|
Principals and objectives of cooperation
Having regard for the objectives and principals of the ACP-EU Cotonou Partnership Agreement and coherent with the policies of the European Union, The European Commission’s cooperation objectives for The Gambia have been formulated in response to the Gambia’s own development policies and strategies and in consultation with state and non-state representatives.
Specifically, EC. Cooperation will support the Gambia’s Poverty Alleviation Strategy II, as elaborated in the Country’s Interim- Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper, the economic private sector led growth strategies expressed in The Gambia’s VISION 2020 and medium term framework, and sectoral strategies related to investment and trade promotion.
Cooperation will aim to promote good governance and democratic processes, improved accountability in economic management in the public sector, the establishment of effective Local Government and rural institutions, a pro-active organized and democratically aware civil society and the creation of partnerships for soci-econonmic development between the public and private sector actors. Cooperation objectives are underpinned by respect for human rights, democratic principals and the rule of law and whilst giving due regard to The Gambia’s own cultural heritage, will emphasis regional integration and the gradual integration of The Gambia into the world economy.
Priorities for cooperation
Have been selected on the basis of EU and local priorities and in accordance with the comparative advantage of over twenty years of EC cooperation with the Gambia. In this respect, the EC has, under previous EDFs, amassed sufficient experience in rural development progrrammes to continue as a lead supporter of rural poverty alleviation. In line with EC Rural Development Policy and complimented by local institutional knowledge and experience, the EC has identified interventions in support to Local Government systems and producer associations as priority areas for sustainable rural development. Moreover, the EC has experience in provision of rural water supply and rural road construction.
It can provide the relative financial investments to rehabilitate large areas of rural infrastructure. By comparison with other donors, EC investments in rural and regional infrastructure is grant aid. In this respect, major works can be carried out without adding to the burden of unsustainable national debt. The partnership with the EC is reinforced regionally; hence regional infrastructure on both sides of national boarders will be rehabilitated, encouraging regional integration and trade.
Consistent with EU policy, non-focal interventions proposed for economic development centre around private sector development and investment. Macro-economic, structural policies and reforms and sectoral policies in relation to finance and trade. Furthermore, the EC can support private sector initiatives through arrangements with specialist agencies such as CDA and EBAS and with investments from the EIB. Supports to the social sector, coherent with the PRSP process and EU policy, will support increased access to education, with special emphasis on girls’ education and vocational training for youth.
The EC has had a long-term commitment to the development process in the Gambia. It has advocated for human rights, rule of law and freedom of the press and has supported weaker sections of society including the rights of women. Moreover, it has supported electoral and democratic processes in the Gambia and in the sub-region and assisted in conflict resolution. In this respect, it has built up relations and gained the respect of all sections of society.
Based on this relationship the EC is in a prime position to use NIP resources to strengthen Civil Society Organisations, encourage their involvement in monitoring progress under the Cotonou Agreement and assist in the formation of a Civil Society Forum to improve overall economic and social dialogue processes.
|
