Thematic programmes
In addition to providing regional and country-based approaches to development through geographic programmes, the European Commission operates programmes with a specific thematic focus. They are implemented on the base of thematic strategy papers and annual action programmes.
Contrary to the geographical programmes, they are not the result of a direct negotiation between the state and the Commission, but are proposed by civil society organisations or NGOs in Europe or beneficiary states.
Thematic programmes, which complement geographical programmes, may be used in several situations supporting:
- activities for different partner countries not part of the geographical programmes;
- activities which complement the geographical programmes by supporting other stakeholders such as civil society organisations or international institutions with exclusive competence;
- activities which imply a certain independence in relation to the partner country.
Each thematic programme is regulated on the basis of decisions made by the European Parliament and the Council of the EU, which specify the priorities and respective funding for a period of two or three years.
| Funding Instrument | Geographical zone covered |
|---|---|
| European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR) | All countries, except EU and industrialised countries |
| Nuclear Safety Co-operation Instrument (NSCI) | All countries, except EU and industrialised countries |
| DCI-Environment and sustainable management of natural resources including energy | All countries, except EU and industrialised countries |
| DCI- Non-state actors and local authorities in development | All countries |
| DCI- Food security | All countries, except EU and ndustrialised countries |
| DCI- Migration and asylum | All countries, except EU and industrialised countries |
| DCI- Investing in people | All countries, except EU and industrialised countries |
| DCI -Restructuring of sugar production | 18 African, Caribbean, Pacific countries |
| EU food facility | 50 countries in Africa, Asia, Carribean, Latin America, Middle East |
Practically all the thematic programmes are open to contributions from the various civil society organisations, both north and south.
Non-state actors are privileged partners of the Commission as, besides the support from which they may benefit under the geographical instruments, they are the principal beneficiaries of the thematic programmes. This is underscored by the fact that they occupy a principal place in the programmes and instruments managed by EuropeAid:
- “Non-state actors and local authorities in development”: a programme destined solely for them;
- “European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights”: civil society organisations are seen as key players in promoting human rights as well as participative and representative democracy.
Sources and useful links: