EC Urban Environment Projects – Study Methodology and Detailed Information
Methodological Considerations
Although this study was not intended to undertake an inventory of all urban environmental projects funded in developing countries, a detailed analysis has been
carried out to identified the contribution of the EC in this theme, focusing attention on nine financial instruments available in DG IB and DG VIII, which include:
Six region-specific budget lines:
Latin America
Three horizontal budget lines:
The quantitative analysis presented in Chapter 3 is based on the contribution of these budget lines to the urban environment in developing countries between 1990 and 1995. As explained in the main text, this study used the ERM inventory (1996) as a valuable reference and source on information to develop a specific database for the urban environmental projects. The ERM evaluation assessed several budget lines and identified and classified environmental projects differentiating between primary environmental projects (defined as those projects dealing directly with environmental issues), and secondary environmental projects - defined as those sectoral development projects which include environmental components. Through the theme classification proposed in the ERM study, nine different themes were identified as being relevant to projects funded by the EC, with the urban environment being one of them.
In the classification developed by the ERM inventory, the theme of urban environment includes only two specific environmental activities: waste management and sewage treatment and sanitation. However, in some cases, projects classified under other themes - such as ‘pollution control’, ‘institutional strengthening’, ‘technology transfer’ and ‘freshwater resources use and management’ - also deal with urban environmental problems. Therefore all projects were double-checked on the basis of the project title and/or available synopsis and, when appropriated, reclassified as urban environment projects.
In the case of the ALA-MED region-specific budget lines, the list of urban environment projects identified in the ERM Inventory was double-checked with the other sources, such as Annual and Intermediate Reports. On the basis of the project title and brief description provided in these reports a few projects that were not included in the ERM Inventory were identified as urban environmental projects. These projects were incorporated into the database and the funds committed added to the total environmental projects funding in order to avoid distortions in the comparative analysis. As a result of the incorporation and reclassification of projects, the total funds committed to urban environment projects between 1990-1995 are higher than in the ERM Inventory.
According to the ERM evaluation, between 1990 and 1995 the total amount of funds disbursed and committed by DG VIII and DG IB to primary environment projects in ACP-ALAMED countries accounted for 447 MECU and 866 MECU respectively. The urban environment accounted for 8.7% (39 MECU) of the funding disbursed and 10.9% (94 MECU) of the funding committed. The difference between funding disbursed and committed reflects the lower proportion of funds committed to urban environmental projects prior to 1990.
Looking at the distribution of funds committed to primary environmental projects among the ten themes considered in the ERM Inventory, the priority areas appear to be the themes of tropical forests and land resources, which account respectively for 35.5% and 24.1% of all the funds committed to the environment. The urban environment is in the third position accounting for 10.9% of the funding committed, followed by institutional strengthening (9.3%), biodiversity (6.9%), marine resources (4.6%), technology transfer (3.5%), freshwater resources (3.2%), pollution control (1.4%), and climate change (0,6%).
Considering both primary and secondary environmental projects, the ERM Inventory records that total funds committed from all the budget lines analysed amounted to 902 MECU, of which 128.6 MECU were allocated to 105 urban environmental projects. Following the procedure explained above, this study found that the number of urban environmental projects and funds committed to them was higher than recorded in the ERM Inventory. The quantitative analysis is based on the new data base which records that, between 1990 and 1995, the amount of funding committed to urban environmental projects by DG IB and DG VIII amounts to 176 MECU allocated to 179 projects.
Table 1: Comparison between the urban environmental projects (both primary and secondary) recorded by ERM and this study. 1990-1995.
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Budget Line |
ERM data base |
Own data base |
Observations |
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No projects |
Funding (MECU) |
No projects |
Funding (MECU) |
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EDF VI & VII (ACP) |
25 |
78.0 |
25 |
78.0 |
EDF VI projects only include those projects funded since 1990 |
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B7-3000/3001 (Asia) |
2 |
0.7 |
15 |
15.0 |
4 projects reclassified 9 projects incorporated |
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B7-3010/3011 (Latin America) |
9 |
20.2 |
15 |
39.0 |
1 project reclassified 5 projects incorporated |
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|
B7-4010/4051/410/420 (Mediterranean) |
26 |
11.0 |
46 |
15.0 |
3 projects reclassified 17 projects incorporated |
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|
B7-6200 (Environment) |
32 |
16.4 |
36 |
18.0 |
4 projects reclassified |
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B7-5010/5020/3020 (Other horizontal budget lines) |
11 |
2.5 |
42 |
11.0 |
31 projects incorporated |
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TOTAL |
105 |
128.6 |
179 |
176.0 |
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Source: Based on several Reports (see footnote 2) from the Commission and ERM, Inventory of Environment and Tropical Forests Programmes; Final Report; Commission of the European Community, May 1996, London.
Table 1 shows the differences between the ERM inventory and the new database. In the case of urban environmental projects funded from EDF VI and VII the only source of information consulted was the ERM Inventory, therefore the figures coincide. However, the evaluation of EDF projects with an impact on urban development, carried out by Manchotte and Payne (1997) suggests that the proportion of funds committed to urban environmental projects might be higher.
The main differences between the two databases are in the contribution to the urban environment of the ALA-MED budget lines and some of the horizontal instruments. Within the horizontal instruments, the incorporation of the Decentralised Cooperation budget line, which have funded a large number of projects related to urban environment, explains the difference with the number of projects and funding recorded in the ERM Inventory. In the case of the NGO Co-financing budget line, although a few new projects were incorporated to the new database, the search was not exhaustive.
Apart from the nine budget lines considered in the analysis, two instruments were found to have funded a small number of urban environmental projects. These are the Industrial Cooperation budget line (B7-8700 ex B7-5020) and Aid to Refugees in ALA countries (B7-2120 ex B7-3020). Five projects identified under these budget lines were incorporated within the category of ‘other horizontal budget lines’. The list of projects included in the database is attached at the back of this appendix.
Due to the above considerations, the quantitative outcomes have to be considered with some caution and everything indicates that, despite the corrections introduced, funds flowing into urban environment are slightly higher than the figures might suggest. However, the amount of projects analysed is certainly representative enough to provide a profile of the operation of the budget lines analysed with regards to the urban environment.
The following sections are intended to provide background information to Chapter 3 including a brief description of each of the financial instruments analysed as well as a few examples of the type of urban environmental projects funded.
Mainstream budget lines
ACP countries
Budget lines: EDF (European Development Fund) VI & VII
EDF VII budget (1990-95): 11,480 MECU
Unit responsible: DGVIII / A1 - Sustainable Development and Natural Resources Unit
Sub-regions: West Africa (D1&D2); Central Africa (D3); East Africa (E1&E2); Southern Africa (E3); Caribbean (F1), Pacific (F2) and Indian Ocean (F3).
Brief description
Development cooperation with ACP countries is framed within the Lomé Convention and funded through the EDF. Neither Lomé III, IV nor IV-bis set any funding targets for environmental activities. Funds channelled through this source are agreed every five years and are managed separately from the EU budget. Decisions on the utilisation of EDF funds are taken jointly by the ACP states and the European Commission. Priority areas are specified and agreed on the National Indicative Programmes (NIPs) and Regional Indicative Programmes (RIPs).
EDF funding is generally allocated to large-scale projects. However, the Lomé IV introduced the ‘EDF micro projects programme’ (MPP), which aims at providing support to a wide range of small-scale projects implemented by Southern and European NGOs.
Examples of urban environmental projects funded under EDF VII
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Negril Sewerage System, Jamaica (93/EDFVII/024) Year started: 1993 EU contribution: 25.0 MECU Contractor: National Water Commission, Jamaica Following a request from the Government of Jamaica, the project was developed in the framework of a package of EC assistance to the water sector. The project is in line with the NIP objectives, the Government 5 Years Development Plan and the stated priorities of the National Water Commission. The project consisted of the provision of a sewerage system to reduce pollution levels in local rivers and coastal waters, improving public health conditions for both the local community and visiting tourists. International engineering consultants carried out construction activities, with subcontracting to Jamaican consultants. Operating expenses will be borne by the National Water Council. |
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Rural Towns Water-borne Sewerage Schemes for Karibib (USAB) and Outjo (ETOSHAPOORT), Namibia (07/NAM/040) Year started: 1994 EU contribution: 1.9 MECU Contractor: MRLGH and local consultants This project was prepared in response to ongoing efforts to improve public health conditions of the inhabitants of these two rural towns through the development of an adequate sewerage system. The phasing out of bucket toilets and introduction of water-borne sewage disposal are expected to reduce the incidence of insects and bacteria, through which diseases are transmitted. Local consultants prior to project approval carried a design study, no consultation with inhabitants of the two rural towns was undertaken during the project design. However, the project involved the local communities in the construction activities, with the aim of reducing the costs of construction companies and increasing local ownership of the project. |
Latin America
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Budget lines: B7-3010 (Financial and Technical Cooperation with Latin America) and B7-3011 (Economic Cooperation with Latin America) Annual budget (1997): 427 MECU Unit responsible: Direction B/DG IB - Latin America Sub-regions: Central America (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama), Mexico, Cuba (B1); Andean Pact (Colombia, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela) (B2) and Mercosur (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay), Chile (B3) |
Brief description
Funds for economic cooperation, financial and technical assistance to Latin American countries are allocated by the European Parliament on an annual basis. Desk Officers and Technical Heads in DG IB, assisted by Delegations, have primary responsibility for identifying projects, which can be supported from these funds. Since 1992, a new Regulation establishes a target of 10% of the funds to be allocated to the environment and institutionalises the EU’s relationships with non-governmental parties in Latin America. This is also applicable to Asia countries. Considerable flexibility is allowed in the allocation of funds and choice of partners.
In December 1995, the Commission adopted the URB-AL Programme, which became operational in June 1997. URB-AL is a horizontal instrument of decentralised cooperation, which applies to local authorities of Latin America and the European Union. The programme has a support structure constituted by a High Level Technical Committee and an External Secretariat. The High Level Committee comprised of eight experts in the fields of urban problems and cooperation (four from Latin America and four from Europe) has the responsibility of advising the Commission in the identification of topics and participants and in evaluating the proposals submitted. The External Secretariat is responsible for the operational aspects of the development and implementation of the programme, including the dissemination of information and follow-up of activities.
Example of an urban environmental project funded under B7-3010
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Regional Programme for Collection and Treatment of Hazardous Hospital Wastes in six Central American states (ALA/91/33) Duration: 3 years (started in 1993) Total budget: 8.6 MECU EU contribution: 4.9 MECU (reduced to 3.8 MECU) Beneficiary countries: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama The project aims at establishing a system for the collection and incineration of hazardous hospital wastes in six capital cities in different countries of Central America. It is organised in three phases. The first phase consisted of the establishment of a regional office and team responsible for the implementation of the schedule agreed between the national authorities of the six countries, the preparation of a manual, operational plan, yearly action plans, country surveys and site selection. The second and third phases involve staff training for the operation of the incinerators and waste management system and the design of cost recovery schemes. The lack of an effective regional counterpart organisation has been a major constraint to efficient implementation during the first phase. It took a long time to establish a regional institution and once established, it faced several difficulties due to its limited powers to bring country representatives and offices to the agreed schedule. The need for a mid term review was identified by the Delegation. The project was assessed as unsustainable during phase 1, but actions planned for the following phases (training in operation and cost recovery) are designed to address issues affecting sustainability. |
Asia
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Budget lines: B7-3000 (Financial/Technical Cooperation with Asia) and B7-3001 (Economic Cooperation with Asia) Annual budget (1997): 335 MECU Unit responsible: DG IB / Direction C (South and Southeast Asia) Sub-regions: South Asia (C1 & C2) and Southeast Asia (C3) |
Brief description
The instruments for economic cooperation and financial and technical assistance with Asia follow the same principles of the Latin American region-specific budget lines. Funds are allocated by the European Parliament on an annual basis and Desk Officers and Technical Heads in DG IB, assisted by Delegations, have primary responsibility for identifying projects which can be supported from these funds. Article 6 of Council Regulation 443/92 establishes a target of 10% of the funds to be allocated to the environment. The Regional Direction (C) is in the process of implementing the Asia-Urbs Programme to encourage cooperation between local authorities of Europe and South and Southeast Asia promoting innovative initiatives in the field of urban management, urban socio-economic development, urban environment, urban infrastructure and urban poverty.
Examples of urban environmental projects funded under
B7-3001 and B7-3000
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The programme was based on direct town-to-town cooperation between the Asian member towns of the CITYNET regional network (set up with assistance from ESCAP) and European towns, interested in collaborating by means of providing experts and in-service training for Asian counterparts). UTDA was responsible for the execution of the programme; a steering committee defined the programme’s guidelines, decided on the activities to be carried out and was responsible for regular assessment. MECP offered logistical support, aided implementation and covered part of the cost of initiatives by means of two type of activities: (I) specialised and specific assistance or training missions of experts from European municipalities to cooperate with Asian towns, and (II) support and assistance for specific projects to be undertaken in the framework of technical town twinning.
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Mun River Basin water resources development master plan, Thailand (B7-3000/ALA/90/10) Year started: 1993 EC contribution: 1.5 MECU Contractor: Consultants Binnie & Partners in association with other consultants Beneficiary: Royal Thai Government The objective of the project was to establish a comprehensive water resources development plan for all water uses in the Mun Basin, affecting several cities and rural towns. A computer river simulation model was to be constructed to simulate water availability and demands for irrigation, domestic and industrial water uses. Particular attention was to be paid to environmental aspects and the socio-economic effects of new development. |
Mediterranean
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Budget lines: B7-4010/B7-4051/B7-410/B7-420 Annual budget (1997): 836.7 MECU Unit responsible: DG IB / Direction A (South Mediterranean) Sub-regions: Machrek and Israel (A2); Maghreb, Cyprus, Malta and Turkey (A3) and Gulf Countries, Iran, Irak, Yemen (A4) |
Brief description
Since 1995, the MEDA Programme became the principal financial instrument of the EU for the implementation of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership with 1,200 MECU annually committed in 1995 and 1996. Some 90% of the resources allocated to MEDA are channelled bilaterally to the following countries: Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Malta, Morocco, Palestinian Territories, Syria, Tunisia and Turkey. The other 10% is allocated to regional activities for which all the partners are eligible. MEDA is managed by DG IB and funds are committed on an annual basis. At the end of each budgetary year, funds that have not been committed are annulled.
The MEDA programme is organised around six different components: MED-URBS (focused on urban management and development), MED-CAMPUS (focused on cooperation in higher education), MED-INVEST (focused on small and medium sized enterprises), MED-TECHNO (focused on application of efficient technology), MED-MEDIA (focused on decentralised cooperation with the media) and MED-MIGRATION (focused on support to migrants). From these components, the MED-URBS programme is the only one that provides specific assistance to urban issues and this includes the urban environment. However, other components, such as MED-CAMPUS have financed urban environmental projects.
Examples of urban environmental project funded under Med-Urbs
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DEMEDOR (Med-Urbs/95/39) Year started: 1995 Total budget: 325,000 ECU EC contribution: 200,000 ECU Med. partners: Municipalities of El Fayha (Lebanon), Limassol (Cyprus), and Lataquie (Syria). EU partners: Municipalities of Barcelona (Spain) and Marseille (France) The project aims at the improvement of municipal solid waste management through four main mechanisms: (i) reinforcing and promoting cooperation links in the field of solid waste; training municipal teams; (ii) encouraging active participation by citizens to become municipal actors; and (iii) promoting the dissemination of results and extension of the project to new partners in the eastern Mediterranean. |
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ECOCYCLE (MED-URBS/92/1A) Year started: 1992 Total budget: 379,791 ECU EC Contribution: 160,591 (42.3%) Network coordinator: Cités Unies Developpement (CUD) Med partners: Municipalities of Tanger (Morocco), Izmir and Antalya (Turkey) EU partners: Municipalities of Porto and Faro (Portugal), and Bochum (Germany) ECOCYCLE consisted of a cooperative effort of a network on municipal authorities focused on improving solid and liquid waste management. The objectives of the project were to develop municipal policies in the field and to promote the cooperation and assistance between the partner cities through the implementation of pilot projects. Project activities included the diagnosis of existing practices in the cities involved, the promotion of recommended policies and the identification of pilot projects as an experimental phase of the project. The project and the network were further expanded to other cities with the support of MED-URBS. |
Horizontal budget lines
Environment in Developing Countries - B7-6200
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Budget Line: B7-6200 Environment in Developing Countries (ex B7-5040) Annual budget (1996): 15 MECU Units responsible: DG IB/D/4 - Environment and Tropical Forests and DG VIII/A/1 - Sustainable Development and Natural Resources Beneficiary regions: Asian, Latin American and Mediterranean Countries (DG IB/D/4) and African, Caribbean and Pacific countries (DG VIII/A/1) |
Brief description
This budget line is the most specific instrument available to the EC to support and assist development cooperation in the field of the environment. It was launched in 1982, under the original designation of B7-946, then redesignated as B7-5040 and finally in 1995 as B7-6200. Until 1989, the budget line was managed solely by the Environment Section in the Sustainable Development and Natural Resources (DG VIII/A/1). In 1989, DG IB established a small team to manage environment projects in ALAMED countries, but only since April 1993, DG IB became financially and administratively responsible for managing and administrating environment projects in these regions.
Eligible projects include the following type of activities: pilot schemes likely to contribute to sustainable development, environmental protection, and long-term management of natural resources; environmental impact assessments of projects, programmes, and policies in developing countries; and guidelines and instruments aimed at integrating the environment into development operations. Projects range from 200,000 ECU to 1 MECU. The range of institutions eligible was originally very wide and then reduced in the Financing Guide produced in 1994, which includes: NGOs, international organisations, research institutes, and Government authorities in developing countries.
Examples of urban environmental projects funded under B7-6200
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Gaza city solid waste disposal, Palestinian Occupied Territories. (93/IB/57) Year started: 1993 (duration: 30 months) EU contribution: 1,784,021 ECU Contractor: Agro Vision Holland Beneficiary: Municipality of Gaza city The main goal of this project is to improve the health status of the population of the Gaza city and to enable the Municipality to attain the capacity to provide regular and appropriate waste collection and disposal services cost-effectively. The project was identified by an EC mission as a response to the demand of the municipal authorities. Local authorities were actively involved in the design of the projects and the identification of the most effective alternatives for solid waste management. The specific objectives are as follows: · To increase the capacity of the Municipality to plan, implement and monitor cost-effective health education and waste collection services;
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Programme d‘ Economie Environnementale Urbaine et Populaire (PRECEUP II) (96/IB/11) Year started: 1996 (duration: 2 years) Total budget: 1,371,355 ECU EU Contribution: 928,000 ECU (68%) Contractor: ENDA Tiers Monde Beneficiary countries: Colombia, Senegal, Vietnam, Morocco, and Dominican Republic. The programme is designed to support local initiatives in the South dealing with the urban environment and information exchanges on the theme of the urban environment. The main objective is to test and integrate innovative approaches for the improvement of urban environment in the field of waste, wastewater and sanitation, with special consideration of the most disadvantaged groups of the urban population. The first phase of the programme (PRECEUP I) began in 1994 and was also funded by B7-6200 (94/IB/10). The main activities included the promotion of alternative systems for urban environmental management, the reinforcement of community organisations and micro-enterprises working in recycling and the promotion of income-generating activities. PRECEUP II covers three levels of activities: · Operations: supporting urban environmental projects and South-South exchanges of experience, know-how and appropriate technology.
· Dissemination and Communication: producing information, documenting case studies and the outcomes of the research undertaken by the programme participants. |
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Managing the Environment Locally in Sub Saharan Africa (MELISSA) (96/VIII/03) Year started: 1996 (duration: 3 years) EU Contribution: 850,000 ECU Contractor: World Bank Beneficiary: Sub Saharan municipalities The programme is a joint initiative of the World Bank and the EU to promote and facilitate local EPM in Sub Saharan Africa. Its main objective to provide support to decentralised communities in preparing, implementing and monitoring their own Local Environmental Action Plans (LEAPs). This will be done by co-financing pilot LEAPs in six urban and six rural communities, areas, districts or provinces throughout Sub Saharan Africa. MELISSA also aims at developing a record of local expertise and good practices in local EPM, and information on possible sources of funding. To this end, the programme will bring together professionals and decision makers interested in local environmental management into a network. The aim is to network existing networks rather than to work as another funding or implementing agency, involving different relevant actors in local EPM. |
NGO Co-financing - B7-6000
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Budget line: B7-6000 (ex B7-5010) NGOs co-financing Annual budget (1997): 160 MECU Unit responsible: DG VIII/B/2 - Decentralised cooperation and co-financing NGOs Beneficiary regions: ACP-ALA-MED countries |
Brief Description
This budget line finances development activities carried out by European NGOs to support grassroots organisations in developing countries under Chapter XII of the General Conditions (Documents VIII/764/87 EN and VIII/271/87 EN). Several budget headings concerned with NGO operations in Cuba, Vietnam and Cambodia, amongst others, have been incorporated into the overall heading of NGO co-financing.
Examples of urban environmental projects funded under B7-6000
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Integrated Urban Development Project of the Popular Training Institute (IPC), Colombia (ONG/PVD/1995/378/UK) Year started: 1995 EU Contribution: 233,622 ECU (about 50%) Contractor: Christian Aid UK Beneficiary: Popular Training Institute (IPC) and poor communities in Medellin, Colombia The project is designed around the following components: awareness-raising and investigation into alternative strategies for the labour movement; research on the growth of the informal sector and promotion of community-based businesses and marketing networks; awareness-raising on the problems of overcrowding in slum areas on the outskirts of Medellin and pressure for improvement in housing and public services; and education and awareness-raising on human rights. Through research, seminars and workshops, IPC promotes cooperation between several community organisations in order to design a development plan to improve living conditions in slum areas. The project aims:
· to improve the working conditions, income and opportunities of urban workers, both in the formal and informal sector, and provide alternative models for income-generation which promote justice and equality. · to achieve practical improvements in the living conditions of the urban poor, in particular displaced communities, who have fled from rural violence, addressing the problems of poor housing, overcrowding and lack of basic services.
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Support to Indigenous NGOs in the provision of water, sanitation & health education in north eastern India (ONG/PVD/1995/88/UK) Year started: 1995 EC contribution: 401,432 ECU (50%) Contractor: WaterAid UK Beneficiary: Indigenous NGOs in north eastern India In March 1995 WaterAid proposed the EC to extend its current programme to develop safe water and effective sanitation to an additional 20 NGOs in northeast India. The aim of the project is to support NGOs working in more remote areas West Bengal and in other areas not covered by other agencies. Through its programme support office in Calcutta, WaterAid was to provide both additional specialist technical advice and monitor the implementation of approved schemes. This programme office is known as WANIO (WaterAid North India Office). WANIO has identified a strategy for its project work which focuses on the poorest and least well served groups, addressing problems of key water supply issues at the regional level and poor maintenance of water sources at the local level, particularly tubewells with handpumps. The strategy also aims to tackle the problem of slow progress on expanding the number of people with access to safe sanitation by developing cheaper designs of latrines, and developing an approach for hygiene education activities which helps to promote latrine usage and improves hygiene behaviour. In 1996/97, 16 new NGO schemes were incorporated into the programme, bringing the total number of people benefiting from improved water supplies, sanitation and hygiene education to over 400,000. |
Decentralised Cooperation in Developing Countries - B7-6430
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Budget line: B7-6430 (ex B7-5077) - Decentralised cooperation Annual budget (1997): 5 MECU Unit responsible: DG VIII/B/2 - Decentralised cooperation and co-financing NGOs Beneficiary regions: ACP-ALA-MED countries |
Brief Description
The purpose of this budget line is to support a variety of development initiatives mounted by a wide range of local actors in the developing countries (NGOs, local communities, local authorities, etc.). Since the budget line allocation is small (5 MECU in 1997), projects and programmes are normally financed with official cooperation funds from the region-specific budget lines (EDF/ALA/MED), requiring the prior agreement of the Commission’s representative and public authorities in the beneficiary country. Co-financing by the counterpart is normally the rule, but some projects have been fully financed.
Examples of urban environmental projects funded under B7-6430
The main activities include: training sessions, pilot participative projects, development and implementation of effective models of decentralised cooperation; development of environmental procedures adapted to the beneficiary municipalities; and setting-up sub-regional working groups.
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During the first phase the EU supported the initiative through the Decentralised Cooperation budget line, contributing with 600,000 ECU for 2 years: 390,000 ECU for local initiative projects (PAPIL), 90,000 MECU to support the Associations of Municipalities (PAAM) and 120,000 ECU for the coordination and follow-up mechanisms of the Programme. So far, the programme has supported about twenty PAPILs addressing issues such as urban environmental improvement, training of municipal civil servants, strengthening of local democratic processes, support for local economic development, etc. The second phase of the programme aims at reinforcing these outcomes through the development of methodological work of expert groups, national and regional ateliers, dissemination of the experiences, and mobilisation of other municipalities in Europe.