The European Union, including its Member States, is the world’s largest donor to global poverty alleviation and economic development, providing 52% (€ 44 billion) of overall donor assistance. Eighty three percent (83%) of this assistance is provided by EU Member States, through direct bilateral support and contributions to multilateral institutions. Seventeen percent (17%) of EU assistance is managed at the European Community level.

While support for sexual and reproductive health and rights, HIV/AIDS and population programs varies significantly over time and among EU Member States, European Community policies and funds have steadfastly supported implementation of the ICPD Program of Action.

However, due to the complexity of its policies and procedures, the EU funding environment has often confused professionals in the field, including both NGOs seeking funds and donors seeking to improve policy and funding coordination and harmonization.

The GUIDE to European Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Population Assistance is the only current, consolidated and easy-to-use source of information on European funding for these programmes and services in developing countries. The GUIDE provides transparency by outlining where funding opportunities lie in Europe and by helping its reader to better understand how to access them.

It is a reference book for donors, as well as for organizations seeking funds, and contributes to greater coordination and collaboration on population activities among European donor agencies.

By listing activities undertaken by European donors and the European Commission, each donor agency can clearly see what efforts other agencies are undertaking and direct its own endeavors accordingly.

Each of the 67 entries on EU funding lines provides contact information, a statement on the institution's purpose and mission, a review of financial information and, most importantly, detailed information about how to submit a proposal and apply for funding.

Welcome to the GUIDE to European Reproductive Health, HIV/AIDS and Population Assistance. We hope you find its contents useful. For further assistance, please contact DSW at: info-eu@dsw-hannover.de.