The EU Development Priorities in Central Asia
The European Union's development priorities in Central Asia, in line with its joint commitment to implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), aim at meeting the increasing needs from growing and young populations and at providing economic opportunities in a region.
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EU Development Priorities in Central Asia
Assistance provided by the EU combined with assistance provided by EU Member States individually makes the European Union the number one donor in the region. The global envelope for EU assistance to Central Asia reached €1.1 billion for the period 2014-2020. In order to better tailor the development programmes to each country's specificities, the EU employs a differentiated approach to its assistance.
Regional programmes aim at supporting a broad-based process of dialogue and collaboration between the five Central Asian countries. Regional cooperation is important for energy, the environment, climate, water and socio-economic development, including better education and research opportunities as well as competitiveness and business environment reforms.
Given Central Asia's vulnerability to natural disasters and the effects of climate change, regional programmes also support the countries’ capacities to prepare for and respond to these risks.
The EU is also supporting the strengthening of the rule of law and the legal capacity of the Central Asian countries and contributes to the reform of their legal and judiciary systems. Regional cooperation aims at strengthening cross-border co-operation through integrated border management.The EU also supports drug demand reduction, prevention and health aspects of drug use through the Central Asia Drug Action Programme – CADAP.
Supporting intra-regional trade in Central Asia and linking up the Central Asian economies with the global value chain is a priority for the EU. The EU helps Central Asian countries address key regulatory and procedural obstacles to intra and extra-regional trade.
The EU also promotes job creation through programmes that catalyse the growth of young small and medium-sized enterprises. The EU also promotes sustainable consumption and production patterns in the region. With its Investment Facility for Central Asia (IFCA), the EU provides grants to support financial resources from financial institutions and other public and private partners for investments, technical assistance, or risk capital operations.