Programming

The EC annual policy strategy gives an annual strategic framework at Commission level and defines, early in the previous year, political priorities and key initiatives for the following year. At the same time, it allocates the corresponding financial and human resources to these priority initiatives and establishes the overall resource framework.

Multiannual programming of external assistance documents are the responsibility of EuropeAid and EEAS. On the basis of this multiannual programming, EuropeAid draws up Annual Action and Annual Work Programmes for each geographic/thematic financial instrument and sub-programmes.

Annual Action Programmes (AAP) are financing decisions adopted by the European Commission, to reserve funds for regional and country-based external cooperation programmes and for the implementation of thematic programmes. AAPs specify the objectives pursued, the fields of intervention, the expected results, the management procedures and total amount of financing planned. In addition, AAPs contain a description of the operations to be financed, an indication of the amounts allocated for each operation and an indicative implementation timetable.

Annual Work Programmes for Grants (AWP) identify the grants that are planned to be awarded during the year, notably through calls for proposals. The AWPs specify the legislation, the objectives and the schedule of calls for proposals with an indicative amount and the expected result. In case of substantial change during the year an update of the AWP will be published. The AWP is indicative, and interested parties should also closely monitor the Calls for proposals & Procurement notices where the individual calls are published with detailed guidelines.



Sources and useful links:

• AAPs and AWPs can be consulted in the EuropeAid website on the Annual Programmes page.
• More on Development Policies can be found in the EuropeAid website's dedicated section.
• EC's external relations policies can be found in the EEAS dedicated webpage.