e-zine nEUws, 33rd edition

CALL FOR PROPOSALS: Aid to Uprooted People in Colombia

A Call for Proposals has been launched by the EC Delegation in Colombia supporting operations in the field of aid to displaced people in Colombia. Focus regions in the country include Antioquia, Choco, the Atlantico Axis, the Southwest, Santander and Norte de Santander.

Although the total amount available in the Call has not been made available, it is believed that a grant of between EUR 500,000 and two million per project will be awarded.

Projects should focus on the following areas: self-sufficiency and reintegration of displaced populations, promotion of sustainable production processes, aid to local host communities, support for voluntary and safe return and improvement and rehabilitation of infrastructure and basic services.

The closing date for the Call is 2 December. For further information, including guidelines and application procedures, please consult http://europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/index_en.htm.

Source: BOND

Protecting children, young people and women from violence – DAPHNE programme to be extended

 
The DAPHNE EU programme, which is designed to protect children, young people and women against violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, is to receive a second phase with double the amount of funding compared to the first phase.

To be launched in 2004, the second phase will last five years, and will receive a total funding amount of EUR 50 million.

DAPHNE also aims to help prevent violence and provide support to the victims of violence. To this end, it offers back up to non-governmental organisations and other agencies working in this field.

A next Call for Proposals can be expected mid 2004.

Source: Welcomeurope.com

ECHO Annual Partners' Conference – Strengthening working relationships between the EU and NGOs

 
The Annual Partners' Conference of the European Commission's Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO) took place in Brussels on 6 and 7 November. For the first time, ECHO was in the position to accept attendance from some non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from the new EU member states.

One of the outputs of the conference was to be the signing of a new framework partnership contract between the EU and the 130 partner NGOs. The aim of this new agreement is to ensure that quality of aid offered to victims of humanitarian crises is improved, whilst simultaneously allowing the promotion of transparent and effective management of European public funding for humanitarian aid. Whilst the method of operation implementation is left up to the individual organisations, the contract should set objectives and specifies impact indicators. Four of the signing NGOs are from the accession countries.

The conference also allowed a useful exchange of best practices and sharing of information, as well as providing a platform humanitarian issues and strategies.

In 2002, ECHO provided EUR 315 million of funding to humanitarian aid projects.

Source: EuropaWorld, ECHO Website

B7-6000: Next Call for Proposals

 
The next Call for Proposals for the EC Budget line B7-6000 will not be before February or March next year.

The annual work plan for EuropeAid F/2 still has to be finalised and approved – this is expected to be sometime in January 2004.

Source: BOND

EC and the Global AIDS Fund: A Further EUR 170 million support

 
The European Commission has granted a further EUR 170 million in funds to support the Global Fund to fight HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. The funding will be taken from the European Development Fund (EDF) and will bring the total amount promised by the European Commission and the EU Member States to EUR 460 million until 2006, around 55 per cent of the Global Fund's total budget.

This grant brings the total allocation of the European Commission for the fight against HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria to over EUR one billion to date. Furthermore, in order to promote research against the fight against HIV/AIDS, the European Union has also launched the “Europe-Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership.” This programme has an initial funding level of EUR 200 million, with additional resources coming from EU Member States and other internationally-based donors.

Source: Commission Press Room

Aid package for Afghanistan: EUR 11.53 million from the EC

 
The approval of an EUR 11.53 million aid package for victims of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan is intended to help vulnerable populations prepare for a harsh winter and cope with the ongoing drought, as well as provide assistance to displaced persons. The funding will be channelled through the European Commission Humanitarian Aid Office (ECHO).

The funding provided has been earmarked in separate components according to region and need. In Northern and Central Afghanistan, project focus is on enabling vulnerable groups help meet their needs through cash for work and income-generating schemes. In Southern and Western Afghanistan, where drought continues to reign, cash for work schemes are also planned, focusing on the water and sanitation sector, as well as food security and poultry rearing.

With regard to refugees and internally displaced persons, the EC is directing its funding through the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The final component aims to ensure the security of ECHO's NGO partners in Afghanistan, especially with regard gaining access to expert advice and information on security issues.

The EUR 11.53 million is in addition to a grant of EUR 36.2 million allocated in April of this year.

Source: Commission Press Room

Publication of Yearbook on Acceding Countries

Eurostat – the Statistical Office of the European Communities, has published a new yearbook on the acceding countries.

With the accession of the new Member States, the requirement for more detailed data has increased. The yearbook contains many structural indicators adopted by the European Council, as well as more detailed information on education, research and development, finance, energy and the environment.

Priced at EUR 60, please consult the Eurostat website for ordering details http://europa.eu.int/comm/eurostat/Public/datashop/print-catalogue/EN?catalogue=Eurostat&product=KS-AF-03-001-__-C-EN