighbourhood  partners.  Under  this  Facility,  EUR  225  million  are  being 
deployed,  tailored  to  the  needs  of  countries  highly  dependent  on  food  imports.  In  Egypt,  two 
Contribution Agreements have been signed under the FRF to improve the grain production and storage 
capacities.  In  Algeria,  an  action  has  been  set  up  to  strengthen  and  diversify  the  sources  of  income  of 
small  farms,  promote  sustainable  agricultural  practices  and  improve  production  (EUR  5  million).  In 
Tunisia, the 2022 sustainable food security programme, worth EUR 25 million (including EUR 20 million 
from  the  FRF),  continued  to  support  cereal  producers  to  reduce  their  production  costs,  increase 
research  and  development  and  support  nutrition  in  schools.  Furthermore,  the  Commission  signed  in 
2023  a  EUR  20  million  blending  grant  and  approved  a  EUR  150  million  EU  guarantee  with  the  EIB 
through EFSD+ as part of a food resilience programme of EUR 570 million with EIB, EBRD, World Bank, 
and African Development Bank to address Tunisia’s food and nutrition situation. Inside Syria, substantial 
efforts were devoted to the implementation of new resilience, food security and livelihoods initiatives to 
address the food crisis. The EU allocated EUR 28 million to projects with this objective.  

Case study 

In  2023,  the  European  Commission  announced  an  aid-package  of  EUR  902  million  for  Jordan.  The 
package comprises loans and grants from the European Commission, the European Investment Bank and 
KfW testifying a united European approach to tackling Jordan’s challenges. A core part of this support 
concerns EU and Members States’ assistance to address water shortage.  

EUR 97 million in grants by the EU are complementing EUR 300 million in loans by the EIB for the vital 
‘Aqaba Amman Water Desalination and Conveyance’ project, an important flagship under the European 
Economic  and  Investment  Plan  and  Global  Gateway.  These  contributions  come  on  top  of  Member 
States’s assistance which brings the total of EU investment in the project to around EUR 740 million. This 
was possible thanks to a close coordination between the EU, its Member States and European Financial 
Institutions  in  the  framework  of  the  Team  Europe  Initiative  for  Sustainable  Water  Management.  The 
project  is  expected  to  produce  300  million  m3  of  fresh  water  every  year  and  distribute  it  across  the 

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country, thus alleviating Jordan’s chronic water shortage. Another important operation in the package 
concerns a EUR 400 million loan by the EIB, guaranteed by the EU under the EFSD+ system, which will, 
amongst  others,  address  water  losses  and  improve  the  financial  sustainability  of  the  water  sector. 
Finally, another  key project  financed under the  package,  will see the EU partner with KfW to produce 
energy from biogas, to assess the potential of this technology in Jordan. 

4.4.2.3. Humanitarian aid and civil protection – responding to the emergency needs of people affected by 
conflicts and disasters 

In Libya, despite the fragile security situation and the political impasse, the number of conflict-affected 
people with displacement related needs reduced to 50 000 by mid-2023. The political divide between 
East and West hampered recovery in Eastern Libya following the devastating impact of storm Daniel in 
September 2023 that left at least 5 620 people dead, thousands missing and over 44 000 displaced. The 
EU  provided  an  emergency  allocation  of  EUR  5.7  million  in  humanitarian  funding  to  tackle  the  most 
urgent needs of the people affected, focusing on protection, education in emergencies, health, mental 
health and psychosocial support, and water and sanitation. Libya remains a major departure point for 
migrants  seeking  to  reach  Europe.  In  2023,  the  country  was  included  in  the  European  Commission’s 
regional  projects  promoting  international  humanitarian  law  (IHL)  and  supporting  people  on  the  move 
with protection and legal assistance. 

Egypt is a country of destination and transit for refugees, asylum seekers, and migrants from the Middle 
East  and  East  Africa.  At  the  end  of  2023,  458  000  refugees  were  registered  in  Egypt,  stranded  in  the 
poorest neighbourhoods of its largest cities. Sudanese account for 42 % of the total refugee population 
followed  by  Syrians  with  34  %,  with  the  remainder  mainly  South  Sudanese,  Eritreans  and  Ethiopians. 
Many  refugees  and  asylum  seekers  live  below  the  national  poverty  line  and  have  been  adversely 
affected by the economic difficulties the country is facing. In 2023, the EU provided EUR 5.2 million in 
humanitarian  funding  for  education  in  emergencies  and  basic  needs  to  the  most  vulnerable  refugees 
and asylum seekers.  

Still without a resolution for the four-decade long political conflict, tens of thousands of Sahrawi refugees 
remain stranded in a forgotten and protracted humanitarian crisis. Gathered in five camps around Tindouf 
in  the  Algerian  Sahara Desert,  the  Sahrawi  refugees depend  on  external  humanitarian  assistance.  The 
political  sensitivities,  as  well  as  extreme  conditions  thwart  any  short-term  perspectives  for  return, 
integration  or  resettlement  and  deter  the  interest  of  development  actors.  In  2023,  the  European 
Commission  deployed  projects  amounting  to  EUR  9  million  to  respond  to  the  high  vulnerability  of 
Sahrawi  refugees  in  camps.  This  amount  includes  EUR  5  million  provided  in  the  context  of  a 
programmatic  partnership  agreement  with  the  World  Food  Programme  (WFP)  for  food  and  nutrition 
assistance. Other assistance included support to improve the quality of primary education, the supply of 
essential medicines, and the provision of safe drinking water. 

4.4.2.4. Crisis response and preparedness 

The EU continued to respond to emerging and ongoing crises in its southern neighbourhood.  

In response to the massive earthquake in northwest Syria in January 2023, the EU launched an action to 
support the affected communities. This came in addition to the EU support for peace and accountability 

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efforts in the country, as the population was already suffering from the consequences of a decade-long 
civil war.  

In  Libya,  the  EU  maintained  its  engagement  to  support  the  political  processes,  including  through  the 
strengthening of joint security efforts and emphasis on human security. Already before the war in Gaza, 
the  EU  supported  efforts  to  promote  a  Middle  East  Peace  Process.  This  response  was  increased 
following  the  7  October  attacks  and  the  military  response  in  Gaza.  In  addition  to  promoting  peace 
efforts,  the  response  focused  on  preventing  the  spill-over  of  full-scale  conflict  into  the  West  Bank; 
health care support (including mental health) and mine-action.  

In addition to actions in Israel and Palestine(90), support was also provided to Egypt to build up medical 
capacity  to  cater  for  medical  evacuees  from  Gaza.  Earlier  during  2023,  support  was  also  provided  to 
Egypt for its response to the significant number of people fleeing the civil war in neighbouring Sudan.  

Under  the  thematic  funding  for  Global  and  Transregional  Threats,  specific  facilities  established  to 
support  partner  countries  efforts  to  counter  terrorism  and  violent  extremism  were  instrumental  in 
mobilising  expertise  and  increasing  the  preparedness  and  response  capacities  of  countries  such  as 
Jordan,  Morocco,  and  Tunisia,  and  supporting  the  organisation  of  live  exercises  to  test  and  improve 
operational response and inter-agency coordination.  

Through  financing  via  the  CFSP  budget,  the  EU  integrated  border  management  assistance  mission  in 
Libya (EUBAM Libya) continues to assist the Libyan authorities in developing state security structures, in 
particular,  on  border  management,  law  enforcement  and  criminal  justice.  Through  its  revised 
operational plans, EUBAM Libya has been mandated with the additional strategic task of being ready to 
provide support to the UN-led efforts for peace within the Berlin Process, under the scope of EUBAM’s 
core areas of engagement. 

4.5.  Western Balkans and Türkiye 

4.5.1. 

Introduction (policy developments)  

Financial  Assistance  under  IPA  III  is  based  on  the  IPA  III  Programming  Framework(91),  which  is  an 
overarching European Commission strategic document for the use of IPA III funds for the duration of the 
2021-2027  multiannual  financial  framework  (MFF),  reflecting  the  specific  objectives  of  the  IPA  III 
Regulation(92) and is focused on the priorities of the enlargement process. The key policy framework for 
the  IPA  III  funds  is  the  Economic  and  Investment  Plan  (EIP)  and  the  Green  Agenda  for  the  Western 
Balkans, which aims to spur the socio-economic green and digital recovery of the  region and enhance 
economic integration and cooperation in the region.  

90  This  designation  shall  not  be  construed  as  recognition  of  a  State  of  Palestine  and  is  without  prejudice  to  the  individual 
positions of the Member States on this issue. 
91 C(2021) 8914 final of 10 December 2021. 
92 Regulation (EU) 2021/1529 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 15 September 2021 establishing the Instrument 
for Pre-Accession assistance (IPA III). OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p.1. 

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In addition to annual or multiannual action plans at national or regional level, and horizontal initiatives 
targeting specific types of partners (e.g., civil society) or cross-cutting issues, the key instrument for the 
implementation of the EIP is the Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF) which is a collaborative 
financing  platform  that  blends  IPA  funds  with  loans  to  support  socio-economic  convergence  in  the 
region  toward  the  EU.  By  the  end  of  2023,  the  WBIF  Board  had  endorsed  59  flagship  investments, 
totalling  EUR 8.9  billion, including a  EUR 2.6  billion IPA grant. These investments focus on sustainable 
transport,  renewable  energy,  education  and  health  facilities,  environmental  protection,  and  private 
sector  development.  In  addition,  the  Commission  and  international  financial  institutions  have 
progressed with the negotiation of the EFSD+ Western Balkans Guarantees to further boost investments 
in the region and the implementation of the EIP policy priorities, attracting private capital financing. 

To address the  impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine  in the region, the  European Commission 
announced a EUR 500 million Western Balkans Energy Support Package in December 2022, out of which 
90 % (EUR 450 million) was disbursed early 2023. 

The programming of the 2024 IPA budget was almost concluded by the end of 2023 for a total amount 
of  EUR  3.3  billion,  achieving  the  unprecedented  level  of  92  %  of  programmed  funds  for  the  Western 
Balkans - three years before the end of the MFF. 

In November 2023, the European Commission adopted the New Growth Plan for the Western Balkans. 
The Plan aims to bring the Western Balkan partners closer to the EU by offering some of the benefits of 
EU membership in advance of accession. It focuses on boosting economic growth and accelerating socio-
economic convergence. The  Plan is accompanied by a Commission proposal for a Reform and Growth 
Facility that should provide EUR 6 billion (including EUR 2 billion in grants and EUR 4 billion in loans) for 
the  region  during  the  period  2024-2027.  To  access  these  funds,  the  Western  Balkans’  counterparts 
should  prepare  Reform  Agendas  that  outline  key  reforms  related  to  socio-economic and  fundamental 
aspects, including the rule of law, fight against corruption and organised crime, and fundamental rights. 

The EU and Türkiye maintained high-level engagement, focusing on common interests. Via the IPA 2023 
annual action plan, the Commission allocated EUR 109.35 million to various sectors in Türkiye, including 
climate, environment, energy, transport, agriculture, education, employment, and fundamental rights.  

In response to the European Council’s decision in June 2021, which mobilised EUR 3 billion in additional 
refugee  assistance  for  Türkiye,  EUR  240  million  was  allocated  for  socio-economic  support  to  refugees 
and  host  communities  through  NDICI-Global  Europe,  EUR  210  million  for  health  care  and  EUR  115.6 
million to post-earthquake support for health and education infrastructure under IPA III in 2023.  

Following  the  devastating  earthquakes  in  February  2023,  an  International  Donors’  Conference  swiftly 
organised by the Commission and the Swedish EU Presidency, generated EUR 7 billion in pledges, which 
are  by  now  almost  entirely  mobilised  to  support  critical  infrastructure  reconstruction,  recovery, 
rehabilitation, and assistance to vulnerable populations and refugees.  

The Türkiye Investment Platform (TIP) under the EFSD+ was launched in 2022. The EFSD+ for Türkiye has 
so  far  set  aside  EUR  200  million  of  provisioning  for  budgetary  guarantees  to  support  EIB-dedicated 
EFSD+  guarantees  and EFSD+  open  architecture  guarantees.  In  the  latter  category,  EUR 317 million of 
guarantee  cover  has  been  so  far  allocated  to  several  investment  programmes,  implemented  through 

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International  Financial  Institutions  (IFIs),  which  are  expected  to  generate  up  to  EUR  2  billion  euro  in 
investments. This provides a powerful set of de-risking instruments increasing the financial capacity of 
EU  and  international  financial  institutions  to  support  and  promote  public  and  private  investments  in 
Türkiye. 

4.5.2. 

Implementation 

Human development and inequalities  

The  European  Commission  supports  the  Western  Balkans  to  implement  the  European  Pillar  of  Social 
Rights,  the  development  of  their  human  capital,  and  helps  deliver  on  the  priorities  identified  in  the 
economic  reform  programmes  in  the  areas  of  education,  skills,  employment,  health  and  social 
protection, and inclusion.  

In  2023,  the  Youth  Guarantee  remained  a  priority  in  the  Western  Balkans.  In  addition  to  North-
Macedonia,  Albania  started  piloting  its  Youth  Guarantee  Implementation  Plan,  to  ensure  that  youth 
receive a quality offer for employment, education, apprenticeship, or traineeship within four months of 
leaving formal education or becoming unemployed. In addition, IPA funds facilitated the establishment 
of  a  new  College  of  Europe  campus  in  Tirana,  and  a  continued  dialogue  between  policy  makers  and 
young  people  through  the  initiatives  like  Regional  Youth  Cooperation  Office  and  the  Western  Balkans 
Youth Lab, which promoted the role of young people in the design of mental health strategies. 

The  EU  continued  to  promote  the  social  inclusion  of  Roma  communities.  Roma  Integration  Phase  III, 
implemented by the Council of Europe, supported the implementation of the Poznan commitments to 
tackle specific challenges faced by Roma such as housing, employment, and discrimination. In addition, 
EU-funded  and  CSO-led  projects  empowered  Roma  women  and  supported  the  Roma  entrepreneurs’ 
economic development. 

With  support  from  the  European  Institute  for  Gender  Equality  (EIGE),  gender  equality  policies  in  the 
region were enhanced. This included developing national Gender Equality Indices, improving statistical 
data  collection  on  sex-disaggregated  information,  and  violence  against  women.  In  addition,  the  EU 
supported regional network of CSOs on gender equality enhancing their capacity to monitor government 
gender commitments related to the EU Accession process and the EU approximation process.  

The  second  phase  of  the  Employment  and  Social  Affairs  Platform,  completed  in  December  2023, 
achieved significant milestones related to the European Pillar of Social Rights. Notable accomplishments 
include establishing the Western Balkans Platform Tackling Undeclared Work, conducting benchmarking 
exercises for Public Employment Services, creating an assessment tool for Economic and Social Councils, 
and enhancing the capacity of labour inspectorates in Occupational Safety and Health. These processes 
align with EU-level practices, preparing beneficiaries for their future roles upon accession. 

The region has received ongoing support in critical areas of the EU Global Health Strategy. This includes 
prevention,  detection,  and  response  to  health  emergencies,  strengthening  health  systems,  advancing 
universal health coverage, and addressing antimicrobial resistance through a One Health approach.  

Notable  achievements  were  accomplished  in  social  sectors  across  the  IPA  region.  In  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina,  the  deinstitutionalisation  Road  Map  was  developed  to  guide  the  transformation  of  local 
childcare institutions. In Kosovo, the EU raised awareness about living conditions and rights of persons 

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with disabilities, supported adoption of the Law on Family and Social Services, enhancing social service 
coverage  and  financial  sustainability,  prioritised  inclusiveness  in  education  for  children  with  special 
needs, trained over 270 school professionals in inclusive education, and mitigated energy price impacts 
for over 250 000 households, many of which were in vulnerable positions. In Albania, the EU completed 
works  in  rebuilding  or  rehabilitating  45  education  facilities  in  earthquake-affected  municipalities  and 
extended social care services at the municipal level addressing specific needs of various groups such as 
children, women affected by violence, the LGBTIQ+ community, and people with disabilities.  

In  North  Macedonia,  the  EU  focused  on  equal  opportunities,  gender  equality,  social  protection,  and 
health,  supported  scholarships  for  440  children  with  disabilities,  improved  teaching  practices  in  25 
schools, and enhanced accessibility of 15 school buildings. The EU budget support programme for Youth 
supported the efforts of the authorities to reform its vocational education and training programme and 
improve  young  people’s  skills  making  them  relevant  to  labour  market  needs  as  well  as  enhance  their 
access to jobs. The youth unemployment (ages 15 to 29) rate decreased to 24.9 % in 2023 compared to 
the baseline of 30.5 % in 2019. In Serbia, the EU assisted Serbian institutions to align legislation with EU 
standards,  and  reformed  the  health  care  system  for  resilience,  inclusivity,  and  responsiveness.  In 
Türkiye, the ‘Improving Foster Care System’ project supports vulnerable children in need of emergency 
care  and  protection,  EU  strengthened  the  institutional  capacity  of  the  Child  Protection  System, 
developed a temporary emergency foster care model for children, tested in 11 provinces, and facilitated 
high-quality  education  for  Syrian  children  through  the  PIKTES  initiative,  enrolling  818  531  refugee 
children by March 2023. 

Green Deal  

In 2023, the WBIF  allocated an additional  EUR 24 million  to the regional  Green for Growth Fund. This 
contribution, comprising of equity and technical assistance, is expected to mobilise EUR 231 million in 
energy-efficient and renewable energy investments by MSMEs, households, and municipalities. The goal 
is to expedite the energy transition and attain climate neutrality. 

In  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  the  WBIF  supported  initiatives  with  EUR  73  million  in  grants,  including 
construction  of  two  wind  farms  and  upgrading  of  a  hydropower  plant.  In  Kosovo,  the  EU  reduced 
environmental pollution through new waste disposal infrastructure and a solid waste collection facility, 
supported policy measures to accelerate the energy transition, and supported over 250 000 households 
through Kosovo’s Energy Support Package. In Albania, the EU has been developing waste management 
infrastructure  in  key  areas,  enhanced  integrated  water  resources  management  with  river  basin  plans, 
and launched a new programme aiming to enhance water quality and align with EU standards. In North 
Macedonia,  the  EU  is  reducing  water  pollution,  addressing  climate  change,  and  promoting  a  green 
economy  through  advanced  wastewater  processing  techniques. 
improved 
environmental protection infrastructure, increased national capacities for climate change management, 
and  inaugurated  a  gas  interconnector  with  Bulgaria for  energy  diversification and  security.  In Türkiye, 
the EU focused on climate change mitigation, in particular support for the establishment of an emission 
trading  system  in  the  country,  and  adaptation,  as  well  as  marine  life  protection,  waste  management, 
and  air  and  water  quality,  and  supported  Turkish  municipalities  in  water  and  waste  management 
services and smart urban mobility. 

In  Serbia,  the  EU 

Sustainable growth and jobs  

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The  EIP  and  the  Green  Agenda  for  the  Western  Balkans  include  measures  to  support  job  creation, 
particularly  through  the  WBIF.  In  2023,  the  Western  Balkans  Guarantee  Facility  endorsed  two 
guarantees totalling EUR 70 million to support private sector development. In addition, the WBIF backed 
three flagship investments, including EUR 62 million from the EU and an estimated investment of over 
EUR 448 million from financial institutions.  

In Kosovo, over 1 500 students, of which 38.33 % are women, obtained certification in highly demanded 
IT and business management qualifications. In Albania, the EU delivered incentive grants for small loans 
to  small  and  medium-sized  enterprises  (SMEs)  in  agri-tourism  via  local  financial  institutions.  In  North 
Macedonia,  the  EU  promotes  greening  and  the  transition  to  a  circular  climate-neutral  economy, 
stimulating companies to innovate in a sustainable way, grow and create jobs in green business. EU also 
supports  the  development  of  the  Prespa  region,  by  promoting  sustainable  tourism.  In  Serbia,  the  EU 
supports community-based care and the de-institutionalisation of the social protection system, as well 
as labour market reform. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the preparations are underway for a country-wide 
employment  strategy.  In  Türkiye,  the  EU  actively  supports  private  sector  competitiveness  and 
productivity,  emphasising  the  green  and  digital  transformation.  EUR  221  million  is  aimed  to  enhance 
economic  resilience.  Furthermore,  the  EU co-funds  a  supply  chain  finance  programme  in  Türkiye  with 
EUR 17 million together with EBRD, which will leverage an additional EUR 170 million in private funding 
and  improve  the  competitiveness  of  SMEs  and  midcaps  in  Türkiye  while  stimulating  the  adoption  of 
environmental,  social,  and  governance  principles  and  standards,  strengthening  their  integration  into 
European  Value  Chains.  In  addition,  the  EU  funds  socio-economic  support  for  refugees  through  the 
Facility for Refugees in Türkiye, including training, skills transfer, and job counselling. By mid-2023, over 
70 000 refugees were registered at the Turkish Employment Agency, with more than 66 000 completing 
vocational skills training and over 19 000 securing employment opportunities. 

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation  

The  EIP  supports  innovation,  green  growth,  and  aligns  with  the  Green  Agenda  and  the  Innovation 
Agenda  for  the  Western  Balkans.  It  focuses  on  enhancing  private  sector  competitiveness  by  ensuring 
affordable and diversified access to finance for start-ups and MSMEs. In addition, it addresses barriers to 
business climate development at local and regional levels.  

In 2023, the WBIF supported the ‘Go Digital in the Western Balkans’ programme, aiming to provide over 
EUR  177  million  in  concessional  financing  to  MSMEs  in  the  region  for  digitalisation  and  enhanced 
competitiveness.  Managed  by  the  EBRD,  this  programme  combines  access  to  finance  with  tailored 
technical  expertise  for  each  company’s  needs.  In  addition,  WBIF  initiated  a  call  dedicated  to  business 
sector  digitalisation,  integrating  research,  development  results,  innovation,  technology  transfer,  and 
enabling digital ecosystems. 

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU has significantly contributed to digital transformation in the judiciary. 
Further  efforts  focus  on  digital  transformation  as  a  cornerstone  of  Public  Administration  Reform,  and 
supporting  studies  on  legal  environment,  interconnectivity  solutions,  registries,  and  sectoral  policy.  In 
Kosovo, the EU assisted in the construction of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences at the 
University  of  Pristina,  and  through  the  Council  of  Europe’s  technical  expertise  supported  the  Judicial 
Council in producing its IT strategic plan 2024 to 2029 and helped putting in place a state-of-the-art eID 
system, in line with the eIDAS regulation. In Albania, the EU actively supports the innovation ecosystem 
by funding 33 start-ups and seven Innovation Support Organisations. In addition, the EU is introducing 

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ICT  in  elementary  schools  through  a  project  that  aims  to  implement  684  smart  ICT  labs  across  627 
schools  to  enhance  programming  skills  and  promote  digital  literacy.  In  Montenegro,  the  EU  supports 
innovative SMEs in the context of its Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3), including enhancement of the 
country’s  administrative  capacity  and  alignment  to  the  EU  acquis,  as  well  as  private  sector 
competitiveness, with a focus on SMEs and female and young entrepreneurs. In North Macedonia, the 
EU provides budget support to help the country modernise and digitalise its public administration, and 
upscale the availability of e-services via a single Government portal. In Türkiye, the EU supports boosting 
the innovation capacity of the  private sector and commercialisation of green and digital technologies, 
thus  serving  a  wide  range  of  sectors  including  algae  bio-refining,  food  safety,  autonomous  vehicles, 
smart agriculture, deep technologies, life sciences, health, cancer treatment and infectious diseases. 

Migration and forced displacement  

The European Commission actively supports the Western Balkans in managing mixed migratory flows in 
line with international and EU standards. The efforts focus on enabling the region to participate in EU-
level work and providing direct support for migrant reception conditions. Key agencies Frontex, Europol, 
and the EU Agency for Asylum (EUAA) play a crucial role in bringing the region closer to the EU.  

Under  IPA  III,  the  EU  has  adopted  EUR  291.9  million  in  financial  support  for  migration  and  border 
management  in  the  Western  Balkans.  These  initiatives  focus  on  implementing  protection-sensitive 
migration  systems,  including  identification,  registration,  and  referral  at  borders.  They  also  address 
migration statistics, asylum and reception systems, returns management, alternatives to detention, and 
legal  protection  for  victims  of  human  trafficking.  In  June  2023,  implementation  started  for  a  new 
regional programme for the Western Balkans of EUR 36 million aimed at combatting migrant smuggling 
and  trafficking  in  human  beings.  In  November  2023, Frontex  launched  a  new  regional  border  security 
programme  worth  EUR  7  million,  supporting  the  implementation  of  Frontex  Status  Agreements  and 
alignment with EU standards for Integrated Border Management. 

With  EU  support,  the  region  collaborates  closely  with  the  EUAA  to  enhance  asylum  and  reception 
systems. This is crucial for effective and humane migration management. Since 2019, roadmaps for all 
Western Balkans partners have been adopted to align their systems with EU standards. 

In  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  the  EU,  with  EUR  39.5  million,  further  supported  reception  capacities  for 
voluntary  and  non-voluntary  returns  and  signed  a  new  measure  worth  EUR  6.4  million  for  integrated 
border management. The process of transition of migration assistance towards a country-owned system 
was  also  slowly  initiated.  In  Albania,  the  capabilities  of the  border  police  to  fight  trafficking  in  human 
beings and irregular migration have improved thanks to the deliveries of modern equipment, renewal of 
maritime  fleets  and  construction  of  two  radar  stations.  In  Montenegro,  an  action  has  been  set  up  to 
assist the authorities in integrated border management and reduce irregular migration and cross-border 
crime,  thus  supporting  the  country’s  Schengen  Action  Plan.  In  North  Macedonia,  the  EU  support  will 
help to upgrade national technological and institutional capacities to identify, register, screen and treat 
the information on migrants and refugees in line with EU and international standards. In Serbia, the EU 
promoted the enforcement of the fundamental rights of vulnerable groups such as internally displaced 
persons.  

In Türkiye, EU has focused on border management including purchase of border surveillance equipment 
and drafting a required border management strategy and action plan, as well as the operationalisation 

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process of the  National  Coordination  and  Joint  Risk  Analysis  Centre.  Following  the  European  Council’s 
decision of June 2021, the Commission allocated EUR 400 million to support migration management. 

Governance, peace and security  

A core objective of the EU’s engagement with the Western Balkans is to prepare them to meet all the 
requirements  of  EU  membership.  Fundamental  democratic  and  rule  of  law  reforms  in  areas  such  as 
justice,  the  fight  against  corruption  and  organised  crime,  democratic  elections  and  parliamentary 
oversight,  fundamental rights  and freedoms, and good administration, are at  the  heart of this agenda 
and the work of the European Commission in support of the region.  

In  2023,  the  EU  continued  to  support  justice  system  reforms  in  the  Western  Balkans,  focusing  on 
efficiency, independence, integrity and professionalism of the judiciary. To protect the Rule of Law and 
Fundamental  Rights,  the  EU  maintained  its  strategic  partnership  with  the  Council  of  Europe’s 
Commission  for  the  Efficiency  of  Justice  (with  EUR  15  million  from  the  third  phase  of  the  Horizontal 
Facility). In addition, EU collaborated with the European Judicial Training Network, and initiated judicial 
surveys  with  the  World  Bank.  The  cooperation  with  the  Council  of  Europe  allows  IPA  beneficiaries  to 
access expert resources, including opinions of the Venice Commission. Other significant actions include 
sector  reform  support  for  justice  in  Serbia,  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  and  Albania.  The  latter  involves 
continued  support  to  the  temporary  re-evaluation  of  judges  and  prosecutors.  In  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina, the second phase of the EU for Justice programme supports justice reform, strengthened 
independence,  transparency,  efficiency,  and  accountability,  and  equipping  judicial  buildings  and  the 
court  police.  The  EU  budget  support  programme  supported  Serbia  to  strengthen  the  independence, 
efficiency,  and  competences  of  its  judiciary,  improve  the  quality  of  judicial  services  to  citizens  and  to 
raise the level of trust in the judicial system. In Türkiye, the EU launched of a grant scheme for legal aid 
services to vulnerable women, as well as the training of 586 lawyers on women’s access to justice. 

In  the  fight  against  corruption,  the  EU  extended  its  support  to  the  OSCE  through  a  EUR  5.8  million 
programme  monitoring  more  than  250  cases  of  organised  crime  and  high-level  corruption  and 
producing  targeted  recommendations  to  improve  the  track  record  of  successful  convictions  and 
confiscations.  The  recommendations  were  endorsed  at  the  EU-Western  Balkan  Ministerial  Forum  on 
Justice  and  Home  Affairs  held  in  Skopje  in  October  2023.  In  North  Macedonia,  the  new  Law  on 
Whistleblower  protection  was  finalised  and  published  for  public  opinion  with  EU  support.  The  role  of 
civil  society  as  watchdogs  and  forces  of  change  in  the  fight  against  corruption  was  boosted  with  the 
launch  of  a  new  regional  programme  with  Transparency  International  aimed  at  building  capacities  to 
detect and expose political corruption through integrity open data.  

In the area of fundamental rights and freedom of expression, the EU continues to support civil society 
and independent media as well as responses to hate speech. At a regional level, international partners 
and  civil  society  organisations  are  implementing  programmes  worth  over  EUR  60  million.  For  civil 
society,  the  EU  support  focuses  on  creating  an  enabling  environment  for  CSOs,  strengthening  their 
capacity and resilience, and engaging them in areas such as Rule of Law, anti-corruption efforts, Human 
Rights,  democratic  participation,  and  the  Green  Transition.  Regarding  media,  EU  assistance  aims  to 
enhance the media environment by ensuring the safety of journalists, promoting public service media, 
combating  disinformation,  improving  media  governance,  ensuring  quality  production,  and  fostering 
regional  media  networks.  In  Serbia,  the  EU  assisted  Serbian  institutions  in  bolstering  freedom  of 
expression and media. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, through the partnership with the Council of Europe, 

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EU  promoted  the  right  to  justice  and  supported  the  first  ever  training  of  police  officers  from  Brčko 
District  of  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  to  counter  hate  crime  and  hate  speech  towards  the  LGBTI 
community.  

As  part  of  the  renewed  emphasis  on  the  functioning  of  democratic  institutions  under  the  revised 
enlargement  methodology,  the  EU  supported  the  implementation  of  72  electoral  recommendations 
across  the  Western  Balkans,  through  its  continued  support  to  ODIHR  (EUR  1.5  million)  and  in 
cooperation with  the  EEAS.  Moreover,  through  the technical  support  of  the  Horizontal  Facility  for  the 
Western  Balkans  and  Türkiye,  the  EU  and  the  Council  of  Europe  supported  the  Central  Election 
Commission  of  Albania  in  launching  the  Electronic  Platform  on  Financial  Monitoring  and  Reporting, 
which  facilitates  the  monitoring  of  the  financing  of  political  parties  and  electoral  campaigns.  Through 
the  ‘Regional  Programme  on  Local  Democracy  in  the  Western  Balkans  2  (ReLOaD2)’,  implemented  by 
UNDP,  the  EU  supported  62  partner  local  governments  in  setting  up  transparent  public  funding 
mechanisms for civil society, and the creation of youth platforms aimed at promoting the participation 
of young people  in the  local public  sphere. In Albania, in preparation for the  2024 local  elections, the 
Central  Election  Commission  launched  the  Electronic  Platform on  Financial  Monitoring  and  Reporting, 
with EU and Council of Europe support, to facilitate monitoring of political party financing and electoral 
campaigns. 

In the fight against serious and organised crime, the EU remains committed to addressing cross-border 
criminal activities in the Western Balkans. EU Regional Security Programmes support cooperation within 
the  region  and  between  the  Western  Balkans  and  the  EU.  Agencies  such  as  Eurojust,  the  European 
Union  Drugs  Agency  (EUDA),  Europol,  Frontex  and  CEPOL  collaborate  to  combat  organised  crime  and 
terrorism.  The  EU  continues  to  enhance  cooperation  with  the  Radicalisation  Awareness  Network  in 
countering radicalisation and extremism. A regional project targeting regional resilience and capacity to 
resist  cyber-attacks  started  in  2023.  Cooperation  with  the  Council  of  Europe  on  the  fight  against 
cybercrime will continue to build the capacities of the region in line with the Budapest convention. The 
Integrative  Internal  Security  Governance  mechanism launched  a  database  of  needs  and  actions  in  the 
region to counter terrorism, serious- and organised crime and border security. With EU help, Albanian 
police and customs officers have improved their capacity to prevent, detect and fight organised crime. In 
Serbia,  in  cooperation  with  the  Council  of  Europe,  IT  equipment  was  provided  to  the  National  Anti-
trafficking Co-ordination Office, the National Rapporteur on trafficking in human beings, the Centre for 
Human  Trafficking  Victims’  Protection  and  the  NGO ASTRA.  A  new  prison  in  Sarajevo  for  150  inmates 
was finalised, and treatment of detained and sentenced persons was supported. In Kosovo, EU funding 
supported the adoption of  the National Cyber Security Strategy 2023-2027 and Law on Cyber Security 
(2023), and the establishment of the Agency for Cyber Security. 

EU  also  supported  a  regional  response  to  the  war  crimes  in  the  Western  Balkans.  In  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina, grants totalling EUR 6 million for transitional justice and for the objectives of the Revised 
National  War  Crimes  Strategy  contributed  to  the  processing  of  the  most  complex  war  crimes  cases. 
Moreover,  assistance  via  the  International  Commission  on  Missing  Persons  (EUR  3  million)  supported 
the Missing Persons Institute  and Prosecutors’ Offices. Demining activities implemented in Bosnia and 
Herzegovina and in Kosovo improved the safety of the local population. 

The EU further supported good governance in public administration. In Kosovo, the digitalisation of the 
National  Centralised  Criminal  Record  was  completed,  allowing  citizens  to  receive  criminal  record 

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certificates within minutes. By December 2023, 268 474 certificates had been provided, enabling Kosovo 
to meet one of the requirements for Schengen visa liberalisation. The DEMOS project, implemented by 
EU, Sweden, Switzerland and Norway, funded 430 projects for local development and pushed forward 
the adoption of the new law on the performance management system  for the municipalities. In North 
Macedonia, the EU supports the modernisation of public administration and improvement of statistical 
and  financial  data  to  enable  evidence-based  policy  making  and  contribute  to  better  economic 
governance, and increasing public trust. In Türkiye, flagship projects continued linking local governments 
and the business community with EU peers to address common challenges.  

Territorial and cross-border cooperation  

The flagship initiative of the Western Balkans strategy, ‘Supporting reconciliation and good neighbourly 
relations’,  is  the  common  thread  for  nine  IPA  cross-border  cooperation  (CBC)  programmes  and  15 
INTERREG  programmes  with  IPA  participation  (ten  cross-border,  three  transnational  programmes  and 
two  interregional)  in  the  Western  Balkans.  In  2023,  over  57  000  individuals,  including  15  000  youth, 
profited  from  the  98  ongoing  projects,  as  well  as  1  358  organisations,  including  local  and  national 
government entities, civil society organisations, and businesses.  

The  IPA  CBC  programmes  focused  on  resilience  and  disaster  prevention,  environmental  protection, 
clean energy, public health, entrepreneurship, and professional training for young people. For example, 
enhancing  capacities  to  respond  to  disasters  and  resilience  along  the  border  between  Bosnia  and 
Herzegovina and Montenegro, enforcing environmental standards in the municipalities of Kosovo-North 
Macedonia,  strengthening  disaster  management  in  Montenegro-Albania,  supporting  capacities  for 
reproductive  health  in  Serbia-Montenegro  and  Montenegro-Kosovo,  and  vocational  training  and  the 
establishment of social enterprises in Serbia-North Macedonia.  

On regional integration, in 2023, the Regional Cooperation Council, along with other organisations such 
as Central European Free Trade Agreement (CEFTA), the Western Balkans 6 Chamber Investment Forum, 
and  the  World  Bank,  continued  implementing  the  Common  Regional  Market  action  plan.  A  new 
agreement  on  the  recognition  of  professional  qualifications  for  nurses,  veterinary  surgeons, 
pharmacists, and midwives was signed at the Berlin Process Summit in Tirana in October 2023. Thanks 
to the ratification of the agreement on freedom of movement with ID cards, approximately 13 million 
Western Balkan citizens can now travel between countries without  a passport in just three months of 
implementation.  

In  2023,  CEFTA  programmes  advanced  trade  negotiations,  emphasising  customs  risk  management, 
dispute  resolution,  and  statistical  collaboration.  The  Systematic  Exchange  of  Electronic  Data  platform 
streamlined  pre-arrival  customs  data  exchange,  reducing  border-crossing  time.  It  also  facilitated 
certificate  exchange  between  customs  and  phytosanitary  authorities.  Enhanced  trade  surveillance 
mechanisms  for  phytosanitary  products  included  pest-specific  contingency  plans  and  surveys.  Pilot 
initiatives extended to electronic certificates with veterinary and medical agencies. Market surveillance 
authorities also gained from a shared regional database on unsafe products. 

In  October  2023,  the  EU  and  the  Western  Balkans  reached  a  voluntary  agreement  to  lower  roaming 
charges. The benefits are already evident: three operators from different Western Balkan partners have 
significantly reduced regular roaming prices within the EU (between 95 and 99 %), and several Western 

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Balkan operators now offer data at less than EUR 2 per gigabyte. Further reductions are planned, aiming 
to make data roaming prices comparable to domestic rates by 2028. 

Food security and nutrition  

In  Kosovo,  EUR  13  million  of  support  helped  to  transform  the  Food  and  Veterinary  Agency  into  an 
executive agency with five regional offices responsible for control of the entire food chain, from farm to 
fork.  In  Albania,  EU  support  focused  on  establishing  a  sustainable  food  system,  aligning  food  safety 
strategies, and harmonising controls with EU standards. In North Macedonia, alongside the new IPARD 
III rural development programme, the EU promotes agricultural competitiveness, implements Common 
Market Organisation measures, and supports farmers and irrigation schemes. In Türkiye, EU assistance 
in  the  animal  health  sector  prevented  Lumpy  Skin  Disease  (LSD)  and  rabies  outbreaks.  The  IPARD 
programme in Türkiye has generated around 80 000 rural jobs, with at least 20 % of investments led by 
women entrepreneurs. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU4AGRI project aided in drafting a state law on 
wine market organisation, addressing a long-standing priority under acquis Chapter 11. 

Case study  

Regional Housing Programme  

In 2023, the Regional Housing Programme (RHP) concluded, showcasing successful regional partnerships 
in  the  Western  Balkans.  During  the  1990s  armed  conflicts  in  former  Yugoslavia  over  3  million  people 
were  displaced  across  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  Croatia,  Montenegro,  and  Serbia.  While  many  have 
returned home or found sustainable housing solutions with state and international support, a significant 
number in the region still remain displaced. 

Objectives: The RHP was established in 2012 as a collaborative effort among Bosnia and Herzegovina, 
Croatia, Montenegro, and Serbia. Its primary goal was to provide secure homes for the most vulnerable 
refugees  and  internally  displaced  persons  in  these  four  countries.  The  programme  received  joint 
financing  from  the  EU  (as  the  main  donor,  contributing  EUR  238  million  or  81  %  of  the  funding)  and 
other countries including Denmark, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland, the United States 
of America and Türkiye. 

Results:  
• 

More than 11 300 homes delivered to close to 36 000 people.  

• 

• 

• 

9 350 housing units (83 %) with energy efficiency solutions.  

Improved regulations and standards in the areas of social care and housing.  

Close to 1 000 contracts signed with contractors for works, goods and services, with a total value 
of almost EUR 200 million. 

4.5.3.  Humanitarian  aid  and  civil  protection  –  responding  to  the  emergency  needs  of  people 
affected by conflicts and disasters 

In Türkiye, close to 3.7 million refugees needed humanitarian support in 2023. This included around 3.4 
million  Syrians  under  temporary  protection  and  over  300  000  international  protection  status  holders, 
asylum-seekers of other nationalities and stateless persons.  

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In  February  2023,  two  earthquakes  caused  massive  destruction  and  suffering  in  southeast  Türkiye, 
creating new needs among both refugees and the Turkish population. This disaster further exacerbated 
the  living  conditions  of  the  already  vulnerable  refugees.  In  2023,  the  EU  provided  EUR 78.2 million  in 
humanitarian  funding  for  the  earthquake  response.  EU´s  major  cash  assistance  programme,  the 
Emergency  Social  Safety  Net  (ESSN)  was  successfully  handed  over  from  humanitarian  to  development 
funding under  the  European Commission  in July 2023, in line with the EU humanitarian-development-
peace nexus approach. 

Western Balkans 

More  than  110  000  refugees  and  migrants  have  arrived  in  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  via  the  Western 
Balkans route since 2018. In 2023 the EU allocated EUR 2.63 million in humanitarian aid, addressing the 
most  urgent  needs  and  allowing  the  beneficiaries  to  access  protection,  basic  health  care  services, 
mental health and psychosocial support. In addition, support was provided to Albania during the forest 
fire season. 

4.5.4.  Crisis response and preparedness 

In  the  Western  Balkans  new  crisis  response  initiatives  seek  to  increase  resilience  to  the  intensified 
hybrid attacks focused on disinformation and cyber-security linked to Russia’s war of aggression against 
Ukraine.  

In Bosnia and Herzegovina, the EU boosted efforts for reconciliation and unity through a dedicated crisis 
response  measures,  seeking  to  create  a  critical  mass  for  reconciliation  and  unity  by  working  with 
communities and authorities at the local level and connecting initiatives at the national level. 

In Kosovo, the EU Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) continued to monitor selected cases 
and  trials  in  Kosovo’s  criminal  and  civil  justice  institutions  with  a  view  to  supporting  the  rule  of  law 
system in Kosovo, including the Kosovo Correctional Service. The EU also supports the Kosovo Specialist 
Chambers  (KSC)  and  Specialist  Prosecutor’s  Office  (SPO)  which  prosecute  and  adjudicate  criminal 
charges arising from investigations. 

The  EU  Special  Representative  (EUSR)  for  the  Belgrade-Pristina  Dialogue  and  other  Western  Balkans 
regional  issues  engages  with  the  regional  partners  to  achieve  a  comprehensive  normalisation  of 
relations between Serbia and Kosovo, improve good neighbourly relations and promote reconciliation.  

The  EUSR  in  Kosovo  plays  a  key  role  in  promoting  a  stable,  viable,  peaceful,  democratic,  and  multi-
ethnic  Kosovo  and  strengthen  stability  in  the  region,  while  contributing  to  regional  cooperation  and 
good neighbourly relations in the Western Balkans. 

The  EUSR  in  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina  (BiH)  focuses  on  fostering  progress  in  the  Stabilisation  and 
Association  Process,  ensuring  a  stable,  viable,  peaceful,  multi-ethnic  and  united  BiH  that  cooperates 
peacefully with its neighbours and ensuring that BiH is irreversibly on track towards EU membership.  

The EU shares efforts with the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) to combat 
illicit  trafficking  of  Small  Arms  and  Light  Weapons  (SALW)  and  Conventional  Ammunition  in 
southeastern Europe. Within the region, the roadmap on comprehensive SALW control was adopted in 
2018, and in 2023 it was decided to prolong the activities until 2030. Activities aim at reducing the risks 

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of  SALW  proliferation  and mitigating security  and  safety  risks  related  to the  illegal  possession, misuse 
and trafficking of SALW in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, and Serbia. 

In  the  context  of  the  EU  Strategy  to  combat  illicit  accumulation  and  trafficking  of  SALW  and  their 
ammunition,  and  in  the  context  of  the  implementation  of  the  Roadmap  on  SALW  control,  the  EU  is 
supporting projects in Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Albania, Kosovo, 
Moldova and Ukraine through the South-eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of 
Small  Arms  and  Light  Weapons  (SEESAC).  SEESAC  ensures  that  arms  control  legislation,  policies  and 
practices are in place and are fully harmonised with the EU and international obligations and standards. 

4.6.  Overseas countries and territories (OCTs)  

4.6.1. 

Introduction (policy developments) 

The  Overseas  Countries  and  Territories  (OCTs)  are  not  sovereign  countries  but  maintain  special 
constitutional links with three Member States (Denmark, France and the Netherlands) and embrace an 
increasingly strategic role for the EU. They are important EU ambassadors in their regions and bring with 
them important assets, such as vast exclusive economic zones, highly relevant for ocean governance and 
the preservation of maritime biodiversity, host strategic infrastructure (Galileo) and avail of many critical 
raw  materials.  At  the  same  time,  the  OCTs  benefit  from  the  EU’s  significant  expertise  in  sustainable 
development and the green transition as well as privileged access to the EU market. The Decision on the 
Overseas  Association  including  Greenland  (DOAG)  of  2021  frames  the  EU-OCT  political  and  policy 
dialogue, trade, and financial support of the EU for OCTs’ actions. It contributes to their economic and 
social development and helps them in tackling challenges such as climate change and biodiversity loss.  

The EU has earmarked financial support of EUR 500  million to the OCTs  for 2021-2027. The  resources 
available to the OCTs are allocated as follows: EUR 225 million for bilateral cooperation with Greenland, 
EUR 164 million for bilateral cooperation with other OCTs, EUR 76 million for regional cooperation and 
integration (including EUR 15 million for intra-regional cooperation), a non-allocated reserve of EUR 13 
million  for emerging needs,  and EUR 22 million  for technical assistance. During 2023, OCTs benefitted 
from  actions  implemented  under  the  DOAG  but  also  from  ongoing  programmes  funded  under  the 
European Development Fund (EDF).  

The  priority  areas  for  cooperation  with  the  EU  are  digital,  climate,  energy  (water  and  sanitation), 
transport,  and  education  in  line  with  the  EU  twin  transition  goals  and  the  objectives  of  the  Global 
Gateway  strategy.  Promoting  regional  and  intra-regional  cooperation  in  these  priority  areas  in  the 
Arctic,  the  Caribbean,  the  Indian  Ocean,  the  Atlantic  and  the  Pacific  is  of  paramount  importance  to 
support sustainable development of the OCTs.  

The institutional dialogue between the EU and the OCTs is provided for in Article 14 of the DOAG. While 
the  annual  OCTs-EU  Forum  brings  together  OCT  authorities,  Member  State  representatives  and  the 
Commission, tripartite consultations are organised four times a year to follow up on issues of common 
interest. In 2023, the institutional EU-OCTs dialogue was held regularly, with preparations for the next 
edition of the Forum in February 2024 in Brussels having started in the last quarter of 2023. 

Due  to  their  geographical  location  and  historical  background,  the  EU  outermost  regions  (ORs)  hold 
strong historical, social, environmental, cultural and other ties with OCTs. The new Agenda for relations 
between  the  EU  and  Latin  America  and  the  Caribbean  (LAC)  highlights  the  presence  of  the  EU  in  this 

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region, through the EU outermost regions, as an asset for this partnership, and envisages to strengthen 
cooperation between LAC, outermost regions and the OCTs.  

In  addition,  under  the  Partnership  Agreement  between  the  EU  and  the  Organisation  of  the  African, 
Caribbean  and  Pacific  States,  signed  in  2023,  the  protocols  for  Africa  and  the  Caribbean  encourage 
regional  cooperation  with  outermost  regions  and  OCTs.  In  addition,  the  Commission  upgraded  the 
external  dimension  of  the  INTERREG  programmes  2021-2027  for  the  outermost  regions  by  providing 
that projects should involve at least one neighbouring partner country and/or an OCT.  

4.6.2. 

Implementation 

Human development and inequalities 

EU  cooperation  helps  OCTs  in  reducing  inequalities,  for  instance  by  reaching  out  to  deprived 
neighbourhoods  or  by  making  education  opportunities  more 
inclusive.  Cooperation  on  urban 
infrastructures  (mainly  street  lightening,  paved  streets  as  well  as  sewage  infrastructures)  in  the  most 
deprived  neighbourhoods  of  Curacao  has  resulted  in  important  and  sustainable  impacts  by  strongly 
improving the quality of life of inhabitants during 2023.  

A good education for all is the best equaliser in society. It allows all citizens to improve their livelihood 
opportunities  and  to  shape  their  own  future.  This  is  why,  in  Greenland,  the  past  and  present  EU 
cooperation  continued  delivering  in  2023  by  putting  a  strong  emphasis  on  improved  access  for  all 
children  to  pre-school  education,  which  lays  the  ground  for  future  economic  security  independent  of 
starting conditions. As a result 76 % of Greenland’s children attend preschool, 7 % higher than 10 years 
ago and has consistently been on the rise. This is a particular success in hard-to-reach rural areas, where 
coverage has increased by almost 10 %.  

Gender equality is an important cross-cutting theme of EU OCT cooperation. New actions during 2023 
included gender-sensitive indicators and sex-disaggregated data, whenever possible. 

Green Deal 

EU-OCTs  partnership  promotes  long-term  sustainable  economic  development  and  welfare  and  the 
Green Deal has been pivotal for the partnership given the specific vulnerabilities and needs of the island 
OCTs. In 2023, new actions on biodiversity and marine  ecosystems, on water management, as well as 
digital  technologies,  circular  economy  and  investments  for  sustainable  growth  and  jobs  were 
undertaken. 

The ongoing all-OCT Thematic Programme ‘Green Overseas’ and the Caribbean, Indian Ocean and Pacific 
regional programmes (for a total of EUR 97.8 million) from the 11th EDF are all dedicated to ensuring 
the  sustainable  use  of  natural  resources,  protecting  biodiversity  and  supporting  climate  actions  and 
resilience, showing the vital importance of these areas to all OCTs. New regional actions for 2021-2027 
(EUR 36 million  for the Pacific OCTs, EUR 21  million for the Caribbean OCTs and EUR 4 million  for the 
French Southern and Antarctic Lands (TAAF)) are building on these achievements, allowing the OCTs to 
better  adapt  to  the  effects  of  climate  change  and  protecting  and  restoring  terrestrial  and  marine 
ecosystems.  In  the  case  of  Saint-Barthélemy  (EUR  2.5  million  for  2021-2027)  the  EU  is  supporting 
disaster risk management. 

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In  addition,  the  BEST  Initiative  for  the  period  2014-2020  has  helped  OCTs  to  promote  the  EU's 
environmental standards and provided an incentive for local actors to engage in environmental actions. 
The dedicated component of the LIFE programme for 2021-2027 for Outermost Regions (ORs) and OCTs 
(BESTLIFE  2030)  has  continued  to  scale  up  in  2023  the  actions  in  OCTs  on  biodiversity  and  nature 
conservation. 

As  part  of  the  broader  EU  support  to  sustainable  development  in  the  OCTs,  access  to  water  and 
sanitation,  healthier  drinking  water,  integrated  management  of  water  resources,  the  construction  of 
water  collection  systems  and  also  of  treatment  facilities  all  contribute  to  delivery on  SDG  6.  This  is  in 
particular  the  focus  of  the  2021-2027  cooperation  with  French  Polynesia  (EUR  31.1  million),  Bonaire 
(EUR 4.6 million), decided in 2023, and Curacao (EUR 18.6 million).  

A  major  focus  of  EU-OCT  cooperation  for  the  period  2021-2027  supports  the  sustainable  energy 
transition in New Caledonia (EUR 30.9 million), Saba (EUR 4.1 million) Greenland (as part of the EUR 22.5 
Green Growth component) through budget support and Sint Marteen (EUR 7.7 million), decided in 2023. 

For New Caledonia, the programme contributes to the decarbonisation of the mining industry, a main 
driver of the economy and responsible for 77 % of the territory's total energy consumption and it aims 
at a decarbonised, resilient and affordable energy autonomy. In Saba and Sint Maarten, the EU helps to 
accelerate the transition to a low carbon economy and a substantially improved energy mix with more 
renewables and increased energy efficiency (the target for Saba is 60 % of renewable energy production 
by 2025).  

In  Greenland,  the  target  is  to  increase  renewable  energy  in  public  electricity  provision  to 90  %  of the 
total in the coming years. Since 2023, the EU also looks into teaming up with Greenland in the domain of 
raw  materials,  critical  for  the  clean  energy  transition.  A  Memorandum  of  Understanding  (MoU) 
establishing a Partnership on Sustainable Raw Materials Value Chains was signed between the EU and 
Greenland in November 2023. 

Sustainable growth and jobs 

Sustained economic growth, full employment and decent work will be advanced through the work of the 
EU for 2021-2027 to support sustainable tourism (Saint Pierre et Miquelon, EUR 27 million), sustainable 
agriculture  (Sint  Eustatius,  EUR  2.9  million),  and  some  actions  decided  in  2023:  green  growth 
(Greenland, EUR 22.5 million), e-government (Aruba, EUR 14.2 million), and a new programme on socio-
economic development by supporting, in particular, sustainable tourism (Wallis and Furtuna, EUR 20.4 
million). 

The  EU  budget  support  operation  in  Saint  Lucia  ‘Generating  Employment  and  Private  Sector 
Development’  supported  the  effective  implementation  of  the  national  TVET  Policy  and  Strategy  by 
investing  in  quality  education  inclusive  of  vulnerable  groups.  This  helped  to  place  829  interns  on  job 
attachment within the private sector and facilitated 532 new TVET Certifications (N/CVQs). During 2023, 
EU support continued to increase the issued TVET certifications and facilitated internship opportunities. 
The number of issued certifications more than doubled from 500 (in 2019) to 1 032 (in 2022), of which 
60  %  were  women  and  girls,  along  with  829  trainees  able  to  access  an  attachment  programme  that 
lasted for three months. Some of the key sectors with increased certifications were primary enablers of 

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Global Gateway in Saint Lucia, including from ICT/digital training to coral reef gardening and restoration 
skills development.  

Digitalisation, science, technology and innovation 

Connectivity is one of the priorities of EU’s strategic partnership with OCTs, leading to more prosperous, 
open,  and  inclusive  societies.  The  intra-regional  cooperation  envelope  under  the  DOAG,  adopted  in 
2023, represents a perfect opportunity to deepen our ties on sustainable connectivity to drive the green 
and digital twin transition under the Global Gateway strategy. In the Caribbean OCTs, digital connectivity 
is currently being explored. 

Cooperation with Aruba is a good example of how the EU fosters innovation. For the period 2014-2020, 
under  the  11th  EDF,  the  EU  and  the  University  of  Leuven  joined  hands  with  Aruba  to  put  in  place  a 
Science,  Technology,  Engineering  and  Mathematics  (STEM)  faculty,  including  research  facilities  and 
laboratories, with the capacity to train 29 bachelor’s students, five master’s students, 10 PhDs and one 
post-doc student in 2023. Building on these achievements, the EU  is teaming up with Aruba for 2021-
2027 through a EUR 14.2 million budget support programme, decided in 2023, to roll out its ambitious 
e-government-strategy including the setting up of e-government work processes, an e-ID system and a 
cybersecurity  policy  framework  as  well  as  the  introduction  of  digital  payments.  Aruba's  digital 
transformation  aims  to  ease  digital  access  to  government  services  and  unlock  new  economic 
opportunities for all, including women and youth.  

Furthermore,  at  the  end  of  2023,  13  hotspots  connected  to  the  fibre  cable  infrastructure  created  an 
emergency public Wi-Fi network to allow Saint-Barthélemy’s inhabitants to keep communicating and get 
help in post-disaster situations. 

Governance, peace and security (and conflict prevention) 

The  principle  of  partnership  is  deeply  embedded  in  the  EU-OCT  political  and  policy  dialogue  and 
cooperation  on  issues  of  common  interest.  All  EU-funded  actions  in  the  OCTs  intend  to  reinforce  the 
capacity, the accountability and inclusiveness of their institutions. This is often best achieved through a 
mix  of  budget  support,  policy  dialogue  on  sector  reforms  and  cooperation  on  public  financial 
management.  

Recently,  the  partnership  has  been  further  reinforced  by  including  dedicated  cooperation  on  youth 
engagement. A new initiative, the OCT Youth Network, was launched in July 2022 by the EU with the aim 
of increasing the ties between young people living in OCTs and the EU and enhance the knowledge and 
involvement of young people in the EU-OCT partnership. A second round of the OCT Youth Network was 
launched in July 2023. 

Food security and nutrition 

OCTs share particular vulnerabilities, resulting in a complex set of food security and nutrition challenges. 
For 2021-2027, the EU is supporting sustainable agriculture, food security and nutrition in several OCTs. 

The regional Pacific Multi-annual Indicative Programme (EUR 36 million) foresees promoting sustainable 
and healthy food consumption, and ensuring that citizens are better informed to choose healthier and 
more sustainable diets. The regional Caribbean Multi-annual Indicative Programme (EUR 21 million) and 
the  cooperation  with  Sint  Eustatius  (EUR  2.9  million)  aim  at  strengthening  food  and  nutrition security 

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through the development of sustainable and resilient local food value chains. Formulation of both these 
programmes started in 2023. 

Case study 

For Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon, a French overseas territory in the Atlantic, the geographical isolation, the 
ageing of the population and ‘brain drain’ present considerable challenges. Making the tourism sector 
sustainable and creating skills and prospects for the youth, have become vital for the archipelago and its 
residents. 

Since  2006,  the  EU  supported  the  development  of  infrastructure,  transport,  sustainable  tourism  and 
entrepreneurship.  In  2023,  in  the  framework  of  the  project  financed  by  the  DOAG  on  Sustainable 
tourism  (EUR  27  million),  the  EU  budget  support  operation  ‘Empowering  youth  to  reinforce  the 
sustainable  development  of  the  island’  contributed to training  421 young  people  (out  of  1  320 young 
people from the 5 925 inhabitants) and to opening a local structure (Mission Locale) in Saint-Pierre to 
foster youth entrepreneurship and employment and to better integrate them with society.  

This support also contributes to the Global Gateway investment priority on education and innovation, 
through which the EU works with partner countries and territories to create decent jobs and increase 
youth employability as a potential driver of the green and just transition, here in the case of sustainable 
tourism. 

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5.  Managing Aid  

5.1.  Monitoring, reporting and evaluation 

5.1.1.  Reporting 

Reporting on NDICI-Global Europe instrument  

The  NDICI-Global  Europe  instrument  has  introduced  a  set  of  requirements  to  monitor  and  report  on 
progress  towards  its  objectives  throughout  its  implementation. The  Global  Europe  Results  Framework 
(GERF) is the main tool which has been specifically developed to meet these monitoring and reporting 
requirements. The GERF includes all key performance indicators contained in Annex 6 of the Regulation 
establishing  the  instrument.  They  are  used  together  with  data  from  other  existing  results  reporting, 
external monitoring reviews and evaluations to assess the extent to which specific objectives have been 
achieved.  Reporting  requirements  cover  all  regions  and  modalities  established  by  the  NDICI-Global 
Europe instrument, including the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD+).  

2023 is the third year of financial execution of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument. Therefore, and as 
announced  before,  the  first  operational  results  have  just  started  to  materialise.  Due  to  the  inevitable 
time  lag  between  financing  an  intervention  and  implementing  the  action  and  generating  results,  only 
few  results  –  in  terms  of  outputs  or  outcomes  of  NDICI-Global  Europe  funded  interventions  –  can  be 
reported  so  far,  which  was  as  expected.  This  time  lag  between  financing  and  results  is  a  structural 
feature that is common to any multiannual financial framework (MFF) cycle. As the same is true for the 
previous  MFF,  annex  6  presents  both  the  results  of  the  current  and  the  previous  MFF.  Results  data 
presented in chapter 3 of this report refer to results achieved from ongoing interventions, financed both 
under the previous and the current MFF. 

Reporting on IPA III instrument 

The IPA III instrument (Instrument for Pre-Accession) has introduced a set of requirements to monitor 
and report on progress towards its objectives throughout its implementation. The IPA III Programming 
Framework  is  the overarching  strategic  document  for the  implementation of IPA  III  under  the  current 
MFF,  replacing  the  former  country-specific  strategy  papers.  It  focuses  on  the  priorities  of  the 
enlargement  process  according  to  five  thematic  Windows(93),  which  mirror  the  clusters  of  negotiating 
chapters as per the revised enlargement methodology. It also provides an indicative financial overview 
per  Window  and  programming  year.  Each  thematic  Window,  with  a  number  of  thematic  priorities, 
incorporate  indicators,  including  baselines,  milestones  and  targets,  to  monitor  implementation  and 
achievement of objectives of the IPA III Programming Framework.  

The  basis  for  IPA  III  programming,  monitoring,  reporting  and  evaluation  is  the  IPA  III  Results 
Framework(94).  Other  existing  results  reporting,  external  monitoring  reviews  and  evaluations  to  assess 
the extent to which specific objectives have been achieved complete the set of tools.  

93 See section 4.5.1 
94 See https://neighbourhood-enlargement.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2022-
12/SWD_2022_445_1_EN_document_travail_service_part1_v2.pdf  

149 

 
 
 
2023  is  the  third  year  of  implementation  of  IPA  III.  Therefore,  and  as  announced  before,  the  first 
operational  results  have  just  started  to  materialise  as  of  2023,  given  the  programming  and 
implementation  cycle.  Similar  to  the  NDICI-Global  Europe  as  mentioned  above,  due  to  the  inevitable 
time lag between financing an intervention, only few results – in terms of outputs or outcomes of IPA III-
funded interventions – can be reported so far. Results data presented in chapter 3 of this report refers 
to results achieved from ongoing interventions, financed both under the previous and the current MFF. 

5.1.2.  Monitoring Systems 

Over  the  course  of  the  past  years,  the  European  Commission  has  engaged  substantially  in  designing 
tools  and  processes  for  results-based  management  of  EU  contributions  in  the  field  of  external 
cooperation.  This  is  to  facilitate  monitoring  and  results  reporting  processes  and  to  respond  to  the 
growing need for data to capture the results of the implementation of EU external instruments. It is set 
in a wider transition, moving from a focus on inputs (mostly financial) to capturing the EU contribution 
in the field of external cooperation, an area where being able to measure the impact of actions on target 
populations and systems is essential.  

There are various monitoring arrangements (internal and external) in place focusing on different aspects 
of results-oriented monitoring such as implementation progress and achievement of objectives. Among 
these,  results-oriented  monitoring  (ROM)  reviews  support  operational  staff  providing  an  external  and 
impartial assessment of ongoing interventions. The number of ROM reviews performed in 2023 was 525 
under NDICI-Global Europe and about 60 under IPA.  

The  IT  platform  OPSYS  is  now  used  as  a  single  tool  to  capture  results  for  corporate  reporting  and 
management. OPSYS creates a digital repository of EU-funded operations, and provides a central access 
to all stakeholders involved, both inside and outside the European Commission. It assumes a pivotal role 
in ensuring that the European Commission can deliver on the ambitious reporting obligations as set out 
for the implementation of the NDICI-Global Europe and IPA III instruments in the years to come.  

Throughout  the  year,  the  European  Commission  services  and 
implementing  partners  perform 
monitoring  activities  via  the  same  tool,  including  direct  reporting  by  implementing  partners  and 
European Commission staff; and data aggregated for reporting at Headquarters, etc. At the end of 2023, 
there  were  12  932  primary  and  non-primary  interventions  encoded  in  OPSYS  and  1  201  NDICI-Global 
Europe primary interventions were involved in the last results reporting exercise. 

5.1.3.  Reporting on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 

In  2023, the  European  Union  presented  its  first  Voluntary Review on  the  implementation  of  the  2030 
Agenda for Sustainable Development (EUVR)(95). The publication of this EUVR was a major milestone in 
the  EU’s  SDG  reporting.  Carried  out  in  line  with  the  UN  voluntary  common  reporting  guidelines  and 
based on broad consultations, the EUVR shows how the EU is adding value to implementing the 2030 
Agenda  both  inside  the  EU  and  around  the  world.  Besides  a  main  report,  the  EUVR  also  included  an 
accompanying  document  highlighting  progress  for  each  of  the  17  SDGs.  Furthermore,  the  EUVR  was 
comprised  of  a  statistical  annex  containing  detailed  new  graphs  on  SDG  interlinkages,  as  well  as 

95 European Commission, Secretariat-General, EU voluntary review on progress in the implementation of the 2030 agenda, 
Publications Office of the European Union, 2023, https://data.europa.eu/doi/10.2792/343208 

150 

 
 
 
documents on the participation of youth in implementing the 2030 Agenda at EU level and a report on 
the consultations held as part of the review. The EUVR was successfully presented at the United Nations 
High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) in July 2023. 

Since 2019, the Commission has been reporting on official development assistance (ODA) to the SDGs, in 
accordance  with  a  decision  from  the  Working  Party  on  Development  Finance  Statistics  of  the  OECD’s 
Development Assistance Committee (DAC).  

Targeted SDGs are recorded at commitment and payment level as per the taxonomy for ODA reporting. 
Our  reporting  considers  the  transversal  and  interlinked  nature  of  SDGs,  as  one  single  commitment  is 
often connected to several SDGs. Therefore, it is mandatory to report one single main SDG and, where 
applicable, up to nine other SDGs to which a project contributes significantly. With this system, the sum 
of financial flows related to the main SDG will always equal the total amount of financial flows, yet it is 
possible to report several SDGs for one project by using the ‘significant’ SDG field. As a result, a better 
understanding of the interlinkages between SDGs can be obtained.  

Figure 1. Synthesis of the volume of commitments for each SDG 

(as main SDG and significant SDG) in 2023 

Table 14. Volume of commitments for each SDG in 2023 (EUR) 

151 

 
 
 
 
 
As can be seen from Figure 1 and Table 14 above, SDGs 1, 3, 4, 8 and 16 received the largest financial 
flows as main SDGs in 2023. During the same period, SDG 5 is most targeted by projects as a significant 
SDG, followed by SDGs 8, 10 and 16. This underlines the particularly strong transversal nature of those 
SDGs  that  primarily  seek  to  reduce  social  and  economic  inequality  and  strengthen  institutions.  In 
particular,  it  is  worth  flagging  the  large  amount  for  projects  that  contribute  significantly  to  SDG  5 
(Gender  equality).  This  confirms  the  high  level  of  gender  mainstreaming  across  EU  external  action 
projects.  

It is also possible to analyse targeted SDGs by the income group of countries, showing how EU priorities 
are implemented depending on countries’ income levels.  

Figures  2  and  3  below  show  the  SDGs  targeted  by  the  European  Commission  in  Least  Developed 
Countries (LDCs) and Upper Middle-Income Countries (UMICs) in 2023. In the case of LDCs, SDGs 1 and 4 
dominate as main SDGs, while more transversal SDGs are marked most often as ‘significant’. In the case 
of UMICs, main SDGs are more evenly spread but SDGs 10 and 7 dominate as main SDGs.  

Figure 2. Commitments by SDG to LDCs in 2023 (million EUR) 

152 

 
 
 
 
 
Figure 3. Commitments by SDG to UMICs in 2023 (million EUR) 

in 

instrumental 

informing  the  2023  EU  Voluntary  Review  (EUVR)  on  progress 

The  efforts  made  by  the  Commission  to  strengthen  its  data  and  tools  for  SDG  reporting,  have  been 
highly 
in  the 
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. For example, the Statistical Annex of 
the EUVR included a series of detailed graphs on interlinkages for each of the 17 SDGs. The EUVR also 
provided  detailed  information  on  EU  and  Member  States  external  financial  support  for  SDG 
implementation and results, for each of the 17 SDGs. In 2023, the Commission has also successfully filled 
gaps in its data for SDG reporting. As a result, all contracts have now been assigned main and significant 
SDG indicators. 

5.1.4.  Evaluation: review of the work programme  

European  Commission  evaluation  services  are  responsible  for  steering,  coordination,  monitoring  and 
reporting  of  the  evaluation  function.  They  produce  timely,  high-quality  evaluation  results  to  ensure 
evidence  for informed decision-making and accountability. They carry out  strategic evaluations, which 
can  be  geographic, thematic,  sectoral  or  focused  on specific financing  instruments  or  budget  support. 
They also monitor and support the evaluations carried out by other European Commission services that 
implement  various  projects  and  programmes.  In  2023,  124  evaluations  of  this  type  were  completed, 
while 114 were launched and on-going. Also in 2023, the European Commission completed five strategic 
evaluations in the field of European Union’s external and humanitarian action, comprising: 

1)  Thematic or partnership evaluations, including in the humanitarian sector: 

•  Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the European Union's Gender Action Plan III. 
•  Evaluation of  the  European  Union’s  ‘Collect  More,  Spend  Better’  approach:  Public  Finance 
Management (PFM) including domestic resource mobilisation and utilisation (2015-2020). 
•  Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with the United Nations in external action 

(2014-2020). 

153 

 
 
 
 
 
2)  Country or regional level evaluations: 

•  Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with the Federal Republic of Somalia. 
•  Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with Papua-New Guinea. 

By the end of 2023, other strategic evaluations were in progress for the following areas: 

3)  Four thematic or partnership evaluations, including three in the humanitarian sector: 
a)  Mid-term evaluation of the European Union’s External Financing Instruments. 
b)  Evaluation of the contribution to the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals 

(SDGs), by the European Union’s external action (2016-2021). 

c)  Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with the World Bank (2014-2021). 
d)  Evaluation of the European Union’s Trust Fund Bekou for the period 2014-2023. 

4)  Two country or regional level evaluations: 

a)  Evaluation  of  the  implementation  of  the  European  Union’s  cooperation  with  the  Federal 

Democratic Republic of Nepal (2014-2021). 

b)  Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with South Sudan (2011-2023). 

5)  One budget support evaluation on: 

a)  Evaluation of the European Union’s budget support operations in Jamaica (2008-2021). 

5.1.5.  Lessons learned  

Mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the European Union's Gender Action Plan III  

This evaluation looked for lessons learned and good practices from the Gender Action Plan (GAP) III half 
way through its implementation period (years 2021-2022). The aim of GAP III is to accelerate progress 
towards  gender  equality  and  women’s  and  girls’  empowerment  in  the  European  Union’s  external 
policies and actions. 

The review focused on GAP III policy and strategic framework and on the design and implementation of 
country  level  implementation  plans  (CLIPs),  with  also  a  particular  attention  to  women’s  economic 
empowerment (WEE) and to women, peace and security (WPS). Among the conclusions highlighted in 
the evaluation report is the finding that the GAP III has contributed to a broader, deeper  approach to 
gender  equality  in  external  action.  There  are  Gender  Equality  and  Women’s  Empowerment  (GEWE) 
elements  now  to  be  found  in  virtually  all  sectors,  including  the  ‘non-traditional’  ones  where  the 
evaluation  found  some  excellent  examples  of  actions  which  significantly  mainstream  GEWE,  with 
positive results. Once confined largely to grants and international organisation contribution agreements, 
GEWE  response  is  now  represented  halfway  through  the  GAP  III  implementation  period  in  almost  all 
modalities (except, perhaps, Macro-Financial Assistance or MFA). 

154 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Evaluation of the European Union’s ‘Collect More, Spend Better’ approach: Public Finance Management 
(PFM) including domestic resource mobilisation and utilisation, 2015-2020 

The evaluation concluded that the EU had demonstrated a pragmatic and comprehensive ‘Collect More, 
Spend Better’ (CMSB) approach at the country level, well adapted to different contexts and needs but 
hindered by the slow pace of PFM reform and implementation. 

At the country level, the EU’s approach was pragmatic and adapted to different contexts and needs. It 
was  facilitated  by  a  mix  of  aid  modalities  and  instruments  but  underestimated  the  strong  political 
economy dimension of PFM reforms. The EU’s CMSB support was often scattered, with few synergies 
within the country portfolios and with other EU interventions. Moreover, the EU relied on a useful mix 
of  EU  aid  modalities  and  instruments  at  the  country  level,  but  with  a  wide  spectrum  of  interventions 
leading to some dispersion with limited synergies. The active implementing role kept by the EU allowed 
more  joint  and  coordinated  responses  at  the  international  level,  albeit  with  limited  influence  on 
strategic orientations. 

Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with the United Nations in external action (2014-2020) 

This evaluation was structured around six major blocks: 

1.  EU influence and visibility: what the EU wants from the UN System. 
2.  Reinforced multilateralism: what the EU wants for the UN. 
3.  Results  across  thematic  areas  (Green  Deal,  digitalisation,  sustainable  economic,  human  and 

social development, migration and forced displacement). 

4.  EU-UN cooperation for efficient delivery. 
5.  UN ‘Delivering as One’. 
6.  Value added. 

The evaluation concluded that the overall legal, financial, and administrative framework put in place by 
the  EU  for  its  cooperation  with  the  UN  broadly  met  the  challenge  of  harmonising  implementation 
arrangements and mechanisms for the cooperation between two such large and complex families as the 
EU  and  UN.  It  worked  well  in  facilitating  the  management  of  EU-funded  interventions  by  UN  entities, 
while offering safeguards to the EU for ensuring it could meet its own obligations on management of EU 
funds, despite some difficulties and challenges in the application of this framework. 

Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with the Federal Republic of Somalia (2014-2021) 

The  EU  had  supported  Somalia  prior  to  2014,  but  the  EU’s  engagement  post-2014  became  strongly 
motivated  by  the  broad  and  ambitious  peace-building  and  state-building  goals  of  the  ‘New  Deal’  –  a 
pledge of EUR 1.8 billion by the EU and other international partners to help Somalia end more than two 
decades of conflict. During the period of 2014-2021, the time horizon examined by the evaluation, the 
EU’s  development  cooperation  in  Somalia  was  based  on  the  state-building  ambitions  and  objectives 
formulated in the ‘Somali Compact’, the key policy and planning document of the Somali Government 
when rebooting its state-building process in 2012/2013. 

The  EU’s  strategic  engagement  deepened  in  2017/2018  with  the  move  of  the  EU  Delegation  to 
Mogadishu, a new EUR 100 million general budget support programme launched in 2018, and a shift to 
a more integrated approach (better linking the different EU services, sectors and interventions), making 

155 

 
 
the  EU’s  cooperation  more  comprehensive  and  enabling  it  to  become  more  of  a  strategic  player  in 
Somalia. 

Evaluation of the European Union’s cooperation with Papua New Guinea (2014-2021) 

This  evaluation  provided  an  independent  assessment  of  the  performance  of  the  EU  support to Papua 
New Guinea (PNG) from 2014 until the end of 2021 in the areas of rural development and trade, water 
sanitation and hygiene, human resources development, forestry climate change and biodiversity, human 
rights, peace-building and gender equality.  

It  showed  that  the  EU  support  was  well  embedded  in  PNG  national  reform  agendas  and  policy 
frameworks,  that  it  contributed  to  improved  public  policies  and  regulatory  frameworks  as  well 
strengthened  capacities,  which  resulted  in  better  service  delivery.  However,  challenges  persist  in  all 
sectors of the EU support, including a level of Government commitment lower than expected and the 
limited choice of Implementing Partners in the country. 

5.2.  Aid delivery modalities  

5.2.1.  Budget Support  

Altogether EUR 1.486 billion of EU budget support were disbursed in 2023. It accounted for 15 % of all 
payments  under  NDICI-Global  Europe,  IPA  III,  DOAG  and  predecessor  instruments  with  still  on-going 
operations. 
in  Western  Balkans  and  European 
Neighbourhood  and  EUR 505  million  in  sub-Saharan Africa,  Americas  and  the  Caribbean,  Asia and  the 
Pacific  and  Overseas  Countries  and  Territories.  Further  details  of  the  geographic  and  financial 
distribution of the budget support portfolio and of related payments are provided in Annex 7. 

It  consisted  respectively  of  EUR  981  million 

EU budget support is a policy and a results-based instrument. The success of countries’ policies is at the 
core  of  each  budget  support  operation  with  the  reforms  and  investments  that  they  imply.  These 
features make budget support  a pivotal instrument for the  success of the Global Gateway Investment 
Agenda.  A  better  investment  climate  in  partner  countries  constitutes  the  bedrock  on  which  Global 
Gateway investments can yield returns and benefits to all, within a 360-degree approach encompassing 
institutional  strengthening,  regulatory  aspects  and  values  at  the  core  of  the  Agenda.  It  notably  helps 
partners  tackle  challenges  posed  by  climate  change  and  combine  their  growth  agenda  and  the 
development of sustainable value chains with environment and biodiversity protection. 

and 

In Morocco, EU budget support contributed to more sustainable forest 
agroecological 
management 
experimentation.  This  translated  into  eight  new  farmer  field  schools, 
promotion  of  soil  conservation  practices,  covering  an  additional  1  000 
ha in direct sowing and accounting for 50 % of new plant nurseries. 

establishment 

the 

to 

of 

© European Union 

The  first  performance  incentive  coming  with  budget  support  lies  in  the  four  criteria  conditioning  its 
provision: a relevant and credible public policy, stability-oriented macro-economic policies, progress in 
public finance management and revenue mobilization, and budget transparency and oversight. Results 

156 

 
 
 
are  further  incentivised  by  performance  tranches  whose  amounts  are  disbursed  proportionally  to  the 
achievement of specific targets drawn from countries’ policies. By working through country systems and 
thereby  strengthening  them,  EU  budget  support  fosters  partners’  capacities  to sustain  results.  Budget 
support  generally  comes  with  a  complementary  component  for  dedicated  technical  assistance  and 
capacity  development  for  that  purpose.  It  fosters  domestic  accountability  around  these  results, 
supporting civil society organisations as allies for transparency. 

EU budget support provided Kyrgyzstan with additional fiscal space to 
reduce the urban-rural digital divide and to upgrade the regulatory and 
institutional  framework  for  the  country’s  digital  agenda.  In  2023,  all 
urban  and  rural  administrations  joined  an  inter-governmental  data 
exchange  system  enabling  them  to  provide  e-services  across  the 
country. 

© European Union 

EU  budget  support  is  an  asset  for  ‘Team  Europe’  members(96)  as  a  platform  for  policy  dialogue  with 
partner countries to promote regulatory reforms in priority sectors, in particular alongside or ahead of 
Global Gateway flagship projects. It allows the EU to team up with partner countries when they design 
and implement their reform agendas, promoting green, gender-sensitive and inclusive policies. 

Budget  support  assists  countries  in  fostering  their  economic  governance.  A  conducive  investment 
climate involves a sound macro-economic framework for long-term investments favouring growth and 
transition to a green economy, or helping restoring imbalances where needed. Attention must be paid 
to debt vulnerabilities  and solutions to address these,  including innovative ones  (e.g.,  climate  resilient 
debt  clauses,  debt  swaps,  etc.)  and  supporting  debt  management  capacities.  This  also  implies 
sustainable  fiscal  policies  to  cater  for  the  maintenance  of  investments  and  associated  running  costs. 
Contributing to debt sustainability is a policy objective for the EU, notably through the EFSD+. 

96  Team  Europe  consists  of  the  European  Union,  the  EU  Member  States  (including  their  implementing  agencies  and  public 
development  banks),  as  well  as  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and  the  European  Bank  for  Reconstruction  and 
Development (EBRD). 

157 

 
 
 
 
EU  budget  support  in  Senegal  underpinned  a  joint  high-level 
dialogue to promote strategic reforms in the areas of governance 
and  the  fight  against  corruption,  education  and  vocational 
training,  private  sector  development,  anti-money  laundering, 
social  protection,  children’s  rights  and  climate  change. 
It 
aggregates  the  financial  and  political  weight  of  each  partner,  as 
well  as  their  joint  technical  expertise,  increasing  the  impact  of 
dialogue  with 
fostering  country’s 
ownership of reforms. 

the  authorities,  while 

© European Union 

Delivering on the ‘Collect More, Spend Better’ approach agenda, integrating the revenue and spending 
sides  of  public  finance  management,  is  equally  at  the  core  of  the  investment  climate.  It  is  often  the 
other side of the conversation on the business environment in partner countries. This is notably true for 
public procurement, public investment management, taxation (equity, transparency and predictability), 
customs  administrations  (critical  for  trade  facilitation  and  the  fight  against  illicit  trade)  and  the  fight 
against  corruption.  Working  on  green  public  finance  management  and  resource  mobilisation  can  also 
steer public and individual behaviour towards sustainable choices. 

Since  2017,  the  EU  has  been  actively  supporting  Cameroon’s  rural 
sector  policy  by  enabling  transformative  reforms.  EU  action  fostered 
agricultural  production  and  ecological  transition,  through  the  creation 
of  digital  subsidy  mechanisms,  to  facilitate  access  to  inputs  and 
agroecological extension services. To date, over 100 000 producers have 
been enrolled in these initiatives. 

© European Union 

In addition, EU budget support was instrumental in 2023 in helping Ukraine and neighbouring countries 
to  cope  with  the  consequences  of  the  Russian  war  of  aggression  against  Ukraine.  When  applicable, 
budget support was provided in full complementarity with EU macro-financial assistance (MFA) and in 
particular with the MFA+ scheme of EUR 18 billion for Ukraine in 2023. 

158 

 
 
 
 
The EU budget support programme in Moldova helped mitigate the 
impact  of  high  energy  prices  for  the  most  vulnerable  households 
with  on-bill  compensations  and  in  rolling  out  measures  to  finance 
residential  energy  efficiency 
the 
replacement  of  energy-intensive  household  appliances  with  energy 
installation  of  household  photovoltaic 
efficient  ones  and  the 
systems. 

initiatives.  These 

included 

© European Union 

EU budget support was notably instrumental in assisting countries facing shocks on their energy supply 
with  dramatic  consequences  for  households  and  country’s  economy.  Against  this  background,  the  EU 
provided  EUR  500  million  under  the  Energy  Support  Package  channelled  through  budget  support  as 
State and Resilience Building Contracts to six Western Balkans partner countries. It mitigated the socio-
economic impact of increased energy prices and rising costs of living through short- and medium-term 
actions  and  policy  measures.  More  than  400  000  vulnerable  households  in  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina, 
Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro benefitted from financial support to overcome energy poverty. In North 
Macedonia,  374  schools  and  32  heath  care  facilities  benefited  from  support  to  cope  with  electricity 
prices.  Moreover,  the  government  of  North  Macedonia  mobilised  EUR  85 million  through  the  Climate 
Investment  Fund  for  implementation of the key  decarbonisation  projects  identified  in  the  Action  Plan 
and announced during the COP28 meeting. 

In  Bosnia  and  Herzegovina,  EU  budget  support  alleviated  the 
socio-economic impact of rising energy costs.  165  000 vulnerable 
households  and  400  micro,  small  and  medium-scale  enterprises 
received  financial  support  to  cope  with  high  energy  prices.  Over 
improved  energy  efficiency.  EU  supported  the 
4000  homes 
authorities  in  the  reform  process  to  boost  a  sustainable  energy 
transition. 

© European Union 

Complementing  the  budget  support  energy  package,  the  EU  provided  an  additional  EUR  500  million 
through  the  Western  Balkans  Investment  Framework  to  advance  energy  diversification,  renewable 
energy generation and gas/electricity interconnections. This aimed at facilitating the energy transition in 
the business sector over the short and medium term. For example, one of the flagships infrastructural 
projects,  the  Kostolac  Wind  Farm  in  Serbia,  has  started  to  install  a  66-MW  wind  farm  on  the  site  of 
depleted open-cast mines. Completion is expected in 2025. 

159 

 
 
 
 
The  introduction  of  advanced  electronic  services  and  of 
an e-payment system across public sector in Montenegro 
interoperability  and  data  sharing  among 
increased 
different  institutions  and  improved  service  to  users.  EU 
budget  support  was  instrumental  in  reform  monitoring 
and delivery. 

© European Union 

Budget  support  is  leaving  no  one  behind.  It  continues  to  prove  very  relevant  to  support  countries  in 
situations  of  fragility  or  facing  crisis  and  external  shocks.  It  helps  them  to  secure  stability  in  the  first 
place  (with  ‘Team  Europe’  members  and  together  with  the  IMF,  the  World  Bank  and  other  relevant 
partners),  contributing  to  improved  fiscal  space  and  bringing  them  back  on  track  to  pursue  critical 
reforms for governance and in the delivery of key public services.  

In  Jordan,  an  EU  programme  supported  the  authorities  to  ensure 
equitable  access  to  quality  education  for  151  000  Syrian  refugee 
students,  3  300  non-Syrian  refugee  students,  2  200  children  with 
disabilities, and 5 700 out-of-school children. The programme also 
supported the roll out of the inclusive education strategy with the 
appointment  of  learning  support  teachers  and  multi-disciplinary 
teams  in  60  schools  during  the  2022-2023  school  year,  training 
teachers with inclusive approaches. 

© European Union 

This  also  helps  bring  vulnerable  countries  closer  to  opportunities  offered  by  the  Global  Gateway 
strategy. However, the instrument could not be used to its full extent in 2023 given political blockages in 
some  countries,  which  hindered  direct  cooperation  with  authorities  and  prevented  the  provision  of 
budget support, where it would be needed. 

In  Somalia,  EU  Budget  Support  contributed  to  improved  public 
finance management, enhanced revenue mobilisation, accelerated 
intergovernmental  fiscal  arrangements,  and  fostered  authorities’ 
capacity to deliver public service, particularly in education. Budget 
support  has  played  an  important  role  in  all  parts  of  the  Heavily 
Indebted  Poor  Countries  (HIPC)  Initiative  process,  leading  to 
Somalia achieving the HIPC Completion Point in December 2023. 

© European Union 

In 2023, in view of protracted crises in various parts of the world, the use of budget support designed for 
situations  of  fragility  and  crises,  the  State  and  Resilience  Building  Contracts  (SRBCs),  continued  to 
increase with 65 % of new operations. Sector Reform Performance Contracts (SRPCs) accounted for 31 % 
of the new decisions. Only one SDG Contract, the other type of general budget support beside SRBCs, 

160 

 
 
 
 
 
was  adopted  in  2023  (Côte  d’Ivoire)  accounting  for  4  %  of  all  new  commitments.  As  a  whole,  the 
decisions on new budget support programmes amounted to EUR 1.279 billion, of which EUR 747 million 
was  for  countries  in  the  Western  Balkans  and  the  European  Neighbourhood  and  EUR  532  million  in 
other parts of the world, including in EU Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs). 

EU  budget  support  contributed  to  the  increase  in  issued  TVET 
certifications  and  facilitated  internship  opportunities  in  Saint 
issued 
Lucia.  Between  2019  and  2022,  the  number  of 
certifications doubled from 500 to more than 1 000, of which 60% 
were  for  women  and  girls.  The  EU  helped  place  more  than  800 
interns  in  enterprises.  Some  of  the  key  sectors  with  increased 
certifications  were  primary  enablers  of  Global  Gateway  in  Saint 
Lucia,  such  as  digital  training  or  coral  reef  gardening  and 
restoration skills.  

© European Union 

New  commitments  showed  the  connection  of  newly  approved  operations  with  the  Global  Gateway 
Investment  Agenda  (e.g.,  Benin  for  the  energy  sector,  Bolivia  for  climate  change,  Cambodia  for  TVET, 
and  Fiji  for  climate  change  to  name  a  few).  As  well  as  the  Global  Gateway,  the  EU  also  implemented 
operations in fields such as migration and social protection. 

The  design  and  implementation  of  budget  support  continued  to  build  on  a  sound  internal  risk 
management framework, which informs the Commission’s policy dialogue and risk mitigation in partner 
countries. This framework is used for all developing/emerging countries engaged in a cooperation with 
the  EU.  The  conclusions  stemming  from  the  analysis  apply  to  all  actions,  not  to  budget  support 
operations only. This framework thereby supports the rollout of Global Gateway, notably by assessing 
the enabling factors for the success of flagship projects. 

5.2.2.  Blending  

To  achieve  a  greater  scale  of  investments  supporting  the  achievement  of  the  SDGs  in  an  increasingly 
complex world, development finance needs a combination of funding sources. To increase the impact of 
Official Development  Assistance, public  and private  funds must be leveraged as efficiently as possible. 
The EU has expanded its financial instruments and policy tools for investments outside the EU to deliver 
on its ambitious commitments to sustainable development, enlargement, and neighbourhood policies.  

Through  blending,  the  EU  uses  limited  amounts  of  public  grants  to  mobilise  financing  from  partner 
financial  institutions  and  the  private  sector  for  projects  promoting  sustainable  growth,  poverty 
reduction, and development. The strategic use of a limited grant element can support projects with low 
financial  return  but  with  a  high  economic  and  societal  return,  making  them  economically  viable  and 
enhancing implementation quality. 

161 

 
 
 
The EU Blending Framework is comprised of four regional blending facilities(97) that cover all regions of 
EU  external  cooperation:  the  Africa  Investment  Platform  (AIP),  Asia  Pacific  Investment  Facility  (APIF), 
Latin America and Caribbean Investment Facility (LACIF), and Neighbourhood Investment Platform (NIP). 
instruments  under  the  European  Fund  for  Sustainable 
These  facilities  comprise  the  blending 
Development Plus (EFSD+), operating from 2021-2027, along with pre-existing facilities gradually using 
up their remaining funds(98).  

From  the  creation  of  the  first  blending  facilities  in  2007,  EUR 10  billion of EU grants  are  estimated  to 
have leveraged over EUR 88 billion of loans by financial institutions and regional development banks for 
a total investment volume of more than EUR 154 billion.  

In 2023, the Blending Board issued a positive opinion for EUR 799 million of EU contributions, up from 
EUR 580 million in 2022, covering all eligible NDICI-Global Europe regions, key Global Gateway sectorial 
priorities  and  supporting  Economic  and  Investment  Plans  in  the  Neighbourhood  and  Enlargement 
countries.  These  EU  contributions  are  estimated  to  have  leveraged  over  EUR  9  billion  of  financing  by 
financial institutions and regional development banks for a total investment volume of more than EUR 
12 billion.  

The amounts approved in 2023 are presented in Tables 15 and 16 below. 

Table 15: EU Blending contributions approved in 2023 by facility 

Blending facilities(99) 

NIP 
AIP 
APIF 
LACIF 
Thematic 
Total 

2023 (million EUR – not including fees) 
333.32 
369.31 
54.64 
15.12 
26.89 
799.28 

Table 16: EU Blending contributions approved in 2023 by sector 

Sectors 

Agriculture 
Energy 
Environment 

2023 (million EUR – not including fees) 
49.22 
217.14 
58.91 

97 The Western Balkans Investment Framework (WBIF), the regional blending facility in the Western Balkans, is covered in the 
Chapter on Enlargement. The Turkey Investment Platform (TIP) serves primarily as a platform steering the use of EFSD+ 
guarantees with active involvement of Turkish authorities. 
98 Including the Asia Investment Facility (AIF), Caribbean Investment Facility (CIF), Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA), 
Investment Facility for the Pacific (IFP), and Latin American Investment Facility (LAIF). The EU-Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund 
(ITF) allocated all its remaining resources in 2019. 
99 These totals contain some contributions from the remaining funds of the predecessors of the current investment facilities. 
For ease of reading, these have been grouped together under the heading of the current regional facilities. 

162 

 
 
 
 
 
Food security 
Private sector 
Social 
Transport 
Water/Sanitation  
Mixed 
Total 

20.00 
110.09 
57.30 
206.71 
24.62 
55.29 
799.28 

The EFSD+ was built on the successes of the European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD), which 
in the period 2017-2021 approved guarantees and blending investments in almost 250 projects in Sub-
Saharan Africa and the EU Neighbourhood for an EU contribution exceeding EUR 5.7 billion. Expanding 
the  geographic  scope  compared  to  EFSD,  EFSD+  implements  these  modalities  across  all  NDICI-Global 
Europe regions at a larger scale. By merging various external financing instruments under the EU budget, 
EFSD+  strategically  promotes  public  and  private  investment  worldwide  in  support  of  sustainable 
development. 

5.2.3.  EFSD+, EU budget Guarantees  

The  European  Fund  for  Sustainable  Development  Plus  (EFSD+)  and  its  predecessor  the  EFSD  aim  to 
bridge  the  gap  between  available  Official  Development  Assistance  and  the  substantial  amount  of 
financing required to create jobs, mitigate and adapt to climate change, improve connectivity and invest 
in social infrastructure in order to meet the UNs’ SDGs by 2030. The EFSD+ and the EFSD are powerful 
de-risking tools constituting the most extensive public blending and guarantee programmes in support 
of private sector investment for development. The EFSD+ is the financial arm of the NDICI-Global Europe 
Regulation and one of the key tools to deliver on Global Gateway. It also supports the implementation 
of the Economic and Investment Plans (EIPs) agreed with Neighbourhood and Enlargement countries. 

Under the EFSD, only the European Neighbourhood and the Sub-Saharan Africa regions were eligible for 
support under the budgetary  guarantee component. Under the EFSD+, budgetary  guarantees are now 
applicable  to  all  the  regions  covered  by  the  IPA  III  and  NDICI-Global  Europe  instruments,  just  like  the 
blending  platforms. Under  these  instruments,  not only  the  geographic  reach  is  targeted;  but  also, the 
final  beneficiaries  of  the  loans  extended  by  the  partner  financial  institutions  can  be  specified  in  the 
agreements, for example targeting youth, women, migrants, and more.  

Following consultations with the respective EFSD+ regional operational boards, the Commission adopted 
in  September  2023  an  implementing  decision  approving  the  allocation  of  EUR  8.45  billion  of  EFSD+ 
guarantee  cover  for  55  investment  programmes.  Four  of  these  agreements  were  signed  in  2023: 
EIB/BMGF  Accelerating  Human  Development  (total  of  EUR  1.5  billion  contributions),  Finnfund  Africa 
Connected  (up  to  EUR  100  million  guarantee  cover),  IFC  Better  Futures  Programme  –  Eastern 
Neighbourhood  (EUR  90  million  guarantee  cover),  and  EBRD  Resilience  top-up  and  broadening  to 
Türkiye (EUR 60 million guarantee cover).  

Adding to this list, a total of six programmes carried over from the EFSD were signed under the EFSD+ 
since 2022, including the KfW African Local Currency Bond programme (up to EUR 100 million guarantee 
cover) signed in 2023.  

163 

 
 
In  February  2023,  the  European  Investment  Bank  (EIB)  and  the  European  Commission  signed 
agreements for a total volume of EUR 4 billion under what is known as ‘Window 4’, which will mobilise 
up to EUR 3.5 billion in lending and a EUR 500 million Trust Fund contribution to support businesses in 
African,  Caribbean  and  Pacific  countries  until  2027.  This  complements  the  EUR  26.7  billion  guarantee 
signed in 2022 (under ‘Window 1’, dedicated to sovereign lending), marking an important step in rolling 
out the EU's Global Gateway  strategy and supporting the  implementation of the  EIPs. This will  enable 
the EIB to enhance not only public but also private investments in key areas like digitalisation, climate 
and energy, transport and health in partner countries.  

Most  of  the  EFSD  and  EFSD+  guarantee  agreements(100)  are  accompanied  by  technical  assistance  to 
facilitate and strengthen the roll-out of the guaranteed operations. In 2023, 19 contracts for EFSD and 
EFSD+ guarantee related technical assistance were signed with 13 different partners for a total of EUR 
313.9 million. 

5.2.4.  Technical Assistance 

Technical assistance (TA) refers to the personnel involved in the implementation and the management 
of  technical  cooperation  services.  Technical  cooperation  (TC)  is  associated  with  actions  aimed  at 
strengthening  individual  and  organisational  capacity  by  providing  expertise  (short-  and  long-term  TA 
personnel, institutional twinning arrangements, and mobilisation of diaspora, etc.), training and related 
learning opportunities (peer exchange, tertiary education, etc.), and equipment.  

In the framework adopted under NDICI-Global Europe, the EU has undertaken significant efforts to use 
more  Member  States’  public  sector  expertise  to  provide  technical  assistance  to  partner  countries, 
including  by  expanding  use  of  Twinning  and  TAIEX  tools  to  countries  beyond  EU’s  immediate 
neighbourhood.  Public  sector  expertise  has  been  recognised  as  a  form  of  international  technical 
cooperation that mobilises expertise from all EU Member States’ public institutions. It promotes reform 
and  sustainable  and  inclusive  development  policies  through  peer-to-peer  knowledge  exchange  and 
institutional partnerships with partner countries to support the implementation of the Agenda 2030 for 
sustainable development and the Paris Agreement.  

Support  provided  by  EU  Member  States  creates  mutual  trust  between  the  EU  and  partner  countries’ 
public  servants  and  institutions,  helps  promote  European  values  and  interests  as  well  as  European 
standards  and  the  policy  approaches  that  are  necessary  for  enhancing  strategic  partnerships.  More 
importantly, it has proved to be a flexible, efficient and cost-effective way to build capacities. It is also 
well-suited  for  the  ‘Team Europe’  approach  and  initiatives,  as  all  interested Member  States  (including 
smaller ones and those without a presence in partner countries) could be involved in the planning and 
implementation of interventions in EU external action activities.  

In  addition,  several  technical  assistance  facilities  (i.e.,  service  contracts)  managed  directly  by  the 
European  Commission  are  providing  short-term  technical  assistance  and  learning  in  order  to  support 
in  designing  and 
partners,  EU  Delegations  and  European  Commission’s  Headquarters  services 
implementing external action interventions. 

100  Including  the  six  EFSD+  Open  Architecture  guarantees  carried  over  from  EFSD  and  EIB  guarantee  agreements  known  as 
Window 1 and Window 4. 

164 

 
 
 
5.2.5.   Twinning and TAIEX 

institution  building 

The  European  Commission’s 
instruments  TAIEX  (Technical  Assistance  and 
Information  Exchange;  short-term  assistance)  and  Twinning  (medium-  to  long-term  assistance) 
strategically supported the implementation of the Commissions’ priorities in Partner Countries and EU 
Member  States.  The  assistance  was  provided  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  sharing  EU  best  practice 
through  peer-to-peer  exchanges  supporting  reforms  in  partner  countries  and  promoting  EU  political 
priorities notably under the Global Gateway strategy and the SDGs.  

In 2023, TAIEX organised 954 events, out of which a total of 43 events were multi-country events. The 
main  areas  of  intervention  were:  33  %  Rule  of  law,  migration  and  security,  13  %  Farm  to  fork,  29  % 
Stronger society and inclusive economy, and 24 % Green and digital transitions, connectivity. 60 % of the 
events were  implemented in Western Balkans, Eastern Partnership and Neighbourhood South partner 
countries. The remaining 40 % were organised in the EU and in partner countries around the world in 
Africa, Latin America and Asia. 

2023 also marked the 25th anniversary of the Twinning instrument and since its inception almost 3000 
projects  have  been  implemented.  During  the  year,  95  Twinning  projects  were  ongoing,  involving  23 
Member  States  either  as  a  lead  or  as  a  junior  partner,  with  France,  Italy,  and  Austria  being  the  most 
involved as lead Member States. Furthermore 34 new projects are currently under preparation. 

5.3. 

Improving ways of working  

5.3.1.  Simplification of procedures  

Legislative Framework 

Under the current multiannual financial framework 2021-2027, the Neighbourhood, Development  and 
International  Cooperation  Instrument-Global  Europe  (NDICI-Global  Europe)(101)  covers  all  external 
actions  except  those  with a  distinct  legal  basis  under  the  Treaties.  As  a  result, alongside  NDICI-Global 
Europe,  the  Decision  on  the  Overseas  Association,  including  Greenland  (DOAG)(102),  the  European 
Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC)(103) and the Instrument for Pre-Accession 
assistance  (IPA  III)  (104)  constitute  the  basic  acts or  financing  instruments  for external  action  under the 
multiannual financial framework 2021-2027.  

The  aim  of  merging  the  external  action  financing  instruments  which  existed  under  the  multiannual 
financial  framework  2014-2020,  into one  single  instrument  is to  achieve  simplification  in  an  area that 
was  characterised  by  a multitude  of  diverging  and  sometimes  conflicting  provisions.  While DOAG  and 
IPA III remain distinct, those basic acts build upon cross-references to the NDICI-Global Europe, thereby 
harmonising  the  implementation  provisions.  Moreover,  the  budgeting  of  the  European  Development 
Fund  (EDF),  by  integrating  into  NDICI-Global  Europe  the  cooperation  previously  funded  by  the  extra-
budgetary EDF, results in one single set of rules applicable to all external actions. In line with this, the 
Samoa Agreement, i.e. the new Partnership Agreement with the Organisation of African, Caribbean and 

101 Regulation 2021/947 of 9 June 2021 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 1). 
102 Decision 2021/1764 of 5 October 2021 (OJ L 355, 7.10.2021, p. 6). 
103 Regulation 2021/948 of 27 May 2021 (OJ L 209, 14.6.2021, p. 79). 
104 Regulation 2021/1529 of 15 September 2021 (OJ L 330, 20.9.2021, p. 1). 

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Pacific States (OACPS)(105), no longer includes a Financial Protocol, nor technical provisions laying down 
specific implementation and management procedures for cooperation with OACPS. 

The external action instruments were complemented in 2024 with a Regulation establishing the Ukraine 
Facility(106) and a Regulation on establishing the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans(107) 
adopted on 29 February 2024 and 14 May 2024 respectively. Inspired from the Recovery and Resilience 
Facility(108), these new instruments are characterised by their source of funding (mix of loans and of non-
incentivisation  of  reforms  by  Partner  countries,  the 
repayable  support),  their  focus  on  and 
disbursements triggered by the achievement of qualitative and quantitative steps, and the channelling 
of  funds  through  national  treasuries  and  infrastructure  investment  platforms.  While  innovative  in 
approach,  both  facilities  set  rules  that  are  consistent  with  the  existing  instruments  under  the  current 
MFF. 

Direct Management 

Digitalisation is directly linked with simplification, and the Commission has engaged in the adoption of a 
wide corporate suite consisting of MyWorkplace, eProcurement and OPSYS(109), as well as the Funding & 
Tenders  portal  for  external  access.  It  is  however  desirable  to  adapt  procedures  and  models  to  the 
specific needs of external action, and this necessary adaptation allows the Commission to continue its 
simplification efforts.  

Regarding grant  agreements,  the  Commission has been working towards  setting up a RELEX family(110) 
Model Grant Agreement (MGA)(111) in view of onboarding eGrants. However, because of the specificities 
related  to  grants  in  the  EU’s  external  action,  specific  adjustments  to  the  MGA  and  developments  in 
eGrants are needed. Due to this, it is likely that onboarding will not happen before 2025.  

Regarding  procurement,  the  main  priority  is  to  complete  the  onboarding,  expected  to  take  place  in 
2024, of eProcurement, which will become the contract management tool enabling paperless contract 
management and replace the current legacy system CRIS. Such onboarding will also be reflected in the 
upcoming changes to the Practical Guide (PRAG). 

105 The Council adopted a decision on the signature and provisional application of the Agreement on 20 July 2023: accessible via 
https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2023/11/15/samoa-agreement-eu-and-its-member-states-sign-
new-partnership-agreement-with-the-members-of-the-organisation-of-the-african-caribbean-and-pacific-states/. In accordance 
therewith, the EU and its Member States signed on 15 November 2023 the new Partnership Agreement with the OACPS, which 
is provisionally applied as of 1 January 2024. 
106 Regulation (EU) 2024/792 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 February 2024 establishing the Ukraine 
Facility, OJ L 2024/792, 29.2.2024. 
107 Regulation (EU) 2024/1449 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 14 May 2024 on establishing the Reform and 
Growth Facility for the Western Balkans, OJ L 2024/1449, 24.5.2024. 
108 Regulation (EU) 2021/241 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 12 February 2021 establishing the Recovery and 
Resilience Facility, OJ L57, 18.2.2021. 
109 OPSYS: the new RELEX-family (DG INTPA, DG NEAR and FPI) internal online IT-system for the management of external action 
commitments which gradually replaces the former system CRIS (Common Relex Information System), the latter being phased-
out. 
110  RELEX-family:  the  European  Commission’s  Directorate-General  for  International  Partnerships  (DG  INTPA),  Directorate-
General  for  Neighbourhood  &  Enlargement  Negotiations  (DG  NEAR),  Directorate  General  for  Humanitarian  Aid  (ECHO), 
Directorate  General  for  trade  (DG  TRADE),  the  European  External  Action  Service  (EEAS)  and  the  Service  for  Foreign  Policy 
Instruments (FPI). 
111 The MGA is the Commission’s Corporate contractual template for grants. 

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Indirect Management 

Two Financial Framework Partnership Agreements (FFPA) have been signed in 2023. One with the Asian 
Development Bank (ADB), and the other one with the African Development Bank (AfDB) together with 
the African Development Fund (ADF). To accelerate negotiations and reduce the risk of errors, ready-to-
use templates of the contribution agreement, including for financial instruments, already including the 
supplementary and derogatory clauses agreed upon in the corresponding FFPAs have been prepared. In 
addition,  an  amendment  to  the  FFPA  signed  with  the  Organisation  for  Economic  Co-operation  and 
Development (OECD) has been concluded, along with new templates with a view to introducing OECD’s 
new cost recovery regime.  

In  parallel,  the  Commission  finalised  over  the  summer  of  2023  negotiations  on  the  new  general 
conditions  of  the  Western  Balkan  Investment  Facility  (WBIF)(112),  which  entered  into  force  as  from 
September 2023, and concluded the first side letters integrating bilateral implementation arrangements 
with each lead financial institution.  

A  new  IT  tool  for  the  electronic  signature  and  management  of  contributions  agreements  was 
progressively introduced with the aim to simplify and alleviate the related contractual processes. In the 
same vein, several simplifications were identified and, for some, already implemented in 2023, notably 
affecting the management of blending operations (including financial instruments), the pillar assessment 
process and the signature of financing agreements with partner countries. 

5.4.  Communication & transparency  

5.4.1.  Communication  

The  European  Commission  continued  the 
implementation  of  the  new  approach  to  strategic 
communication  and  public  diplomacy  for  activities  funded  under  NDICI-Global  Europe  at  country, 
regional and global level. The  new approach has moved away from fragmented, partner-implemented 
activities  concentrating  on  each  project  and  programme  towards  country  specific  strategic 
communication  explaining  Europe’s  political  offer  to  partner  countries.  It  aims  to  ensure  awareness, 
understanding and perception of the EU and its Member States, in both EU and partner countries, and is 
commensurate  with  the  scale,  scope  and  ambition  of  our  sustained  engagement.  Strategic 
communication activities are data driven, using local languages, and designed to focus not only on what 
the EU does, but why, including by emphasising shared values, interests and impact, and promoting the 
EU’s  leadership  role on  key  priorities.  To  implement  the  new  approach,  a  communication  strategy  on 
Global  Gateway  in  a  ‘Team  Europe’  approach  has  been  adopted.  Global  Gateway  was  also  promoted 
through the Economic and Investment Plans of the Western Balkans and the EU Neighbourhood. 

Ukraine 

The  EU  NEIGHBOURS  EAST  regional  communication  programme  has  been  actively  supporting  Ukraine 
and its citizens since the beginning of Russia's invasion in 2022. The programme focuses on three main 
objectives: highlighting the EU's response, providing practical resources to Ukrainians, and showcasing 

112  Blending  cooperation  under  the  Western  Balkans  Investment  Framework  (WBIF)  covers  six  Western  Balkan  Beneficiaries 
(Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo*, the Republic of North Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) and is financed from the 
Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance and bilateral donor funding. 

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solidarity. A dedicated webpage, #StandWithUkraine, was developed, offering information, stories, and 
videos  in English,  Ukrainian,  and  Russian. The  programme  has  also  implemented  the  #FacesOfUkraine 
campaign  and  extensively  covered  the  EU  enlargement  process  with  relevant  announcements  and 
content for Ukraine. 

Social  media  channels  of  the  EU  NEIGHBOURS  EAST  programme  have  garnered  significant  attention 
from Ukrainian audiences, with around 25 000 users reached daily. Paid advertising campaigns targeting 
Ukrainian  users  led  to  an  increase  in  visits  to  EU-related  websites.  Furthermore,  the  programme 
promoted a video series countering disinformation about the war in Ukraine, reaching 6.9 million people 
and  resulting  in  332  000  views.  The  efforts  of  the  programme  emphasise  the  EU's  commitment  to 
supporting Ukraine and its people during this challenging time. 

The  Young  European  Ambassadors  (YEAs)  played  a  significant  role  in  the  communication  efforts  in 
Ukraine.  They  organised  numerous  civic  engagement  activities,  reaching  out  to  thousands  of  people, 
both in person and online. Their activities primarily focused on presenting EU-funded opportunities for 
youth,  conducting  interactive  lectures  at  schools  and  universities  about  the  EU's  partnership  and 
support to Ukraine, and organising workshops and lectures for participants of EU-funded projects. 

Global Gateway 

The  deployment  of  the  Global  Gateway  strategy  was  given  prominence  throughout  the  year,  in 
particular through the  successful and first  ever Global Gateway  Forum hosted by the President of the 
European Commission Ursula von Der Leyen, held in Brussels on 25 to 26 October 2023. Over 20 Heads 
of  States  and  Governments  and  70  ministers,  as  well  as  leading  high-level  representatives  from  the 
private  sector,  civil  society  organisations,  academia  and  financing  institutions  attended.  The  Forum 
brought together a total of around 850 participants. Over EUR 3 billion of investment was announced or 
signed, linked to the implementation of Global Gateway flagship projects. 

Global Gateway communication centred around presenting the Global Gateway Investment Agenda to 
the  EU-CELAC  Summit  in  July.  This  was  backed  up  by  a  dedicated  campaign  in  key  Latin  America 
countries. Other key moments in 2023 were the fifth United Nations Conference on the Least Developed 
Countries,  the  UN  General  Assembly  High  Level  Week,  the  COP28  Summit,  the  G20  Development 
Ministers meeting and the G7 Hiroshima Summit. 

Communication  activities  concentrated  on  renewable  hydrogen  in  Namibia,  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  I 
(BELLA  -  Panama,  Brazil,  Columbia,  Uruguay),  EU-LAC  Digital  Alliance  II  (Copernicus  -  Brazil,  Chile, 
Argentina, Mexico), Sebzor hydropower plant in Tajikistan, and Health and the Team Europe Initiative on 
Manufacturing and Access to Vaccines, Medicines and Health Technologies in Rwanda. The campaigns 
delivered excellent results across the platforms, driving strong awareness amongst focus countries with 
outstanding video consumption, ensuring a wide penetration of the EU’s key messages. 

In addition, key social media campaigns in 2023 included the Global Gateway Forum, COP28, EU – Latin 
America and Caribbean Forum, Youth Sounding Board launch, United Nations General Assembly, Human 
Rights Campaign, and the Lorenzo Natali Prize. The social media campaign around the Global Gateway 
Forum, for instance, made a significant impact on a global scale with online discussions reaching a global 
audience of 27.4 million users worldwide.  

Campaigns, social media and public diplomacy activities 

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In 2023, major campaigns and public diplomacy activities included: ‘Women in Science’, ‘Made Of Us’, 
and Eyes on Earth. The Pride Month in June was marked with various activities, as well as the Orange 
the  World  campaign  with  16  days  of  activism  addressing  gender-based  violence,  while  the  largest 
campaign  addressing  climate  change  during  the  year  was  the  #ForOurPlanet  campaign.  For  all  global 
topics,  the  network  of  young  influencers  under  the  campaign  #OurVoiceOurFuture  across  the  globe 
partnered up for a better communication impact, with an estimated of 97.8 million reach last year only 
(compared  to 57.6  million  in  2022). This  campaign  was  mentioned  in  100 countries,  used  in over  100 
languages and showcased a successful community-led campaign.  

The  EU  regional  communication  programme  for  the  Western  Balkans  (WeBalkans)  continued  with 
several components, including development of the web portal WeBalkans.eu and production of varied 
content for the WeBalkans social media. The programme organised a highly successful third awareness-
raising  ‘Made  of  Us’  campaign,  based  on  collaborations  with  video  bloggers  from  the  EU  and  the 
Western Balkans. The campaign reached over 10 million people in under three months.  

The  EU  Neighbours  East  and  South  regional  communication  programmes  also  continued  with  many 
different  components.  These  included  thematic  communication  campaigns,  expanding  a  network  of 
media and non-media partners, a flagship network of Young European Ambassadors (1 162 for the East, 
as well as 194 EU Jeel Connectors and 33 EU Goodwill Ambassadors for the South), annual opinion polls, 
improving the EUDIGITOOL for EU projects in the Eastern Partnership and launching it for the South, and 
maintaining a comprehensive database of EU-funded projects with external country websites.  

In  the  Middle  East,  the  EU  Regional  Media  Officer  conveyed  the  EU’s  positions  to  Arab-speaking 
audiences, consolidating the EU’s presence in regional media and social media platforms (‘EUinArabic’ 
on Twitter and ‘Eubilaraby’ on Instagram). 

Events 

In addition to the Global Gateway Forum, another important success was the EU’s presence as guest of 
honour at the Guadalajara Bookfair in Mexico (FIL) with an EU Pavilion and a programme that attracted 
nearly 900 000 visitors on-site and many online. Another highlight was the EU Open Day organised with 
over  5  000  visitors  coming  in  one  day.  Throughout  the  year  various  on-line  and  offline  events  and 
activities also marked the 75th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

The 31th edition of the Lorenzo Natali Prize for outstanding journalism received more than 700 eligible 
submissions  from  round  the  globe.  This  year,  the  award  ceremony  also  included  the  signature  of  a 
Financial  Framework  Partnership  Agreement  for  Protecting  Independent  Media  with  three  leading 
consortia, for a duration of four years. 

Nine  Kapuscinski  Development  Lectures  were  also  organised  by  the  European  Commission,  bringing 
together  a  total  of  3  500  participants.  The  list  of  high-level  speakers  from  around  the  world  included 
names of renowned thinkers, such as Ban Ki-Moon, Donald Kaberuka, and Mary Kaldor.  

Countering information manipulation and disinformation 

In 2023, the EU continued to develop tools and initiatives to counter foreign information manipulation 
and  interference  (FIMI),  notably  the  FIMI  Toolbox  that  was  adopted  by  the  European  Council  in 
December 2023. This includes continued efforts to impose political, economic and reputational costs on 

169 

 
 
the perpetrators of FIMI, including those who undermine elections and open media environments in the 
EU and its neighbourhood. Action to better understand FIMI threats included publishing the first  ever 
EEAS  Threat  Report  on  FIMI,  setting  out  a  novel  methodology  to  systematically  identify,  analyse  and 
share information on FIMI incidents to enable informed and evidence-based policy responses among EU 
and partners to address the threat. On the response side, the EU continued efforts to expose the extent 
of  Russia’s,  as well  as  other  actors’ such  as  China’s,  FIMI  efforts  by  strengthening  EU  communication, 
including the ‘EUvsDisinfo’ awareness-raising campaign that reached around 20 million people in 2023. 
The  EU  directly  supported  Ukraine’s  strategic  communication  efforts  and  worked  closely  with 
international and likeminded partners, in particular the G7 and NATO, to push back on war propaganda 
and to build partnerships to improve society’s awareness of and resistance to information manipulation 
and to strengthen proactive communications. 

In the Western Balkans, the EU developed a series of awareness raising, resilience and capacity building 
activities,  continuing  its  strategic  communication  efforts  to  prevent  and  narrow  the  space  for  FIMI 
targeting  the  EU  and  its  policies,  whilst  simultaneously  positioning  the  EU  and  promoting  the 
understanding  of  its  positions  among  audiences,  with  a  strong  focus  on  Russia’s  full-scale  invasion  of 
Ukraine. Among these, the EU supported the launch of the region’s Media Ownership Monitor, a global 
research  project  aiming  at  understanding  the  control  of  media  outlets  through  contextualisation  and 
rigorous  analysis.  The  EU  also  supported  the  publication,  launch  and  dissemination  of  the  first-ever 
disinformation studies in Albania and Kosovo. 

The  activities  of  the  network  of  nearly  180  Young  European  Ambassadors  (YEAs)  were  further 
strengthened. YEAs were active in promoting the 2023 Enlargement package and the launch of the new 
master’s programme and campus in Tirana in cooperation with the College of Europe. They continued 
their active role in training other youth on media literacy via dedicated workshops, thus contributing to 
addressing disinformation in the region. 

Projects  were  carried  out  by  EU  Delegations  to  increase  media  literacy  and  raise  awareness  on  FIMI, 
including with younger audiences, building societal resilience against this threat. 

In 2023, the EEAS set up a Sub-Saharan Stratcom Task Force as called for by the Foreign Affairs Council 
in  January  2023  with  the  specific  mandate  to  strengthen  the  EU  strategic  communications  and  tackle 
rapidly growing foreign information manipulation in the region. 

5.4.2.  Transparency  

The European Commission has continued to ensure transparency and accountability of its development 
assistance through the publication of timely, comprehensive, and forward-looking data in line with the 
International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI)(113) standard, OECD-DAC’s Creditor Reporting System(114), 
the DAC Advance Questionnaire(115) and the joint DAC-XCRED report on untied ODA(116) contract awards 
as well as Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD)(117). 

113 International Aid Transparency Initiative - iatistandard.org 
114 Creditor Reporting System (CRS) (oecd.org) 
115 Data collection and resources for data reporters - OECD 
116 Untied aid - OECD 
117 Total Official Support for Sustainable Development (TOSSD) - Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development 

170 

 
 
 
The  European  Commission  remains  firmly  committed  to  transparency,  a  development  effectiveness 
principle  and  a  key  principle  of  the  Global  Gateway  strategy.  The  European  Commission  remains  an 
active member of IATI.  

Furthermore,  the  European  Commission  continues  to  invest  in  publishing  higher  quality  data  and 
information  on  development  cooperation  and  developing  innovative  tools  in  support  of  informed 
decision-making. In 2023, an optimisation of the EU Aid Explorer(118) took place and progress was notably 
made on a revamp of it, called the Team Europe Explorer (to be available in 2024), which will allow users 
to freely explore EU and Member States’ spending on TOSSD besides the already existing data on official 
development assistance. 

5.4.3.  Learning  

Within  the  Commission,  the  international  partnerships  learning  development  sector  organises  a  wide 
range  of  learning  events  to  train  European  Commission  services  (Delegations  and  Headquarters)  on 
political priorities and key thematic development topics. The learning offer is also often open to a wider 
community, such as to practitioners from Member States or, in the case of the e-learning platform EU 
International Partnerships Academy(119), to the public. 

Learning  activities  aim  at  enabling  European  Commission  staff  to  acquire,  develop,  retain,  share  and 
apply the knowledge and skills necessary for achieving the Commission’s mandate and goals. In 2023, a 
full  revision  of  the  training  catalogue  was  carried  out,  to  align  the  catalogue  with  staff  needs  and 
strategic priorities, resulting in over 200 new training courses for staff. 

In 2023, 151 different training events on EU Learn (for 4 168 participants) were organised, for the most 
part in different online formats such as webinars, virtual classes and e-learning courses.  

In  addition  to  the  use  of  the  internal  EU  Learn  platform,  the  EU  International  Partnerships  Academy, 
launched  in  2018,  is  a  dedicated  tool  to  make  online  learning  on  development  and  on  international 
partnerships  accessible  to  everyone,  everywhere  and  on  every  mobile  device.  In  2023,  the  Academy 
welcomed 4 000 new users reaching more than 24 000 enrolled learners coming from more than 198 
countries.  The  platform  currently  offers  more  than  420  different  learning  resources  and  has  reached 
more than 1.1 million visits (270 000 in 2023). 

Compared to 2022, the total number of training materials available on the website has increased by 15 
%. Among some new courses available are eLearnings on cybersecurity, European Fund for Sustainable 
Development  Plus,  disability,  the  Inequality  Marker,  and  a  series  of  webinars  on  greening  EU 
cooperation. 

The average users’ satisfaction rate of courses was 81 %, based on feedback received  following course 
completion.  

The  Academy  also  collaborates  with  other  International  Organisations  on  the  production  of  learning 
resources,  particularly in the  context of the Learn4Dev donor competence  network. This ensures joint 

118 Home - European Commission (europa.eu) 
119 EU International Partnerships Academy (europa.eu) 

171 

 
 
 
understanding and ownership of concepts, producing efficiency gains and aid effectiveness. Learn4Dev 
is an effective space to co-create learning resources for cooperation and development practitioners. 

172 

 
 
6. Results annexes 

6.1. Introduction 

Since  2015,  results  reporting  has  been  an  annual  exercise,  collecting  data  from  all  external  action 
interventions funded by the European Commission. This report presents the first results collected under 
the  2021–2027  Multi-Annual  Financial  Framework  (MFF).  As  expected,  the  initial  results  are  modest, 
reflecting the significant lead time between the adoption of legal bases and budgets, the programming 
and design of interventions, project initiation, and the generation of measurable outcomes. 

To  maintain  the  integrity  of  the  funding-results  relationship,  results  are  reported  separately  for  each 
MFF.  

The  relative  contributions  of  each  MFF  to  corporate  reporting  are  illustrated  in  figure  4,  which 
aggregates  results  for  a  representative  indicator  common  to  both  the  European  Union  Results 
Framework  (EURF)  and  the  Global  Europe  Results  Framework  (GERF).  Results  from  2014–2020  MFF-
funded  interventions  are  shown  in  orange,  while  those  from  2021–2027  MFF-funded  interventions 
appear in green. The graph underscores that interventions funded under a 7-year MFF typically generate 
results over a span of at least 14 years. The results reported this year (see arrow and corresponding bar 
outlined in black) represent only the very initial results under this MFF. 

Figure 4: Illustrative timing of the results generated by successive MFFs and consequent durations of 
associated results frameworks120 

120 Potential double-counting here is irrelevant as these aggregated values are not reported and this graph only serves to 
promote an improved understanding of the time lag between budget adoption and results reporting. 

173 

 
 
  
 
 
 
6.2. Methodological basis for selected results reported against the Global Europe Results 
Framework,  the  EU  Results  Framework,  the  IPA  III  Results  Framework  and  the  IPA 
Performance Framework 

The  2021-2027  Multi-Annual  Financial  Framework  (MFF)  entered  into  force  on  14  June  2021.  Results 
monitoring and reporting for Neighbourhood, Development, and International Cooperation Instrument–
Global  Europe  (NDICI–Global  Europe)  are  guided  by  the  Global  Europe  Results  Framework(121)  (GERF), 
launched  in  2022.  The  implementation  for  the  Instrument  for  Pre-accession  Assistance(122)  (IPA  III)  is 
monitored via the IPA III Results Framework, also launched in 2022. 

The financial execution process begins with the adoption of a budget, followed by programming through 
Multiannual  Indicative  Programmes  (MIPs)  for  countries,  regions,  and  thematic  areas.  MIPs  are  then 
broken  down  into  Annual  Action  Plans,  which  are  detailed  in  Action  Documents.  These  Action 
Documents  are  annexed  to  the  Commission  Financing  Decisions  and  form  the  basis  for  contracting 
interventions, enabling implementation to commence. 

Results reporting for interventions occurs annually. The first progress report is typically prepared around 
one year after inception, and has to undergo subsequent review, potential revisions, and final approval. 
The  reporting  process  involves  multiple  steps:  data  must  be  encoded  into  the  dedicated  internal  IT 
system  (OPSYS)  by  the  Implementing  Partner,  verified  by  the  Operational  Manager  of  the  European 
Commission, and subjected to quality control. This multi-layered process often extends over six months. 
Furthermore,  many  results,  particularly  outcomes,  only  materialise  at  the  end  of  the  intervention 
lifecycle. 

This  results  reporting  process  has  been  further  prolonged  by  the  introduction  of  the  OPSYS  IT  tool, 
alongside efforts to improve the quality control process. The IT platform, used for contract management 
and results reporting, required onboarding for more than 4 000 Implementing Partners and more than 2 
000 Operational Managers in the Commission. This effort was further complicated by software bugs and 
connectivity challenges, particularly for users with limited internet access. As a result, only about half of 
the interventions reported values for more than 50 % of the indicators in their logframes. The missing 
results will be addressed in next year’s reporting. 

The figure 5 below illustrates the gradual start to results reporting while projecting significant growth in 
reported results next year. It depicts the number of interventions under implementation since the start 
of the MFF. By 1 July 2023, there were 1 318 interventions under implementation (red lines). However, 
only 61 of these interventions had been active for more than 18 months (green lines), which is often a 
prerequisite for meaningful results reporting.  

121 SWD(2022) 22 final of 25 January 2022. 
122 SWD(2022) 445 final of 20 December 2022. 

174 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
 
 
Figure 5: Number of NDICI interventions under implementation 

Results achieved through instruments financed under the  2014–2020 MFF will continue to materialise 
for  several  years.  These  results  are  reported  using  the  EU  Results  Framework  (EURF)  for  non-
Neighbourhood  and  Neighbourhood  regions  and  the  Instrument  for  Pre-accession  Performance 
Framework (IPA PF) for the Enlargement region, both introduced in 2018 for this purpose.  

6.2.1. Structure of the corporate results framework 

EURF and GERF  

Both  corporate  results  frameworks  are  structured  around  three  levels  of  results.  At  the  core  of  the 
framework, a set of respectively 31 (EURF) and 39 (GERF) indicators at output and outcome level (Level 
2) measure results achieved by EU-funded projects and programmes.  

Level 1 corresponds to development progress in partner countries; that is, the medium- and long-term 
development  impact  achieved  in  partnership  and  collaboration  with  others.  Impacts  reflect  the 
operational context in which EU external assistance is provided.  

Data source Level 1: Internationally available indicators, as much as possible from the SDG database.  

Level  2  focuses  on  development  outcomes  and outputs  that  EU-funded  interventions  contribute  to  in 
collaboration with partner governments and other funding providers. In line with the principles of aid 
effectiveness  and  effective  development  cooperation  that  emphasise  partnerships  and  country 

175 

 
 
 
 
ownership, results at this level are presented on a contribution basis. Rather than results being based on 
the share of funding provided by the EU, they represent the combined efforts of a variety of partners, 
including  the  EU,  Member  States,  partner  country  governments  and  public  institutions,  local 
communities,  international  finance  agencies,  CSOs,  non-profit  entities  and  private  companies.  Data 
collection is guided by specific methodological notes(123).  

Data  source  Level  2:  Results  data  are  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e., 
partner  countries,  international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international 
financial institutions and NGOs).  

Level  3  focuses  on  the  mainstreaming  of  policy  priorities,  as  measured  by  budgetary  commitments 
directed at specific cross-cutting issues (e.g., human development, gender, or nutrition), and focuses on 
organisational financial data. Some of the indicators have organisational targets.  

Data source level 3: Internal financial monitoring systems.  

IPA PF and IPA III RF 

Both the IPA PF and the IPA III RF are also structured around three levels of results. While IPA PF is made 
of  a  set  of  36  indicators  at  output  and  outcome  level  (Level  2)  that  measure  results  achieved  by  EU-
funded projects and programmes, the IPA III RF includes 155 levels 1 and 2 indicators.  

Level 1 corresponds to development progress in IPA/IPA II/IPA III beneficiaries; that is, the medium- and 
long-term  development  impact  achieved  in  partnership  and  collaboration  with  others.  Impacts  reflect 
the operational context in which EU external assistance is provided.  

Level 2 focuses on development outcomes and outputs to which EU-funded interventions contribute to 
in collaboration with partner governments and other funding providers. In line with the principles of aid 
effectiveness  and  effective  development  cooperation  that  emphasise  partnerships  and  country 
ownership, results at this level are presented on a contribution basis. Rather than results being based on 
the share of funding provided by the EU, they represent the combined efforts of a variety of partners, 
including  the  EU,  Member  States,  partner  country  governments  and  public  institutions,  local 
communities,  international  finance  agencies,  CSOs,  non-profit  entities  and  private  companies.  Data 
collection is guided by specific methodological notes(124).  

Data  source  Level  2:  Results  data  are  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e., 
partner  countries,  international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international 
financial institutions and NGOs).  

Level  3  focuses  on  the  mainstreaming  of  policy  priorities,  as  measured  by  budgetary  commitments 
directed  at  specific  cross-cutting 
issues  (e.g.,  human  development,  gender),  and  focuses  on 
organisational financial data. Some of the indicators have organisational targets.  

Data source level 3: Internal financial monitoring systems. 

123 Methodological notes are available online https://europa.eu/capacity4dev/eu-rfi  
124 Methodological notes are available upon request. 

176 

 
 
 
6.3. Level 2 indicators: Reporting on partner country results supported by the EU (EU RF, 
IPA PF and IPA III) 

EURF  

Selection  criteria:  Results  were  collected  from  a  set  of  ongoing  and  completed  interventions(125)  that 
started between 1 January 2014 and 31 January 2022, with an EU contribution of EUR 750 000 or more. 
This year over 4 000 projects and programmes reported latest results information, out of which 1 900 
projects and programmes contributed to at least one of the corporate indicators. The sample of ongoing 
interventions continues to expand over time.  

As  in  previous  years,  the  results  reported  cannot  be  interpreted  as  providing  a  full  picture  of  the 
interventions financed by the EU in the countries concerned.  

Methodology notes for EU Results Framework indicators: Methodology notes are available for each EU 
Results Framework indicator to ensure that data from the various reporting sources could be aggregated 
consistently.  These  notes  provide  definitions  and  data  sources  clearly  explaining  what  type  of 
interventions should be included when reporting against an indicator. These notes, for both the original 
and the revised results frameworks, can be found at http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/eu-rfi.  

Data:  Results  data  is  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e.,  partner  countries, 
international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international  financial  institutions 
and NGOs). These organisations use data collected from a variety of sources, such as the management 
frameworks  of 
information  system  of  partner  countries,  the 
implementation partners and representative surveys.  

individual  project  monitoring 

Reporting: The 2018-2022 figure reports a cumulative number, including results reported since the 2018 
results  reporting  exercise.  The  numbers  are  cumulated  with  careful  consideration  of  potential  double 
counting across projects and programmes and across years. The approach taken is to err on the side of 
safety, so any potentially double counted results are excluded from the results reported.  

A  common  feature  of  all  Level  2  indicators  is  that  the  results  reported  have  been  calculated  using  a 
contribution-based  approach.  This  means  that  where  an  intervention  has  been  financed  by  the  EU 
jointly with other funders – such as partner country governments or other donors – the overall results of 
the collective effort are reported, rather than those linked to the share of funding provided by the EU 
specifically.  

EURF  indicator  2.30  ‘Number  of  countries  supported  by  the  EU  to  strengthen  revenue  mobilisation, 
public  financial  management  and/or  budget  transparency’  is an  exception  in  terms of  scope  and  data 
collection. In addition to the interventions included in the exercise, this indicator draws on all countries 
with an ongoing EU budget support contract.  

125  The  interventions  considered  were  financed  using  the  following  instruments:  the  European  Development  Fund  (EDF);  the 
Development Cooperation Instrument (DCI); the programmable part of the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) 
under  Art.  5;  the  European  Instrument  for  Democracy  and  Human  Rights  (EIDHR);  the  Instrument  for  Nuclear  Safety 
Cooperation; the Instrument for Greenland; and the European Neighbourhood Instrument (ENI). 

177 

 
 
 
EURF  indicators  2.9  ‘Number  of  individuals  with  access  to  electricity  with  EU  support  through  a)  new 
access,  b)  improved  access’,  2.10  ‘Renewable  energy  generation  capacity  installed  with  EU  support 
(MW)’  and  2.21  ‘Greenhouse  gas  emissions  avoided  with  EU  support  (tonnes  CO2eq)’(126)  also  include 
reporting by the EU–Africa Infrastructure Trust Fund (EU-AITF). EU RF 2.9 reports inferred figures, which 
were calculated using the KfW model for estimating access using electricity generation capacity. EU RF 
2.10 and EU RF 2.21 report expected results.  

EURF indicators 2.1 ‘Number of people directly benefiting from EU supported interventions that aim to 
reduce social and economic inequality’ and 2.17 ‘Number of migrants, refugees, and internally displaced 
people or individuals from host communities protected or assisted with EU support’ can be used along 
with more specific sectoral indicators. Thus, beneficiaries counted under these indicators might also be 
counted  under  more  specific  indicators  and  therefore  results  should  not  be  aggregated  with  these 
indicators because of potential double counting risks. 

Given  its  use  in  the  Gender  Action  Plan  III  (GAP  III),  the  new  GERF  indicator  2.37  ‘Number  of  people 
benefitting  from  EU-funded  interventions  to  counter  sexual  and  gender-based  violence’  is  already 
reported upon, numbered as EURF 2.31.  

Results by sex of beneficiaries: The SWD(2018) document(127) mentions that, where possible, results are 
to be disaggregated by sex. Where this disaggregation has not been provided, it is either because this 
was  not  relevant  for  the  indicator  in  question  (e.g.,  EURF  2.4  ‘Agricultural  and  pastoral  ecosystems 
where sustainable management practices have been introduced with EU support’) or because the data 
were not  available. Due  to data  availability at intervention level, the  sum of sex-disaggregated results 
may not equal the total results figures.  

Results by country: When presenting results broken down by country, figures are reported according to 
the country where the result was achieved. While efforts have been made to capture this detailed level 
of reporting as far as possible, data were not always available at this level; for example, in the case of 
multi-country regional interventions where country-level results were not reported. Where the EU has 
funded  interventions  in  overseas  countries  and  territories,  results  achieved  are  reported  at  this  level. 
This  approach  is  also  taken  where  EURF  indicators  measure  the  number  of  countries  supported  in  a 
specific sector.  

Quality: The data are subjected to an extensive quality assurance process to ensure that:  

•  The data sources are reliable;  
•  The  link  between  the  indicators  from  the  monitoring  system  of  the  intervention  and  the 

indicators from the EURF is robust; and  

•  The  individuals  who  have  benefited  from  the  same  intervention  over  different  years,  and/or 
from different interventions ending and/or ongoing in the same year, are only counted once.  

126  Methodology  for  this  indicator  can  be  found  here:  https://capacity4dev.europa.eu/sites/default/files/media/2.21_-
_ghg_emissions_avoided_10-2019.pdf  
127  European  Commission’s  Staff  Working  Document  (SWD)(2018)  444,  ‘A  revised  EU  international  cooperation  and 
development results framework, the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 
New European Consensus on Development’. 

178 

 
 
 
However, given the great variety of data sources used, the data quality may vary.  

GERF  

Selection  criteria:  Results  were  collected  from  a  set  of  ongoing  and  completed  interventions(128)  that 
started  between  1  January  2021  and  30  June  2023.  This  year  over  1  000  projects  and  programmes 
reported latest results information, out of which over 134 projects and programmes contributed to at 
least  one  of  the  corporate  indicators.  The  sample  of  ongoing  interventions  continues  to  expand  over 
time.  

As  this  is  the  first  year,  the  results  reported  cannot  be  interpreted  as  providing  a  full  picture  of  the 
interventions financed by the EU in the countries concerned.  

Methodology  notes  for  GERF  indicators:  Methodology  notes  are  available  for  each  GE  Results 
Framework  indicator  to  ensure  that  data  from  the  various  reporting  sources  could  be  aggregated 
consistently.  These  notes  provide  definitions  and  data  sources  clearly  explaining  what  type  of 
interventions  should  be  included  when  reporting  against  an  indicator.  These  notes  can  be  found  at 
http://capacity4dev.ec.europa.eu/eu-rfi.  

Data:  Results  data  is  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e.,  partner  countries, 
international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international  financial  institutions 
and NGOs). These organisations use data collected from a variety of sources, such as the management 
information  system  of  partner  countries,  the 
frameworks  of 
implementation partners, and representative surveys.  

individual  project  monitoring 

Reporting: The  numbers are  cumulated  with careful consideration of potential double counting across 
projects  and programmes and across years. The approach taken is to err on the  side of safety, so any 
potentially double counted results are excluded from the results reported.  

A  common  feature  of  all  Level  2  indicators  is  that  the  results  reported  have  been  calculated  using  a 
contribution-based  approach.  This  means  that  where  an  intervention  has  been  financed  by  the  EU 
jointly with other funders – such as partner country governments or other donors – the overall results of 
the collective effort are reported, rather than those linked to the share of funding provided by the EU 
specifically.  

GERF  indicator  2.19  ‘Number  of  countries  supported  by  the  EU  to  strengthen  revenue  mobilisation, 
public  financial  management  and/or  budget  transparency’  is an  exception  in  terms of  scope  and  data 
collection. In addition to the interventions included in the exercise, this indicator draws on all countries 
with an ongoing EU budget support contract.  

GERF  indicators  2.3  ‘Number  of  individuals  with  access  to  electricity  with  EU  support  through  a)  new 
access, b) improved access’, 2.4 ‘Renewable energy generation capacity installed with EU support (MW)’ 

128 The interventions considered were financed using the following instrument: Neighbourhood, Development and International 
Cooperation Instrument - NDICI Global Europe 

179 

 
 
 
and 2.7 ‘Greenhouse gas emissions avoided with EU support (tonnes CO2eq)’(129) are no longer reporting 
expected results as was the case for the previous MFF and are now reporting values actually achieved.  

GERF indicators 2.20 ‘Number of migrants, refugees, and internally displaced people or individuals from 
host  communities  protected  or  assisted  with  EU  support’.  2.32  ‘Number  of  food  insecure  people 
receiving  EU  assistance’,  2.39  ‘Number  of  people  directly  benefiting  from  EU  supported  interventions 
that  aim  to  reduce  social  and  economic  inequality’  can  be  used  along  with  more  specific  sectoral 
indicators.  Thus,  beneficiaries  counted  under  these  indicators  might  also  be  counted  under  more 
specific  indicators  and  therefore  results  should  not  be  aggregated  with  these  indicators  because  of 
potential double counting risks. 

Results by sex of beneficiaries: The SWD(2018) document(130) mentions that, where possible, results are 
to be disaggregated by sex. Where this disaggregation has not been provided, it is either because this 
was  not  relevant  for  the  indicator  in  question  (e.g.,  GERF  2.2  ‘Agricultural  and  pastoral  ecosystems 
where sustainable management practices have been introduced with EU support’) or because the data 
were not  available. Due  to data  availability at intervention level, the  sum of sex-disaggregated results 
may not equal the total results figures.  

Results by country: When presenting results broken down by country, figures are reported according to 
the country where the result was achieved. While efforts have been made to capture this detailed level 
of reporting as far as possible, data were not always available at this level; for example, in the case of 
multi-country regional interventions where country-level results were not reported. Where the EU has 
funded  interventions  in  overseas  countries  and  territories,  results  achieved  are  reported  at  this  level. 
This  approach  is  also  taken  where  GE  RF  indicators  measure  the  number  of  countries  supported  in  a 
specific sector.  

Quality: The data are subjected to an extensive quality assurance process to ensure that:  

•  The data sources are reliable;  
•  The  link  between  the  indicators  from  the  monitoring  system  of  the  intervention  and  the 

indicators from the GERF is robust; and  

•  The  individuals  who  have  benefited  from  the  same  intervention  over  different  years,  and/or 
from different interventions ending and/or ongoing in the same year, are only counted once.  

However, given the great variety of data sources used, the data quality may vary.  

Joint  reporting with EU  Trust  Fund for Africa interventions:  As part of the  2018 revision of the  results 
framework,  efforts  have  been  made  to  harmonise  indicator  methodologies  to  enable  joint  reporting 
with  other  monitoring  systems.  Four  indicators  can  be  reported  together  with  results  from  EU  Trust 
Fund  for  Africa  (EU  TF)  interventions.  Thus,  in  addition  to  the  figures  collected  through  the  EURF, 

129  Methodology  for  this  indicator  can  be  found  here:  https://capacity4dev.europa.eu/sites/default/files/media/2.21_-
_ghg_emissions_avoided_10-2019.pdf  
130  European  Commission’s  Staff  Working  Document  (SWD)(2018)  444,  ‘A  revised  EU  international  cooperation  and 
development results framework, the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the 
New European Consensus on Development’. 

180 

 
 
 
reporting includes  figures reported through the EU TF. The EURF indicators that  feature data via joint 
reporting are:  

•  EURF  2.15  Number  of  people  who  have  benefited  from  institution-  or  workplace  based 
vocational education  and  training  (VET)/skills  development  interventions  supported  by  the EU 
(window: Horn of Africa, Sahel and Lake Chad);  

•  EURF 2.17 Number of migrants, forcibly displaced people or individuals from host communities 
protected or assisted with EU support (windows: Horn of Africa, Sahel and Lake Chad, North of 
Africa);  

•  EURF 2.18a Number of migration management or forced displacement strategies or policies: a) 

developed/revised (window: North of Africa); and  

•  EURF  2.29  Number  of  state  institutions  and  non-state  actors  supported  on  security,  border 
management,  countering  violent  extremism,  conflict  prevention,  protection  of  civilian 
population and human rights (window: North of Africa).  

IPA Performance Framework 

Selection criteria: Results were collected from a set of ongoing and completed interventions that started 
between 1 January 2014 and 31 January 2022, with an EU contribution of EUR 750 000 or more. This 
year, over 364 projects and programmes reported latest results information, out of which 102 projects 
and  programmes  contributed  to  at  least  one  of  the  corporate  indicators.  The  sample  of  ongoing 
interventions continues to expand over time.  

The total EU allocation for the interventions that were able to report against the IPA PF indicators was 
EUR  1  437.3  million.  Of  this  amount:  29  %  is  in  the  competitiveness  area  (business  policy  and 
administration, small  and medium-sized  enterprises,  job creation); 14.7 %  was  allocated to  water  and 
sanitation utilities; road infrastructure and urban development; 14 % was allocated in the area of public 
administration  reform 
finance 
management and decentralisation and support to subnational government areas); 13.9 % was allocated 
to human rights, equality, and refugee support (health, education, inclusivity); and 12.9 % was allocated 
to  legal  and  judicial  development,  and  rule  of  law  (security  system  management  and  reform,  and 
anticorruption).  

(public  sector  policy  and  administrative  management,  public 

As  in  previous  years,  the  results  reported  cannot  be  interpreted  as  providing  a  full  picture  of  the 
interventions financed by the EU in the countries concerned.  

Methodology  notes  for  IPA  Performance  Framework  indicators:  Methodology  notes  are  available  for 
each  IPA  Performance  Framework  indicator  to  ensure  that  data  from  the  various  reporting  sources 
financed  by  the  Instruments  for  Pre-Accession  I  and  II  could  be  aggregated  consistently.  These  notes 
provide  definitions  and  data  sources  clearly  explaining  what  type  of  interventions  should  be  included 
when reporting against an indicator. These notes are available upon request.  

Data:  Results  data  is  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e.,  partner  countries, 
international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international  financial  institutions 
and NGOs). These organisations use data collected from a variety of sources, such as the management 

181 

 
 
 
information  system  of  partner  countries,  the 
implementation partners and representative surveys.  

individual  project  monitoring 

frameworks  of 

Reporting: The 2018-2022 figure reports a cumulative number, including results reported since the last 
results  reporting  exercise.  The  numbers  are  cumulated  with  careful  consideration  of  potential  double 
counting across projects and programmes and across years. The approach taken is to err on the side of 
safety,  so  any  potentially  double  counted  results  are  excluded  from  the  results  reported.  A  common 
feature of all Level 2 indicators is that the results reported have been calculated using a contribution-
based approach. This means that where an intervention has been financed by the EU jointly with other 
funders  –  such  as  partner  country  governments  or  other  donors  –  the overall results  of  the  collective 
effort are reported, rather than those linked to the share of funding provided by the EU specifically.  

Results  by  IPA  beneficiary:  When  presenting  results  broken  down  by  IPA  beneficiary,  figures  are 
reported according to the beneficiary where the result was achieved. While efforts have been made to 
capture this detailed level of reporting as far as possible, data were not always available at this level; for 
example,  in  the  case  of  multi-country  regional  interventions  where  country-level  results  were  not 
reported (in this case, results are presented under the label ‘Western Balkans regional results’).  

Quality: The data are subjected to an extensive quality assurance process to ensure that:  

•  The data sources are reliable; and  
•  The  link  between  the  indicators  from  the  monitoring  system  of  the  intervention  and  the 

indicators from the IPA PF is robust.  

•  However, given the great variety of data sources used, the data quality may vary. 

IPA III Results Framework 

Selection criteria: Results were collected from a set of ongoing and completed interventions that started 
between 1 January 2021 and 30 June 2023. This year over 108 projects and programmes reported latest 
results  information, out of which over 25 projects and programmes contributed to at  least one of the 
corporate indicators. The sample of ongoing interventions continues to expand over time.  

As  this  is  the  first  year,  the  results  reported  cannot  be  interpreted  as  providing  a  full  picture  of  the 
interventions financed by the EU in the countries concerned.  

Methodology notes for IPA III Results Framework indicators: were not yet published at the time of the 
results data collection exercise. 

Data:  Results  data  is  drawn  from  the  reports  of  EU  implementation  partners  (i.e.,  partner  countries, 
international  organisations,  Member  States’  development  agencies,  international  financial  institutions 
and NGOs). These organisations use data collected from a variety of sources, such as the management 
information  system  of  partner  countries,  the 
frameworks  of 
implementation partners and representative surveys. 

individual  project  monitoring 

Reporting: The 2021-2023 figure reports a cumulative number, including results reported since the last 
results  reporting  exercise.  The  numbers  are  cumulated  with  careful  consideration  of  potential  double 
counting across projects and programmes and across years. The approach taken is to err on the side of 

182 

 
 
 
safety,  so  any  potentially  double  counted  results  are  excluded  from  the  results  reported.  A  common 
feature of all Level 2 indicators is that the results reported have been calculated using a contribution-
based approach. This means that where an intervention has been financed by the EU jointly with other 
funders  –  such  as  partner  country  governments  or  other  donors  –  the overall results  of  the  collective 
effort are reported, rather than those linked to the share of funding provided by the EU specifically. 

Results  by  IPA  beneficiary:  When  presenting  results  broken  down  by  IPA  beneficiary,  figures  are 
reported according to the beneficiary where the result was achieved. While efforts have been made to 
capture this detailed level of reporting as far as possible, data were not always available at this level; for 
example,  in  the  case  of  multi-country  regional  interventions  where  country-level  results  were  not 
reported (in this case, results are presented under the label ‘Western Balkans regional results’). 

Quality: The data are subjected to an extensive quality assurance process to ensure that:  

•  The data sources are reliable; and  
•  The  link  between  the  indicators  from  the  monitoring  system  of  the  intervention  and  the 

indicators from the IPA III RF is robust.  

•  However, given the great variety of data sources used, the data quality may vary. 

6.4. Level 3: Reporting on policy mainstreaming as measured by budgetary commitments 

GERF 

Level 3 indicators report on financial flows in 2023 and include all funds from NDICI-Global Europe. Level 
3 reporting excludes funds under the previous MFF (2014-2020), i.e., the presentation of payments does 
not  present  all  payments  made  in  2023.  Given  the  budgetary  cycle,  payments  were  low  or  zero  for 
NDICI-Global Europe funds.  

Some of the Level 3 indicators are related to spending targets, provided in the legal basis to the NDICI-
Global  Europe  (e.g.  ODA,  climate,  social  inclusion  and  human  development,  migration  and  forced 
displacement)  and  the  gender  targets.  In  some  cases,  the  priority  is  derived  from  formal  EU  policy 
commitments endorsed by the Council (e.g., Gender Action Plan III) or international commitments made 
by the EU (e.g., nutrition). 

All ten Level 3 indicators from the 2018 EURF have been included in the GERF, with a couple of minor 
adjustments  (i.e.,  two  indicators  from  the  2018  EURF  have  been  merged,  and  the  methodology  to 
calculate the indicator on human development has been updated). This confirms the stability of the EU 
commitment to providing support in these areas. 

Seven  new  indicators  have  been  added  to  monitor  spending  directed  towards  digitalisation,  reform 
implementation,  migration-related 
inclusion, 
inequality reduction and social reform. 

interventions,  crisis-response,  education,  disability 

For  one  indicator,  the  methodology  is  still  under  development:  GERF  3.6  Number  and  share  of  EU 
funded external interventions supporting the implementation of political, economic and social reforms 
and joint agreements in partner countries. 

183 

 
 
 
 
IPA III 

Level 3 indicators report on financial flows in 2023 and include all funds managed by the new financing 
instrument  IPA  III.  Level  3  reporting  excludes  funds  under  the  previous  MFF  (2014-2020),  i.e.,  the 
presentation of payments does not present all payments made in 2023.  

Some of the Level 3 indicators have  associated spending targets, provided in the  legal basis for IPA III 
(e.g., climate, biodiversity) and a gender mainstreaming target. For gender, the priority is derived from 
formal EU policy commitments endorsed by the Council (e.g., Gender Action Plan III).  

For  one  indicator,  the  methodology  is  still  under  development:  GERF  3.6  Number  and  share  of  EU 
funded external interventions supporting the implementation of political, economic and social reforms 
and joint agreements in partner countries. 

6.5. Latest results  

Please find the results under below links(131): 

For the old MFF:  

•  A consolidated version of the data (pdf) 
•  Detailed overview of all data (excel) 

for the new MFF 2021-2027: 

•  A consolidated version of the data (pdf) 
•  Detailed overview of all data (excel) 

131 These annexes will be available on the International Partnerships website. The links are not active yet, as these documents 
cannot be published and made publicly available before the adoption of this report.  

184 

 
 
 
6.6. Results of the implementation of the Gender Action Plan III 

Table 17. Progress on the GAP III’s institutional and strategic objectives and indicators for the European Union Institutions 

Objective and targets of the GAP III (Part I) 

Progress in 2023 

Objective 1. Increase the number and the funding of new actions that are 
gender mainstreamed (OECD Gender Marker 1) and targeted (G2)  

Target 1: 85 % of new actions are gender responsive/targeted (G1+G2) by 
2025(132) 

Target 2: 100 % of new actions not targeting gender equality (G0) justified 
over 2021–2025 

Target 3: At least two rapid response actions or peace and stability themed 
actions per year  

On  track  –  In  2023,  82.7  %  of  new  actions  are  gender-
responsive/targeted.  Cumulative  data  for  2021-2023  show 
that  78.4  %  of  all  external  actions  are  gender 
responsive/targeted  (85  %  of  actions  under  the  NDICI-Global 
Europe, 75 % under IPA III and 28 % under CFSP).  

In progress  – 33  % of new actions marked G0 were correctly 
justified in 2023(133). 
Target achieved – 82 % of new rapid response actions (41 out 
of  50  by  FPI  and  1  by  NEAR)  were  gender  mainstreamed  in 
2023.  Cumulative  data  show  that  80  %  (123  out  of  153)  of 
rapid response actions approved in 2021,  2022 and 2023 are 
gender mainstreamed. 

Target 5: At least one gender-targeted action (G2 action) per country 
allocation over 2021-2025  

In progress – 38 countries have at least one G2 action. 29 new 
G2 actions were committed in 2023. 

Target 6: At least one gender-targeted action (G2) per regional allocation 
over 2021–2025 

Target 7: Increase amount of funding in support of gender equality and 
women’s empowerment actions (G1 and G2) 

On  track  –  5  out  of  6  regions  (Africa,  Asia-Pacific,  Latin 
America  and  Caribbean  Eastern  Partnership  and  Southern 
Neighbourhood) have at least one G2 action. 

Target achieved – Total funding in support of gender equality 
and women’s empowerment increased by 1.4 % in 2023 (from 
EUR 13.075 to 13.262 billion). Updated cumulative figures for 
2021-23 show EUR 35.870 billion funding in support of GEWE, 
corresponding to 80.7 % of all EU funding through NDICI, IPA 
III  and  CFSP.  The  share of amounts  committed  to  G1  and  G2 

132 Data cover new actions under the MFF 21-27 for the three external actions instruments (NDICI, CSFP and IPA III). 
133 Data calculated on a sample of actions from DG INTPA, as done for 2021 and 2022. 

185 

 
 
 
 
Objective and targets of the GAP III (Part I) 

Progress in 2023 

Target 8: Increase amount of funding directed towards women’s rights 
organisations and movements (WROs) 

actions has increased (from 77.5 % in 2022 to 85.1 % in 2023). 

Target  achieved  –  Committed  amounts  increased  by  160% 
from  previous  year.  Commitments  to  WROs  rose  from  EUR 
46.6 million in 2022 to EUR 121 million in 2023. 

Target 9: Number of new EU-funded humanitarian programmes marked 1 or 
marked 2 by the DG ECHO Gender-Age Marker 
Target: In 2024 (for 2021 start date projects): 95 % 

Target  achieved  –  96  %  of  EU  funded  humanitarian 
programmes are marked 1 or 2 by the DG ECHO Gender-Age 
marker for projects starting in 2021. 

Objective 2. Gender perspective is mainstreamed in all actions under the 
investment framework 
Target: 85 % of all blending operations and guarantees are gender 
responsive/targeted (G1/G2) by 2025  

In  progress  –  72  %  of  all  reported  blending  operations  and 
guarantees were marked G1 or G2 in 2023 (85 % for DG INTPA 
and 35 % for DG NEAR). Cumulative data for 2021-2023 show 
that 68 % of all reported blending operations and guarantees 
were marked G1 or G2. 

Objective 3. Gender Responsive Budgeting is promoted 
Target: At least 20 % of new actions supporting public finance management 
(PFM) reforms include a gender budgeting component  

Target achieved – Since 2021, 60 % of actions supporting PFM 
include  a  gender  responsive  budgeting  component  (63  %  for 
DG INTPA and 50 % for DG NEAR). 

Objective 4. Gender specific and/or sex-disaggregated indicators are 
systematically used  
Target: 85 % of new actions by 2025 have at least the latest progress data 
entry sex-disaggregated or gender-specific, as mandated by the indicator 
formulation  

Objective 5. GAP III implementation is informed by sound gender profile 
and framed in ‘country-level implementation plans’ (CLIPs) 

Target 1: One ‘country-level implementation plan’ agreed per country and 
transmitted to headquarters (HQ) 

Target 2: One gender analysis per priority sector in all countries 

In  progress  –  Of  the  interventions  financed  under  the  NDICI 
that  are  monitoring  gender  relevant  indicators  and  have 
already  started reporting, 49 %  have  reported sufficient data 
for the gender relevant indicators(134). 

On track – 95 % of the EU Delegations have a CLIP. 

In  progress  –  85  %  of  the  EU  Delegations  have  conducted  at 
least  one  gender  sector  analysis.  48  %  of  them  have  gender 
sector analyses for all their priority sectors. 

Objective 6. Gender perspective is integrated in ‘Working Better Together’ 

Target achieved – In 2023, 93 % of all new joint programming 

134 New methodology based on OPSYS data and measured at the level of primary intervention (actions with a log-frame) and only for core OPSYS indicators. The baseline for the previous 
Multiannual Financial Cycle is 20 %. To be noted that numbers could decrease once the number of interventions increases as the sample is small for the current MFC. 

186 

 
 
 
 
 
Objective and targets of the GAP III (Part I) 

Progress in 2023 

approaches and in broader coordination  
Target: 85 % of new joint programming documents over 2021-2025 
reference and integrate the priorities of GAP III 

documents  reference  and  integrate  GAP  III  priorities.  For 
2021-2023, 90 % of all EU actions contributing to Team Europe 
Initiatives are gender mainstreamed. 

Objective 7. Political, security and sectoral policy dialogues integrate a 
gender perspective 

Target 1: All EU Delegations are engaged in at least one high-level dialogue 
on gender equality and women’s empowerment with institutional actors per 
year per country 

In  progress  –  79  %  of  EU  Delegations  have  reported  having 
held  at  least  one  high-level  dialogue  on  gender  equality  and 
women’s  empowerment  with 
country’s 
government in 2023. 

the  partner 

Target 2: All EU Delegations are engaged in dialogue on gender equality and 
women’s empowerment with civil society at least once per country per year 
over 2021-2025 

In progress – 85 % of EU Delegations held a high-level dialogue 
on  gender  equality  and  women’s  empowerment  with  civil 
society, including women’s and girls’ organisations in 2023. 

Target 3: At least one dialogue per year with civil society on Women, Peace 
and Security (WPS) policy per (relevant) partner country 

Objective 8. All EU actions implemented at regional level are gender 
mainstreamed 

Target 1: a regional/multi-country gender profile conducted or updated in at 
least four regions by end 2022 

Target 2: At least three regions have identified priorities to implement GAP 
III by end 2022 

Objective 9. The EU takes on a coordinated leadership on gender equality 
and women’s empowerment in international meetings (UN, AU, NATO, 
ASEAN, OSCE, G7, G20, etc.) 

Target  achieved  –  70  %  of  EU  Delegations  consulted  and/or 
involved  civil  society  organisations  in  dialogues  on  WPS  in 
2023. 

Target not achieved – By 2023, three regions have conducted 
a  regional  gender  profile:  East  Asia  (has  one  for  ASEAN 
counties, the Pacific Islands have one gender profile and three 
sector  gender  profiles),  Eastern  Partnership,  and  Southern 
Neighbourhood. 

Target  achieved  –  Five  of  the  six  regions  have  established 
regional  /sub-regional  priorities:  Africa,  Asia  Pacific,  Latin 
American  and  Caribbean,  Eastern  Partnership,  and  the 
Southern Neighbourhood. 

187 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Objective and targets of the GAP III (Part I) 

Progress in 2023 

Target 1: At least two joint EU positions for key gender international/ 
regional events and negotiations per year 

Target 2: Statements and commitments made by EU officials on gender 
equality and women’s empowerment (GEWE) and Women, Peace and 
Security (WPS) 

Target 3: EU and its Member States’ bilateral and regional dialogues that 
include WPS-related priorities and commitments 

Target 4: EU bilateral and multilateral/regional agreements and/or joint 
activities and programmes on WPS, gender equality and women’s 
empowerment with partners inter alia UN, AU, NATO, CoE, OSCE, G7, G20 
and ASEAN 

Target 5: EU commitments/ engagements with the humanitarian initiative 
‘Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies’ 
and new Road Map 2021-2024 

Objective 10. Gender-responsive leadership enhanced  

Target 1: 50 % of women in senior and middle management positions in 
COM and EEAS services, EU Delegations, CSDP missions and operations  

Target  achieved  –  The  EEAS  reported  at  least  15  EU  joint 
positions.  They  include:  nine  for  the  67th  Session  of  the  UN 
Commission on the Status of Women  (CSW), and one  on the 
occasion  of  an  ECOSOC  meeting,  as  well  as  numerous 
statements on emerging issues and gender mainstreaming. 

Target  achieved  –  The  EEAS  reported  36  statements  and  8 
commitments  on  GEWE  and  WPS,  including  statements  and 
commitment in the UNSC, HRC, G7, G20,  and EU Parliament.  
93 % of EU Delegations reported that their Head of Delegation 
made  at  least  one  statement  or  commitment  on  GEWE  and 
WPS in 2023. 

Target  achieved  –  The  EEAS  reported  38  bilateral,  4 
multilateral  and  6  regional  dialogues  that  included  WPS-
related  priorities  and  commitments.  73  %  of  EU  Delegations 
were  engaged  in  bilateral  or  regional  dialogues  on  WPS-
related priorities and commitments. 

Target achieved – The EEAS reported 28 agreements, activities 
or  programmes,  including  13  with  the  UN  and  8  with  the 
Union for the Mediterranean. 

Target achieved – The EU participated to the relevant events 
and reported on its eight commitments. 

In progress – By the end of 2023, 47 % of senior managers in 
the Commission, 33 % in the EEAS HQ, 28 % in EU Delegations, 
and  28  %  in  civilian  CSDP  missions  were  women.  For  middle 
management, the figures were 47.9 % for Commission, 43 % in 
the EEAS HQ and 39 % in EU Delegations. In addition, 4 % of 
management  positions 
in  military  CSDP  missions  and 
operations were held by women. 

Target 2: The minimum of 33 % proportion of women mediators, 

Target  achieved  –  In  2023,  the  EEAS  pool  of  mediators  was 

188 

 
 
 
Objective and targets of the GAP III (Part I) 

Progress in 2023 

negotiators and technical experts present in formal as well as informal 
peace processes where the EU and its Member States are engaged, with 
specific mention of those in high-level and leadership positions  

Target 3: Gender balanced personnel in EU Election observation missions 

gender-balanced:  52  %  women  (12  out  of  23  positions  were 
filled by women).  

EU  Special  Representatives:  30  %  were  women  (three  out  of 
10);  Women  representatives  are  involved  in  negotiations  in 
the Sahel, Central Asia and the Horn of Africa. 

Target achieved – 50 % of the observers who were deployed 
in 2023 were women. 

Target 4: 50 % women appointed as Deputy Chief Observer within EU 
election observation missions 

Target  achieved  –  57  %  of  the  chief  of  mission  appointed  in 
2023 were women. 

Target 5: 100 % of management trained on gender equality and women’s 
empowerment (GEWE) and on GAP III 

In progress – 33 % of managers in HQs have been trained on 
GEWE and GAP III. 48 % of the EU Delegations have reported 
that their management has received training. 

Target 6: 100 % of men and women staff at all levels, a) EU HQ b) diplomatic 
staff, c) civilian staff and d) military staff, participating in CSDP missions and 
operations that are trained on WPS (WPS Ind. 4) 

In progress - In 2023, 100 % of civilian CSDP mission staff, 83 % 
of  staff  in  CSDP  military  missions  and  70  %  of  staff  in  CSDP 
military operations have been trained in WPS. 

Target 7: 100 % of staff trained on conduct and discipline that includes 
content related to SEA and harassment including SH, among a) EU HQ b) 
diplomatic staff, c) civilian staff and d) military staff participating in CSDP 
missions and operations (WPS Ind. 5)  

Objective 11. Gender Advisors, Focal Persons/Points support for the 
integration of a gender perspective in EU policies, interventions, and 
dialogues  

Target 1: All EU Delegations and headquarters external services have a 
gender focal person (GFP) 

In  progress  –  82  %  of  all  staff  (HQ,  EU  Delegations,  civilian 
CSDP missions, military CSDP missions and operations). 100 % 
of  civilian  CSDP  missions,  83  %  of  military  missions,  28  %  of 
military operations and 16  %  of HQ and EU delegations have 
received training on conduct and discipline, including content 
on SEA and harassment, including SH. 

In progress – 87 % of services have a GFP (75 % in HQ and 99 
% of EU Delegations). There are 389 GFPs in total (238 in HQ 
and 151 in EU Delegations). 

Target 2: Those gender focal persons have corresponding tasks in their job 
description 

In  progress  –  65  %  of  GPFs  have  the  tasks  in  their  job 
description (77 % in HQ and 46 % in EU Delegations). 

189 

 
 
 
 
7. Budget Support Annexes 

The following tables and charts present the financial and geographic distribution of the EU budget support portfolio at the end of 2023, of budget support 
payments made in 2023 and of main features of ongoing budget support contracts. These figures include OCTs, which are non-ODA eligible countries. 

Table 18: EU budget support portfolio at the end of 2023 per region 

Regions 

Asia 
Caribbean 
Central Africa 
East Africa 
Eastern neighbourhood 
Latin America 
Overseas countries and territories (OCTs) 
Pacific 
Southern Africa 
Southern neighbourhood 
West Africa 
Western Balkans 
All regions 

Number 
of 
countries 

Number 
of 
budget 
support 
contracts 

11 
7 
2 
6 
4 
6 
9 
9 
6 
4 
12 
6 
82 

26 
11 
3 
15 
17 
16 
11 
14 
11 
41 
19 
18 
202 

Type of budget support 
contracts (number) 

SDG-C 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
0 
4 
0 
4 

SRBC 
0 
2 
0 
2 
6 
0 
0 
3 
2 
3 
10 
7 
35 

SRPC 
26 
9 
3 
13 
11 
16 
11 
11 
9 
38 
5 
11 
163 

Budget support total open 
commitments at the end of 2023 
(in million EUR) 

Total ongoing 

of which new 
commitments 
in 2023 

Share of 
budget 
support 
portfolio at 
the end of 
2023 

Total 
disbursed in 
2023 (in 
million EUR) 

1 791.0 
257.7 
182.6 
1 034.5 
1 681.3 
509.6 
271.1 
218.3 
271.5 
2 946.2 
1 108.0 
861.8 
11 133.5 

72.0 
0 
0 
20.0 
315.0 
41.0 
112.5 
12.8 
60.0 
432.0 
214.0 
0 
1 279.3 

16.1 % 
2.3 % 
1.6 % 
9.3 % 
15.1 % 
4.6 % 
2.4 % 
2.0 % 
2.4 % 
26.5 % 
10.0 % 
7.7 % 
100 % 

189.4 
2.9 
14.2 
79.7 
401.0 
53.6 
43.5 
14.8 
19.0 
224.7 
88.3 
355.0 
1 486.1 

Sustainable Development Goals Contracts (SDG-C) comprise EUR 201.7 million (1.8 %), State and Resilience Building Contracts (SRBC) EUR 3 074.6 million 
(27.6 %) and Sector Reform Performance Contracts (SPRC) EUR 7 857.3 million (70.6 %), respectively. 

* This list includes countries, where budget support operations were on hold in 2023 due to political reasons and/or failure to meet eligibility criteria. 

190 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Table 19: Countries and OCTs with EU budget support contracts  

         Figure 6. Distribution of the EU budget support portfolio by region in 2023 

Eastern Neighbourhood (4) 
• 
Armenia 
• 
Georgia 
•  Moldova 
• 
Ukraine 

Countries and OCTs with EU budget support contracts* (82) 
Asia (11) 
• 
Bangladesh 
• 
Bhutan 
• 
Cambodia 
• 
Kyrgyzstan 
• 
Laos 
•  Mongolia 
•  Myanmar 
• 
Nepal 
• 
Tajikistan 
• 
Uzbekistan 
• 
Viet Nam 
Caribbean (7) 
• 
Barbados 
• 
Dominica 
• 
Dominican Republic 
• 
Haiti 
• 
Jamaica 
• 
Saint Kitts and Nevis 
• 
Saint Lucia 
Central Africa (2) 
• 
• 

Latin America (6) 
• 
Bolivia 
• 
Colombia 
• 
El Salvador 
• 
Guyana 
• 
Honduras 
• 
Paraguay 

Cameroon 
Sao Tome and Principe 

OCT (9) 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Aruba 
Bonaire 
French Polynesia 
Greenland 
New Caledonia 
Saba 
Sint Eustatius 
St Barthélemy 
St. Pierre et Miquelon 

East Africa (6) 
• 
Ethiopia 
• 
Kenya 
• 
Rwanda 
• 
Somalia 
• 
Tanzania 
• 
Uganda 

Pacific (9) 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 
• 

Fiji 
Kiribati 
Papua New Guinea 
Samoa 
Solomon Islands 
Timor-Leste 
Tonga 
Tuvalu 
Vanuatu 

Southern Africa (6) 
• 
Angola 
• 
Botswana 
•  Madagascar 
• 
Namibia 
• 
South Africa 
• 
Zambia 

Distribution of the EU budget support portfolio by region 
in 2023

Western 
Balkans
8%

Asia
16%

Caribbean
2%

West Africa
10%

Southern 
Neighbourhoo
d
28%

Central Africa
2%

Eastern Africa
9%

Eastern 
Neighbourhoo
d
15%

Southern 
Africa
2%

Pacific
2%

OCTs
2%

Latin America
4%

Egypt 
Jordan 

Southern Neighbourhood (4) 
• 
• 
•  Morocco 
• 

Tunisia 

West Africa (12) 
• 
Benin 
• 
Cabo Verde 
• 
Chad 
• 
Côte d’Ivoire 
• 
The Gambia 
• 
Guinea 
•  Mali 
•  Mauritania 
• 
Niger 
• 
Senegal 
• 
Sierra Leone 
• 
Togo 
Western Balkans (6) 
• 
Albania 
• 
Bosnia and Herzegovina 
• 
Kosovo 
•  Montenegro 
• 
• 

North Macedonia 
Serbia 

* This list includes countries, where budget support operations were on hold in 2023 due to political reasons and/or failure to meet eligibility criteria. 

191 

 
 
 
 
 
Figure 7. Average size of budget support portfolio per country in each region in EUR 

Average size of budget support portfolio per country in each region in EUR

 900.000.000
 800.000.000
 700.000.000
 600.000.000
 500.000.000
 400.000.000
 300.000.000
 200.000.000
 100.000.000
 -

Figure 8. Average size of individual budget support operation in each region in EUR 

Average size of individual budget support operation in each region in EUR

 120.000.000

 100.000.000

 80.000.000

 60.000.000

 40.000.000

 20.000.000

 -

Interpretation: the first chart above (Figure 7) depicts – region by region – the average budget 
support portfolio per country (consisting of one or more operations). The average over all regions is 
EUR 138 million. The second chart (Figure 8) provides the average size of an individual budget 
support operation – region by region. The overall average is EUR 55 million. 

192 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 9. Budget support disbursements from 2020 to 2023 (in million EUR)   

Budget support disbursements from 2020 to 2023 (in million EUR)

2020

2021

2022

2023

 900
 800
 700
 600
 500
 400
 300
 200
 100
 -

In Figure 9, high numbers in 2020 stem from the significant role of budget support during the COVID-
19 pandemic. 

Figure 10. Share of fixed and variable tranches in 2023 budget support payments 

Share of fixed and variable tranches in 2023 budget support payments

Fixed tranche

Variable tranche

100%

90%

80%

70%

60%

50%

40%

30%

20%

10%

0%

193 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Figure 10 provides the share of fixed and variable tranches in actual payments, respectively 25.5 % 
and 74.5 % on average. These shares vary widely between regions. Non-neighbourhood regions had 
an average variable share of 52.7 % and Neighbourhood regions of 12.7 %. As variable tranches are 
not necessarily paid in full, their share by design in the  original disbursement profile of operations 
was  relatively  higher.  They  accounted  on  average  for  31.1  %  of  the  disbursement  profile  in  the 
financing agreements (non-Neighbourhood 57.8 %; Neighbourhood 16.3 %).  

194 

 
 
 
 
 
Figures 11 & 12. Main SDG for all new budget support operations approved under the current multiannual financial framework (for the years 
2021, 2022 and 2023) 

All budget support operations can contribute up to 10 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with one SDG being selected as ‘principal’ target. 
Figure 11 and 12 depict the principal SDG focus of operations only and therefore not their full coverage of SDGs as such.

SDG…

SDG1

SDG16

SDG15

SDG13

SDG11

SDG10

SDG9

SDG8

SDG7

SDG2

SDG4

SDG5

SDG6

195 

SDG1  No poverty10,20%SDG2  Zero Hunger9,18%SDG3  Good health and well beingSDG4  Quality education15,31%SDG5  Gender equality, women and girl empowerment1,02%SDG6  Clean water and sanitation4,08%SDG7  Affordable and clean energy11,22%SDG8  Economic growth, employment and decent work6,12%SDG9  Infrastructure, industralisation and innovation2,04%SDG10  Reduced inequalities4,08%SDG11  Sustainable cities and communities2,04%SDG12  Responsible consumption and productionSDG13  Climate action8,18%SDG14  Life below waterSDG15  Life on land3,06%SDG16  Peaceful and inclusive societies, justice, strong institutions22,45%SDG17  Global Partnership1,02% 
 
 
 
 
 
8. Financial Annexes 
8.1. 
8.1.1.  Introduction to financial tables 

EU external assistance in 2023 

General concepts and standards 
The  tables  and  graphs  in  these  financial  annexes  present  the  main  data  on  the  EU’s  International 
Partnerships (including development assistance) in 2023 by country, region, sector and instrument. 
These activities are mainly funded by Heading VI  –  ‘Neighbourhood and the World’ of the general 
budget of the European Union.  

The legal and financial basis of the EU’s International Partnerships under the 2021-2027 Multiannual 
Financial Framework (MFF) is composed of several instruments. The main one is the Neighbourhood, 
Development  and  International  Cooperation  Instrument  –  Global  Europe  (NDICI-Global  Europe). 
NDICI-Global  Europe  includes  geographical  and  thematic  components  previously  covered  by  the 
European  Development  Fund  (EDF),  the  Development  Cooperation  Instrument  (DCI)  and  the 
European  Neighbourhood  Instrument  (ENI).  NDICI-Global  Europe  is entirely  funded  by  the  general 
budget  of  the  EU.  Other  instruments  include  Humanitarian  Aid  and  the  third  Instrument  of  Pre- 
Accession  (IPA  III).  While  new  commitments  in  2023  are  only  made  on  new  MFF  instruments(135), 
payments are made on both the new MFF and the previous MFF instruments, as well as the EDF. 

Whenever references are made in the following tables to the 'EU budget', this refers to the part of 
the EU general budget managed by the European Commission, including the co-financing provided 
by other partners (e.g. Member States, third countries, and international organisations). It does not 
cover EU Member States' national budgets for development assistance. 

The  methodology  of  the  financial  annexes  of  the  Annual  Report  is  compliant  with  international 
standards as defined by OECD's Development Assistance Committee (DAC) and in particular:  

•  The financial tables are done at the two levels of project implementation used by OECD DAC: 
Commitments  and  Payments.  Commitments  are  the  legal  and  budgetary  reservation  of 
funds for a project to come, as defined by the project description document. Commitments 
best reflect the provider’s intentions as they are usually implemented within the five years 
following the year they are  reported. Payments are the sums disbursed to beneficiaries of 
contracts  within  agreed  projects.  They  best  reflect  what  has  actually  been  implemented 
during the reported year.  

•  Since last year, de-commitments (representing partial or total withdrawal of reserved funds 
for  a  given  project,  due  to  a  change  of  focus,  a  reduction  or  a  cancellation  of  the  project 
where  the  funds  can  be  re-committed  later on  to  another  project)  are taken  into  account 
and reported as negative commitment in the financial annexes. It eliminates the risk of over-
reporting commitments and allows for a better overall picture of the implementation of the 
budget.  As  a  result,  there  may  be  discrepancies  with  other  reports  produced  by  other 
European Commission services. 

•  The  concept  of  Official  Development  Assistance  (ODA)  used  throughout  the  tables  and 
figures is defined by the OECD DAC. Not all EU external assistance can be reported as ODA. 

135 An exceptional, once-off series of EDF commitments for a total of EUR 490 million was made in 2022 and funded by 
previously de-committed EDF funds, but the amount committed under EDF in 2023 is only EUR 0.003 million.  

196 

 
 
 
 
 
Whether a project is classified as ODA depends on the eligibility of the recipient country and 
the purpose and contents of the project.  

•  The  definition  of  ‘region’  reflects  the  country  groupings  used  by  OECD  DAC.  It  does  not 
always  coincide  with  the  country  groupings  used  in  the  Commission  instruments.  The 
granularity level of some of the tables allow for a breakdown by country and instrument for 
analytical purposes. 
It is worth noting that the level of granularity of commitments is usually lower than the level 
of granularity of payments.  

• 

•  The taxonomy of countries and territories of the financial annexes of the  Annual Report is 
compliant  with  the  European  Commission’s  Interinstitutional  Style  Guide  as  well  as  the 
latest  guidelines  elaborated  by  the  European  Commission’s  Secretariat  General  on  the 
subject. In particular: 

o 

o 

‘Kosovo*’  in the  tables refers to the following note:  (*) This designation is without 
prejudice  to  positions  on  status  and  is  in  line  with  UNSCR  1244/1999  and  the  ICJ 
Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence.  
‘Palestine**’ in the tables refers to the following note: (**) This designation shall not 
be  construed  as  recognition  of  a  State  of  Palestine  and  is  without  prejudice  to  the 
individual positions of the Member States on this issue. 

•  The grouping of ODA-eligible countries in four groups (Least Developed Countries or LDCs; 
Other  Low  Income  Countries  or  OLICs;  Lower  Middle  Income  Countries  or  LMICs;  Upper 
Middle  Income  Countries  or  UMICs)  is  a  dimension  widely  used  by  OECD  DAC  and  other 
international  organisations.  It  is  based  on  Gross  National  Income  (GNI)  per  capita 
calculations and on human development indexes.  

•  The activity sectors used in the tables are those used by OECD DAC for sectoral ventilation 

(DAC purpose codes).  

There  are  a  number  of  methodological  differences  between  the  presentation  of  the  data  in  this 
Annual Report and the OECD DAC statistics, which makes it difficult to compare the two data sets. To 
give a few examples, on the one hand, co-financing (contributions by EU Member States directly to 
specific projects) are included in the Annual Report as they are part of the EU’s operational portfolio, 
but not reported to OECD DAC in order to avoid double counting. On the other hand, transactions 
not  funded  by  the  Heading  VI  such  as  concessional  loans  by  the  European  Investment  Bank  and 
Macro  Financial  Assistance  loans  to  the  European  Neighbourhood  (managed  by  the  Directorate 
General of Economic and Financial Affairs) are reported to the OECD DAC but aren’t included in this 
report.  In  2023,  considering  the  volume  of  Macro  Financial  Assistance  loans  to  the  European 
Neighbourhood,  and  in  particular  to  Ukraine,  they  are  included  (for  information  only)  in  a  specific 
box that is part of Table 1. 

Structure and common elements  
The transition to the new MFF in 2021 introduced new instruments and substantially modified the 
financial  structure  of  the  EU  External  Action.  To  reflect  this  as  well  as  the  evolution  of  reporting 
needs, the financial annexes were substantially modified and simplified at the time, while preserving 
the continuity of the series. This new layout has been used in 2023 as well.  

Financial annexes of the 2023 Annual Report are structured in four sections as follows:  

197 

 
 
 
 
•  Tables 1 to 18 are the core of the financial reporting. These tables remain mostly unchanged 
year after year and ensure the continuity of the statistical series. They present commitments 
and payments funded by the Heading VI. 

•  Tables 19 to 22 are specific to the new MFF 2021-2027 and address specific needs and legal 

requirements. 

•  Tables TF1 to TF6 present data on the implementation of the European Union Trust Funds.  
•  Tables 3 Bis to 7 Bis are part of this report since 2023. They copy tables 3 to 7 in a way that 
has  been  specially  adapted  to  be  machine-readable  for  the  visually  impaired.  Their 
presentation doesn’t follow the standard layout of the Annual Report financial tables.  

At the top right of each table, a small information box specifies whether the figures in the table are 
Commitments  or  Disbursements;  whether  only  Official  Development  Assistance  (ODA)  figures  or 
non-ODA  figures  are  included  (Yes  or  No,  depending);  which  of  the  EDF,  the  INTPA  (Directorate-
General  for  International  Partnerships)  budget  lines,  and  the  non-INTPA  budget  lines  (including 
Directorate-General  for  Neighbourhood  and  Enlargement  Negotiations)  are  included  (Yes  or  No, 
depending). 

To improve readability, all numbers in the tables are presented as rounded up to the nearest  EUR 
million.  Negative  numbers  (e.g.  in  the  case of  decommitments)  are  reported in  red  color with the 
minus sign in front. When a table shows the number ‘0’, it means that the exact figure is between 
EUR 0 and EUR 0.5 million. When a table shows a blank, it means that the exact figure is zero. When 
a table shows the number ‘- 0’, it means that the exact figure is between EUR – 0.5 million and EUR 
0. 

A list of abbreviations is also provided in this annex. 

8.1.2.   Financial tables 

Note: All amounts are displayed in EUR millions and in current prices. 

The Annual Report main financial annex consists of the following tables: 

1 – Percentage of EU Budget committed and disbursed on External Action in 2023 

This table shows the relative importance of external assistance in the overall expenditure of the EU 
budget.  

Since  2023,  it  includes  an  additional  information  box  on  the  Macro  Financial  Assistance  loans  to 
neighbourhood  countries.  MFA  loans  as  such  (except  for  their  provisioning),  are  not  funded  by 
Heading VI of the EU budget so they are not part of this Annual Report in principle, but constitute 
ODA and are therefore reported to the OECD DAC in ‘grant equivalent’, the standard DAC reporting 
method for sovereign sector loans. They are included here for information.  

It should be noted that the amount of the EU Budget committed and disbursed on External Action in 
2023 includes an amount of EUR 100.1 million of interest costs subsidised by the EU budget on loans 
extended to Ukraine in 2022. 

2 – Proportion of External Action used for Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2023 

198 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This table provides a breakdown between ODA and non ODA by Directorate-General.  

3A – General EU budget for External Action in 2023by DG and instrument – Commitments 

3B – General EU budget for External Action in 2023 by DG and instrument – Disbursements 

These  tables  provide  detailed  breakdowns  of  the  commitments  and  payments  funded  by  the  EU 
Budget  by  managing  DG,  instrument  and  source  of  funding  (regular  own  resources  contributions 
from Member States or co-financing) 

It should be noted that an amount of EUR 488 million were committed and EUR 368 million paid in 
2023  under  NDICI-Global  Europe  resulting  from  reflows  generated  by  the  ACP  Investment  Facility 
under the 9th, 10th, and 11th European Development Funds(136). As these reflows are recognised in 
the budget as external assigned revenue, they are reported under the cofinancing section of these 
tables. 

4 – European Development Fund (EDF) in 2023 – Disbursements 

This  table  presents  a  breakdown  of  the  payments  funded  by the  European Development  Fund  for 
2023.  New  commitments  targeting  the  geographical  area  of  former  EDFs  are  now  made  under 
NDICI-Global Europe and are part of the EU budget shown on table 3A above. 

5A – Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 - Commitments 

5B – Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Disbursements 

6A – Country breakdown of European Commission development assistance in 2023 – Commitments 

6B – Country breakdown of European Commission development assistance in 2023 – Disbursements 

7 – Distribution of ODA by OECD Sector and Country Grouping in 2023 

8A – ODA Recipient Country by main OECD sector in 2023 – Commitments 

8B – ODA Recipient Country by main OECD sector in 2023 – Disbursements 

This table combines a ventilation of ODA by sector and by country and includes a calculation of ODA 
per capita.  

9A – INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Commitments 

9B – INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Disbursements 

10A – Budget Non-INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Commitments 

10B – Budget Non-INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Disbursements 

11A – Sectoral breakdown per instrument in 2023 – Commitments 

11B – Sectoral breakdown per instrument in 2023 – Disbursements 

12A – Breakdown by country and instrument for 2023 – Commitments 

12B – Breakdown by country and instrument for 2023 – Disbursements 

136 Council Decision (EU) 2020/2233 of 23 December 2020 concerning the commitment of the funds stemming from 
reflows under the ACP Investment from operations under the 9th, 10th and 11th European Development Funds. 

199 

 
 
 
 
 
These  tables  provide  a  complete  detailed  breakdown  of EU external  assistance.  They  include  ODA 
eligible countries as well as ineligible countries and territories, non-allocated flows, core funding to 
multilaterals and administrative costs to give a complete picture. 

13A – Breakdown by co-operation modality and by instrument 2023 – Commitments 

13B – Breakdown by co-operation modality and by instrument 2023 – Disbursements 

Tables  14  to  17  show  an  evolution  over  the  last  five  years  of  some  key  variables:  sources  of  the 
external assistance by Directorate General, sectoral breakdown, breakdown by region, income group 
and aid modality.  

14A – Sources of External Action in 2019 – 2023 and breakdown ODA / non ODA – Commitments 

14B – Sources of External Action in 2019 - 2023 and breakdown ODA / non ODA – Disbursements 

15 – Sectoral breakdown of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2019 – 2023 

16A  –  Regional  distribution  of  Official  Development  Assistance  (ODA)  to  developing  countries  for 
2019 – 2023 

16B  –  Regional  distribution  of  Official  Development  Assistance  (ODA)  to  developing  countries  for 
2019 – 2023 

17 – Breakdown by co-operation modality for 2019 – 2023 

18 – ODA by instrument for 2021 – 2027 

This table (newly introduced in 2021) provides a history of the new MFF broken down by instrument. 

19 – Breakdown by Management Type - Disbursements in 2023 

This table addresses requests by the Council of the European Union(137) and shows 2023 payments by 
type  of  implementation  partners  in  both  direct  and  indirect  management,  as  referenced  in  the 
Financial Regulation(138).  

Detailed  lists  of  contracts  signed  with  international  organisations  or  development  agencies  in 
indirect  management  are  available  in  the  Annual  Activity  Reports  (annex  6)  of  the  Directorate 
General  for  International  Partnerships  (INTPA),  the  Directorate  General  for  Neighbourhood  and 
Enlargement  Negotiations  (NEAR),  and  the  Directorate  General  for  European  Civil  Protection  and 
Humanitarian 
link: 
https://ec.europa.eu/info/publications/annual-activity-reports_en 

respectively, 

Operations 

following 

(ECHO) 

the 

Aid 

at 

20 – Disbursements - Breakdown by forms of Union Funding as defined in Articles 41 and 27 NDICI- 
Global Europe 

This  table  provides  a  breakdown  of  2023  payments  by  ‘forms  of  union  funding’  using  the  new 
taxonomy defined in Article 27 of the NDICI-Global Europe basic act, as requested by Article 41 of 
the NDICI-Global Europe basic act(139), for both direct and indirect management modes.  

137  WK 1423/2020 REV 2. 
138 Financial Regulation Article 62 para 1 point c). 

200 

 
 
 
 
 
 
For the sake of clarity, certain forms of EU funding that are not explicitly included in Article 27 NDICI-
Global  Europe  are  shown  on  distinct  lines:  this  is  in  particular  the  case  of  Contribution  and 
Delegation Agreements as well as Programme Estimates.  

‘Blending’ is defined in the context of this table as payments on contracts funded by the European 
Commission 
leading  to  the  mobilisation  of  additional  public  or  private  finance  for  the 
implementation of projects. Mobilised funds per se are not included.  

21 – Disbursements related to the previous MFF 

This table (added in 2021) provides a detailed breakdown of completion lines (disbursements funded 
by the previous MFF) by instrument, excluding the EDF covered by table 4 above.  

22A – Amount of contributing programmes per SDG for 2023 – Commitments 

22B – Amount of contributing programmes per SDG for 2023 – Disbursements 

These tables (added in 2021) present the contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 
in 2023 for Commitments and Disbursements. Each transaction contributes to one  ‘main’ SDG and 
up to nine  ‘significant’  SDGs, for a maximum total of 10. As there can be only one  ‘main’  SDG per 
transaction,  there  is  no  double  counting  of  ‘main’  SDGs  and  the  total  matches  the  total  of 
transactions. The ‘significant’ SDGs reflects the transversal nature of SDGs.  

Table TF1 to TF6 provide information on the implementation of EU Trust Funds. EU Trust Funds are 
funding  tools  that  pool  together  resources  from  different  donors  (including  the  European 
Commission)  in  order  to  enable  a  quick,  flexible,  and  collective  EU  response  to  the  different 
dimensions  of  a situation requiring  urgent  response.  They  are  specific  instruments  with their own 
accounts and financial management. 

As of 2023, four EU Trust Funds are active: TF Africa (fostering stability and assisting a broad group 
of  countries  across  the  African  continent),  TF  Bêkou  (addressing  the  crisis  in  Central  Africa),  TF 
Madad (addressing the consequences of the Syrian crisis) and TF Colombia (in support of Colombia's 
post-conflict peace building efforts).  

The tables TF 1 to TF 6 are shown to provide some information on the financial implementation of 
the EU Trust Funds in a way that is consistent with international DAC standards.  

Annex TF 1 shows the incoming contributions to the Trust Funds, both during previous years and for 
2023. 

Annexes TF 2 to TF 6 provide the breakdown of the expenditure realised by the active Trust Funds.  

TF 1 Overview of incoming contributions (disbursements from contributors) 

TF 2A Overview of committed and disbursed amounts 

TF 2B Proportion of Trust Funds assistance used for Official Development Aid (ODA) in 2023 

TF 3A Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Africa 

139 REGULATION (EU) 2021/947 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND OF THE COUNCIL of 9 June 2021 establishing the 
Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe 

201 

 
 
 
 
 
 
TF 3B Regional breakdown of Trust Fund Africa 

TF 4 Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Bêkou 

TF 5 Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Colombia 

TF 6 Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Madad 

Tables  3A  Bis  to  7  Bis  duplicate  tables  3A  to  7  in  a  way  that  has  been  specially  adapted  to  be 
machine-readable for the visually impaired, in compliance with EC publication requirements.  

3A - BIS General EU budget for External Action in 2023 by DG and instrument– Commitments 

3B - BIS General EU budget for External Action in 2023 by DG and instrument– Disbursements 

4 - BIS European Development Fund (EDF) in 2023 – Disbursements 

5A - BIS Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Commitments 

5B - BIS Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Disbursements 

7 - BIS Distribution of ODA by OECD Sector and Country Grouping in 2023 

202 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 1: Percentage of EU Budget committed and disbursed on External Action in 2023 

EU Budget Committed and Disbursed on External Action 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

EU Budget Execution without External Action 
External Action (Budget + EDF) 
EU Budget + EDF 

307 949 
19 280 
327 229 

218 333 
17 912 
236 245 

Memo item for Macro Financial Assistance (MFA) Loans. 

2023 EC MFA Loans 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Grant Equivalent 

Ukraine 
Jordan 
Moldova 
Grand Total 

Graphs Table 1 

18 000 
200 
90 
18 290 

18 000 
200 
90 
18 290 

6 980 
52 
23 
7 077 

Commitments

6%

EU Budget Execution
without External Action

External Action (Budget
+ EDF)

94%

Disbursements

8%

92%

EU Budget Execution
without External Action

External Action (Budget +
EDF)

203 

 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
Table 2: Proportion of External Action used for Official Development Assistance (ODA) in 2023 

Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Commitments    

DG INTPA Budget 
DG NEAR Budget 
Other DGs Budget 
EDF 
Total 

Disbursements 

DG INTPA Budget 
DG NEAR Budget 
Other DGs Budget 
EDF 
Total 

EU Budget 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

Total 

8 147  
5 692  
4 696  
0  
18 535  

EU Budget 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

5 493  
4 841  
4 814  
2 045  
17 193  

111  
176  
458  
 - 
745  

75  
45  
542  
58  
719  

Total 

8 259  
5 867  
5 155  
0  
19 280  

5 567  
4 886  
5 356  
2 103  
17 912  

204 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 2 

DG INTPA Budget

DG NEAR Budget

Other DGs Budget

EDF

Commitments

0

2.000

4.000

6.000

8.000 10.000

Disbursements

0

1.000 2.000 3.000 4.000 5.000 6.000

DG INTPA Budget

DG NEAR Budget

Other DGs Budget

EDF

Total Disbursements

4%

ODA

Non-ODA

ODA

Non-ODA

Total Commitments

4%

96%

96%

ODA

Non-ODA

ODA

Non-ODA

205 

 
 
     
   
 
 
   
   
Table 3A: General EU budget for External Action in 2023 by DG and instrument – Commitments(140)  

Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

ODA 

Regular 
Contribution 

Non-ODA 

INTPA 
NEAR 
FPI 
ECFIN 
REGIO 
Other DGs 
CLIMA 
ENV 
Commission's administration 
ECHO 
AGRI 

ODA Total 

All 
Commission's administration 
Non-ODA Total 

Cofinancing 

Regular Contribution Total 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

INTPA 
NEAR 
Other DGs 
Commission's administration 
ECHO 

ODA Total 

All 
Commission's administration 
Non-ODA Total 

Cofinancing Total 
Total 

1. NDICI 
Geo 
5 320  
3 108  
0  
195  
49  
200  

8 872  
416  

416  
9 288  
498  

15  

514  
9  

9  
523  
9 811  

2. NDICI 
Thema 

3. NDICI 
Other 

4. HUMA 

5. IPA III 

6. CFSP 

7. INSC 

8. OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

2 067  
83  
165  

1  
12  
14  

2 343  
10  

10  
2 353  

2 353  

241  
273  

318  

832  
45  
12  
57  
890  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
890  

333  

2 252  

1  
35  
37  

59  

0  

93  
2 477  
66  
2  
67  
2 544  

3  
4  

8  
1  
0  
1  
9  
2 553  

334  
49  
0  
49  
383  

0  

0  

0  
0  
1  
384  

10  
2 416  

2 426  
1  
0  
1  
2 427  

1  
5  
6  

0  
0  
6  
2 433  

41  

3  

1  

45  

45  

0  

0  

0  

24  
3  
0  
45  
0  
15  
1  
4  

2  

94  
65  

65  
159  
3  
1  

5  

69  
1  
70  
70  

556  

556  

556  

21  

21  

45  

70  

21  
578  

5  
164  

0  

140 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.338 

7 451  
5 688  
772  
242  
84  
256  
13  
18  
945  
2 418  
93  
17 980  
719  
15  
734  
18 714  
502  
1  
18  
28  
5  
555  
11  
0  
11  
566  
19 280  

206 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Table 3B: General EU budget for External Action in 2023 by DG and instrument – Disbursements(141) 

Disbursements 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. CFSP 

7. INSC 

8. OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

ODA 

Regular Contribution 

INTPA 
NEAR 
ECHO 
ECFIN 
REGIO 
Other DGs 
FPI 
CLIMA 
ENV 
Commission's administration 
AGRI 

ODA Total 

Non-
ODA 

All 
Commission's administration 

Non-ODA Total 

Regular Contribution Total 

ODA 

INTPA 
NEAR 
ECHO 
Other DGs 
FPI 
Commission's administration 

ODA Total 

Non-
ODA 

All 
Commission's administration 

Non-ODA Total 

Cofinancing Total 
Total 

Cofinancing 

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
1 101  
36  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

308  

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
2 323  
1 270  
3  
133  
52  
193  

2 474  

998  
3  
1  
18  
39  

159  

331  

314  

11  

59  

1  

781  
45  
13  
58  
839  

2 486  
4  
0  
4  
2 489  

1 118  
65  
3  
68  
1 186  

8  

1  
9  

0  
0  
9  
2 499  

2  

4  
6  
2  
0  
2  
8  
1 194  

1  
1  

0  
0  
1  
840  

332  
77  
0  
77  
409  

0  
0  

0  
0  
1  
409  

1  
97  
9  
12  

3 974  
204  

1 256  
19  

204  
4 178  
368  

14  

382  
7  

7  
389  
4 568  

19  
1 275  

1 275  

141 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.340 

15  

3  

2  

20  

0  
0  
20  

46  
1  
47  
47  

20  

47  

1 467  
2 106  
3  

58  
77  
160  
2  
1  

120  
3 994  
120  

120  
4 114  
6  
115  

4  
0  

125  
1  

1  
126  
4 241  

556  

556  

556  

21  
21  

21  
578  

2 024  

28  
5  
2  
33  

14  

1  
4  

85  
54  

2 024  
57  

54  
139  

57  
2 082  
21  

21  
0  

0  
21  
2 103  

139  

6 958  
4 723  
2 485  
167  
127  
326  
748  
12  
17  
943  
120  
16 627  
691  
17  
708  
17 335  
395  
115  
8  
20  
0  
27  
566  
11  
0  
11  
577  
17 912  

207 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Table 4: European Development Fund (EDF) in 2023(142)  

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

No 

No 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

Yes 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

Total 

Regular Contribution 

A Envelope 

Regional allocations 

Intra-ACP allocations 

Implementation costs 

B Envelope 

Cotonou 

Regular Contribution Total 

Cofinancing 

A Envelope 

Regional allocations 

Intra-ACP allocations 

Implementation costs 

Cotonou Total 

Cofinancing Total 

Total EDF 

1 117 

525 

304 

50 

28 

2 024 

15 

2 

4 

21 

2 045 

2 045 

6 

20 

30 

0 

1 

57 

0 

0 

58 

58 

142 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.342 

1 123 

546 

335 

51 

28 

2 082 

15 

2 

0 

4 

21 

2 103 

2 103 

208 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 5A: Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Commitments(143) 

DG INTPA Budget 

DG NEAR Budget 

Other DGs Budget 

EDF 

Total 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 
Heating, cooling and energy distribution 

4 769  
1 058  
217  
496  
85  
260  
1 728  
166  
1 562  
1 246  
727  
517  
2  
354  
354  
104  
104  
280  
280  
687  
19  
19  
185  
185  
133  
133  
348  
138  
126  
43  

2 528  
266  
54  
92  
11  
108  
1 294  
40  
1 254  
297  
189  
66  
42  
426  
426  
54  
54  
191  
191  
862  
5  
5  
156  
156  
94  
94  
275  
39  
236  

998  
247  
0  
51  
196  
1  
744  
663  
81  

7  
7  

9  
1  
1  
0  
0  
2  
2  
6  

3  

143 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.343 

0  
0  

0  

8 295  
1 571  
271  
640  
292  
369  
3 766  
869  
2 897  
1 542  
916  
582  
44  
787  
787  
158  
158  
471  
471  
1 558  
26  
26  
341  
341  
229  
229  
629  
176  
366  
43  

209 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
DG INTPA Budget 

DG NEAR Budget 

Other DGs Budget 

EDF 

Total 

Nuclear energy plants 
Energy generation, non-renewable sources 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Total 

41  

2  
2  
1 254  
762  
568  
56  
139  
306  
2  
297  
7  
186  
18  
168  
1 043  
378  
378  
665  
665  
101  
13  
13  
88  
88  
17  
13  
13  
0  
0  
4  
4  
276  
196  
196  
80  
80  
8 147  

331  
331  
356  
53  
51  
3  

293  

293  

10  
2  
8  
374  
40  
40  
334  
334  
1 217  

1 217  
1 217  
306  

191  
191  
115  
115  
49  
3  
3  
46  
46  
5 692  

3  

2  

2  

2  
218  
30  
30  
188  
188  
242  

242  
242  
2 424  
0  
0  
2 424  
2 424  

802  
789  
789  
13  
13  
4 696  

41  
3  
333  
333  
1 612  
816  
618  
58  
139  
598  
2  
590  
7  
198  
20  
178  
1 636  
448  
448  
1 187  
1 187  
1 560  
13  
13  
1 547  
1 547  
2 747  
13  
13  
2 615  
2 615  
119  
119  
1 127  
988  
988  
139  
139  
18 535  

210 

0  

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
Commitments

Graphs Table 5A 

9.000

8.000

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

EDF

Other DGs Budget

DG NEAR Budget

DG INTPA Budget

211 

 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 5B: Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Disbursements(144) 

DG INTPA Budget 

DG NEAR Budget 

Other DGs Budget 

EDF 

 Total 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 
Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 

2 906  
716  
98  
451  
14  
154  
1 109  
133  
975  
736  
713  
17  
6  
222  
222  
19  
19  
103  
103  
920  
315  
315  
38  
38  
105  
105  
446  
0  
311  
58  

2 133  
252  
46  
121  
34  
51  
839  
71  
768  
162  
99  
60  
3  
672  
672  
1  
1  
206  
206  
609  
58  
58  
96  
96  
61  
61  
130  
4  
31  
58  

1 085  
311  
1  
67  
238  
5  
684  
564  
120  
74  
73  
1  
0  
14  
14  

2  
2  
25  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
6  
13  

0  
12  

520  
65  
6  
26  
9  
25  
265  
94  
170  
68  
53  
16  

31  
31  
8  
8  
84  
84  
531  
15  
15  
54  
54  
13  
13  
165  
1  
84  
18  

144 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.345 

6 644  
1 345  
150  
665  
295  
234  
2 897  
863  
2 033  
1 041  
937  
94  
9  
939  
939  
28  
28  
395  
395  
2 085  
388  
388  
188  
188  
185  
185  
753  
6  
427  
147  

212 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
 
DG INTPA Budget 

DG NEAR Budget 

Other DGs Budget 

EDF 

 Total 

Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

 Total 

42  
34  
16  
16  
507  
383  
335  
16  
32  
82  
0  
77  
5  
42  
2  
40  
748  
354  
354  
394  
394  
125  
30  
30  
95  
95  
37  
7  
7  
27  
27  
4  
4  
251  
186  
186  
64  
64  
5 493  

36  

265  
265  
309  
96  
82  
4  
10  
174  

170  
4  
39  
8  
31  
428  
106  
106  
322  
322  
777  
0  
0  
777  
777  
424  
3  
3  
400  
400  
22  
22  
161  
5  
5  
156  
156  
4 841  

0  
7  
7  
21  
1  
1  

18  

16  
2  
3  

3  
277  
41  
41  
236  
236  
167  
0  
0  
167  
167  
2 422  
67  
67  
2 349  
2 349  
6  
6  
816  
799  
799  
17  
17  
4 814  

61  

284  
284  
475  
360  
315  
31  
14  
75  

70  
5  
40  
1  
39  
423  
78  
78  
344  
344  
32  
6  
6  
26  
26  
15  
4  
4  
4  
4  
6  
6  
49  
40  
40  
9  
9  
2 045  

139  
35  
572  
572  
1 312  
840  
733  
51  
56  
348  
0  
332  
16  
124  
11  
113  
1 875  
579  
579  
1 296  
1 296  
1 101  
36  
36  
1 065  
1 065  
2 899  
81  
81  
2 780  
2 780  
38  
38  
1 276  
1 030  
1 030  
246  
246  
17 193  

213 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
Disbursements

Graphs Table 5B 

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

EDF

Other DGs Budget

DG NEAR Budget

DG INTPA Budget

214 

 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 6A: Country breakdown of European Commission development assistance in 2023 – Commitments 

Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Part I: Developing Countries and Territories (Official Development Assistance) 

Bilateral 

Africa 

Africa (North of Sahara) 
Algeria 
Egypt 
Libya 
Morocco 
North of Sahara, regional 
Tunisia 

Africa (South of Sahara) 
Angola 
Benin 
Botswana 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cabo Verde 
Cameroon 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Comoros 
Congo 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Djibouti 
Eastern Africa, regional 
Equatorial Guinea 
Eritrea 
Eswatini 
Ethiopia 
Gabon 
Gambia 
Ghana 

LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 

LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 

8 147  
8 077  
4 295  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2 996  
90  
115  
0  
0  
87  
0  
32  
38  
81  
10  
21  
78  
25  
15  
0  
0  
27  
173  
0  
50  
74  

5 692  
5 692  
527  
527  
45  
71  
35  
216  
10  
150  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4 696  
4 693  
1 069  
72  
0  
7  
40  
0  
22  
3  
604  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
18  
3  
0  
0  
10  
0  
432  
0  
0  
0  
5  
0  
-0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

18 535  
18 462  
5 891  
599  
45  
78  
75  
216  
31  
153  
3 600  
90  
115  
0  
0  
87  
0  
32  
56  
83  
10  
21  
88  
25  
447  
0  
0  
27  
178  
0  
50  
74  

215 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Guinea 
Guinea-Bissau 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
Madagascar 
Malawi 
Mali 
Mauritania 
Mauritius 
Middle Africa, regional 
Mozambique 
Namibia 
Niger 
Nigeria 
Rwanda 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Somalia 
South Africa 
South of Sahara, regional 
South Sudan 
Southern Africa, regional 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Togo 
Uganda 
Western Africa, regional 
Zambia 
Zimbabwe 

Africa, unspecified 

Africa, regional 

America 

America (North & Central America) 

Antigua And Barbuda 
Belize 
Caribbean & Central America, regional 
Caribbean, regional 
Central America, regional 
Costa Rica 
Cuba 
Dominica 

LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

60  
41  
62  
20  
27  
80  
71  
116  
-123  
37  
0  
0  
86  
6  
61  
259  
42  
4  
51  
109  
74  
79  
232  
81  
11  
130  
3  
15  
176  
116  
158  
0  
1 299  
1 299  
423  
178  
0  
13  
0  
12  
18  
11  
31  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
20  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
41  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
25  
7  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
33  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
4  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
393  
393  
166  
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

60  
41  
82  
20  
27  
80  
71  
116  
-82  
37  
0  
0  
88  
6  
86  
265  
42  
4  
51  
109  
107  
79  
232  
81  
11  
134  
3  
15  
176  
116  
158  
3  
1 693  
1 693  
588  
185  
0  
13  
0  
12  
22  
11  
31  
0  

216 

 
 
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Dominican Republic 
El Salvador 
Grenada 
Guatemala 
Haiti 
Honduras 
Jamaica 
Mexico 
Nicaragua 
Panama 
St  Lucia 
St Vincent & Grenadines 

America (South America) 

Argentina 
Bolivia 
Brazil 
Colombia 
Ecuador 
Guyana 
Paraguay 
Peru 
South America, regional 
Suriname 
Venezuela 
America, unspecified 

America, regional 

Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 
Cambodia 
China 
Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
Far East Asia, regional 
Indonesia 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 
Malaysia 
Mongolia 
Philippines 
Thailand 
Timor-Leste 
Viet Nam 

Asia (Middle East Asia) 
Iran 
Iraq 
Jordan 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
UMICS 
OTHER_LICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 

LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

2  
23  
0  
34  
0  
33  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
165  
0  
79  
0  
16  
18  
6  
4  
16  
23  
3  
0  
80  
80  
1 346  
199  
81  
0  
0  
-1  
-2  
20  
2  
19  
0  
2  
20  
59  
181  
-5  
60  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
788  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
675  
0  
0  
185  

0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
153  
153  
840  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
603  
0  
49  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

2  
23  
0  
34  
3  
33  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
171  
0  
79  
0  
18  
20  
6  
4  
16  
23  
3  
1  
233  
233  
2 974  
199  
81  
0  
0  
-1  
-2  
20  
2  
19  
0  
2  
20  
59  
1 459  
-5  
108  
185  

217 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Lebanon 
Middle East, regional 
Syria 
Palestine** 
Yemen 
Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Afghanistan 
Armenia 
Azerbaïjan 
Bangladesh 
Bhutan 
Central Asia, regional 
Georgia 
India 
Kazakhstan 
Kyrgyz Republic 
Maldives 
Myanmar 
Nepal 
Pakistan 
South & Central Asia, regional 
South Asia, regional 
Sri Lanka 
Tajikistan 
Turkmenistan 
Uzbekistan 

Asia, unspecified 

Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Albania 
Belarus 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Europe, regional 
Kosovo* 
Moldova 
Montenegro 
North Macedonia 
Serbia 
Türkiye 
Ukraine 

Oceania 

Oceania 

Fiji 

UMICS 
UNALLOC 
OTHER_LICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 

LDCS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

UMICS 

0  
70  
0  
0  
56  
414  
143  
0  
0  
70  
0  
35  
0  
24  
8  
0  
0  
-0  
1  
100  
1  
0  
0  
20  
5  
6  
551  
551  
22  
22  
0  
0  
0  
22  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
32  
32  
13  

206  
5  
57  
222  
0  
114  
0  
30  
14  
0  
0  
0  
70  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3 556  
3 556  
82  
25  
73  
1 127  
80  
136  
32  
83  
172  
1 020  
725  
0  
0  
0  

0  
289  
10  
108  
148  
46  
8  
17  
0  
0  
0  
5  
15  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
190  
190  
966  
966  
12  
2  
5  
557  
59  
66  
8  
12  
32  
104  
109  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

206  
364  
67  
330  
204  
573  
150  
48  
14  
70  
0  
40  
85  
24  
8  
0  
0  
1  
1  
100  
1  
0  
0  
20  
5  
6  
742  
742  
4 544  
4 544  
94  
27  
78  
1 706  
139  
202  
40  
95  
204  
1 124  
834  
32  
32  
13  

218 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Kiribati 
Marshall Islands 
Melanesia, regional 
Micronesia, Fed  States 
Micronesia, regional 
Oceania, regional 
Papua New Guinea 
Samoa 
Solomon Islands 
Tonga 
Tuvalu 
Vanuatu 
Wallis & Futuna 

Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Multilateral (inflows) 

Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

World Customs Organisation Customs Co-operation Fund 

United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

FAO 
UNEP 
UNESCO 
UNFCCC 

Triangular co-operation 

Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Burkina Faso 
Cameroon 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Southern Africa, regional 

Africa, unspecified 

Africa, regional 

Asia 

Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Central Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Oceania 

Albania 
Ukraine 

LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
LMICS 

0  
6  
0  
3  
0  
0  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 959  
1 959  
1 959  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
1  
0  
69  
47  
22  
0  
4  
5  
0  
13  
25  
25  
20  
20  
20  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
820  
820  
820  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 652  
1 652  
1 652  
2  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
6  
0  
3  
0  
0  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4 432  
4 432  
4 432  
3  
1  
1  
1  
2  
2  
0  
0  
1  
0  
71  
47  
22  
0  
4  
5  
0  
13  
25  
25  
20  
20  
20  
2  
2  
2  
0  
2  

219 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Oceania 

Oceania, regional 
Part II: Countries and Territories in Transition (NON-ODA eligible countries) 

Bilateral 

Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Seychelles 

America 

America (North & Central America) 

Aruba 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
British Virgin Islands 
Curaçao 
Netherlands Antilles 
Saint Pierre And Miquelon 
Sint Maarten 
St. Kitts-Nevis 
Trinidad And Tobago 

Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 

Hong Kong, China 
Korea 
Singapore 
Taiwan 

Asia (Middle East Asia) 
Israel 
Saudi Arabia 
United Arab Emirates 

Europe 

Europe 

Oceania 

Oceania 

Greenland 
Russia 

French Polynesia 
New Caledonia 
Pitcairn Islands 

Other 

Other 

MADCT Unallocated 

Multilateral (inflows) 

Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

UNALLOC 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
CEECS/NIS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 

2  
2  
71  
71  
2  
2  
2  
10  
10  
9  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
23  
23  
23  
0  
29  
29  
29  
0  
0  
8  
8  
8  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
78  
74  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  
10  
6  
4  
0  
0  
4  
0  
4  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
-0  
0  
0  
-0  
60  
60  
60  
4  
4  
4  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

2  
2  
149  
144  
2  
2  
2  
10  
10  
9  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
14  
10  
6  
4  
0  
0  
4  
0  
4  
0  
23  
23  
23  
0  
29  
29  
29  
0  
-0  
68  
68  
68  
4  
4  
4  

220 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Other multilateral institution 

Part III: ODA Countries Non-ODA Eligible Flows 
Part IV: Other Unallocated 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

0  
32  
9  

0  
176  
0  

4  
365  
15  

0  
0  
0  

4  
572  
24  

TOTAL COMMITTED AMOUNT 

DG INTPA 
8 259 

DG NEAR 
5 867 

Other DGs 
5 155 

EDF 

Total 

0 

19 280 

(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. 
(**) This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.

221 

 
 
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 6B: Country breakdown of European Commission development assistance in 2023 – Disbursements 

Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Part I: Developing Countries and Territories (Official Development Assistance) 

Bilateral 
   Africa 

   Africa (North of Sahara) 

Algeria 
Egypt 
Libya 
   Morocco 
   North of Sahara, regional 

Tunisia 

   Africa (South of Sahara) 

Angola 
Benin 
Botswana 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cabo Verde 
Cameroon 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Comoros 
Congo 

   Democratic Republic of the Congo 
   Djibouti 

Eastern Africa, regional 
Equatorial Guinea 
Eritrea 
Eswatini 
Ethiopia 

   Gabon 
   Gambia 

LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 

LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 

5 493  
5 463  
1 766  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
1 210  
17  
29  
3  
44  
23  
4  
16  
24  
29  
2  
4  
76  
5  
49  
0  
2  
1  
48  
0  
20  

4 841  
4 832  
512  
512  
22  
69  
39  
221  
30  
131  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4 814  
4 812  
1 190  
0  
12  
6  
48  
1  
2  
3  
1 651  
1  
0  
0  
35  
2  
0  
19  
48  
42  
0  
0  
96  
1  
67  
0  
0  
1  
72  
0  
0  

2 045  
2 045  
1 779  
71  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 082  
15  
16  
6  
17  
28  
0  
37  
56  
39  
5  
33  
67  
20  
23  
0  
40  
10  
28  
1  
25  

17 193  
17 152  
5 246  
584  
34  
75  
87  
223  
32  
134  
3 943  
32  
45  
9  
96  
52  
4  
72  
128  
110  
7  
37  
239  
26  
140  
0  
42  
12  
148  
1  
45  

222 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

   Ghana 
   Guinea 
   Guinea-Bissau 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
   Madagascar 
   Malawi 
   Mali 
   Mauritania 
   Mauritius 
   Middle Africa, regional 
   Mozambique 
   Namibia 
   Niger 
   Nigeria 
Rwanda 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Somalia 
South Africa 
South of Sahara, regional 
South Sudan 
Southern Africa, regional 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Togo 
   Uganda 
   Western Africa, regional 

Zambia 
Zimbabwe 

   Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   America 

   America (North & Central America) 
Antigua And Barbuda 
Belize 
Caribbean & Central America, regional 
Caribbean, regional 
Central America, regional 
Costa Rica 
Cuba 

LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 

11  
20  
12  
19  
24  
5  
22  
13  
44  
20  
26  
1  
8  
30  
10  
21  
35  
34  
1  
51  
1  
29  
22  
123  
32  
1  
23  
55  
33  
41  
22  
14  
8  
554  
554  
399  
141  
0  
0  
3  
21  
9  
4  
14  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4  
0  
0  
5  
17  
2  
4  
15  
6  
68  
8  
0  
0  
26  
0  
50  
53  
1  
0  
1  
0  
103  
1  
93  
64  
3  
99  
3  
4  
38  
16  
0  
15  
128  
37  
158  
66  
0  
0  
1  
0  
13  
0  
1  

25  
10  
13  
38  
81  
10  
31  
78  
71  
34  
19  
12  
1  
81  
4  
61  
20  
19  
5  
27  
26  
15  
0  
267  
3  
1  
0  
71  
15  
44  
17  
72  
10  
37  
128  
75  
41  
0  
4  
1  
21  
0  
0  
0  

40  
31  
26  
63  
122  
17  
58  
105  
121  
122  
53  
13  
10  
137  
14  
132  
109  
54  
6  
80  
28  
147  
23  
482  
99  
6  
122  
129  
53  
123  
55  
87  
33  
719  
719  
632  
248  
0  
4  
5  
42  
22  
4  
15  
223 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

   Dominica 
   Dominican Republic 

El Salvador 

   Grenada 
   Guatemala 
   Haiti 
   Honduras 
Jamaica 
   Mexico 
   Nicaragua 
Panama 
St. Lucia 
St.Vincent & Grenadines 

   America (South America) 

Argentina 
Bolivia 
Brazil 
Colombia 
Ecuador 
   Guyana 

Paraguay 
Peru 
South America, regional 
Suriname 
Venezuela 
   America, unspecified 
America, regional 

   Asia 

   Asia (Far East Asia) 

Cambodia 
China 

   Democratic People's Republic of Korea 

Far East Asia, regional 
Indonesia 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 

   Malaysia 
   Mongolia 

Philippines 
Thailand 
Timor-Leste 
Viet Nam 
   Asia (Middle East Asia) 

Iran 
Iraq 

UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
UMICS 
OTHER_LICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 

LMICS 
UMICS 

0  
1  
6  
0  
20  
7  
21  
1  
5  
27  
0  
0  
1  
189  
3  
53  
6  
32  
13  
4  
29  
9  
32  
1  
8  
69  
69  
1 067  
223  
36  
7  
0  
11  
18  
37  
4  
19  
44  
4  
6  
36  
158  
8  
81  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
865  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
709  
0  
0  

0  
1  
0  
0  
5  
17  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
1  
2  
32  
4  
0  
3  
1  
27  
0  
30  
0  
17  
1 008  
9  
0  
7  
0  
5  
1  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
1  
0  
0  
12  
50  

0  
13  
0  
0  
0  
23  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
100  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
0  
17  
0  
9  
23  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
566  
0  
0  

0  
15  
6  
0  
26  
47  
21  
3  
7  
27  
0  
2  
1  
298  
3  
53  
8  
64  
17  
5  
32  
10  
59  
9  
38  
86  
86  
2 948  
255  
36  
15  
0  
16  
18  
37  
4  
19  
52  
5  
16  
36  
1 433  
20  
132  
224 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Jordan 
Lebanon 

   Middle East, regional 

Syria 
Palestine** 
Yemen 

   Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Afghanistan 
Armenia 
Azerbaïjan 
Bangladesh 
Bhutan 
Central Asia, regional 

   Georgia 
India 
Kazakhstan 
Kyrgyz Republic 

   Maldives 
   Myanmar 
   Nepal 

Pakistan 
South & Central Asia, regional 
South Asia, regional 
Sri Lanka 
Tajikistan 
Turkmenistan 

   Uzbekistan 
   Asia, unspecified 
Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Albania 
Belarus 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Europe, regional 
Kosovo* 
   Moldova 
   Montenegro 
   North Macedonia 

Serbia 
Türkiye 
   Ukraine 

   Oceania 

   Oceania 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
OTHER_LICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 

LDCS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
67  
600  
136  
1  
0  
120  
3  
31  
0  
10  
3  
18  
1  
45  
44  
78  
5  
8  
30  
51  
0  
17  
86  
86  
53  
53  
0  
0  
0  
35  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
17  
33  
33  

63  
200  
193  
33  
220  
0  
156  
0  
53  
16  
0  
0  
10  
76  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2 965  
2 965  
152  
22  
124  
449  
104  
126  
61  
113  
335  
979  
500  
0  
0  

12  
73  
10  
177  
94  
139  
0  
207  
27  
2  
34  
0  
15  
21  
3  
0  
0  
0  
29  
4  
16  
2  
1  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
52  
918  
0  
12  
3  
8  
138  
59  
66  
7  
12  
35  
225  
353  
1  
85  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
367  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
52  
0  
0  
918  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
85  
1  

75  
273  
203  
210  
315  
206  
1.123  
342  
82  
18  
154  
3  
55  
98  
13  
3  
18  
1  
74  
48  
95  
7  
9  
32  
53  
0  
17  
138  
138  
3 936  
3 936  
164  
25  
132  
622  
163  
192  
68  
126  
370  
1 204  
871  
120  
120  
225 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

Fiji 
Kiribati 

   Marshall Islands 
   Melanesia, regional 
   Micronesia, Fed. States 
   Micronesia, regional 
   Oceania, regional 

Papua New Guinea 
Samoa 
Solomon Islands 
Tonga 
Tuvalu 
Vanuatu 

   Wallis & Futuna 

   Developing countries 

   Developing countries, unspecified 

   Developing countries, unspecified 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

   Other multilateral institution 

   World Customs Organisation Customs Co-operation Fund 

   United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

   United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

FAO 

   UNEP 
   UNESCO 
   UNFCCC 

Triangular co-operation 
   Africa 

   Africa (South of Sahara) 
Burkina Faso 
Sierra Leone 

   Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   America 

   America (South America) 

South America, regional 

   America, unspecified 
America, regional 

   Asia 

UMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
LDCS 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
1  
5  
14  
3  
8  
1  
0  
0  
0  
2 144  
2 144  
2 144  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
1  
0  
29  
6  
3  
1  
2  
3  
3  
20  
3  
3  
17  
17  
3  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
490  
490  
490  
7  
7  
7  
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 537  
98  
1 537  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
1  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

5  
7  
2  
0  
5  
0  
34  
24  
0  
3  
0  
0  
3  
2  
98  
1 537  
98  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

6  
7  
2  
2  
5  
1  
39  
38  
3  
10  
1  
0  
4  
2  
4 269  
4 269  
4 269  
8  
8  
8  
8  
3  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
1  
0  
31  
6  
3  
1  
2  
3  
3  
21  
3  
3  
18  
18  
3  
226 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

   Asia (Far East Asia) 

Far East Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 
   Ukraine 
   Developing countries 

   Developing countries, unspecified 

   Developing countries, unspecified 

Part II: Countries and Territories in Transition (NON-ODA eligible countries) 

Bilateral 
   Africa 

   Africa (South of Sahara) 
Seychelles 

   America 

   America (North & Central America) 

Aruba 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
British Virgin Islands 
Curaçao 

   Netherlands Antilles 

Saint Pierre And Miquelon 
Sint Maarten 
St. Kitts-Nevis 
Trinidad And Tobago 
   America (South America) 

Chile 
   Uruguay 

   Asia 

   Asia (Far East Asia) 

   Hong Kong, China 

Korea 
Singapore 
Taiwan 

   Asia (Middle East Asia) 

Israel 
Saudi Arabia 

   United Arab Emirates 

Europe 

Europe 
   Greenland 
Russia 

   Oceania 

   Oceania 

UNALLOC 

LMICS 

UNALLOC 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
CEECS/NIS 

3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
57  
57  
0  
0  
0  
11  
8  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
7  
0  
0  
1  
3  
2  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
30  
30  
30  
0  
6  
6  

0  
0  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
8  
8  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
7  
7  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
1  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
98  
93  
0  
2  
0  
3  
22  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
2  
0  
8  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
4  
0  
0  
4  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
26  
26  
2  
0  
2  
22  
1  
1  
1  
7  
0  
0  
10  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3  
3  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
189  
185  
2  
2  
2  
36  
31  
2  
1  
7  
0  
0  
10  
7  
0  
0  
4  
5  
4  
1  
15  
6  
0  
6  
0  
0  
9  
7  
1  
1  
35  
35  
30  
5  
7  
7  
227 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income Group 

DG INTPA 

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

Total 

French Polynesia 

   New Caledonia 
Pitcairn Islands 

   Other 

   Other 

   MADCT Unallocated 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

   Other multilateral institution 

   Other multilateral institution 

Part III: ODA Countries Non-ODA Eligible Flows 
Part IV: Other Unallocated 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 

6  
0  
0  
10  
10  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
11  
6  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
36  
1  

0  
0  
0  
78  
2  
78  
4  
4  
0  
4  
427  
17  

0  
0  
0  
2  
78  
2  
0  
0  
4  
0  
32  
0  

6  
0  
0  
91  
91  
91  
4  
4  
4  
4  
507  
24  

TOTAL DISBURSED AMOUNT 

DG INTPA  

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

5 567  

4 886  

5 356  

EDF 

2 103  

Total 

17 912  

(*) This designation is without prejudice to positions on status and is in line with UNSCR 1244/1999 and the ICJ Opinion on the Kosovo declaration of independence. 
(**) This designation shall not be construed as recognition of a State of Palestine and is without prejudice to the individual positions of the Member States on this issue.

228 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 7: Distribution of ODA by OECD Sector and Country Grouping in 2023(145) 

Commitments 

Income Group 

ODA 
Per 
Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

LDC + OLIC + LMIC + UMIC 

Least Developed Countries 
Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories 
Other Low Income Countries 
Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories 

Other 

Total 

Other 

Disbursements 

2.38 
0.87 
1.39 
1.27 

0 

4 258  
1 436  
1 076  
67  
1 679  
4 037  
4 037  
8 295  

535  
150  
272  

113  
1 023  
1 023  
1 558  

952  
556  
226  

171  
660  
660  
1 612  

573  
227  
106  

240  
1 063  
1 063  
1 636  

Income Group 

ODA 
Per 
Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

LDC + OLIC + LMIC + UMIC 

Least Developed Countries 
Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories 
Other Low Income Countries 
Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories 

Other 

Total 

Other 

3.22 
0.9 
4.36 
1.5 

0 

4 206  
1 335  
991  
34  
1 846  
2 438  
2 438  
6 644  

936  
397  
284  
0  
255  
1 149  
1 149  
2 085  

812  
304  
317  
1  
190  
501  
501  
1 312  

956  
370  
176  
6  
404  
919  
919  
1 875  

145 The same table, specially adapted to be machine-readable for the visually impaired, is available p.347 

Budget 
support, 
food 
aid, 
food 
security 
1 362  
100  
527  

735  
198  
198  
1 560  

Budget 
support, 
food 
aid, 
food 
security 
957  
139  
263  
0  
555  
144  
144  
1 101  

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

639  
155  
361  

124  
2 108  
2 108  
2 747  

0  

49  

8 368  
2 624  
2 568  
67  
3 109  
1 078   10 167  
1 078   10 167  
1 127   18 535  

49  

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

2 249  
1 014  
644  
168  
423  
650  
650  
2 899  

21   10 137  
3  
3 562  
5  
2 680  
1  
210  
12  
3 685  
1 255  
7 056  
7 056  
1 255  
1 276   17 193  

229 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Commitments 

Region 

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 

Disbursements 

Region 

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 

ODA Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

4  
1  
0.69 
28.46 
2.66 
0 

2 772  
187  
1 419  
1 748  
12  
2 157  
8 295  

431  
71  
186  
775  

95  
1 558  

892  
72  
275  
138  

235  
1 612  

708  
86  
181  
272  
22  
367  
1 636  

ODA Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

3.69 
1 
0.68 
24.66 
9.33 
0 

2 129 
274 
1 202 
1 540 
39 
1 459 
6 644 

700 
43 
148 
468 
6 
719 
2 085 

638 
86 
192 
139 
35 
223 
1 312 

764 
113 
217 
477 
29 
275 
1 875 

Budget 
support, food 
aid, food 
security 

265  

96  
1 000  

198  
1 560  

Budget 
support, food 
aid, food 
security 

118 
3 
23 
805 
9 
143 
1 101 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

862  
153  
833  
569  

331  
2 747  

8  
19  
5  
43  

1 052  
1 127  

5 938  
588  
2 994  
4 546  
34  
4 435  
18 535  

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

878 
126 
1 159 
490 
0 
246 
2 899 

26 
7 
10 
20 
0 
1 214 
1 276 

5 253 
653 
2 951 
3 939 
120 
4 279 
17 193 

Total 

Total 

230 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 7 

Commitments

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

8.000

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

Other/ Unallocated

Humanitarian aid

Budget support, food aid, food security

Multisector/ Crosscutting

Production

Economic infrastructures and services

Social infrastructures

Other/ Unallocated

Humanitarian aid

Budget support, food aid, food security

Multisector/ Crosscutting

Production

Economic infrastructures and services

Social infrastructures

Least
Developed
Countries

Lower Middle
Income
Countries and
Territories

Other

Other Low
Income
Countries

Upper Middle
Income
Countries and
Territories

Disbursements

Least
Developed
Countries

Lower Middle
Income
Countries and
Territories

Other

Other Low
Income
Countries

Upper Middle
Income
Countries and
Territories

231 

 
 
 
 
 
 
7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

Commitments

Africa

America

Asia

Europe

Oceania Developing
countries,
unspecified

Disbursements

Africa

America

Asia

Europe

Oceania Developing
countries,
unspecified

Other/ Unallocated

Humanitarian aid

Budget support, food aid, food security

Multisector/ Crosscutting

Production

Economic infrastructures and services

Social infrastructures

Other/ Unallocated

Humanitarian aid

Budget support, food aid, food security

Multisector/ Crosscutting

Production

Economic infrastructures and services

Social infrastructures

232 

 
 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 8A: ODA Recipient Country by main OECD sector in 2023 – Commitments 

Income Group 

Country 

Commitments 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Least Developed Countries 

Afghanistan 
Angola 
Bangladesh 
Benin 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cambodia 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Comoros 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Djibouti 
Ethiopia 
Gambia 
Guinea 
Guinea-Bissau 
Haiti 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
Madagascar 
Mali 
Mauritania 
Mozambique 
Myanmar 
Nepal 
Niger 
Rwanda 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Senegal 

3.65 
2.53 
0.41 
8.62 
0 
6.74 
4.83 
9.97 
4.7 
12.07 
0.89 
22.26 
1.44 
18.48 
4.3 
19.47 
0.26 
11.71 
15.1 
2.38 
-3.64 
7.83 
2.66 
0.02 
0.04 
3.29 
3.05 
15.63 
3.24 

122  
43  
60  
43  
82  
52  
49  
46  
20  
2  
55  
25  
91  
1  
24  
20  
3  
27  
43  
36  
-10  
13  
53  
7  
1  
50  
32  
1  
41  

18  

34  

20  
8  

6  
10  

6  

21  
8  

-68  

9  
-6  

3  

29  
23  
6  
11  
68  
4  
24  
10  
40  
2  
12  

64  
9  
5  
13  

28  
9  
-8  
15  
11  
-2  

22  
8  
1  
12  

8  
4  
3  

10  

23  

12  

13  

11  

9  
26  
3  
9  
15  
2  

14  
2  
1  

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

24  
-150  

40  

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

1  

4  

-0  

150  
90  
70  
115  
0  
87  
81  
56  
83  
10  
88  
25  
178  
50  
60  
41  
3  
27  
80  
71  
-82  
37  
88  
1  
1  
86  
42  
4  
56  

233 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Commitments 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Sierra Leone 
Somalia 
South Sudan 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Timor-Leste 
Uganda 
Yemen 
Zambia 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 
Togo 

Least Developed Countries Total 

Upper Middle Income 
Countries and Territories 

Albania 
Armenia 
Azerbaïjan 
Belarus 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Colombia 
Ecuador 
Fiji 
Georgia 
Guatemala 
Guyana 
Iraq 
Jordan 
Kazakhstan 
Kosovo* 
Lebanon 
Libya 
Malawi 
Malaysia 
Maldives 
Moldova 
Montenegro 
Namibia 
North Macedonia 
Paraguay 
Peru 
Serbia 
South Africa 

12.72 
6.1 
7.39 
2.86 
0.04 
14.76 
3.72 
6.05 
7.88 
2.69 
1.7 

33.71 
17.13 
1.3 
2.83 
24.11 
0.35 
1.1 
13.76 
22.77 
1.93 
6.8 
2.44 
16.39 
0.41 
76.98 
37.43 
10.99 
5.68 
0.06 
0.1 
61.83 
64.59 
2.34 
45.54 
0.6 
0.48 
28.23 
1.32 

19  
63  
37  
53  
2  
12  
91  
43  
83  

1 436  
4  
29  
3  
24  
8  
18  
5  
2  
60  
0  
4  
82  
90  
4  
64  
172  
69  
79  
1  
0  
28  
2  
3  
3  
4  
15  
8  
44  

6  
14  

9  
1  

29  
4  
15  
4  

150  

0  
8  
3  

20  
34  

11  
1  
11  

6  

3  
0  

3  
34  
32  

6  
53  

16  

556  

15  

0  

2  
9  

4  

4  
2  
20  
1  

13  

35  

4  
3  
10  
41  

2  
3  
1  

0  

227  
12  
3  

11  
5  

5  

2  

8  

12  

1  
31  

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

80  
20  

11  
60  

15  
100  
80  
15  

70  

70  

75  

150  
30  

80  

165  

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

4  

145  

155  

17  
25  

14  
3  

109  
107  
81  
134  
3  
20  
176  
204  
158  
20  
15  
2 624  
96  
48  
14  
27  
78  
18  
20  
13  
85  
34  
6  
108  
185  
8  
139  
206  
75  
116  
2  
0  
202  
40  
6  
95  
4  
16  
204  
79  

234 

3  

5  

5  

0  

0  

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Commitments 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Thailand 
Türkiye 
Venezuela 
Costa Rica 
Suriname 
Cuba 
Dominican Republic 
Marshall Islands 
Turkmenistan 

Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories Total 

Lower Middle Income 
Countries and Territories 

Algeria 
Belize 
Bolivia 
Cameroon 
Congo 
Egypt 
El Salvador 
Eswatini 
Ghana 
Honduras 
Indonesia 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Kyrgyz Republic 
Mongolia 
Morocco 
Nigeria 
Pakistan 
Papua New Guinea 
Tunisia 
Ukraine 
Uzbekistan 
Viet Nam 
Palestine** 
Zimbabwe 
India 
Iran 
Tajikistan 
Micronesia, Fed. States 

1  
852  
1  

1 679  
15  
4  
34  
17  
16  
65  
11  
27  
40  
10  
-0  
40  
4  
-0  
7  
39  
196  
16  
10  
153  
174  
5  
48  
141  
3  

0.03 
13.17 
0.05 
2.12 
4.95 
2.76 
0.18 
142.86 
0.78 

1 
31.11 
6.49 
1.29 
3.53 
0.71 
3.57 
22.46 
2.21 
3.2 
-0.01 
2.91 
0.37 
0.06 
5.46 
5.77 
1.21 
0.42 
1.02 
12.38 
21.01 
0.18 
0.6 
62.94 
0.19 
0.02 
-0.05 
2.03 
26.32 

7  

7  

113  
15  

15  

10  
11  

1  
6  

15  
8  
0  

37  
25  

120  
1  

2  

6  
0  

1  
59  

2  
3  

171  
10  
4  
4  
5  
3  

33  
18  
-0  
18  

11  

33  
51  

22  

-5  
20  

Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories Total 

1 076  

272  

226  

104  

2  

31  
2  
6  
5  
240  
5  
4  
41  

2  

-1  
9  
8  

1  

8  

11  
3  

13  

0  
3  
106  

65  

37  

735  

124  

49  

0  

3  

177  

350  

168  

0  

184  

5  

527  

361  

0  

2  
1 124  
1  
11  
3  
31  
2  
6  
5  
3 109  
45  
13  
79  
36  
21  
78  
23  
27  
74  
33  
-2  
82  
20  
0  
19  
216  
265  
100  
10  
153  
834  
6  
59  
330  
3  
24  
-5  
20  
3  
2 568  

235 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Commitments 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Other Low Income Countries 

Syria 

Other 

Other Low Income Countries Total 

Developing Countries Unallocated 

3.03 

0 

Other Total 
 Total 

67  
67  
4 037  
4 037  
8 295  

1 023  
1 023  
1 558  

660  
660  
1 612  

1 063  
1 063  
1 636  

198  
198  
1 560  

2 108  
2 108  
2 747  

1 078  
1 078  
1 127  

67  
67  
10 167  
10 167  
18 535  

236 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 8B: ODA Recipient Country by main OECD sector in 2023 – Disbursements 

Income Group 

Country 

Disbursements 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Least Developed 
Countries 

Afghanistan 
Angola 
Bangladesh 
Benin 
Bhutan 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cambodia 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Comoros 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Djibouti 
Eritrea 
Ethiopia 
Gambia 
Guinea 
Guinea-Bissau 
Haiti 
Kiribati 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
Madagascar 
Mali 
Mauritania 
Mozambique 
Myanmar 
Nepal 

8.32 
0.9 
0.9 
3.4 
3.94 
4.31 
4.01 
2.17 
22.98 
6.18 
8.04 
2.42 
22.95 
11.37 
1.2 
16.58 
2.21 
12.33 
4.09 
52.27 
4.9 
7.24 
10.92 
3.56 
5.42 
11.24 
4.17 
1.37 
1.56 

91  
25  
103  
4  
2  
47  
30  
15  
45  
45  
6  
92  
22  
0  
55  
9  
17  
14  
6  
0  
34  
9  
25  
11  
57  
29  
43  
39  
27  

6  
3  
3  
14  

0  
9  
0  
0  
3  
0  
23  
2  
0  
3  
21  
6  
3  
9  

2  
3  
20  
61  
19  
2  
23  
0  
1  

1  
1  
0  
7  
0  
17  
9  
18  

8  
1  
31  
0  
1  
16  
1  
1  
5  
7  

0  
2  
8  
9  
9  
0  
4  
1  
14  

7  
2  
12  
17  

1  

6  
2  

14  
1  

3  
7  

1  

2  

1  

57  
0  
2  
3  
1  
4  
1  
3  
50  
9  

14  
1  
40  
6  
1  
5  
3  
6  

1  

4  
12  
5  
15  
36  
7  
2  

179  
2  
33  
0  

29  
1  

26  
42  

79  
1  

68  

1  
17  

3  

12  
29  
7  
30  
28  
4  

342  
32  
154  
45  
3  
98  
52  
36  
128  
110  
7  
239  
26  
42  
148  
45  
31  
26  
47  
7  
37  
17  
58  
105  
122  
53  
137  
74  
48  

237 

1  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Disbursements 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Niger 
Rwanda 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Solomon Islands 
Somalia 
South Sudan 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Timor-Leste 
Togo 
Tuvalu 
Uganda 
Yemen 
Zambia 
Least Developed Countries Total 
Algeria 
Belize 
Bolivia 
Cabo Verde 
Cameroon 
Congo 
Egypt 
El Salvador 
Eswatini 
Ghana 
Honduras 
India 
Indonesia 
Iran 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Kyrgyz Republic 
Micronesia, Fed. States 
Mongolia 
Morocco 
Nicaragua 
Nigeria 
Pakistan 
Papua New Guinea 
Philippines 

5.05 
3.89 
24.55 
4.61 
3.41 
14.46 
8.35 
9.06 
2.6 
1.97 
11.59 
6.02 
13.14 
2.61 
6.1 
4.33 

0.77 
10.76 
4.36 
7.03 
2.57 
6.28 
0.67 
0.97 
10.35 
1.18 
2.01 
0.01 
0.07 
0.23 
2.23 
2.26 
2.68 
43.85 
5.62 
5.94 
3.88 
0.5 
0.4 
3.71 
0.45 

79  
17  
3  
18  
12  
6  
58  
35  
32  
34  
9  
16  

37  
53  
23  
1 335  
12  
1  
39  
1  
11  
20  
41  
2  
2  
18  
13  
4  
6  
1  
25  
16  
14  
2  
12  
158  
24  
41  
40  
16  
24  

13  
2  
0  
10  
8  

3  

46  
3  
6  

21  

47  
397  
3  
3  
1  
0  
6  
1  
12  
1  
3  
1  

1  
3  
2  
19  
29  
3  

4  
26  
0  
16  
8  
0  
2  

5  
19  
2  
20  
8  

12  
1  

26  
1  
4  

22  
0  
15  
304  
7  

4  
0  
24  
12  
12  
2  
7  
13  
6  
0  
3  

14  
40  
1  

3  
27  
1  
5  
19  
7  
14  

7  

30  
1  
3  

0  

18  

3  
2  

139  

3  

0  

2  

1  

1  
0  
1  

2  
10  
1  
2  

2  
3  
5  
1  
21  
3  
9  
0  
3  
20  
1  
370  
0  
0  
9  

12  
4  
3  
0  

5  
2  
4  
3  
5  
4  
19  
0  
3  
1  
9  
2  
3  
6  
15  
3  

26  
6  

0  

70  
58  
89  
2  
0  
0  

38  
131  
0  
1 014  
12  

1  

19  

6  

1  

4  
3  
12  
1  
18  

0  

43  
21  

9  

0  
0  

0  
0  

1  
0  

0  

0  
0  

3  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

1  
0  

132  
54  
6  
80  
29  
10  
147  
99  
122  
129  
16  
53  
0  
123  
206  
87  
3 562  
34  
4  
53  
4  
72  
37  
75  
6  
12  
40  
21  
13  
18  
20  
63  
122  
18  
5  
19  
223  
27  
109  
95  
38  
52  
238 

Lower Middle Income 
Countries and 
Territories 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Disbursements 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Samoa 
Sri Lanka 
Tajikistan 
Tunisia 
Ukraine 
Uzbekistan 
Vanuatu 
Viet Nam 
Palestine** 
Zimbabwe 

Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories Total 

Other Low Income 
Countries 

Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
Syria 

Other Low Income Countries Total 

Upper Middle Income 
Countries and 
Territories 

Albania 
Antigua And Barbuda 
Argentina 
Armenia 
Azerbaïjan 
Belarus 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Botswana 
Brazil 
China 
Colombia 
Costa Rica 
Cuba 
Dominica 
Dominican Republic 
Ecuador 
Equatorial Guinea 
Fiji 
Gabon 
Georgia 
Grenada 
Guatemala 
Guyana 
Iraq 
Jamaica 
Jordan 
Kazakhstan 
Kosovo* 

15.15 
1.48 
5.36 
10.81 
21.95 
0.5 
11.83 
0.37 
59.98 
2.02 

0.02 
9.47 

57.65 
0.32 
0.06 
29.47 
1.75 
2.61 
40.82 
3.25 
0.04 
0.01 
1.22 
0.8 
1.38 
0.17 
1.34 
0.96 
0.11 
6.03 
0.56 
26.08 
2.08 
1.43 
5.75 
2.96 
0.98 
6.66 
0.16 
90.69 

3  
23  
24  
91  
160  
8  
1  
4  
120  
15  
991  

34  
34  
68  
0  
2  
50  
10  
19  
41  
2  
7  
3  
21  
2  
8  
0  
8  
6  
0  
0  
1  
65  
0  
22  
0  
73  
1  
40  
3  
86  

0  
8  
8  
90  
0  
0  
26  
7  
1  
284  

0  
0  
3  
0  

12  
1  
0  
14  
1  
0  
2  
0  
1  
1  

4  
1  

11  

0  

11  

8  

2  

5  
14  
22  
33  
7  
2  
2  
9  
4  
317  

1  
1  
4  

7  
3  

8  
3  

2  
5  
1  
5  

0  
8  

5  
0  
8  

1  
0  
21  
1  
12  
0  
4  

0  
4  
7  
9  
24  
2  
1  
5  
3  
5  
176  

6  
6  
17  

1  
6  
4  
5  
2  
2  
0  
8  
12  
1  
0  

2  
1  

13  
0  
2  
4  
2  
1  
3  

2  

3  
250  

1  

263  
0  

0  
72  

63  

69  

0  
0  

315  
0  
0  

172  
7  
644  

168  
168  
0  

0  
7  
1  
0  
2  

1  

26  

1  

1  
2  

24  

12  
0  
0  

3  
32  
53  
134  
872  
17  
4  
36  
315  
33  
2 680  
0  
210  
210  
164  
0  
3  
82  
18  
25  
132  
9  
8  
15  
64  
4  
15  
0  
15  
17  
0  
6  
1  
98  
0  
26  
5  
132  
3  
75  
3  
163  
239 

1  
0  
0  

2  
1  
5  

1  
1  

0  
0  
2  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Income Group 

Country 

Disbursements 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

Lebanon 
Libya 
Malawi 
Malaysia 
Maldives 
Marshall Islands 
Mauritius 
Mexico 
Moldova 
Montenegro 
Namibia 
North Macedonia 
Panama 
Paraguay 
Peru 
Serbia 
South Africa 
St. Lucia 
St.Vincent & Grenadines 
Suriname 
Thailand 
Tonga 
Türkiye 
Turkmenistan 
Venezuela 
Wallis & Futuna 

Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories Total 

Other 

Developing Countries Unallocated 

Other Total 
Total 

49.71 
12.79 
5.92 
0.13 
1.55 
47.51 
10.16 
0.06 
58.52 
108.27 
5.46 
60 
0.02 
4.7 
0.3 
51.28 
0.38 
9.65 
7.4 
14.84 
0.06 
12.06 
14.11 
0.02 
1.34 
140.44 

0 

113  
69  
52  
2  
0  

11  
5  
41  
29  
10  
26  
0  
28  
5  
81  
16  
2  
1  
0  
2  
1  
805  

8  
0  
1 846  
2 438  
2 438  
6 644  

4  
5  
34  

0  
2  
1  

8  
2  
0  
5  

0  
0  
48  
3  

3  

0  
67  

5  

27  
2  

1  

4  
0  
2  
6  

2  
0  
12  
2  

0  
6  
2  

22  

1  

2  
255  
1 149  
1 149  
2 085  

190  
501  
501  
1 312  

5  
2  
0  
0  

0  
1  
18  
9  
1  
16  
0  
1  
4  
80  
2  

0  
0  

175  
0  
0  

404  
919  
919  
1 875  

103  
27  

72  

149  

0  

555  
144  
144  
1 101  

146  
12  
5  

1  
17  

0  
1  

0  
1  
1  
0  

1  

132  

29  

423  
650  
650  
2 899  

1  

3  

1  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

2  

12  
1 255  
1 255  
1 276  

273  
87  
121  
4  
1  
2  
13  
7  
192  
68  
14  
126  
0  
32  
10  
370  
23  
2  
1  
9  
5  
1  
1 204  
0  
38  
2  
3 685  
7 056  
7 056  
17 193  

240 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 9A: INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Commitments 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 
Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Transport and storage 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

2 246  
511  
117  
123  
74  
196  
933  
159  
774  
276  
91  
183  
2  
209  
209  
82  
82  
236  
236  
404  
32  
32  
106  
106  
83  
83  
215  
101  
57  
40  
18  
-32  

174  
10  

10  

1  
89  
3  
86  
12  
0  
11  

37  
37  
2  
2  
24  
24  
71  
-2  
-2  
41  
41  
18  
18  
18  
13  

4  

-3  

779  
150  
65  
12  
11  
63  
213  
1  
212  
321  
3  
318  

76  
76  

19  
19  
144  

7  
7  
10  
10  
93  
25  
66  
-1  
3  
34  

21  

12  

12  

12  

16  

16  

5  
5  

-0  

-0  

-0  

1 537  
387  
35  
352  
0  

465  
3  
462  
638  
633  
5  

27  
27  
20  
20  

67  
-11  
-11  
31  
31  
22  
22  
22  
-2  
3  

20  
3  

4 769  
1 058  
217  
496  
85  
260  
1 728  
166  
1 562  
1 246  
727  
517  
2  
354  
354  
104  
104  
280  
280  
687  
19  
19  
185  
185  
133  
133  
348  
138  
126  
43  
41  
2  

241 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 
Construction 
Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 
Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

 Total 

-32  
880  
569  
450  
48  
71  
176  
172  
5  

135  
18  
117  
703  
194  
194  
509  
509  
88  
88  
88  

12  
8  
8  
4  
4  

8  
8  
8  

34  
270  
122  
85  

37  
111  
106  
2  
2  
38  

38  
156  
81  
81  
75  
75  
11  

11  
11  
5  
5  
5  

-0  
-0  

-3  
72  
49  
21  

27  
10  
10  

13  

13  
86  
31  
31  
56  
56  

0  

0  
0  
19  
19  
19  

4 342  

423  

1 366  

22  
10  
10  
12  
12  

34  

1  

1  
1  
22  

3  
31  
23  
11  
8  
3  
9  
9  

77  
63  
63  
14  
14  
2  

2  
2  

247  
53  
53  
194  
194  
1 961  

2  
1 254  
762  
568  
56  
139  
306  
297  
7  
2  
186  
18  
168  
1 043  
378  
378  
665  
665  
101  
88  
88  
13  
13  
17  
13  
13  
4  
4  
0  
0  
276  
80  
80  
196  
196  
8 147  

242 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

No 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 9B: INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Disbursements 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 
Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 
Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

1 446  
207  
52  
68  
11  
77  
837  
178  
659  
191  
170  
21  
0  
88  
88  
13  
13  
110  
110  
628  
14  
14  
65  
65  
31  
31  
238  
1  
129  
41  
64  
3  

245  
40  
2  
14  
0  
24  
105  
18  
87  
18  
8  
5  
4  
43  
43  
2  
2  
37  
37  
43  
3  
3  
4  
4  
8  
8  
15  

10  
2  
2  

630  
170  
37  
47  
8  
78  
307  
32  
275  
66  
58  
6  
2  
67  
67  
1  
1  
19  
19  
97  
9  
9  
14  
14  
5  
5  
64  

27  
26  
6  
5  

17  
1  

0  
1  

15  

15  
0  
0  
0  

1  
1  

22  

2  
2  

20  

0  

20  

39  

20  

20  
2  
2  

1  
1  

15  
15  
6  

0  
0  
1  
1  
3  

0  
2  

1 050  
364  
14  
347  
3  

89  
0  
89  
527  
527  
1  

53  
53  
11  
11  
5  
5  
654  
304  
304  
7  
7  
71  
71  
271  

229  
5  
30  
7  

3 426  
782  
104  
477  
23  
179  
1 373  
228  
1 146  
805  
766  
33  
6  
253  
253  
27  
27  
186  
186  
1 451  
330  
330  
92  
92  
118  
118  
610  
1  
396  
77  
102  
34  

243 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

 Total 

279  
279  
568  
436  
399  
14  
22  
92  
0  
84  
8  
40  
1  
38  
736  
214  
214  
522  
522  
113  
10  
10  
103  
103  
38  
7  
7  
24  
24  
6  
6  
23  
3  
3  
20  
20  
3 551  

14  
14  
86  
45  
39  

6  
21  

21  
0  
19  
1  
18  
110  
65  
65  
46  
46  
3  
1  
1  
2  
2  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  

6  
6  
494  

5  
5  
145  
98  
76  
15  
7  
31  

31  

17  
1  
16  
167  
28  
28  
139  
139  
23  
15  
15  
7  
7  
14  
4  
4  
7  
7  
4  
4  
2  

2  
2  
1 078  

0  
0  
1  
0  
0  

1  

1  
0  

0  
1  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  

0  
0  

12  
1  
1  
11  
11  
53  

2  
2  
35  
27  
9  
12  
6  
2  

2  

6  

6  
29  
15  
15  
14  
14  
9  

9  
9  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
119  

2  
2  
147  
137  
127  
6  
5  
9  

9  
1  
1  

1  
126  
109  
109  
16  
16  
9  
9  
9  

256  
222  
222  
34  
34  
2 243  

301  
301  
982  
743  
650  
47  
47  
156  
0  
147  
9  
82  
3  
79  
1 170  
432  
432  
738  
738  
158  
36  
36  
122  
122  
52  
11  
11  
31  
31  
10  
10  
299  
227  
227  
73  
73  
7 538  

244 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Table 10A: Budget Non-INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Commitments 

Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

No 

Yes 

No 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 
Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Health, general 
Basic health 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 
Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 
Energy generation, non-renewable sources 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

13  

13  
9  
4  

526  
29  
3  
26  

456  
217  
239  
3  
3  

12  
12  
12  
12  
14  
14  
27  
1  
1  
7  
7  
19  
8  
11  

640  
96  
5  
23  
48  
20  
343  
146  
197  
13  
12  
1  

149  
149  

38  
38  
41  
4  
4  

35  
17  
17  

2  
2  

1 728  
149  
3  
60  
6  
80  
860  
303  
557  
278  
51  
185  
42  
261  
261  
42  
42  
138  
138  
775  
0  
0  
68  
68  
224  
14  
208  
3  
151  
151  
331  
331  

620  
238  
196  

0  
43  
366  
28  
338  
3  

3  

10  
10  

2  
2  
28  
1  
1  
21  
21  
3  

3  

2  
2  

3 526  
513  
207  
109  
54  
143  
2 039  
703  
1 336  
297  
66  
189  
42  
433  
433  
54  
54  
191  
191  
871  
7  
7  
96  
96  
281  
39  
239  
3  
156  
156  
331  
331  

245 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Total 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Industry 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 
Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Total 

12  
12  
12  

5  
5  
5  
-0  
-0  
177  
177  
177  
850  
847  
847  
3  
3  

153  
153  
153  

4  

4  
4  

25  
5  
5  
21  
21  
85  
85  
85  
828  
828  
828  

5  
5  
5  

1 596  

166  

1 628  

138  
41  
39  
3  
92  
92  
5  
2  
3  
272  
25  
25  
247  
247  
1 000  
1 000  
1 000  
569  
457  
457  
112  
112  

42  
41  
41  
1  
1  
4 524  

203  

197  
197  
7  

7  
290  
35  
35  
255  
255  
197  
197  
197  
331  
331  
331  

0  
0  
805  
13  
13  
792  
792  
2 474  

358  
53  
51  
3  
293  
293  
12  
2  
10  
593  
70  
70  
523  
523  
1 459  
1 459  
1 459  
2 730  
2 615  
2 615  
115  
115  
0  
0  
852  
59  
59  
792  
792  
10 388  

246 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Table 10B: Budget Non-INTPA in 2023: A closer look. Sectoral breakdown per region – Disbursements  

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

No 

Yes 

No 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 

Education, level unspecified 

Post-secondary education 

Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 

Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 

Health, general 

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 

Banking and financial services 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Grand Total 

1  

1  

1  

684  

59  

9  

21  

18  

11  

484  

239  

245  

86  

54  

33  

0  

26  

26  

0  

0  

28  

28  

73  

28  

29  

1  

1  

28  

9  

19  

1  

1  

573  

91  

31  

27  

13  

20  

333  

177  

156  

63  

38  

24  

2  

49  

49  

0  

0  

37  

37  

51  

2  

1 523  

152  

5  

85  

39  

23  

555  

165  

390  

80  

78  

1  

1  

598  

598  

1  

1  

137  

137  

446  

26  

409  

260  

2  

55  

202  

1  

123  

46  

77  

6  

2  

3  

0  

13  

13  

7  

7  

65  

2  

3 218  

563  

46  

189  

273  

55  

1 523  

636  

888  

236  

172  

61  

3  

686  

686  

1  

1  

209  

209  

635  

58  

247 

 
 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Grand Total 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, renewable sources 

Energy policy 

Heating, cooling and energy distribution 

Nuclear energy plants 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 

Fishing 

Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Industry 

Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 

Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

28  

5  

5  

1  

1  

38  

13  

19  

5  

0  

1  

1  

71  

41  

31  

2  

8  

25  

20  

5  

5  

4  

1  

28  

14  

14  

14  

14  

2  

11  

11  

6  

6  

22  

5  

15  

2  

10  

10  

46  

13  

13  

26  

26  

8  

2  

5  

50  

18  

18  

31  

31  

26  

67  

67  

27  

27  

70  

12  

25  

28  

4  

255  

255  

138  

42  

38  

2  

2  

72  

71  

0  

25  

1  

23  

476  

77  

77  

399  

399  

2  

1  

1  

1  

1  

2  

13  

13  

33  

33  

13  

0  

11  

1  

0  

6  

6  

75  

1  

1  

70  

69  

1  

5  

0  

5  

150  

37  

37  

113  

113  

58  

96  

96  

67  

67  

142  

31  

70  

36  

0  

4  

271  

271  

330  

97  

83  

4  

10  

192  

186  

6  

41  

8  

34  

705  

147  

147  

558  

558  
248 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Grand Total 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing 
countries, 
unspecified 

Grand Total 

5  

0  

0  

5  

5  

840  

32  

32  

808  

808  

2  

2  

2  

805  

805  

805  

490  

1  

1  

470  

470  

19  

19  

8  

6  

6  

2  

2  

126  

6  

6  

120  

120  

1  

1  

1  

1 145  

26  

26  

1 111  

1 111  

9  

9  

8  

7  

7  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

134  

134  

134  

246  

6  

6  

239  

239  

958  

157  

157  

801  

801  

943  

0  

0  

943  

943  

2 847  

70  

70  

2 749  

2 749  

28  

28  

977  

173  

173  

804  

804  

1 702  

158  

1 873  

3 885  

1  

2 036  

9 655  

249 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 11A: Sectoral breakdown per instrument in 2023 – Commitments  

1. NDICI Geo 

2. NDICI Thema 

3. NDICI 
Other 

4. HUMA 

5. IPA III 

6. CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

Social infrastructure and services 
Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace 

and security 

Health 

Government and civil society, general 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive 

health 

reproductive health 

Population policies/programmes and 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 

Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 
Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 

4 396  
1 009  
230  
211  
261  
308  
2 105  

201  
1 904  
354  
93  
259  
2  
499  
499  

96  

96  
333  
333  
887  
25  
25  
210  
210  
138  
138  
450  
0  
156  
251  

2 084  
387  
35  
352  
0  
0  
726  

134  
592  
917  
638  
280  
0  
33  
33  

20  

20  
0  
0  
62  
0  
0  
31  
31  
21  
21  
7  
0  
7  
0  

404  
61  
0  
0  
0  
61  
246  

234  
12  
0  
0  
0  
0  
97  
97  

0  

0  
0  
0  
4  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
3  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

1 073  
113  
6  
77  
29  
0  
355  

3  
353  
271  
185  
44  
42  
154  
154  

42  

42  
138  
138  
556  
0  
0  
101  
101  
68  
68  
122  
0  
14  
108  

332  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
332  

297  
35  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
44  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
44  
0  
0  
3  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

9. 
Admin 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

7  
2  
0  
0  
2  
0  
1  

0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
4  

0  

0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
3  
0  
0  
3  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

8 295  
1 571  
271  
640  
292  
369  
3 766  

869  
2 897  
1 542  
916  
582  
44  
787  
787  

158  

158  
471  
471  
1 558  
26  
26  
341  
341  
229  
229  
629  
3  
176  
366  

250 

 
 
 
 
  
1. NDICI Geo 

2. NDICI Thema 

3. NDICI 
Other 

4. HUMA 

5. IPA III 

6. CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-

related adjustment 
Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

 Total 

43  
0  
65  
65  
1 492  
782  
599  
48  
136  
524  
2  
515  
7  
186  
18  

168  
1 233  
349  
349  
884  
884  
1 012  
11  
11  
1 001  
1 001  
323  
13  
13  
191  
191  
119  
119  
43  
9  
9  
35  
35  
9 386  

0  
0  
3  
3  
42  
24  
13  
8  
3  
9  
0  
9  
0  
9  
0  

9  
108  
91  
91  
18  
18  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
45  
0  
0  
45  
45  
2 343  

0  
0  
0  
0  
50  
0  
0  
0  
0  
50  
0  
50  
0  
0  
0  

0  
13  
0  
0  
13  
13  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
0  
0  
8  
8  
0  
0  
354  
318  
318  
36  
36  
833  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2 417  
0  
0  
2 417  
2 417  
0  
0  
16  
11  
11  
5  
5  
2 433  

0  
0  
265  
265  
27  
9  
6  
3  
0  
16  
0  
16  
0  
2  
2  

0  
262  
4  
4  
258  
258  
501  
0  
0  
501  
501  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
65  
65  
65  
0  
0  
2 485  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-1  
0  
0  
-1  
-1  
0  
0  
3  
1  
1  
2  
2  
334  

0  
41  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
45  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

9. 
Admin 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
578  
578  
578  
0  
0  
578  

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  

1  
19  
4  
4  
15  
15  
45  
0  
0  
45  
45  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
21  
4  
4  
17  
17  
99  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

43  
41  
333  
333  
1 612  
816  
618  
58  
139  
598  
2  
590  
7  
198  
20  

178  
1 636  
448  
448  
1 187  
1 187  
1 560  
13  
13  
1 547  
1 547  
2 747  
13  
13  
2 615  
2 615  
119  
119  
1 127  
988  
988  
139  
139  
18 535  

251 

 
 
  
 
 
Graphs Table 11A 

1. NDICI Geo

2. NDICI Thema

3. NDICI Other

4. HUMA

5. IPA III

6. CFSP

7. INSC

8. OCT

9. Admin

10. Other

EDF

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Commodity aid and general programme assistance

Economic infrastructure and services

Humanitarian aid

Multisector/Cross-cutting

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated /
Unspecified

Production sectors

Social infrastructure and services

252 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 11B: Sectoral breakdown per instrument in 2023 – Disbursements  

Social infrastructure and services 
Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 

Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace 

and security 

Health 

Government and civil society, general 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive 

health 

reproductive health 

Population policies/programmes and 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 

Economic infrastructure and services 

Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 
Energy generation, renewable sources 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
1 889  
479  
98  
136  
166  
79  
820  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
1 120  
361  
14  
346  
1  
1  
328  

118  
702  
324  
284  
38  
2  
194  
194  

6  

6  
66  
66  
757  
319  
319  
29  
29  
106  
106  
292  
0  
249  

55  
273  
399  
398  
1  
0  
19  
19  

11  

11  
1  
1  
22  
0  
0  
4  
4  
11  
11  
4  
0  
1  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA III 

6. CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

451  
7  
0  
0  
7  
0  
142  

132  
10  
1  
1  
0  
0  
301  
301  

0  

0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  

75  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
5  

5  
0  
71  
71  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

267  
47  
0  
13  
30  
3  
69  

10  
59  
4  
4  
0  
0  
135  
135  

0  

0  
12  
12  
65  
0  
0  
5  
5  
9  
9  
8  
0  
6  

331  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
331  

285  
46  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
18  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
18  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  

0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  

0  

0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
6  
0  
0  
0  

1 987  
385  
32  
145  
82  
126  
935  

165  
771  
174  
128  
39  
7  
258  
258  

520  
65  
6  
26  
9  
25  
265  

94  
170  
68  
53  
16  
0  
31  
31  

6 644  
1 345  
150  
665  
295  
234  
2 897  

863  
2 033  
1 041  
937  
94  
9  
939  
939  

3  

8  

28  

3  
232  
232  
681  
53  
53  
95  
95  
39  
39  
261  
4  
86  

8  
84  
84  
531  
15  
15  
54  
54  
13  
13  
165  
1  
84  

28  
395  
395  
2 085  
388  
388  
188  
188  
185  
185  
753  
6  
427  

253 

 
 
 
 
 
Energy policy 
Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 

Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-

related adjustment 
Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 

Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / 
Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Total 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

34  
9  
0  
10  
10  
294  
163  
140  
0  
23  
116  
0  
114  
2  
15  
0  

15  
659  
222  
222  
436  
436  
541  
0  
0  
541  
541  
192  
5  
5  
167  
167  
20  
20  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
3  
0  
0  
3  
3  
40  
34  
33  
1  
0  
5  
0  
1  
4  
1  
0  

1  
55  
52  
52  
3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA III 

6. CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
2  
0  
0  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
0  
3  
3  
6  
6  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
2  
0  
0  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2 404  
66  
66  
2 338  
2 338  
0  
0  

14  
13  
13  
2  
2  
2 495  

1  
0  
0  
43  
43  
31  
1  
1  
0  
0  
28  
0  
28  
0  
2  
0  

2  
93  
8  
8  
85  
85  
451  
0  
0  
451  
451  
5  
0  
0  
5  
5  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

211  
65  
65  
146  
146  
1 124  

2  
1  
1  
1  
1  
332  

3  
0  
15  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
20  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

578  
578  
578  
0  
0  
578  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  

1  
9  
4  
4  
5  
5  
33  
0  
0  
33  
33  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

30  
6  
6  
23  
23  
85  

81  
69  
20  
232  
232  
468  
280  
241  
19  
19  
124  
0  
119  
5  
64  
9  

55  
633  
214  
214  
419  
419  
44  
30  
30  
14  
14  
273  
5  
5  
263  
263  
6  
6  

18  
61  
0  
284  
284  
475  
360  
315  
31  
14  
75  
0  
70  
5  
40  
1  

39  
423  
78  
78  
344  
344  
32  
6  
6  
26  
26  
15  
4  
4  
4  
4  
6  
6  

33  
2  
2  
32  
32  
4 119  

49  
40  
40  
9  
9  
2 045  

147  
139  
35  
572  
572  
1 312  
840  
733  
51  
56  
348  
0  
332  
16  
124  
11  

113  
1 875  
579  
579  
1 296  
1 296  
1 101  
36  
36  
1 065  
1 065  
2 899  
81  
81  
2 780  
2 780  
38  
38  

1 276  
1 030  
1 030  
246  
246  
17 193  

254 

25  
9  
9  
16  
16  
4 356  

18  
0  
0  
18  
18  
1 256  

315  
315  
315  
0  
0  
782  

 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 11B 

1. NDICI Geo

2. NDICI Thema

3. NDICI Other

4. HUMA

5. IPA III

6. CFSP

7. INSC

8. OCT

9. Admin

10. Other

EDF

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

Commodity aid and general programme assistance

Economic infrastructure and services

Humanitarian aid

Multisector/Cross-cutting

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated /
Unspecified

Production sectors

Social infrastructure and services

255 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 12A: Breakdown by country and instrument for 2023 - Commitments 

Country / Region 

Part I: Developing Countries and Territories (Official Development Assistance) 

Bilateral 
   Africa 

Africa (North of Sahara) 

Tunisia 
North of Sahara, regional 

   Morocco 
Egypt 
Algeria 
Libya 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Chad 
   Madagascar 
Sierra Leone 

   Mauritania 
Zimbabwe 
Rwanda 
Togo 
Guinea 
Nigeria 
Ivory Coast 
Niger 
Cameroon 
Comoros 
South of Sahara, regional 

   Malawi 
Zambia 
Eswatini 
Angola 
Somalia 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Liberia 

Income 
group 

LMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 

LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
9 386  
9 317  
4 796  
527  
150  
10  
216  
71  
45  
35  
2 996  
81  
71  
109  
37  
0  
42  
15  
60  
259  
62  
61  
32  
10  
232  
116  
158  
27  
90  
74  
78  
80  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
2 343  
2 343  
9  
1  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
514  
513  
97  
25  
3  
0  
0  
7  
0  
15  
72  
3  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
6  
20  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
10  
0  

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

2 421   2 421  
2 421   2 421  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

838  
21  
0  
21  
0  
0  
0  
0  
432  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

333  
333  
133  
25  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
25  
99  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
25  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
24  
0  
0  

44  
44  
18  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

99  
96  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

17 562  
17 488  
5 891  
599  
153  
31  
216  
78  
45  
75  
3 600  
83  
71  
109  
37  
3  
42  
15  
60  
265  
82  
86  
32  
10  
232  
116  
158  
27  
90  
107  
88  
80  

256 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Congo 
Kenya 
South Sudan 
Uganda 
Guinea-Bissau 
Senegal 

   Mali 

Ghana 
Benin 
Namibia 
Tanzania 
Burundi 
South Africa 
Sudan 
Gambia 
   Mozambique 
Lesotho 
Central African Republic 
Ethiopia 
Djibouti 
Sao Tome and Principe 

   Western Africa, regional 
Eastern Africa, regional 
Southern Africa, regional 

Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   America 

America (North & Central America) 

Haiti 
Guatemala 
Honduras 
Belize 
Cuba 
Dominican Republic 
El Salvador 
Caribbean, regional 
Costa Rica 
Central America, regional 

America (South America) 

Suriname 
South America, regional 
Ecuador 
Bolivia 

Income 
group 

LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 

UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

21  
20  
81  
176  
41  
51  
-123  
74  
115  
6  
3  
87  
79  
130  
50  
86  
27  
38  
173  
25  
4  
116  
15  
11  
1 273  
1 273  
423  
178  
0  
34  
33  
13  
31  
2  
23  
12  
11  
18  
165  
3  
23  
18  
79  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
8  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
5  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
0  
2  
0  
5  
5  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
13  
7  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
6  
0  
0  
2  
0  

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
432  
0  
385  
385  
153  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
36  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
13  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
9  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
18  
18  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

21  
20  
81  
176  
41  
51  
-82  
74  
115  
6  
3  
87  
79  
134  
50  
88  
27  
56  
178  
25  
4  
116  
447  
11  
1 693  
1 693  
588  
185  
3  
34  
33  
13  
31  
2  
23  
12  
11  
22  
171  
3  
23  
20  
79  

257 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Colombia 
Venezuela 
Paraguay 
Peru 
Guyana 

America, unspecified 
America, regional 

   Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 
Timor-Leste 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 
Indonesia 
Cambodia 
Thailand 
Viet Nam 
   Mongolia 

Far East Asia, regional 

   Malaysia 
Asia (Middle East Asia) 

Lebanon 
Jordan 
Palestine** 
Iraq 
Syria 

   Middle East, regional 

Iran 
Yemen 

Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Georgia 
Pakistan 
Central Asia, regional 
Armenia 
Uzbekistan 
India 
Bangladesh 

   Myanmar 

Kyrgyz Republic 
Tajikistan 
Nepal 
Afghanistan 
South & Central Asia, regional 
Azerbaïjan 
Kazakhstan 

Income 
group 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 

UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
OTHER_LICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LDCS 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

16  
0  
4  
16  
6  
80  
80  
1 841  
199  
20  
20  
-2  
81  
2  
59  
19  
-1  
2  
854  
206  
185  
222  
60  
57  
75  
-7  
56  
527  
70  
100  
35  
30  
6  
24  
70  
-0  
0  
20  
1  
143  
1  
14  
8  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
-0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
275  
-0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
3  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
54  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
33  
0  
0  
2  
0  
10  
20  
0  
1  
12  
0  
0  
2  
1  
0  
0  
0  
2  
-0  
0  
0  
8  
0  
0  
0  

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
153  
153  
698  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
517  
0  
0  
93  
17  
0  
262  
0  
145  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
88  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
53  
0  
0  
13  
32  
0  
6  
0  
2  
34  
15  
0  
3  
17  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
16  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

18  
1  
4  
16  
6  
233  
233  
2 974  
199  
20  
20  
-2  
81  
2  
59  
19  
-1  
2  
1 459  
206  
185  
330  
108  
67  
364  
-5  
204  
573  
85  
100  
40  
48  
6  
24  
70  
1  
0  
20  
1  
150  
1  
14  
8  

258 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

   Maldives 

Turkmenistan 
Asia, unspecified 
Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Europe, regional 
Türkiye 
Belarus 
Serbia 
Ukraine*** 

   Moldova 
Kosovo* 
Albania 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 

   Montenegro 

North Macedonia 

   Oceania 

Oceania 

Papua New Guinea 

   Marshall Islands 

Fiji 

   Micronesia, Fed. States 

   Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Triangular co-operation 
   Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Cameroon 
Senegal 
Southern Africa, regional 

Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   Asia 

Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Central Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Albania 

   Oceania 

Oceania 

Oceania, regional 

Income 
group 

UMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

LMICS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 

UNALLOC 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

0  
5  
261  
261  
1 153  
1 153  
260  
7  
25  
0  
724  
136  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
32  
32  
10  
6  
13  
3  
1 072  
1 072  
1 072  
69  
47  
22  
4  
5  
13  
25  
25  
20  
20  
20  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
0  
275  
275  
194  
194  
194  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 865  
1 865  
1 865  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
0  
0  
10  
10  
340  
340  
4  
240  
2  
0  
79  
15  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
8  
8  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
180  
180  
0  
400   2 304  
400   2 304  
907  
335  
812  
65  
0  
0  
203  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
80  
0  
94  
0  
73  
0  
40  
0  
95  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
117  
332  
117  
332  
117  
332  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
103  
103  
3  
0  
0  
0  
30  
6  
59  
0  
5  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
10  
10  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
-0  
-0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
24  
24  
24  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
16  
16  
49  
49  
2  
0  
0  
0  
1  
45  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
31  
31  
31  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
5  
742  
742  
4 544  
4 544  
1 706  
1 124  
27  
204  
834  
202  
139  
94  
78  
40  
95  
32  
32  
10  
6  
13  
3  
3 459  
3 459  
3 459  
71  
47  
22  
4  
5  
13  
25  
25  
20  
20  
20  
2  
2  
2  
2  
2  
2  

259 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Income 
group 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 
   World Customs Organisation Customs Co-operation Fund 

   United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 

UNESCO 
UNFCCC 
UNEP 

Part II: Countries and Territories in Transition (NON-ODA eligible countries) 

Bilateral 
   Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Seychelles 

   America 

America (North & Central America) 

Aruba 
Saint Pierre And Miquelon 

   Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 

Korea 
Hong Kong, China 
Asia (Middle East Asia) 
Saudi Arabia 

Europe 

Europe 

Greenland 

   Oceania 

Oceania 

French Polynesia 
Pitcairn Islands 

   Other 

Other 
   MADCT Unallocated 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

Part III: ODA Countries Non-ODA Eligible Flows 
Part IV: Other Unallocated 
Administrative Costs - Heading 7 
Administrative Costs Ex-BA lines - Heading 6 

TOTAL COMMITTED AMOUNT 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
16  
16  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  
10  
4  
6  
4  
4  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
388  
21  
0  
0  
9 811  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
0  
0  
2 353  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
50  
-6  
0  
331  
890  

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
12  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
67  
0  
0  
65  
2 433   2 553  

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  
14  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  
14  
14  
0  
0  
0  
0  
35  
0  
0  
1  
384  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
45  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
61  
61  
0  
0  
0  
10  
10  
9  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
23  
23  
23  
29  
29  
29  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-1  
9  
0  
1  
70  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
578  
0  
578  

3  
1  
1  
1  
2  
2  
1  
0  
0  
42  
38  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
-0  
-0  
0  
-0  
38  
38  
38  
4  
4  
4  
4  
23  
0  
0  
0  
164  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3  
1  
1  
1  
2  
2  
1  
0  
0  
133  
129  
2  
2  
2  
10  
10  
9  
1  
14  
10  
4  
6  
4  
4  
23  
23  
23  
29  
29  
29  
-0  
52  
52  
52  
4  
4  
4  
4  
572  
24  
578  
411  
19 280  

260 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
***The allocation for Ukraine in 2023 under NDICI geographic pillar and Humanitarian aid (HUMA) is, in part or in full, reported within the ‘Europe, regional’ category due 
to  the  co-existence  of  regional  actions  and  the  application  of  different  methodologies.  The  support  committed  in  2023  under  NDICI-geo  is  EUR  748  million  while  the 
allocation from HUMA in 2023 is EUR 300 million. 
Similarly, with regard to the European Instrument for International Nuclear Safety Cooperation (INSC), the amount committed to support Ukraine in 2023 is EUR 14 million. 
This is contained in the ‘Developing Countries, unspecified’ category since the relative action documents target several countries. 

Graphs Table 12A 

Africa (North of Sahara)
Africa (South of Sahara)
Africa, unspecified
America (North & Central America)
America (South America)
America, unspecified
Asia (Far East Asia)
Asia (Middle East Asia)
Asia (South & Central Asia)
Asia, unspecified
Developing countries, unspecified
Europe
Oceania
Other
Other multilateral institution
United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

1. NDICI Geo

10. Other

2. NDICI Thema

3. NDICI Other

4. HUMA

5. IPA III

6. CFSP

7. INSC

8. OCT

9. Admin

EDF

261 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 12B: Breakdown by country and instrument for 2023 – Disbursements 

Country / Region 

Part I: Developing Countries and Territories (Official 
Development Assistance) 
   Bilateral 

   Africa 

Africa (North of Sahara) 

Algeria 
Egypt 
Libya 
   Morocco 

North of Sahara, regional 
Tunisia 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Angola 
Benin 
Botswana 
Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Cabo Verde 
Cameroon 
Central African Republic 
Chad 
Comoros 
Congo 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Djibouti 
Eastern Africa, regional 
Equatorial Guinea 
Eritrea 
Eswatini 
Ethiopia 
Gabon 
Gambia 

Income 
group 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

4 356  
4 344  
1 534  
174  
5  
14  
21  
105  
6  
22  
941  
14  
24  
3  
41  
19  
3  
11  
22  
25  
0  
2  
68  
0  
47  
0  
0  
0  
41  
0  
17  

1 256  
1 256  
131  
4  
0  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
91  
1  
1  
0  
0  
2  
1  
1  
2  
1  
1  
0  
8  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
1  

467  
467  
64  
2  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
1  
61  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4  
0  
0  

2 482  
2 482  
877  
25  
12  
6  
5  
0  
1  
0  
852  
1  
0  
0  
30  
1  
0  
18  
26  
41  
0  
0  
79  
1  
62  
0  
0  
1  
67  
0  
0  

1 061  
1 059  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

331  
331  
135  
37  
0  
0  
37  
0  
0  
0  
92  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
11  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

18  
18  
2  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 

LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

85  
83  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4 119  
4 095  
725  
342  
17  
54  
21  
115  
25  
110  
253  
1  
3  
0  
6  
2  
0  
5  
9  
4  
0  
2  
7  
4  
7  
0  
2  
0  
7  
0  
2  

2 045  
2 045  
1 779  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1 651  
15  
16  
6  
17  
28  
0  
37  
56  
39  
5  
33  
67  
20  
23  
0  
40  
10  
28  
1  
25  

16 223  
16 182  
5 246  
584  
34  
75  
87  
223  
32  
134  
3 943  
32  
45  
9  
96  
52  
4  
72  
128  
110  
7  
37  
239  
26  
140  
0  
42  
12  
148  
1  
45  

262 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Ghana 
Guinea 
Guinea-Bissau 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Lesotho 
Liberia 
   Madagascar 
   Malawi 
   Mali 
   Mauritania 
   Mauritius 
   Middle Africa, regional 
   Mozambique 
Namibia 
Niger 
Nigeria 
Rwanda 
Sao Tome and Principe 
Senegal 
Sierra Leone 
Somalia 
South Africa 
South of Sahara, regional 
South Sudan 
Southern Africa, regional 
Sudan 
Tanzania 
Togo 
Uganda 

   Western Africa, regional 

Zambia 
Zimbabwe 
Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   America 

America (North & Central America) 

Antigua And Barbuda 
Belize 
Caribbean & Central America, regional 
Caribbean, regional 
Central America, regional 
Costa Rica 

Income 
group 

LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
LDCS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

6  
18  
8  
14  
20  
4  
20  
10  
40  
13  
20  
0  
2  
22  
7  
18  
25  
29  
0  
43  
0  
28  
2  
67  
28  
1  
19  
51  
31  
32  
13  
12  
0  
419  
419  
123  
39  
0  
0  
0  
18  
8  
0  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
2  
1  
0  
2  
0  
5  
1  
1  
6  
2  
0  
0  
1  
0  
1  
4  
2  
0  
2  
1  
1  
1  
11  
1  
4  
0  
4  
0  
2  
4  
0  
7  
36  
36  
37  
12  
0  
0  
0  
3  
1  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

3  
0  
0  
4  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
3  
9  
0  
0  
1  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
4  
0  
4  
0  
2  
0  
0  
5  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  

0  
0  
0  
1  
15  
2  
0  
15  
5  
29  
7  
0  
0  
24  
0  
26  
43  
0  
0  
0  
0  
65  
0  
82  
64  
0  
95  
2  
0  
38  
4  
0  
7  
0  
0  
126  
32  
0  
0  
0  
0  
12  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
36  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
19  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
27  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
5  
5  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

5  
0  
3  
5  
3  
0  
1  
2  
3  
4  
6  
1  
7  
8  
3  
5  
7  
4  
1  
6  
1  
4  
20  
55  
3  
0  
4  
1  
2  
8  
13  
2  
6  
130  
130  
265  
98  
0  
0  
3  
0  
1  
4  

25  
10  
13  
38  
81  
10  
31  
78  
71  
34  
19  
12  
1  
81  
4  
61  
20  
19  
5  
27  
26  
15  
0  
267  
3  
1  
0  
71  
15  
44  
17  
72  
10  
128  
128  
75  
66  
0  
4  
1  
21  
0  
0  

40  
31  
26  
63  
122  
17  
58  
105  
121  
122  
53  
13  
10  
137  
14  
132  
109  
54  
6  
80  
28  
147  
23  
482  
99  
6  
122  
129  
53  
123  
55  
87  
33  
719  
719  
632  
248  
0  
4  
5  
42  
22  
4  

263 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Cuba 
Dominica 
Dominican Republic 
El Salvador 
Grenada 
Guatemala 
Haiti 
Honduras 
Jamaica 
   Mexico 

Nicaragua 
Panama 
St. Lucia 
St.Vincent & Grenadines 

America (South America) 

Argentina 
Bolivia 
Brazil 
Colombia 
Ecuador 
Guyana 
Paraguay 
Peru 
South America, regional 
Suriname 
Venezuela 
America, unspecified 
America, regional 

   Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 
Cambodia 
China 

Democratic People's Republic of Korea 
Far East Asia, regional 
Indonesia 
Lao (People's Democratic Republic) 

   Malaysia 
   Mongolia 

Philippines 
Thailand 
Timor-Leste 
Viet Nam 

Asia (Middle East Asia) 

Income 
group 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 

UNALLOC 

LDCS 
UMICS 
OTHER_L
ICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 

0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
4  
3  
2  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
47  
0  
12  
0  
3  
5  
4  
1  
6  
13  
0  
3  
38  
38  
708  
29  
2  
3  

0  
0  
2  
3  
1  
4  
6  
1  
3  
3  
391  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
22  
0  
2  
0  
7  
0  
0  
3  
0  
9  
0  
1  
2  
2  
54  
5  
0  
0  

0  
0  
1  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
5  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
43  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  

1  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
17  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
80  
0  
1  
1  
26  
2  
0  
0  
1  
21  
0  
29  
15  
15  
808  
10  
0  
0  

0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
0  
0  
497  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
88  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
48  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

14  
0  
1  
5  
0  
15  
5  
18  
1  
5  
23  
0  
0  
1  
137  
3  
38  
7  
29  
9  
0  
27  
4  
17  
1  
4  
30  
30  
1 237  
203  
35  
12  

0  
15  
15  
33  
2  
15  
37  
4  
2  
33  
477  

0  
0  
13  
0  
0  
0  
23  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
9  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
0  
0  
0  
9  
9  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
0  

15  
0  
15  
6  
0  
26  
47  
21  
3  
7  
27  
0  
2  
1  
298  
3  
53  
8  
64  
17  
5  
32  
10  
59  
9  
38  
86  
86  
2 948  
255  
36  
15  

0  
16  
18  
37  
4  
19  
52  
5  
16  
36  
1 433  
264 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Iran 
Iraq 
Jordan 
Lebanon 

   Middle East, regional 

Syria 
Palestine** 
Yemen 

Asia (South & Central Asia) 

Afghanistan 
Armenia 
Azerbaïjan 
Bangladesh 
Bhutan 
Central Asia, regional 
Georgia 
India 
Kazakhstan 
Kyrgyz Republic 

   Maldives 
   Myanmar 
Nepal 
Pakistan 
South & Central Asia, regional 
South Asia, regional 
Sri Lanka 
Tajikistan 
Turkmenistan 
Uzbekistan 

Asia, unspecified 
Asia, regional 

Europe 

Europe 

Albania 
Belarus 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Europe, regional 
Kosovo* 
   Moldova 
   Montenegro 

North Macedonia 
Serbia 
Türkiye 

Income 
group 

LMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
OTHER_L
ICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 

LDCS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
UMICS 
LMICS 

UNALLOC 

UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 
UMICS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

5  
18  
36  
98  
1  

18  
180  
35  
263  
96  
12  
1  
37  
2  
9  
17  
6  
3  
8  
0  
16  
15  
21  
4  
0  
4  
8  
0  
6  
25  
25  
542  
542  
0  
12  
0  
70  
0  
101  
0  
0  
1  
9  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
1  
0  
1  
0  

3  
0  
1  
7  
0  
1  
0  
2  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
37  
37  
43  
43  
0  
1  
0  
33  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

0  
2  
0  
0  
0  

9  
2  
1  
15  
4  
3  
1  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
0  
0  
13  
13  
354  
354  
0  
3  
0  
6  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
307  

12  
22  
12  
70  
0  

168  
79  
134  
295  
201  
7  
1  
34  
0  
2  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
29  
4  
16  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
6  
434  
434  
0  
0  
2  
20  
0  
17  
0  
0  
0  
132  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
853  
853  
89  
0  
74  
121  
72  
0  
41  
84  
200  
173  

0  
25  
0  
0  
7  

0  
13  
4  
39  
0  
17  
0  
0  
0  
3  
20  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
102  
102  
0  
0  
5  
1  
59  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
6  
6  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
39  
39  
0  
0  
0  
6  
0  
33  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3  
63  
27  
104  
195  

13  
41  
31  
502  
41  
42  
15  
81  
1  
40  
60  
7  
0  
10  
1  
28  
29  
56  
3  
9  
26  
43  
0  
11  
55  
55  
1 563  
1 563  
75  
8  
50  
363  
33  
34  
27  
41  
169  
583  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

20  
132  
75  
273  
203  

210  
315  
206  
1 123  
342  
82  
18  
154  
3  
55  
98  
13  
3  
18  
1  
74  
48  
95  
7  
9  
32  
53  
0  
17  
138  
138  
3 936  
3 936  
164  
25  
132  
622  
163  
192  
68  
126  
370  
1 204  
265 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Ukraine 

   Oceania 

Oceania 
Fiji 
Kiribati 

   Marshall Islands 
   Melanesia, regional 
   Micronesia, Fed. States 
   Micronesia, regional 
Oceania, regional 
Papua New Guinea 
Samoa 
Solomon Islands 
Tonga 
Tuvalu 
Vanuatu 

   Wallis & Futuna 

Income 
group 

LMICS 

UMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
UNALLOC 
UNALLOC 
LMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
UMICS 
LDCS 
LMICS 
UMICS 

   Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Developing countries, unspecified 

UNALLOC 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private 
bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other 
private bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other 
private bodies / PPPs 

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and 
other private bodies / PPPs 

Triangular co-operation 
   Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 
Burkina Faso 
Sierra Leone 

Africa, unspecified 
Africa, regional 

   America 

America (South America) 

South America, regional 

America, unspecified 
America, regional 

   Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 

Far East Asia, regional 

Europe 

LDCS 
LDCS 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

UNALLOC 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

348  
30  
30  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
5  
12  
3  
8  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1 407  
1 407  
1 407  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
991  
991  
991  

5  

5  

5  

5  
7  
6  
3  
1  
2  
3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

37  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

263  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
237  
237  
237  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
206  
206  
206  

2  

2  

2  

2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

30  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
5  
5  
5  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

4  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
8  
8  
8  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
43  
43  
43  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

180  
3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
303  
303  
303  

0  

0  

0  

0  
24  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
20  
3  
3  
17  
17  
3  
3  
3  
1  

0  
85  
85  
5  
7  
2  
0  
5  
0  
34  
24  
0  
3  
0  
0  
3  
2  
98  
98  
98  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

871  
120  
120  
6  
7  
2  
2  
5  
1  
39  
38  
3  
10  
1  
0  
4  
2  
3 299  
3 299  
3 299  

8  

8  

8  

8  
31  
6  
3  
1  
2  
3  
3  
21  
3  
3  
18  
18  
3  
3  
3  
1  
266 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Europe 

Ukraine 

   Developing countries 

Income 
group 

LMICS 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Developing countries, unspecified 

UNALLOC 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

World Customs Organisation Customs Co-
operation Fund 

   United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN) 
United Nations agency, fund or commission 
(UN) 

FAO 
UNEP 
UNESCO 
UNFCCC 

Part II: Countries and Territories in Transition (NON-ODA 
eligible countries) 
   Bilateral 

   Africa 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Seychelles 

   America 

America (North & Central America) 

Aruba 
Bahamas 
Barbados 
British Virgin Islands 
Curaçao 
Netherlands Antilles 
Saint Pierre And Miquelon 
Sint Maarten 
St. Kitts-Nevis 
Trinidad And Tobago 
America (South America) 

Chile 
Uruguay 

   Asia 

Asia (Far East Asia) 

Hong Kong, China 
Korea 
Singapore 
Taiwan 

MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

0  
0  
1  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

7  
7  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
5  
5  
0  
5  
0  
0  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  

0  
1  

1  
0  
0  
1  
0  

3  
3  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

23  
23  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

43  
43  
0  
0  
0  
7  
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
7  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
1  
1  

1  
1  

1  
0  
0  
0  
0  

43  
39  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

1  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

26  
26  
0  
0  
0  
4  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
1  
3  
3  
1  
6  
1  
0  
1  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

26  
26  
2  
2  
2  
22  
22  
1  
1  
7  
0  
0  
10  
0  
0  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

1  
1  
1  
1  
1  
3  
1  
1  

1  
1  

1  
0  
0  
1  
0  

172  
168  
2  
2  
2  
36  
31  
2  
1  
7  
0  
0  
10  
7  
0  
0  
4  
5  
4  
1  
15  
6  
0  
6  
0  
0  
267 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Country / Region 

Asia (Middle East Asia) 

Israel 
Saudi Arabia 
United Arab Emirates 

Europe 

Europe 

Greenland 

Russia 

   Oceania 

Oceania 

French Polynesia 
New Caledonia 
Pitcairn Islands 

   Other 

Other 
   MADCT Unallocated 

   Multilateral (inflows) 

   Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

Other multilateral institution 

Part III: ODA Countries Non-ODA Eligible Flows 
Part IV: Other Unallocated 
Administrative Costs - Heading 7 
Administrative Costs Ex-BA lines - Heading 6 
TOTAL DISBURSED AMOUNT 

Income 
group 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 
CEECS/NI
S 

MADCTS 
MADCTS 
MADCTS 

MADCTS 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

1  
0  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
203  
1  
0  
0  
4 568  

2. 
NDICI 
Thema 
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
14  
2  
0  
0  
1 275  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

1  
0  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
35  
9  
0  
328  
840  

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
0  
13  
2 499  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
67  
0  
0  
65  
1 194  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
23  
23  
23  
0  
0  
0  
0  
54  
0  
0  
1  
409  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
20  

0  
0  
0  
0  
29  
29  
29  

0  
6  
6  
6  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
3  
0  
1  
47  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
578  
0  
578  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
39  
39  
39  
4  
4  
4  
4  
9  
1  
0  
0  
139  

5  
5  
0  
0  
5  
5  
0  

5  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
10  
10  
10  
0  
0  
0  
0  
88  
7  
0  
0  
4 241  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
32  
0  
0  
0  
2 103  

9  
7  
1  
1  
35  
35  
30  

5  
7  
7  
6  
0  
0  
73  
73  
73  
4  
4  
4  
4  
507  
24  
578  
410  
17 912  

268 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 12B 

Africa (North of Sahara)

Africa (South of Sahara)

Africa, unspecified

America (North & Central America)

America (South America)

America, unspecified

Asia (Far East Asia)

Asia (Middle East Asia)

Asia (South & Central Asia)

Asia, unspecified

Bilateral, core contributions to NGOs and other private bodies / PPPs

Developing countries, unspecified

Europe

Oceania

Other

Other multilateral institution

United Nations agency, fund or commission (UN)

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

EDF

Completion Lines

9. Admin

8. OCT

7. INSC

6. CFSP

5. IPA III

4. HUMA

3. NDICI Other

2. NDICI Thema

10. Other

1. NDICI Geo

269 

 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 13A: Breakdown by co-operation modality and by instrument 2023 – Commitments  

Column2 Co-operation modality 

1. NDICI Geo 

2. NDICI Thema 

Column1 
A01 
A02 
B02 

B03 
C01 
D02 
E01 
G01 
H01 

General budget support 
Sector budget support 
Core contributions to multilateral institutions 
Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds 
managed by international organisations (multilateral, INGO) 
Project-type interventions 
Other technical assistance 
Scholarships/training in donor country 
Administrative costs not included elsewhere 
Development awareness 
Total 

1 001  
456  
0  

469  
7 391  
20  
42  
9  
0  
9 386  

0  
0  
0  

839  
1 459  
1  
0  
0  
45  
2 343  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
0  
0  
0  

0  
513  
1  
0  
318  
0  
833  

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. Other 

EDF 

Total 

0  
0  
0  

0  
2 419  
0  
0  
11  
3  
2 433  

501  
0  
0  

0  
1 908  
0  
10  
65  
0  
2 485  

0  
0  
0  

0  
333  
0  
0  
1  
0  
334  

0  
0  
0  

0  
44  
0  
0  
1  
0  
45  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
578  
0  
578  

45  
0  
3  

9  
25  
0  
0  
4  
13  
99  

0  
0  
0  

1 547  
456  
3  

0  
1 317  
0   14 092  
21  
0  
51  
0  
988  
0  
0  
61  
0   18 535  

270 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 13A 

10.000

9.000

8.000

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

Core contributions to multilateral institutions

Development awareness

Sector budget support

Scholarships/training in donor country

Project-type interventions

Other technical assistance

General budget support

Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds
managed by international organisations (multilateral, INGO)

1. NDICI
Geo

2. NDICI
Thema

3. NDICI
Other

4. HUMA 5. IPA III

6. CFSP

7. INSC

9. Admin 10. Other

EDF

Administrative costs not included elsewhere

271 

 
 
 
 
Table 13B: Breakdown by co-operation modality and by instrument 2023 – Disbursements  

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

2. NDICI Thema 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

Column1 

Column2 Co-operation modality 

A01 

A02 

B01 

B02 

B03 

B04 

C01 

D01 

D02 

E01 

G01 

H01 

General budget support 

Sector budget support 
Core support to NGOs, other private bodies, PPPs 
and research institutes 

Core contributions to multilateral institutions 
Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and 
funds managed by international organisations 
(multilateral, INGO) 

Basket funds/pooled funding 

Project-type interventions 

Donor country personnel 

Other technical assistance 

Scholarships/training in donor country 

Administrative costs not included elsewhere 

Development awareness 

Total 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

541  

258  

5  

0  

278  

4  

3 057  

0  

10  

190  

9  

3  

0  

0  

0  

1  

501  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

451  

11  

2  

0  

175  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

743  

467  

2 481  

387  

331  

18  

0  

4  

0  

0  

8  

0  

0  

0  

315  

0  

0  

0  

0  

13  

2  

0  

0  

33  

65  

0  

0  

0  

0  

1  

0  

0  

0  

0  

2  

0  

4 356  

1 256  

782  

2 495  

1 124  

332  

20  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

578  

0  

578  

33  

0  

0  

2  

7  

0  

13  

0  

16  

0  

6  

9  

14  

444  

0  

0  

56  

218  

26  

71  

0  

0  

53  

49  

1 065  

785  

8  

3  

1 071  

272  

3 248  

1 750  

12 494  

1  

101  

25  

2  

9  

1  

53  

2  

2  

185  

250  

40  

1 030  

0  

30  

85  

4 119  

2 045  

17 193  

272 

 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 13B 

5.000

4.500

4.000

3.500

3.000

2.500

2.000

1.500

1.000

500

0

Donor country personnel

Core contributions to multilateral institutions

Sector budget support

Scholarships/training in donor country

Project-type interventions

Other technical assistance

General budget support

Development awareness

Core support to NGOs, other private bodies, PPPs and
research institutes

Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds
managed by international organisations (multilateral, INGO)
Basket funds/pooled funding

Administrative costs not included elsewhere

273 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 14A: Sources of External Action in 2019 - 2023 – Commitments  

Row Labels 
DG INTPA Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

DG NEAR Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

Other DGs Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

EDF 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

 Total 

2019 
3 547  
3 502  
45  
5 293  
5 265  
28  
4 424  
4 142  
282  
3 865  
3 004  
861  
17 129  

2020 
3 511  
3 475  
36  
4 165  
4 159  
6  
4 461  
4 216  
245  
3 892  
3 733  
159  
16 030  

2021 
8 299  
8 231  
68  
3 530  
3 526  
4  
3 899  
3 716  
183  
19  
19  
0  
15 747  

2022 
7 284  
7 186  
98  
7 368  
7 264  
104  
5 312  
5 042  
269  
602  
602  
0  
20 565  

2023 
8 259  
8 147  
111  
5 867  
5 692  
176  
5 155  
4 696  
458  
0  
0  
0  
19 280  

 Total 
30 899  
30 542  
358  
26 223  
25 905  
318  
23 251  
21 813  
1 437  
8 378  
7 358  
1 020  
88 751  

274 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 14A 

35.000

30.000

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

DG INTPA Budget

DG NEAR Budget

Other DGs Budget

EDF

DG INTPA Budget

DG NEAR Budget Other DGs Budget

EDF

ODA

Non-ODA

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

275 

 
 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 14B: Sources of External Action in 2019 - 2023 – Disbursements 

Row Labels 

DG INTPA Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

DG NEAR Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

Other DGs Budget 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

EDF 

ODA 
Non-ODA 

 Total 

2019 
3 088  
3 037  
51  
3 312  
3 267  
45  
3 907  
3 704  
203  
3 910  
3 629  
282  
14 217  

2020 
3 337  
3 292  
46  
4 142  
4 129  
13  
4 092  
3 905  
188  
4 679  
4 354  
324  
16 250  

2021 
3 154  
3 138  
16  
3 801  
3 783  
18  
4 475  
4 237  
238  
3 435  
3 231  
203  
14 865  

2022 
4 368  
4 323  
45  
5 716  
5 702  
13  
4 980  
4 742  
239  
2 451  
2 379  
72  
17 515  

2023 
5 567  
5 493  
75  
4 886  
4 841  
45  
5 356  
4 814  
542  
2 103  
2 045  
58  
17 912  

Total 
19 514  
19 282  
232  
21 857  
21 723  
134  
22 811  
21 402  
1 409  
16 578  
15 639  
939  
80 761  

276 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 14B 

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

ODA

Non-ODA

ODA

Non-ODA

ODA

Non-ODA

ODA

Non-ODA

DG INTPA Budget

DG NEAR Budget

Other DGs Budget

EDF

2023

2022

2021

2020

2019

277 

 
 
 
 
Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 15: Sectoral breakdown of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for 2019 - 2023 

Commitments: Sector of Destination  

Sector 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

Social infrastructure and services 
Economic infrastructure and services 
Production sectors 
Multisector/Cross-cutting 
Commodity aid and general programme assistance 
Debt Relief 
Humanitarian aid 
Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 
Total 

Disbursements: Sector of Destination 

7 451  
1 740  
1 257  
1 372  
505  

2 614  
975  
15 913  

5 795  
1 745  
1 706  
1 463  
903  
92  
2 964  
915  
15 583  

7 089  
2 799  
612  
1 060  
610  

2 366  
956  
15 492  

7 891  
2 706  
1 673  
1 759  
998  

3 112  
1 956  
20 095  

8 295  
1 558  
1 612  
1 636  
1 560  

2 747  
1 127  
18 535  

36 521  
10 548  
6 861  
7 289  
4 575  
92  
13 803  
5 930  
85 618  

Sector 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

Social infrastructure and services 
Economic infrastructure and services 
Production sectors 
Multisector/Cross-cutting 
Commodity aid and general programme assistance 
Debt Relief 
Humanitarian aid 
Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 
Total 

5 270  
1 455  
1 188  
1 949  
579  

2 283  
912  
13 637  

7 545  
1 354  
1 093  
1 198  
1 231  

2 568  
690  
15 680  

5 817  
1 190  
1 260  
2 162  
198  
183  
2 603  
975  
14 389  

7 054  
1 550  
1 139  
1 546  
1 241  

2 756  
1 860  
17 147  

6 644  
2 085  
1 312  
1 875  
1 101  

2 899  
1 276  
17 193  

32 331  
7 635  
5 993  
8 731  
4 350  
183  
13 110  
5 714  
78 046  

278 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 15 

Commitments

Other : Administrative costs of donors /
Unallocated / Unspecified

Humanitarian aid

Debt Relief

Commodity aid and general programme
assistance

Multisector/Cross-cutting

Production sectors

Economic infrastructure and services

Social infrastructure and services

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Disbursements

Other : Administrative costs of donors /
Unallocated / Unspecified

Humanitarian aid

Debt Relief

Commodity aid and general programme
assistance

Multisector/Cross-cutting

Production sectors

Economic infrastructure and services

Social infrastructure and services

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

20.000

18.000

16.000

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

279 

 
 
 
 
Table 16A: Regional distribution of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries for 2019 - 2023 

Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Sub-region 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

Commitments 

Region 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Africa (South of Sahara) 
Africa, unspecified 
Africa (North of Sahara) 

America (North & Central America) 
America, unspecified 
America (South America) 

Asia (Far East Asia) 
Asia (South & Central Asia) 
Asia (Middle East Asia) 
Asia, unspecified 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Other 

Total 

UNALLOC 
UMICS 
LMICS 
LDCS 
OTHER_LICS 
MADCTS 
Total 

Other 

Unallocated 
Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories 
Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories 
Least Developed Countries 
Other Low Income Countries 
More Advanced Developing Countries 

4 132  
3 045  
369  
719  
658  
280  
216  
163  
3 161  
239  
1 209  
1 535  
177  
4 548  
4 548  
139  
139  
3 274  
3 274  
1  
1  
15 913  

4 819  
3 351  
659  
810  
747  
304  
230  
213  
3 253  
275  
890  
1 666  
422  
3 071  
3 071  
107  
107  
3 586  
3 586  

6 325  
3 836  
1 743  
745  
539  
212  
259  
68  
2 029  
66  
505  
944  
514  
2 923  
2 923  
53  
53  
3 623  
3 623  

15 583  

15 492  

6 965  
3 944  
2 222  
799  
516  
209  
235  
72  
2 944  
183  
814  
1 533  
414  
4 990  
4 990  
89  
89  
4 579  
4 579  
12  
12  
20 095  

5 938  
3 622  
1 717  
599  
588  
185  
233  
171  
2 994  
199  
593  
1 459  
742  
4 546  
4 546  
34  
34  
4 435  
4 435  

18 535  

28 180  
17 798  
6 710  
3 672  
3 048  
1 189  
1 173  
686  
14 380  
963  
4 011  
7 137  
2 269  
20 077  
20 077  
422  
422  
19 497  
19 497  
14  
14  
85 618  

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

6 318  
3 899  
3 071  
2 558  
66  
1  
15 913  

7 172  
2 245  
3 381  
2 752  
33  

9 509  
1 959  
1 520  
2 505  

15 583  

15 492  

10 845  
3 418  
3 018  
2 735  
67  
12  
20 095  

10 167  
3 109  
2 568  
2 624  
67  

18 535  

44 010  
14 630  
13 558  
13 174  
233  
14  
85 618  

280 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Distribution by region and income for year 2023 

Region 

LDCS 

LMICS 

UMICS 

UNALLOC 

OTHER_LICS 

Total 

2 074  
3  
547  

2 624  

1 021  
148  
551  
834  
13  

2 568  

276  
147  
662  
2 005  
19  

3 109  

2 568  
291  
1 166  
1 706  
2  
4 435  
10 167  

67  

67  

5 938  
588  
2 994  
4 546  
34  
4 435  
18 535  

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 
Total 

Graphs Table 16A 

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

Other

Developing
countries

Oceania

Europe

Asia

America

5.000

Africa

0

7.000

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

More Advanced
Developing
Countries

Other Low Income
Countries

Least Developed
Countries

Lower Middle
Income Countries
and Territories

Upper Middle
Income Countries
and Territories

Unallocated

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

20192020202120222023

OTHER_LICS

UNALLOC

UMICS

LMICS

LDCS

281 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
   
Table 16B: Regional distribution of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to developing countries for 2019 - 2023 

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Sub-region 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

Disbursements 

Region 

Africa 

America 

Asia 

Europe 

Oceania 

Africa (North of Sahara) 
Africa (South of Sahara) 
Africa, unspecified 

America (North & Central America) 
America (South America) 
America, unspecified 

Asia (Far East Asia) 
Asia (Middle East Asia) 
Asia (South & Central Asia) 
Asia, unspecified 

Europe 

Oceania 

Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Other 

Total 

Other 

5 165  
581  
4 246  
338  
693  
395  
270  
28  
2 736  
239  
1 424  
1 043  
30  
2 945  
2 945  
129  
129  
1 967  
1 967  
0  
0  
13 637  

6 477  
1 112  
4 449  
916  
802  
421  
331  
50  
3 133  
316  
1 279  
1 450  
88  
3 022  
3 022  
109  
109  
2 138  
2 138  

15 680  

4 906  
626  
3 756  
524  
726  
375  
292  
60  
2 879  
298  
1 313  
1 213  
56  
3 412  
3 412  
113  
113  
2 352  
2 352  
0  
0  
14 389  

5 253  
777  
3 712  
764  
651  
293  
283  
75  
2 738  
268  
1 329  
1 079  
62  
4 212  
4 212  
98  
98  
4 189  
4 189  
5  
5  
17 147  

5 253  
584  
3 946  
722  
653  
248  
301  
104  
2 951  
258  
1 433  
1 123  
138  
3 939  
3 939  
120  
120  
4 279  
4 279  

17 193  

27 054  
3 681  
20 109  
3 264  
3 525  
1 732  
1 477  
317  
14 438  
1 378  
6 777  
5 908  
374  
17 529  
17 529  
569  
569  
14 925  
14 925  
5  
5  
78 046  

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

LDCS 
LMICS 
MADCTS 
OTHER_LICS 
UNALLOC 
UMICS 
CEECS/NIS 
Total 

Least Developed Countries 
Lower Middle Income Countries and Territories 
More Advanced Developing Countries 
Other Low Income Countries 
Unallocated 
Upper Middle Income Countries and Territories 
Central and Eastern European Countries / New Independent States 

3 389  
2 881  
0  
51  
4 480  
2 835  

4 084  
3 480  

105  
4 904  
3 108  

3 478  
2 874  
0  
54  
4 704  
3 279  

13 637  

15 680  

14 389  

3 245  
3 200  
5  
391  
6 960  
3 345  
0  
17 147  

3 562  
2 680  

210  
7 056  
3 685  

17 193  

17 757  
15 116  
6  
811  
28 105  
16 252  
0  
78 046  
282 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Distribution by region and income for year 2023 

Region 

LDCS 

UNALLOC 

LMICS 

UMICS 

OTHER_LICS 

Total 

2 582 
47 
915 

17 

3 562 

1 446 
235 
431 
624 
42 
4 279 
7 056 

957 
112 
690 
872 
50 

2 680 

268 
258 
705 
2 443 
11 

3 685 

210 

210 

5 253 
653 
2 951 
3 939 
120 
4 279 
17 193 

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 
Total 

Graphs Table 16B 

20.000

18.000

16.000

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

Other

Developing
countries

Oceania

Europe

Asia

America

Africa

20.000

18.000

16.000

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

6.000

5.000

4.000

3.000

2.000

1.000

0

Central and
Eastern European
Countries / New
Independent
States
Upper Middle
Income Countries
and Territories

Unallocated

Other Low Income
Countries

More Advanced
Developing
Countries

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023

20192020202120222023

OTHER_LICS

UMICS

LMICS

UNALLOC

LDCS

283 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Table 17: Breakdown by co-operation modality for 2019 - 2023 

Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Co-operation modality 

2019 

2020 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

Commitments 

A01 

General budget support 

A02 

Sector budget support 

B01 

Core support to NGOs, other private bodies, PPPs and research institutes 

B02 

Core contributions to multilateral institutions 

B03 

Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by 

international organisations (multilateral, INGO) 
B04 

Basket funds/pooled funding 

C01 

Project-type interventions 

D01 

Donor country personnel 

D02 

Other technical assistance 

E01 

Scholarships/training in donor country 

G01 

Administrative costs not included elsewhere 

H01 

Development awareness 

- 

Other mechanisms 

Total 

418  

1 164  

5  

262  

489  

411  

883  

988  

5  

234  

386  

603  

591  

575  

1  

5  

1 032  

945  

1 547  

456  

3  

3  

771  

1 290  

1 317  

4 471  

4 128  

10  

506  

4 252  

1 014  

12 128  

11 116  

12 515  

15 303  

14 092  

65 155  

10  

76  

190  

704  

58  

82  

140  

316  

771  

59  

97  

30  

881  

26  

15 913  

15 583  

15 492  

66  

392  

951  

68  

46  
20 095  

21  

51  

988  

61  

18 535  

92  

401  

979  

4 294  

270  

46  
85 618  

284 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Graphs Table 17 

25000

20000

15000

10000

5000

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Sector budget support

Scholarships/training in donor country

Project-type interventions

Other technical assistance

Other mechanisms

General budget support

Donor country personnel

Development awareness

Core support to NGOs, other private bodies, PPPs and research institutes

Core contributions to multilateral institutions

Contributions to specific-purpose programmes and funds managed by international
organisations (multilateral, INGO)

Basket funds/pooled funding

Administrative costs not included elsewhere

285 

 
 
 
Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 18: ODA by instrument for 2021 - 2027 

Commitments 

1. NDICI Geo 
2. NDICI Thema 
3. NDICI Other 
4. HUMA 
5. IPA III 
6. CFSP 
7. INSC 
8. OCT 
9. Admin 
10. Other 
EDF 
Total 

Disbursements 

1. NDICI Geo 
2. NDICI Thema 
3. NDICI Other 
4. HUMA 
5. IPA III 
6. CFSP 
7. INSC 
8. OCT 
9. Admin 
10. Other 
Completion Lines 
EDF 
Total 

Instrument 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

7 298  
2 363  
1 093  
2 196  
1 588  
284  
38  
0  
507  
106  
19  
15 492  

11 360  
1 129  
1 269  
2 496  
2 294  
267  
31  
0  
544  
103  
602  
20 095  

9 386  
2 343  
833  
2 433  
2 485  
334  
45  
0  
578  
99  
0  
18 535  

Instrument 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

206  
725  
353  
2 448  
46  
271  
1  
0  
502  
74  
6 531  
3 231  
14 389  

3 874  
1 091  
792  
2 445  
435  
278  
4  
0  
543  
82  
5 224  
2 379  
17 147  

4 356  
1 256  
782  
2 495  
1 124  
332  
20  
0  
578  
85  
4 119  
2 045  
17 193  

28 044  
5 836  
3 194  
7 125  
6 366  
884  
115  
0  
1 629  
308  
621  
54 122  

8 437  
3 073  
1 927  
7 389  
1 604  
881  
25  
0  
1 622  
241  
15 874  
7 656  
48 729  

286 

 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 18 

25.000

20.000

15.000

10.000

5.000

0

Total

20.000

18.000

16.000

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

2021

2022

2023

2021

2022

2023

EDF

Completion Lines

9. Admin

8. OCT

7. INSC

6. CFSP

5. IPA III

4. HUMA

3. NDICI Other

2. NDICI Thema

10. Other

1. NDICI Geo

287 

 
 
 
   
Table 19: Breakdown by Management Type - Disbursements in 2023 

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Disbursements 

I. Budget Support 
Other Management Categories 
Budget Support 
Morocco 
Serbia 
Ukraine 
Albania 
Bangladesh 
North Macedonia 
Moldova 
Kosovo* 
Bosnia-Herzegovina 
Tanzania 
Others 
Total 

II. Third Countries 
Direct or Shared Management 
Indirect Management - Other categories 
Indirect Management - Third Countries 
Türkiye 
Serbia 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Zambia 
Tanzania 
Chad 
Mali 
Uganda 
Montenegro 
Ethiopia 
Others 
Total 

16 460  
1 453  
166  
152  
150  
115  
80  
75  
70  
68  
63  
46  
468  
17 912  

9 762  
7 304  
846  
312  
92  
44  
33  
32  
29  
24  
22  
19  
13  
225  
17 912  

288 

 
 
 
  
 
  
 
III. International Organisations 
Direct or Shared Management 
Indirect Management - International Organisations 
INTERNATIONAL BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT 
WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME*PROGRAMME ALIMENTAIRE MONDIAL 
UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN'S FUND*LE FFONDS DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'ENFANCE 
EUROPEAN INVESTMENT BANK*BANQUE EUROPEENNE D INVESTISSEMENT 
UNITED NATIONS DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME*PROGRAMME DES NATIONS UNIES POURLE DEVELOPPEMENT 
INTERNATIONAL ORGANISATION FOR MIGRATION 
EUROPEAN BANK FOR RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT*BANQUE EUROPEENNE POUR LA RECONSTRUCTION ET LE DEVELOPPEMENT 
UNITED NATIONS ORGANISATION*ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES 
THE FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANISATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS*ORGANISATION DES NATIONS UNIES POUR L'ALIMENTATION ET L'AGRICULTURE 
UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES*HAUT COMMISSARIAT DES NATIONS UNIES POUR LES REFUGIES 
Others 
Indirect Management - Other categories 
Total 

United Nations 
International Financial Institutions 
Other International Organisations 
Total of Indirect Management - International Organisations 

IV. Agencies 
Direct or Shared Management 
Indirect Management - Other categories 
Indirect Management - MS/Non-MS Agencies 
DEUTSCHE GESELLSCHAFT FUR INTERNATIONALE ZUSAMMENARBEIT (GIZ) GMBH* 
AGENCE FRANCAISE DE DEVELOPPEMENT 
KREDITANSTALT FUR WIEDERAUFBAU* 
EXPERTISE FRANCE 
NEDERLANDSE FINANCIERINGS-MAATSCHAPPIJ VOOR ONTWIKKELINGSLANDEN NV* 
ENABEL, BELGISCH ONTWIKKELINGSAGENTSCHAP*ENABEL, AGENCE BELGE DE DEVELOPPEMENT 
FUNDACION INTERNACIONAL Y PARA IBEROAMERICA DE ADMINISTRACION Y POLITICAS PUBLICAS*ADMINISTRATION AND PUBLIC POLICIES 
DEUTSCHER AKADEMISCHER AUSTAUSCHDIENST EV*DAAD GERMAN ACADEMIC EXCHANGE SERVICE 
AGENCIA ESPANOLA DE COOPERACION INTERNACIONAL PARA EL DESARROLLO 
AGENZIA ITALIANA PER LA COOPERAZIONE ALLO SVILUPPO*ITALIAN AGENCY FORDEVELOPMENT COOPERATION 
Others 
Total 

9 762  
5 121  
593  
533  
424  
374  
348  
338  
323  
238  
225  
209  
1 517  
3 029  
17 912  

2 969  
1 473  
678  
5 121  

9 762  
6 335  
1 815  
379  
323  
157  
155  
98  
88  
62  
61  
50  
35  
408  
17 912  

289 

 
 
 
  
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 19 

Budget Support - Disbursements

8%

92%

Other Management
Categories

Budget Support

Indirect Management - Disbursements

11%

23%

66%

Indirect Mgt. - Int. Org.

Indirect Mgt. - MS/Non-MS
Agencies

Indirect Mgt. - Benef. Country

290 

 
 
 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 20: Disbursements - Breakdown by forms of Union Funding as defined in Articles 41 and 27 NDICI 

Disbursements 

NDICI 

Other Instruments 

NDICI Direct 
or Shared 
Management 

NDICI Indirect 
Management 

NDICI Total 

Grants 
Others 
Budget Support 
Administrative Expenditures 
Procurement Contracts 

Services 
Works 
Supplies 

Financial Instruments 

Of which: Blending 

Remunerated External Experts (Individual Experts) 
Contribution & Delegation Agreements 

Of which: Blending 

Program Estimates 
Contribution to EU Trust Funds 

Total 

1 711  
1 168  
544  
466  
190  
164  
0  
26  
76  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
4 157  

0  
0  
0  
9  
0  
0  
0  
0  
130  
0  
0  
2 386  
2  
1  
0  
2 526  

1 711  
1 168  
544  
474  
190  
164  
0  
26  
205  
0  
2  
2 386  
2  
1  
0  
6 683  

Other 
Instruments 
Direct or 
Shared 
Management 
2 339  
362  
908  
759  
615  
562  
22  
31  
3  
0  
4  
0  
0  
0  
614  
5 605  

Other  
Instruments 
Indirect 
Management 

Other  
Instruments 
Total 

Direct or 
Shared 
Management 
MFF H6 

83  
31  
0  
2  
273  
94  
165  
13  
138  
136  
0  
5 051  
596  
46  
0  
5 625  

2 423  
393  
908  
761  
888  
656  
188  
45  
141  
136  
4  
5 051  
596  
46  
614  
11 230  

4 050  
1 530  
1 453  
1 225  
806  
726  
22  
57  
78  
0  
6  
0  
0  
0  
614  
9 762  

Total 

Indirect 
Management 
MFF H6 

Total MFF H6 

83  
31  
0  
11  
273  
94  
165  
13  
268  
136  
0  
7 437  
598  
47  
0  
8 150  

4 134  
1 561  
1 453  
1 236  
1 079  
820  
188  
71  
346  
136  
6  
7 437  
598  
47  
614  
17 912  

291 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

No 

Table 21: Disbursements related to the previous MFF 

Disbursements Completion Lines 

DCI 
EIDHR 
ENI 
Greenland 
IcSP 
INSC 
IPA II 
PI-ICI+ 
Total 

2021 

2022 

2023 

Total 

2 245  
129  
1 767  
6  
234  
16  
2 146  
114  
6 658  

1 783  
70  
1 561  

129  
15  
1 655  
83  
5 297  

1 482  
53  
1 236  
0  
127  
21  
1 242  
79  
4 241  

5 511  
252  
4 564  
6  
491  
52  
5 044  
276  
16 196  

292 

 
 
 
  
  
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 22A: Number of contributing programmes per SDG for 2023 – Commitments  

Commitments 

SDG Contribution 

Main SDG 

Significant SDG 

SDG 1 
SDG 2 
SDG 3 
SDG 4 
SDG 5 
SDG 6 
SDG 7 
SDG 8 
SDG 9 
SDG 10 
SDG 11 
SDG 12 
SDG 13 
SDG 14 
SDG 15 
SDG 16 
SDG 17 

No poverty 
Zero hunger 
Good health and well-being 
Quality education 
Gender equality 
Clean water and sanitation 
Affordable and clean energy 
Decent work and economic growth 
Industry, innovation and infrastructure 
Reduced inequalities 
Sustainable cities and communities 
Responsible consumption and production 
Climate action 
Life below water 
Life on land 
Peace, justice and strong institutions 
Partnerships for the goals 

4 054  
490  
1 620  
1 717  
353  
351  
686  
1 489  
1 255  
1 217  
182  
132  
707  
101  
355  
2 328  
2 241  
19 280  

2 706  
2 664  
2 148  
2 496  
13 011  
2 438  
3 117  
6 167  
2 951  
5 982  
2 406  
3 146  
4 886  
468  
1 774  
3 627  
3 754  
63 741  

293 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 22A 

Commitments

16.000

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

SDG 1

SDG 2

SDG 3

SDG 4

SDG 5

SDG 6

SDG 7

SDG 8

SDG 9

SDG 10 SDG 11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15 SDG 16 SDG 17

294 

 
 
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Table 22B: Number of contributing programmes per SDG for 2023 – Disbursements  

Disbursements 

SDG Contribution 

Main SDG 

Significant SDG 

SDG 1 
SDG 2 
SDG 3 
SDG 4 
SDG 5 
SDG 6 
SDG 7 
SDG 8 
SDG 9 
SDG 10 
SDG 11 
SDG 12 
SDG 13 
SDG 14 
SDG 15 
SDG 16 
SDG 17 

No poverty 
Zero hunger 
Good health and well-being 
Quality education 
Gender equality 
Clean water and sanitation 
Affordable and clean energy 
Decent work and economic growth 
Industry, innovation and infrastructure 
Reduced inequalities 
Sustainable cities and communities 
Responsible consumption and production 
Climate action 
Life below water 
Life on land 
Peace, justice and strong institutions 
Partnerships for the goals 

2 011  
1 455  
1 196  
1 698  
183  
395  
740  
1 665  
1 170  
1 357  
396  
72  
603  
66  
214  
2 547  
2 146  
17 912  

3 825  
2 174  
1 894  
1 621  
11 802  
2 802  
1 826  
3 270  
2 228  
3 288  
1 672  
876  
2 903  
222  
764  
1 209  
2 196  
44 572  

295 

 
 
 
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table 22B 

Disbursements

14.000

12.000

10.000

8.000

6.000

4.000

2.000

0

SDG 1

SDG 2

SDG 3

SDG 4

SDG 5

SDG 6

SDG 7

SDG 8

SDG 9

SDG 10 SDG 11 SDG 12 SDG 13 SDG 14 SDG 15 SDG 16 SDG 17

296 

 
 
 
Table TF1: Overview of incoming contributions (disbursements from contributors) 

Trust Fund Africa 
Contribution received from Commission Annual Budget 
Contribution received from EDF 
Contribution received from Member States 
Contribution received from Non-Member States 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Contribution received from Commission Annual Budget 
Contribution received from EDF 
Contribution received from Member States 
Contribution received from Non-Member States 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Contribution received from Commission Annual Budget 
Contribution received from EDF 
Contribution received from Member States 
Contribution received from Non-Member States 
Trust Fund Madad 
Contribution received from Commission Annual Budget 
Contribution received from EDF 
Contribution received from Member States 
Contribution received from Non-Member States 
Total Trust Funds 
Contribution received from Commission (Annual Budget + EDF) 
Contribution received from Member States 
Contributions received from Non-Member States 

Cumulative previous Years 
4 415 

Current Year (2023) 
338 

267  

111  

2 039  

6 832  

871  
2 921  
592  
31  

72  
105  
89  
1  

74  
0  
37  
0  

1 777  
0  
238  
25  

5 820  
956  
57  

43  

10  

253  

644  

107  
231  
0  
0  

0  
43  
0  
0  

10  
0  
0  
0  

253  
0  
0  
0  

644  
0  
0  

Total 
4 753 

310  

121  

2 292  

7 476  

978  
3 152  
592  
31  

72  
148  
89  
1  

84  
0  
37  
0  

2 030  
0  
238  
25  

6 464  
956  
57  

297 

 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF1 

Cumulative Previous Years

2.039

111

267

4.415

Current Year

338

253

43

10

Trust Fund Africa

Trust fund Bêkou

Trust Fund Colombia

Trust fund Madad

Trust Fund Africa

Trust fund Bêkou

Trust Fund Colombia

Trust fund Madad

298 

 
 
 
 
 
 
Table TF2A: Overview of committed and disbursed amounts 

Commitments  

Trust Funds assistance  

Cumulative Previous Years 

Current Year (2023) 

Total 

Trust Fund Africa 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Trust Fund Madad 

Disbursements 

Total 

5 438  
333  
139  
2 433  
8 344  

2  
0  
0  
0  
3  

Trust Funds assistance 

Cumulative Previous Years 

Current Year (2023) 

Total 

Trust Fund Africa 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Trust Fund Madad 

 Total 

Decommitments (for information) 

4 280  
263  
102  
2 002  
6 647  

Trust Funds assistance 

Cumulative Previous Years 

Current Year (2023) 

Trust Fund Africa 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Trust Fund Madad 

Total 

-392  
-28  
-8  
-52  
-480  

332  
20  
17  
264  
633  

-5  
0  
-0  
-0  
-5  

Total 

5 440  
333  
139  
2 434  
8 346  

4 612  
283  
119  
2 265  
7 280  

-397  
-28  
-8  
-52  
-485  

299 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF2A 

Commitments

Disbursements

1600

1400

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

Trust Fund Madad

Trust Fund Colombia

Trust Fund Bêkou

Trust Fund Africa

1.800

1.600

1.400

1.200

1.000

800

600

400

200

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Trust Fund Madad

Trust Fund Colombia

Trust Fund Bêkou

Trust Fund Africa

300 

 
 
  
 
 
 
Table TF2B: Proportion of Trust Funds assistance used for Official Development Aid (ODA) in 2023 

Commitments  

Trust Fund Africa 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Trust Fund Madad 

Disbursements 

Trust Fund Africa 
Trust Fund Bêkou 
Trust Fund Colombia 
Trust Fund Madad 

Trust Funds assistance 

ODA 

Non-ODA ** 

Trust Funds assistance 

2  
0  
0  
0  
3  

ODA 

Non-ODA ** 

332  
20  
17  
264  
633  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

Total 

Total 

** The non-ODA part of the Trust Fund Africa is entirely funded by the Directorate General for Migration and Home Affairs (DG HOME) under Heading IV of 
the EU Budget. Therefore, the part of the Trust Fund Africa funded by other financial sources (including EU Budget Heading VI, the EDF and EU Member 
States contributions) is 100 % ODA eligible. 

301 

 
 
 
 
 
Table TF3A: Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Africa 

Sector 

Sahel region and Lake Chad 
area 

Horn of Africa 

North of Africa 

Regional and Other 

Total Africa 

100 - Social infrastructure and services 
  110 - Education 
    11110 - Education policy and 
administrative management 
    11120 - Education facilities and 
training 
    11220 - Primary education 
    11330 - Vocational training 
  120 - Health 
    12220 - Basic health care 
    12240 - Basic nutrition 
  130 - Population policies/ 
programmes and reproductive health 
    13010 - Population policy and 
administrative management 
  140 - Water and sanitation 
    14010 - Water sector policy and 
administrative management 
    14020 - Water supply and sanitation 
- large systems 
  150 - Government and civil society 
    15110 - Public sector policy and 
administrative management 
    15113 - Anti-corruption 
organisations and institutions 
    15130 - Legal and judicial 
development 
    15150 - Democratic participation and 
civil society 
    15160 - Human rights 
    15170 - Women's rights 
organisations and movements, and 
government institutions 
    15190 - Facilitation of orderly, safe, 
regular and responsible migration and 
mobility 
    15210 - Security system 
management and reform 
    15220 - Civilian peace-building, 
conflict prevention and resolution 
    15230 - Participation in international 
peacekeeping operations 

Commitments 

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

Disbursements 
115  
6  

0  

0  
0  
6  
5  
0  
5  

23  

23  
4  

4  

0  
45  

4  

0  

17  

0  
2  

0  

2  

14  

6  

0  

Commitments 

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

Disbursements 
94  
9  

0  

3  
2  
4  
21  
11  
10  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
39  

22  

0  

1  

2  
1  

1  

1  

3  

9  

0  

Commitments 

2  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
2  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

2  

0  

0  

0  

Disbursements 
37  
3  

0  

0  
0  
3  
1  
1  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
32  

9  

1  

0  

0  
0  

0  

22  

0  

0  

0  

Commitments 

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

0  

Disbursements 
16  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
16  

1  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

15  

0  

0  

0  

Commitments 

Disbursements 

2  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
2  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

2  

0  

0  

0  

261  
19  

0  

3  
2  
13  
27  
12  
15  

23  

23  
4  

4  

0  
132  

35  

1  

18  

2  
3  

1  

39  

17  

15  

0  

302 

 
 
  
Sector 

Sahel region and Lake Chad 
area 

Horn of Africa 

North of Africa 

Regional and Other 

Total Africa 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

  160 - Other social infrastructure and 
services 
    16010 - Social protection 
    16020 - Employment creation 
    16030 - Housing policy and 
administrative management 
    16050 - Multisector aid for basic 
social services 
200 - Economic infrastructure and 
services 
  210 - Transport and storage 
    21020 - Road transport 
  220 - Communications 
    22010 - Communications policy and 
administrative management 
  240 - Banking and financial services 
    24030 - Formal sector financial 
intermediaries 
  250 - Business and other services 
    25010 - Business Policy and 
Administration 
300 - Production sectors 
  310 - Agriculture, forestry and fishing 
    31120 - Agricultural development 
    31162 - Industrial crops/export crops 
    31195 - Livestock /veterinary services 
    31320 - Fishery development 
  320 - Industry, mineral resources and 
mining, construction 
    32130 - Small and medium-sized 
enterprises (SME) development 
400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting 
  410 - General environmental 
protection 
    41010 - Environmental policy and 
administrative management 
  430 - Other multisector 
    43010 - Multisector aid 
    43030 - Urban development and 
management 
    43060 - Disaster Risk Reduction 
    43071 - Food security policy and 
administrative management 
    43072 - Household food security 

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

32  
1  
6  

1  

23  

1  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
1  

1  
3  
1  
1  
0  
0  
0  

2  

2  
2  

0  

0  
2  
2  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

24  
11  
9  

0  

4  

11  

9  
9  
0  

0  
1  

1  
1  

1  
17  
11  
1  
9  
1  
0  

6  

6  
3  

3  

3  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

1  
0  
0  

0  

1  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
20  

0  

0  
20  
1  

19  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  
0  

57  
12  
15  

1  

29  

11  

9  
9  
0  

0  
1  

1  
1  

1  
20  
12  
2  
9  
1  
0  

8  

8  
25  

3  

3  
22  
3  

19  
0  

0  
0  

303 

 
 
  
Sector 

Sahel region and Lake Chad 
area 

Horn of Africa 

North of Africa 

Regional and Other 

Total Africa 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

programmes 
500 - Commodity aid and general 
programme assistance 
  510 - General budget support 
    51010 - General budget support-
related aid 
  520 - Developmental food assistance 
    52010 - Food assistance 
700 - Humanitarian aid 
  720 - Emergency response 
    72010 - Material relief assistance and 
services 
    72050 - Relief co-ordination and 
support services 
  730 - Reconstruction relief and 
rehabilitation 
    73010 - Immediate post-emergency 
reconstruction and rehabilitation 
  740 - Disaster preparedness 
    74020 - Multi-hazard response 
preparedness 
900 - Other : Administrative costs of 
donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 
  910 - Administrative costs of donors 
    91010 - Administrative costs (non-
sector allocable) 
  998 - Unallocated / Unspecified 
    99810 - Sectors not specified 
    99820 - Promotion of development 
awareness (non-sector allocable) 
Total 

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

1  

0  

0  
1  
1  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
120  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

1  

1  

1  
0  
0  
12  
4  

3  

1  

7  

7  
1  

1  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
138  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
2  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
57  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

1  

1  

1  
0  
0  

0  
17  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  

0  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

0  
2  

2  

1  

1  
1  
1  
12  
4  

3  

1  

7  

7  
1  

1  

1  

1  

1  
0  
0  

0  
332  

304 

 
 
  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF3A 

Commitments

Disbursements

1000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

1200

1000

800

600

400

200

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

100 - Social infrastructure and services

200 - Economic infrastructure and services

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

100 - Social infrastructure and services

200 - Economic infrastructure and services

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

600 - Action relating to debt

700 - Humanitarian aid

600 - Action relating to debt

700 - Humanitarian aid

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

N/A - Not Available

N/A - Not Available

305 

 
 
  
 
Table TF3B: Regional breakdown of Trust Fund Africa 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

Africa 

Africa 

Africa, regional 

Africa (North of Sahara) 

Egypt 
Libya 
Morocco 
North of Sahara, regional 
Tunisia 

Africa (South of Sahara) 

Burkina Faso 
Burundi 
Chad 
Djibouti 
Eastern Africa, regional 
Ethiopia 
Gambia 
Ghana 
Guinea 
Ivory Coast 
Kenya 
Mali 
Mauritania 
Niger 
Nigeria 
Rwanda 
Senegal 
Somalia 
South of Sahara, regional 
South Sudan 
Sudan 
Uganda 

Developing countries 

Developing countries, unspecified 

Developing countries, unspecified 

2  
0  
0  
2  
0  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  

332  
41  
41  
59  
12  
20  
4  
13  
10  
233  
5  
0  
9  
3  
0  
18  
1  
4  
4  
0  
9  
25  
2  
12  
0  
1  
9  
51  
36  
16  
21  
7  
0  
0  
0  
332  

306 

Total 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF3B 

Commitments

Disbursements

1.000

900

800

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

1.200

1.000

800

600

400

200

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

Developing countries, unspecified Africa (South of Sahara)

Developing countries, unspecified Africa (South of Sahara)

Africa (North of Sahara)

Africa

Africa (North of Sahara)

Africa

307 

 
 
  
 
 
Table TF4: Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Bêkou 

Sector 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

100 - Social infrastructure and services 

110 - Education 

11330 - Vocational training 

120 - Health 

12110 - Health policy and administrative management 
12220 - Basic health care 

140 - Water and sanitation 

14021 - Water supply - large systems 

150 - Government and civil society 

15170 - Women's rights organisations and movements, and government institutions 
15180 - Ending violence against women and girls 
15220 - Civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution 

200 - Economic infrastructure and services 
220 - Communications 

22010 - Communications policy and administrative management 

300 - Production sectors 

310 - Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

31120 - Agricultural development 

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting 

430 - Other multisector 

43010 - Multisector aid 

700 - Humanitarian aid 

720 - Emergency response 

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

72010 - Material relief assistance and services 

910 - Administrative costs of donors 

91010 - Administrative costs (non-sector allocable) 

998 - Unallocated / Unspecified 

99820 - Promotion of development awareness (non-sector allocable) 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

Total 

17  
3  
3  
9  
0  
9  
2  
2  
3  
0  
2  
1  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
20  

308 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF4 

Commitments

Disbursements

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

100 - Social infrastructure and services

200 - Economic infrastructure and services

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

100 - Social infrastructure and services

200 - Economic infrastructure and services

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

700 - Humanitarian aid

700 - Humanitarian aid

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

309 

 
 
  
 
 
Table TF5: Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Colombia 

Sector 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

100 - Social infrastructure and services 

150 - Government and civil society 

15220 - Civilian peace-building, conflict prevention and resolution 
15250 - Removal of land mines and explosive remnants of war 

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting 

430 - Other multisector 

43010 - Multisector aid 
43040 - Rural development 
43050 - Non-agricultural alternative development 

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

910 - Administrative costs of donors 

91010 - Administrative costs (non-sector allocable) 

998 - Unallocated / Unspecified 

99810 - Sectors not specified 

Graphs Table TF5 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

Total 

Commitments

Disbursements

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

100 - Social infrastructure and services

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

100 - Social infrastructure and services

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

4  
4  
4  
0  
13  
13  
9  
1  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
17  

310 

 
 
 
  
 
Table TF6: Sectoral breakdown of Trust Fund Madad 

Sector 

Commitments 

Disbursements 

100 - Social infrastructure and services 

110 - Education 

11110 - Education policy and administrative management 
11120 - Education facilities and training 
11220 - Primary education 
11420 - Higher education 

120 - Health 

12110 - Health policy and administrative management 
12220 - Basic health care 
12230 - Basic health infrastructure 

140 - Water and sanitation 

14010 - Water sector policy and administrative management 
14020 - Water supply and sanitation - large systems 
14022 - Sanitation - large systems 
14050 - Waste management /disposal 

150 - Government and civil society 

15110 - Public sector policy and administrative management 
15112 - Decentralisation and support to subnational government 
15180 - Ending violence against women and girls 

160 - Other social infrastructure and services 

16010 - Social protection 
16020 - Employment creation 

300 - Production sectors 

310 - Agriculture, forestry and fishing 

31140 - Agricultural water resources 

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting 
430 - Other multisector 

43010 - Multisector aid 

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

510 - General budget support 

51010 - General budget support-related aid 

700 - Humanitarian aid 

730 - Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

73010 - Immediate post-emergency reconstruction and rehabilitation 

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

910 - Administrative costs of donors 

91010 - Administrative costs (non-sector allocable) 

998 - Unallocated / Unspecified 

99810 - Sectors not specified 

0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  

244  
65  
17  
40  
1  
8  
24  
5  
16  
3  
81  
18  
34  
15  
14  
7  
3  
2  
2  
66  
52  
14  
0  
0  
0  
4  
4  
4  
13  
13  
13  
2  
2  
2  
0  
0  
0  
0  
0  
264  

311 

Total 

 
 
 
 
Graphs Table TF6 

Commitments

Disbursements

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

2019

2020

2021

2022

2023

100 - Social infrastructure and services

100 - Social infrastructure and services

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

300 - Production sectors

400 - Multisector/Cross-cutting

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

500 - Commodity aid and general programme assistance

700 - Humanitarian aid

700 - Humanitarian aid

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

900 - Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified

312 

 
 
  
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

Table 3A BIS: General EU budget for External Action in 2022 by DG - Commitments(146)  

Commitments - Regular Contribution 

Type of Aid 

DGs 

1. NDICI 
Geo 

2. NDICI Thema 

ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA Total 
Non-ODA 
Non-ODA 
Non-ODA Total 
Total Regular Contribution 

INTPA 
NEAR 
FPI 
ECFIN 
REGIO 
Other DGs 
CLIMA 
ENV 
Commission's administration 
ECHO 
AGRI 
- 
All 
Commission's administration 
- 
- 

5 320  
3 108  
0  
195  
49  
200  

8 872  
416  

416  
9 288  

2 067  
83  
165  

1  
12  
14  

2 343  
10  

10  
2 353  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

241  
273  

333  

2 252  

1  
35  
37  

318  

832  
45  
12  
57  
890  

10  
2 416  

2 426  
1  
0  
1  
2 427  

59  

0  

93  
2 477  
66  
2  
67  
2 544  

334  
49  
0  
49  
383  

41  

3  

1  

45  

45  

556  

556  

556  

69  
1  
70  
70  

24  
3  
0  
45  
0  
15  
1  
4  

2  

94  
65  

65  
159  

0  

0  

0  

7 451  
5 688  
772  
242  
84  
256  
13  
18  
945  
2 418  
93  
17 980  
719  
15  
734  
18 714  

146 Table 3A BIS to 7 BIS below duplicate tables 3A to 7 above in a way that has been specifically adapted to be machine-readable. Work is in progress for some other tables 
that may not be fully machine-readable yet.  

313 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
Commitments – Cofinancing 

Type of Aid 

DGs 

1. NDICI 
Geo 

2. NDICI Thema 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. 
Other 

EDF 

Total 

ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA Total 
Non-ODA 
Non-ODA 
Non-ODA Total 
Total Cofinancing 

Commitments 

INTPA 
NEAR 
Other DGs 
Commission's administration 
ECHO 

All 
Commission's administration 

- 

498  

15  

514  
9  

9  
523  

0  

0  

0  
0  
0  

1  
5  
6  

0  
0  
6  

3  
4  

8  
1  
0  
1  
9  

0  

0  

0  
0  
1  

3  
1  

5  

21  

21  

21  

5  

502  
1  
18  
28  
5  
555  
11  
0  
11  
566  

Total by Instrument 

Total Commitments 

1. NDICI 
Geo 
9 811  

2. NDICI 
Thema 
2 353  

3. NDICI 
Other 
890  

4. 
HUMA 
2 433  

5. IPA 
III 
2 553  

6. 
CFSP 
384  

7. 
INSC 
45  

8. 
OCT 
70  

9. 
Admin 
578  

10. 
Other 
164  

EDF 

Total 

0  

19 280  

314 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Table 3B BIS: General EU budget for External Action in 2022 by DG – Disbursements  

Disbursements - Regular Contribution 

Type of Aid 

DGs 

ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 
ODA 

ODA 

ODA 
ODA Total 
Non-ODA 

Non-ODA 

Non-ODA Total 
Total Regular 
Contribution 

INTPA 
NEAR 
ECHO 
ECFIN 
REGIO 
Other DGs 
FPI 
CLIMA 
ENV 
Commission's 
administration 
AGRI 
- 
All 
Commission's 
administration 
- 

- 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
2 323  
1 270  
3  
133  
52  
193  

3 974  
204  

204  

4 178 

2. NDICI Thema 

1 101  
36  

1  
97  
9  
12  

1 256  
19  

19  

1 275 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

308  

4. 
HUMA 

2 474  

5. 
IPA 
III 

998  
3  
1  
18  
39  

159  

331  

314  

11  

59  

1  

781  
45  

13  
58  

839 

2 486  
4  

1 118  
65  

0  
4  

3  
68  

332  
77  

0  
77  

2 489 

1 186 

409 

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

15  

3  

2  

20  

0  
0  

20 

556  

556  

556 

46  

1  
47  

47 

1 467  
2 106  
3  

58  
77  
160  
2  
1  

120  
3 994  
120  

120  

4 114 

28  
5  
2  
33  

14  

1  
4  

85  
54  

54  

139 

2 024  

2 024  
57  

57  

6 958  
4 723  
2 485  
167  
127  
326  
748  
12  
17  

943  
120  
16 627  
691  

17  
708  

2 082 

17 335 

Disbursements - Cofinancing 

Type of Aid 

DGs 

ODA 
ODA 

INTPA 
NEAR 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
368  

2. NDICI Thema 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

6  
115  

21  

395  
115  

315 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Type of Aid 

DGs 

ODA 
ODA 

ODA 

ODA Total 

Non-ODA 

Non-ODA Total 
Total Cofinancing 

Disbursements 

ECHO 
Other DGs 
FPI 
Commission's 
administration 
- 
All 
Commission's 
administration 
- 
- 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 

14  

382  
7  

7  
389  

2. NDICI Thema 

3. 
NDICI 
Other 

4. 
HUMA 

5. 
IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

8  

1  
9  

0  
0  
9  

2  

4  
6  
2  

0  
2  
8  

0  
0  

0  
0  
1  

1  
1  

0  
0  
1  

4  
0  

125  
1  

1  
126  

21  
21  

21  

8  
20  
0  

27  
566  
11  

0  
11  
577  

21  
0  

0  
21  

External Action 

Total Disbursements 

1. 
NDICI 
Geo 
4 568  

2. NDICI 
Thema 

1 275  

3. 
NDICI 
Other 
840  

4. 
HUMA 

5. IPA 
III 

6. 
CFSP 

7. 
INSC 

8. 
OCT 

9. 
Admin 

10. Other 

Completion 
Lines 

EDF 

Total 

2 499  

1 194  

409  

20  

47  

578  

4 241  

139  

2 103  

17 912  

316 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
Table 4 BIS: European Development Fund (EDF) in 2023 

Aid 

Cotonou 

Cofinancing 

Cofinancing 

Cofinancing 

Cofinancing 

Cofinancing Total 

Regular Contribution 

Regular Contribution 

Regular Contribution 

Regular Contribution 

Regular Contribution 

Instrument 

A Envelope 

Implementation costs 

Intra-ACP allocations 

Regional allocations 

Total of all instruments - 

A Envelope 

Regional allocations 

Intra-ACP allocations 

Implementation costs 

B Envelope 

Regular Contribution Total 

Total of all instruments - 

Cotonou Total 

EDF Total 

- 

- 

Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

No 

No 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

Yes 

ODA 

Non-ODA 

Total 

15 

2 

4 

21 

1 117 

525 

304 

50 

28 

2 024 

2 045 

2 045 

0 

0 

6 

20 

30 

0 

1 

57 

58 

58 

15 

2 

0 

4 

21 

1 123 

546 

335 

51 

28 

2 082 

2 103 

2 103 

317 

 
 
 
  
  
  
  
 
 
Commitments 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 5A BIS: Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Commitments 

Commitments 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 
Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 
Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy  
Heating, cooling and energy distribution 

DG INTPA 
4 769  
1 058  
217  
496  
85  
260  
1 728  
166  
1 562  
1 246  
727  
517  
2  
354  
354  
104  
104  
280  
280  
687  
19  
19  
185  
185  
133  
133  
348  
138  
126  
43  

DG NEAR 
2 528  
266  
54  
92  
11  
108  
1 294  
40  
1 254  
297  
189  
66  
42  
426  
426  
54  
54  
191  
191  
862  
5  
5  
156  
156  
94  
94  
275  
39  
236  

EDF 
0  
0  

0  

Other DGs 
998  
247  
0  
51  
196  
1  
744  
663  
81  

7  
7  

9  
1  
1  
0  
0  
2  
2  
6  

3  

Total 
8 295  
1 571  
271  
640  
292  
369  
3 766  
869  
2 897  
1 542  
916  
582  
44  
787  
787  
158  
158  
471  
471  
1 558  
26  
26  
341  
341  
229  
229  
629  
176  
366  
43  

318 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Commitments 

Nuclear energy plants 
Energy generation, non-renewable sources 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 
Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 
Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 
Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 
Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

DG INTPA 
41  

DG NEAR 

Other DGs 

EDF 

2  
2  
1 254  
762  
568  
56  
139  
306  
2  
297  
7  
186  
18  
168  
1 043  
378  
378  
665  
665  
101  
13  
13  
88  
88  
17  
13  
13  
0  
0  
4  
4  
276  
196  
196  
80  
80  

331  
331  
356  
53  
51  
3  

293  

293  

10  
2  
8  
374  
40  
40  
334  
334  
1 217  

1 217  
1 217  
306  

191  
191  
115  
115  
49  
3  
3  
46  
46  

3  

2  

2  

2  
218  
30  
30  
188  
188  
242  

242  
242  
2 424  
0  
0  
2 424  
2 424  

802  
789  
789  
13  
13  

Total 
41  
3  
333  
333  
1 612  
816  
618  
58  
139  
598  
2  
590  
7  
198  
20  
178  
1 636  
448  
448  
1 187  
1 187  
1 560  
13  
13  
1 547  
1 547  
2 747  
13  
13  
2 615  
2 615  
119  
119  
1 127  
988  
988  
139  
139  

Commitments 
Total 

DG INTPA 
8 147  

DG NEAR 
5 692  

Other DGs 
4 696  

EDF 
0  

Total 
18 535  

319 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 5B BIS: Sectoral breakdown of ODA managed by the European Commission in 2023 – Disbursements 

Disbursements 

Social infrastructure and services 

Education 

Basic education 
Education, level unspecified 
Post-secondary education 
Secondary education 
Government and civil society 

Conflict prevention and resolution, peace and security 
Government and civil society, general 

Health 

Basic health 
Health, general 
Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) 

Other social infrastructure and services 

Other social infrastructure and services 
Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Population policies/programmes and reproductive health 

Water and sanitation 

Water and sanitation 
Economic infrastructure and services 
Banking and financial services 

Banking and financial services 

Business and other services 

Business and other services 

Communications 

Communications 

Energy 

Energy generation, non-renewable sources 
Energy generation, renewable sources 
Energy policy 

DG INTPA 
2 906  
716  
98  
451  
14  
154  
1 109  
133  
975  
736  
713  
17  
6  
222  
222  
19  
19  
103  
103  
920  
315  
315  
38  
38  
105  
105  
446  
0  
311  
58  

DG NEAR 
2 133  
252  
46  
121  
34  
51  
839  
71  
768  
162  
99  
60  
3  
672  
672  
1  
1  
206  
206  
609  
58  
58  
96  
96  
61  
61  
130  
4  
31  
58  

Other DGs 
1 085  
311  
1  
67  
238  
5  
684  
564  
120  
74  
73  
1  
0  
14  
14  

2  
2  
25  
0  
0  
0  
0  
6  
6  
13  

0  
12  

EDF 
520  
65  
6  
26  
9  
25  
265  
94  
170  
68  
53  
16  

31  
31  
8  
8  
84  
84  
531  
15  
15  
54  
54  
13  
13  
165  
1  
84  
18  

Total 
6 644  
1 345  
150  
665  
295  
234  
2 897  
863  
2 033  
1 041  
937  
94  
9  
939  
939  
28  
28  
395  
395  
2 085  
388  
388  
188  
188  
185  
185  
753  
6  
427  
147  

320 

 
 
 
 
  
  
  
  
Disbursements 

Heating, cooling and energy distribution 
Nuclear energy plants 

Transport and storage 

Transport and storage 

Production sectors 

Agriculture, forestry and fishing 
Agriculture 
Fishing 
Forestry 

Industry, mineral resources and mining, construction 

Construction 
Industry 
Mineral resources and mining 

Trade and tourism 
Tourism 
Trade policy and regulations and trade-related adjustment 

Multisector/Cross-cutting 

General environmental protection 

General environmental protection 

Other multisector 

Other multisector 
Commodity aid and general programme assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

Developmental food assistance 

General budget support 

General budget support 

Humanitarian aid 

Disaster preparedness 

Disaster preparedness 

Emergency response 

Emergency response 
Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Reconstruction relief and rehabilitation 

Other : Administrative costs of donors / Unallocated / Unspecified 

Administrative costs of donors 

Administrative costs of donors 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Unallocated / Unspecified 

Disbursements 
Total 

DG INTPA 
42  
34  
16  
16  
507  
383  
335  
16  
32  
82  
0  
77  
5  
42  
2  
40  
748  
354  
354  
394  
394  
125  
30  
30  
95  
95  
37  
7  
7  
27  
27  
4  
4  
251  
186  
186  
64  
64  

DG INTPA 
5 493  

DG NEAR 
36  

Other DGs 

265  
265  
309  
96  
82  
4  
10  
174  

170  
4  
39  
8  
31  
428  
106  
106  
322  
322  
777  
0  
0  
777  
777  
424  
3  
3  
400  
400  
22  
22  
161  
5  
5  
156  
156  

0  
7  
7  
21  
1  
1  

18  

16  
2  
3  

3  
277  
41  
41  
236  
236  
167  
0  
0  
167  
167  
2 422  
67  
67  
2 349  
2 349  
6  
6  
816  
799  
799  
17  
17  

EDF 
61  

284  
284  
475  
360  
315  
31  
14  
75  

70  
5  
40  
1  
39  
423  
78  
78  
344  
344  
32  
6  
6  
26  
26  
15  
4  
4  
4  
4  
6  
6  
49  
40  
40  
9  
9  

Total 
139  
35  
572  
572  
1 312  
840  
733  
51  
56  
348  
0  
332  
16  
124  
11  
113  
1 875  
579  
579  
1 296  
1 296  
1 101  
36  
36  
1 065  
1 065  
2 899  
81  
81  
2 780  
2 780  
38  
38  
1 276  
1 030  
1 030  
246  
246  

DG NEAR 
4 841  

Other DGs 
4 814  

EDF 
2 045  

Total 
17 193  

321 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
Commitments  
Disbursements 

Budget INTPA 

Budget Non INTPA 

EDF 

ODA 

Yes 

Yes 

Yes 

Non-ODA 

No 

No 

No 

Table 7 BIS: Distribution of ODA by OECD Sector and Country Grouping in 2023 

Commitments 

Income Group 

ODA Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

LDC + OLIC + LMIC + UMIC 
Least Developed Countries 
Lower Middle Income Countries and 
Territories 
Other Low Income Countries 
Upper Middle Income Countries and 
Territories 
Other 
Total Commitments 

Disbursements 

- 
2.38 

0.87 

1.39 

1.27 

- 
- 

4 258 
1 436 

1 076 

67 

1 679 

4 037 
8 295 

535 
150 

272 

113 

1 023 
1 558 

952 
556 

226 

171 

660 
1 612 

573 
227 

106 

240 

1 063 
1 636 

Income Group 

Income Group 
Commitments 
Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

LDC + OLIC + LMIC + UMIC 
Least Developed Countries 
Lower Middle Income Countries and 
Territories 
Other Low Income Countries 
Upper Middle Income Countries and 
Territories 
Other 
Total Disbursements 

- 
3.22 

0.9 

4.36 

1.5 

- 

4 206 
1 335 

991 

34 

1 846 

2 438 
6 644 

936 
397 

284 

0 

255 

1 149 
2 085 

812 
304 

317 

1 

190 

501 
1 312 

956 
370 

176 

6 

404 

919 
1 875 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 
1 362 
100 

527 

735 

198 
1 560 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 
957 
139 

263 

0 

555 

144 
1 101 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

639 
155 

361 

124 

2 108 
2 747 

49 

0 

49 

1 078 
1 127 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

2 249 
1 014 

644 

168 

423 

650 
2 899 

21 
3 

5 

1 

12 

1 255 
1 276 

8 368 
2 624 

2 568 

67 

3 109 

10 167 
18 535 

Total 

10 137 
3 562 

2 680 

210 

3 685 

7 056 
17 193 

322 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Commitments 

Region 

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 
Total 

Disbursements 

Region 

Africa 
America 
Asia 
Europe 
Oceania 
Developing countries, unspecified 
Total 

ODA Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

4  
1  
0.69 
28.46 
2.66 
0 
-  

2 772  
187  
1 419  
1 748  
12  
2 157  
8 295 

431  
71  
186  
775  

95  
1 558 

892  
72  
275  
138  

235  
1 612 

708  
86  
181  
272  
22  
367  
1 636 

ODA Per Capita 

Social 
infrastructures 

Economic 
infrastructures 
and services 

Production 

Multisector/ 
Crosscutting 

3.69 
1 
0.68 
24.66 
9.33 
0 
-  

2 129 
274 
1 202 
1 540 
39 
1 459 
6 644 

700 
43 
148 
468 
6 
719 
2 085 

638 
86 
192 
139 
35 
223 
1 312 

764 
113 
217 
477 
29 
275 
1 875 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

265  

96  
1 000  

198  
1 560 

Budget 
support, 
food aid, 
food 
security 

118 
3 
23 
805 
9 
143 
1 101 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

862  
153  
833  
569  

331  
2 747 

8  
19  
5  
43  

1 052  
1 127 

5 938  
588  
2 994  
4 546  
34  
4 435  
18 535 

Humanitarian 
aid 

Other/ 
Unallocated 

Total 

878 
126 
1 159 
490 
0 
246 
2 899 

26 
7 
10 
20 
0 
1 214 
1 276 

5 253 
653 
2 951 
3 939 
120 
4 279 
17 193 

323 

 
 
  
  
  
  
  
  
 
 
 
 
 
Table of Abbreviations

Abbreviation  Meaning 
AAP(s) 
AATIF 

Abbreviation  Meaning 
BiH 
BMWK 

Annual Action Plan(s) 
Agriculture and Trade Investment 
Fund 
Agri-Business Capital Fund 
Africa, Caribbean, Pacific 
Access to COVID-19 Tools 
Accelerator 
Asian Development Bank 
Agencia Española de Cooperación 
Internacional para el Desarrollo 
(Spanish Agency for International 
Development Cooperation) 
the Africa Europe Digital Innovation 
Bridge 
the Africa-EU Green Energy 
initiative 
Authorised Economic Operator 
the African Continental Free Trade 
Area 
Agence Française de 
Développement (French 
development agency) 
African Development Bank 
Aid for trade 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Agriculture and Rural 
Development 
the Agriculture Financing Initiative 
L'Association Internationale des 
Maires Francophones 
Africa Investment Platform 
Acute Large Emergency Response 
Tool 
Advance Market Commitment 
countries 
Asia Pacific Investment Facility 
Association of Southeast Asian 
Nations 
African Union 
African Union Commission 

Agreement on Marine Biodiversity 
of Areas Beyond National 
Jurisdiction 
Business Environment and Export 
Enhancement Programme 
Bank Gospodarstwa Krajowego 

ABC Fund 
ACP  
ACTA-A 

ADB 
AECID 

AEDIB 

AEGEI 

AEO 
AfCFTA 

AFD 

AfDB 
AfT 
DG AGRI  

AgriFI 
AIMF 

AIP 
ALERT 

AMC 
countries 
APIF 
ASEAN 

AU 
AUC 

BBNJ 

BEEP 

BGK 

BS 
BSOs 

CACCR 

CAFI 

CAR 
CARICOM 
CAS 
CBA 
CBC 
CBD 

CBDSD 

CBRN 

CCTE 

CDP 

CDRFI 

CEEC 

CEGGA II 

CEPA 
CFSP  

CIIP 

CIRAD 

CIV 

CLGF 

DG CLIMA  

Bosnia and Herzegovina 
the German Ministry for Economic 
Affairs and Climate Action 
Budget Support 
Business Support Organisations 

the Central Asia COVID-19 Crisis 
Response programme 
Contribution Agreement for 
Financing Instruments 
Central African Republic 
the Caribbean Community 
Conflict Analysis Screenings 
Central Bank of Armenia 
Cross-Border Cooperation 
UN Convention on Biological 
Diversity 
Capacity Building in support of 
Development and Security for 
Development 
Chemical, Biological, Radiological 
and Nuclear 
Conditional Cash Transfer for 
Education programme 
Cassa Depositi e Prestiti (the Italian 
development bank) 
Climate and Disaster Risk Finance 
and Insurance 
Central and Eastern European 
Countries 
Second phase of the Citizen 
Engagement for Good Governance, 
Accountability and the Rule of Law 
programme 

Common Foreign and Security 
Policy Instrument 
the Competitive Industries and 
Innovation Programme 
Centre de coopération 
internationale en recherche 
EBRD's Climate Innovation 
Vouchers programme 
the Commonwealth Local 
Government Forum 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Climate Action 

324 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abbreviation  Meaning 
CLIP(s) 

Country Level Implementation 
Plan(s) 
Common Market Organisation 
Cessation of Hostilities Agreement 
Compañía Española de Financiación 
del Desarrollo (Spanish 
development bank) 
Covenant of Mayors 
European confederation of non-
governmental organisations 
United Nations Working Party 
15th meeting of Parties to the 
Convention on Biological Diversity 

27th Conference of the Parties to 
the United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change 
COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access 
Corona Virus Disease of 2019 
Committee of Representatives of 
Governments and Administrations 
Common RELEX Information 
System 
Common Security and Defence 
Policy 
Civil Society Organisations 
Collective Security Treaty 
Organisation 
Country Teams 

Development Assistance 
Committee 
Dialogue and Action for 
Resourceful Youth in Central Asia 
programme 
Deep and Comprehensive Free 
Trade Area 
Development Cooperation 
Instrument 
disarmament, demobilisation and 
reintegration 
Development Education and 
Awareness Raising programme 
development finance institution(s) 
Directorate-Generals 
Decision on the Overseas 
Association, including Greenland 
Democratic Republic of the Congo 
Disaster Response Emergency Fund 
Digital Sequence Information 

CMO 
CoHA 
COFIDES 

CoM 
CONCORD 

CONUN 
COP15 

COP26 
COP27 

COVAX 
COVID-19 
CRGA 

CRIS 

CSDP 

CSOs 
CSTO 

CTs 

DAC 

DARYA 

DCFTA 

DCI  

DDR 

DEAR 

DFI(s) 
DGs 
DOAG 

DRC 
DREF 
DSI 

Abbreviation  Meaning 

EABF 
EaP 
EBRD 

EC  
DG ECFIN  

DG ECHO  

EDDs 
EDF  
EEAS 

EFAD 

EFSD (+)  

EIB 
EIDHR 

EIP 
EITI 

EMCDDA 

DG EMPL  

ENI  

ENP 
ENTSO-E 

DG ENV 

EP 
EPA(s) 

EPCA(s) 

EPF 
EPRM 

ERCC 

ESA 

EU-Africa Business Forum 
the Eastern Partnership 
European Bank for Reconstruction 
and Development 
the European Commission 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Economic and Financial 
Affairs 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Humanitarian Aid and 
Civil Protection 
the European Development Days 
European Development Fund 
the European External Action 
Service 
the European Financial 
Architecture for Development 
European Fund for Sustainable 
Development (Plus) 
The European Investment Bank 
European Instrument for 
Democracy and Human Rights 
Economic Investment Plan 
the Extractives Industry 
Transparency Initiative 
European Monitoring Centre for 
Drugs and Drug Addiction 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Employment, Social 
Affairs and Inclusion 
European Neighbourhood 
Instrument 
European Neighbourhood Policy 
European Network of Transmission 
System Operators for Electricity 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for the Environment 
European Parliament 
Economic Partnership 
Agreement(s) 
Enhanced Partnership and 
Cooperation Agreement(s) 
European Peace Facility 
European Partnership for 
Responsible Minerals 
the Emergency Response 
Coordination Centre 
Eastern and Southern Africa 

325 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abbreviation  Meaning 
ESSN 

Abbreviation  Meaning 
GAVI 

Emergency Social Safety Net 
programme 
European Union 
EU Agency for Asylum 
EU Advisory Mission 
EU Border Management Assistance 
Mission 
EU Capacity Building Mission 
EU Global Health Strategy 
EU Rule of Law Mission 
EU Military Assistance Mission 
EU Monitoring Mission 
EU Military Partnership Mission 
EU Police Mission 
Euro 
EU Agency for Law Enforcement 
Cooperation 
EU Special Representative 
EU Voluntary Review on the 
implementation of the SDGs 
Eastern Europe Energy Efficiency 
and Environmental Partnership 

The Foreign Affairs Council 
The Food and Agriculture 
Organisation 
Financial Framework Partnership 
Agreements 
EBRD’s Finance and Technology 
Transfer Centre for Climate Change 
programme 
Forest Law Enforcement, 
Governance and Trade 
Nederlandse Financierings-
Maatschappij voor 
Ontwikkelingslanden N.V. (Dutch 
entrepreneurial development bank) 
Framework Partnership 
Agreements 
Commission’s Service for Foreign 
Policy Instruments 
Food and Resilience Facility 
the European Border and Coast 
Guard Agency 
Food Systems Summit 

Global Alliance on Circular 
Economy and Resource Efficiency 
Gender Action Plan III 

EU 
EUAA 
EUAM 
EUBAM 

EUCAP 
EUGH 
EULEX 
EUMAM 
EUMM 
EUMPM 
EUPOL 
EUR 
EUROPOL 

EUSR 
EUVR 

E5P 

FAC 
FAO  

FFPA 

FINTECC 

FLEGT 

FMO 

FPAs 

FPI  

FRF 
Frontex 

FSS 

GACERE 

GAP III 

GBF 
GCC 
GDC 
GDP 
GEAR 

GERF 

GFC 
GGIs 
GGW 
GIFP 
GIZ 

GNI 
GPE 
GPEDC 

G5 Sahel 
G7 

G20 

HCJ 
HDP 
Heading IV  
Heading VI 

Heading VII 

HIV 
HLEG 
HQCJ 

HRBA 
HRDN 

HRVP 

HUMA  

IAEA 
ICCA 

Global Alliance for Vaccines and 
Immunisation 
Global Biodiversity Framework 
Gulf Cooperation Council 
UN Global Digital Compact 
gross domestic product 
Gender Equality and Returns 
training programme 
the Global Europe Results 
Framework 
Global Fertiliser Challenge initiative 
Green Growth Indicators 
the Great Green Wall 
EU’s Global Illicit Flows Programme 
The German Society for 
International Cooperation 

Global Partnership for Education 
Global Partnership for Effective 
Development Cooperation 
Group of Five nations Sahel 
Group of Seven - 
intergovernmental political forum 
Group of Twenty - 
intergovernmental forum for 
international economic 
cooperation 

High Council of Justice 
Humanitarian Development Peace 
MFF Heading – Global Europe 
MFF Heading – Neighbourhood and 
the World 
MFF Heading – Administrative 
expenditure of the EU budget 
(limited to External Assistance) 
Human Immunodeficiency Virus 
High-Level Expert Group 
the High Qualification Commission 
of Judges 
Human Rights-Based Approach 
Human Rights and Democracy 
Network 
EU High Representative/Vice-
President 
Humanitarian Aid 

International Atomic Energy Agency 
International Chernobyl 
Cooperation Account 

326 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abbreviation  Meaning 
ICG 
IcSP  

Abbreviation  Meaning 

International Contact Group 
Instrument contributing to Stability 
and Peace 
International Committee of the Red 
Cross 
Information and Communications 
Technology 
Internally displaced persons 
Iraq Economic Contact Group 
International Fund for Agricultural 
Development 
International Finance Corporation 
International Financial Institutions 
International Federation of Red 
Cross and Red Crescent Societies 
International Humanitarian Law 
International Labour Organisation 
International Labour Organisation - 
Regular Budget Supplementary 
Account 
Integrated Monitoring and 
Assessment Programme-Marine 
Protected Areas 
the International Methane 
Emission Observatory 
International Monetary Fund 
Implementation and Enforcement 
of Environmental Law 
Integrated National Financing 
Frameworks 
Instrument for Nuclear Safety 
Cooperation 
International Criminal Police 
Organisation 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for International 
Partnerships 
International Organisation for 
Employers 
International Organisation for 
Migration 
Instrument for Pre-Accession 
Assistance 
IPA Rural Development programme 
the International Partners Group 
International Renewable Energy 
Agency 
International Trade Centre 
International Telecommunication 
Union 

ICRC 

ICT 

IDPs 
IECG 
IFAD 

IFC 
IFIs 
IFRC 

IHL 
ILO  
ILO-RBSA 

IMAP-MPA 

IMEO 

IMF 
IMPEL 

INFFs 

INSC  

INTERPOL 

DG INTPA  

IOE 

IOM 

IPA  

IPARD 
IPG 
IRENA 

ITC 
ITU 

JETP 
JRC 

KfW 

LAC 
LACIF 

LDC(S)  
LEADER 

LMIC(S)  
LSD 

MADCT(S)  

MAV+ 

MFA 
MFA+ 

Just Energy Transition Partnerships 
the Joint Research Centre 

Kreditanstalt Für Wiederaufbau 
(German Development Bank) 

Latin America and the Caribbean 
Latin America and Caribbean 
Investment Facility 
Least Developed Country(ies) 
Liaison Entre Actions de l’Économie 
Rurale (programme for Rural 
Development) 
Lower Middle-Income Country(ies) 
Lumpy skin disease 

More Advanced Developing 
Countries and Territories 
Team Europe Initiative on 
Manufacturing and Access to 
Vaccines, Medicines and Health 
Technologies in Africa 
Macro Financial Assistance 
Macro-Financial Assistance Plus 
instrument providing support to 
Ukraine for 2023 
Multiannual Financial Framework 
Model Grant Agreement 
Multiannual Indicative Programme 

MFF  
MGA 
MIP 
MONDIACULT  UNESCO World Conference on 

MS 
MSME(s) 

NAP(s) 
NATO 

NDC(s) 

NDICI-Global 
Europe 

DG NEAR  

NEET 

Cultural Policies and Sustainable 
Development 
Member States 
Micro-, Small and Medium-sized 
Enterprise(s) 

National Adaptation Plan(s) 
the North Atlantic Treaty 
Organisation 
Nationally Determined 
Contribution(s) 
The Neighbourhood, Development 
and International Cooperation 
Instrument-Global Europe 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Neighbourhood and 
Enlargement Negotiations 
Not in Education, Employment, or 
Training 

327 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abbreviation  Meaning 
NGO  
NIP 

Non-Governmental Organisation 
Neighbourhood Investment 
Platform 
Newly Independent States 
Nutrition for Growth Summit 

Abbreviation  Meaning 
RCs 
DG REGIO  

NIS 
N4G Summit 

OACPS 

OAS 
OCTs 
Non-ODA  

ODA  
ODIHR 

OECD  

OECS 

OHCHR  

OLIC/OTHER 
LIC(S)  
OPSYS 

OSCE 

PAR 
PCA 

PCD 
PFD 
PFM 
PI 
PICs 
PPMT 

PPP 
PRAG 
PRGT 

PROPARCO 

PSIOM 

PSOs 

Organisation of African, Caribbean 
and Pacific States 
Organisation of American States 
Overseas countries and territories 
Development aid not classified as 
Official Development Assistance 
(ODA) 
Official Development Assistance 
OSCE Office for Democratic 
Institutions and Human Rights 
The Organisation for Economic Co-
operation and Development 
Organisation of Eastern Caribbean 
States 
United Nations High Commissioner 
for Human Rights 
Other Low-Income Country(ies) 

Operational System (used by the EC 
for External Actions) 
Organisation for Security and Co-
operation in Europe 

Public Administration Reform 
Partnership and Cooperation 
Agreement 
Policy coherence for development 
Policy for Development 
Public Financial Management 
the Partnership Instrument 
Pacific Island Countries 
Public Procurement Management 
Tool 
Public Private Partnership 
Practical guide 
(IMF’s) Poverty Reduction and 
Growth Trust 
Promotion et Participation pour la 
Coopération Économique (French 
development finance institution) 
Pacific Solutions Integrated Ocean 
Management 
Philanthropy Support Organisations 

RELEX 

rescEU 

RoL&AC 
RVO 
R&I 

SADC 

SAFE 

SAFS 
SALW 
DG SANTE  

SCA 
SCP 

SDGs 
SDI 
SECAP(s) 

SEESAC 

SEE-CC 

SFDRR 

SICA 

SIDA 

SME 
SNA 
SRHR 

SSR 
STEM 

STI 
STRIVE 

Resident Coordinators 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Regional and Urban 
Policy 
Relations Extérieures (External 
Relations - Family includes DG 
INTPA, DG NEAR and FPI) 
European Civil Protection and 
Humanitarian Aid Operations 
Rule of Law and Anticorruption 
Netherlands Enterprise Agency 
Research and Innovation 

Southern Africa Development 
Community 
Security, Accountability and Fight 
Against Crime programme 
Sustainable Agri-Food Systems 
Small Arms and Light Weapons 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Health and Food Safety 
Structural Country Assessments 
Sustainable Consumption and 
Production 
Sustainable Development Goals 
Security and defence initiative 
Sustainable Energy and Climate 
Action Plan(s) 
Southeastern and Eastern Europe 
Clearinghouse for the Control of 
Small Arms and Light Weapons 
Strengthening the Entrepreneurial 
Ecosystem for Clean Cooking 
Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk 
Reduction 
Central American Integration 
System 
Swedish International Development 
Cooperation Agency 
Small to medium-sized enterprise 
Somali Nation Alliance 
Sexual and Reproductive Health 
and Rights 
Security Sector Reform 
Science, Technology, Engineering 
and Mathematics 
Science, Technology and Innovation 
Strengthening Resilience to 
Violence and Extremism 
programme 

328 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Abbreviation  Meaning 

TA 
TAAF 

TAFs 
TAIEX 

DG TAXUD  

TC 
TED 

TEI 
TPSDE 

DG TRADE  

TVET 

UCLG 

UCLGA 

UCPM 
UfM 
UHC 
UMIC(S)  
UN 
UNCCD 

UNCLOS 

UNDP 

UNECE 

UNEP  

Technical assistance 
Terres Australes et Antarctiques 
Françaises 
Technical Assistance Facilities 
Technical Assistance and 
Information Exchange 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Taxation and Customs 
Union 
Technical cooperation 
Team Europe Initiative on 
Democracy 
Team Europe Initiative 
Trade, Private Sector Development 
and Engagement 
The Commission’s Directorate-
General for Trade 
Technical and Vocational Education 
and Training 

United Cities and Local 
Governments 
United Cities and Local 
Governments of Africa 
EU Civil Protection Mechanism 
Union for the Mediterranean 
Universal Health Coverage 
Upper Middle-Income Country(ies) 
United Nations 
Convention to Combat 
Desertification 
United Nations Convention on the 
Law of the Sea 
United Nations’ lead agency on 
international development 
United Nations Economic 
Commission for Europe 
United Nations Environment 
Programme 

Abbreviation  Meaning 
UNESCO 

United Nations Educational, 
Scientific and Cultural Organisation 
United Nations Framework 
Convention on Climate Change 
United Nations Population Fund 
United Nations General Assembly 
United Nations Industrial 
Development Organisation 
United Nations Investigative Team 
to Promote Accountability for 
Crimes Committed by Da'esh/ISIL 
United Nations Office on Drugs and 
Crime 
United Nation Road Safety Fund 
United Nations Relief and Works 
Agency  
United Nation Special Envoy 
United Nations Verification and 
Inspection Mechanism 
US Dollar 

Vocational education and training 
Voluntary Partnership 
Agreement(s) 

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene 
the World Bank Group 
Western Balkans Investment 
Framework 
Water and Environment Support 
the World Health Organisation 
World Telecommunication 
Development Conference 
the World Trade Organisation 

Youth Action Plan 

the Zambezi River Authority 

UNFCCC  

UNFPA 
UNGA 
UNIDO 

UNITAD 

UNODC 

UNRSF 
UNRWA 

UNSE 
UNVIM 

USD 

VET 
VPA(s) 

WASH 
WBG 
WBIF 

WES 
WHO 
WTDC 

WTO 

YAP 

ZRA 

10YFP 

10 Year Framework Programme 

329