€34M for Guyana under 11th EDF

– sustainable development targeted

Guyana has been allocated €34 million by the European Union (EU) for the promotion of sustainable development under its 11th European Development Fund (EDF).

The European Union’s High Representative and Vice-President Federica Mogherini and Commis-sioner for International Cooperation and Development Nevan Mimica yesterday announ-ced that €30.5 billion worth of EU development cooperation shall come on stream following entry into force of the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). Guyana will receive €34 million until 2020 to focus on climate change adaption, disaster reduction and sustainable infrastructure, including sea defences.

According to a statement from the local EU Delegation office, the 11th EDF will finance EU development cooperation projects until 2020 to assist partner countries’ efforts in poverty eradication.

The funds are donated by EU Member States and will be managed by the EU to target “people most in need” and to finance different sectors such as health and education, infrastructure, environment, energy, food and nutrition.

The statement said the EU also supports the promotion of good governance, democracy and the rule of law.

“These are ways how the EU and its Member States are clearly signalling support to the future post-2015 Sustainable Development Goals so that we continue focusing all our efforts in countries where our EU aid can have the most impact,” the statement read, noting that financing was in line with their vision set out in the 2011 “Agenda for Change”.

The statement added that the EDF long-term development programmes are always agreed in close partnership with each of the countries or regions, ensuring that cooperation is aligned to the respective national or regional urgencies, and that partner countries exercise their ownership of the development process.

The statement noted that the EU is the largest grant donor to Guyana and is a committed partner to Guyana’s development. EU-Guyana cooperation is in its 40th year.

The EDF is a foundation of the EU’s international cooperation and development policy that concretely implements partnership and dialogue with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries under the ACP-EU Cotonou Agreement.