The 11th European Development Fund is the European Union’s main tool for providing development aid to African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Its budget of 30.5 billion euros ($33.5 billion) for the period 2014-2020 represents about one-third of the total EU foreign and development aid. The programming of the 11th EDF is a critical test of the EU’s strategy to deliver high-impact aid, the Agenda for Change.
At the European Center for Development Policy Management — an independent think tank — we have looked at how the EU conducted its programming process. Here are some of the findings:
1. Around 15 billion euros is dedicated to funding development cooperation programs in 74 countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Over 80 percent of funds are directed to least developed countries and low-income countries where, in theory, the needs are greatest and aid has more added value.