Key instrument

ACP-EU Partnership Agreement 

Development cooperation

Past EU assistance

Under the European Development Fund:

2008-13 – €15 million.

2010 – €5.5 million in budget support during Tonga's financial crisis, to ease fiscal constraints.

Key sectors

Energy sector reform contract – €7.4 million

A budget support programme, started in 2013, to implement the Tonga Energy Roadmap.

This programme is giving Tongans better access to electricity by developing more energy-efficient electricity production methods and greater access to renewable energy.

Technical cooperation facility – €1.32 million

Supports governance reforms and public finance management, and builds capacity in non-state bodies, in the fields of development, trade, energy, human rights and gender policies.

Hospital in Niuatoputapu – €1.37 million

To build and equip a new hospital and staff residential building in Niuatoputapu, to replace the old healthcare infrastructure, which was destroyed in the 2009 tsunami. 

Civil society – €250,000

To boost the capacity of civil society to engage effectively in formulating the reform agenda, stimulating greater interaction between state and non-state bodies in the decision-making process.

Current EU assistance (2014-20)

€11.1 million under the EDF

2012 – 2020 €10m mainly for the energy sector, continuing efforts to give Tongans access to affordable renewable energy resources by improving energy efficiency, promoting renewable energy in the country and improving access to energy.

2017-2020  - €1.1 million is allocated towards support to the NAO and technical support to the energy sector on the energy bill. In parallel support to envisaged to strengthen Strengthening Civil Society Organisation's capacity to effectively engage with government in policy dialogue and governance;  Strengthening Civil Society Organisation's to promote awareness on renewable energy and energy efficiency; supporting civil society's role in enhancing   gender equality in development and Supporting Civil Society Organization in youth empowering and development programmes.

Funding in 2014-20 under the EDF