European Development Fund is the main source of cooperation between the EU and Cabo Verde. The EDF includes contributions from EU Member States towards financing cooperation projects and activities in ACP countries (Africa, Caribbean, and Pacific), previously identified during the design of the relevant National Indicative Programmes (NIP) and Regional Indicative Programmes (IPM).
Budget Support is a EU cooperation instrument that aims to contribute to Public Aid for Development. It consists in financial transfers made directly to Cabo Verde's National Treasury, that on its side compromises with a good management of public finances. Cabo Verde benefits from the EU Budget Support modality since 1998 and it is currently the main EU financial contribution to the archipelago, around 95%. In the last 4 years, since 2016, the EU's contribution for the Budget Support has been more than EUR 55 Million, being EUR 14 Million an emergency contribution for Drought and Floods (climate change consequences).
Civil Society
In Cabo Verde, the European Union has been supporting various civil society projects through the thematic programme "Civil society organizations and local authorities", the latter in the area of cultural heritage and sustainable tourism following calls for proposals 2013, 2015 and 2017.
Five new projects that aims to support and strengthen civil society, as an actor of sustainable development, in the promotion of rights, in the active participation of women and young people and in the protection of children in vulnerable situations has been implemented since February 2020.
This year it was published the Mapping for Civil Society, funded by the EU.
Gender Equality
The main objectives of the European Union between 2020-2025 in terms of Gender Equality are the following:
- end gender-based violence;
- to challenge gender stereotypes;
- eliminate gender gaps in the labour market;
- achieving equal participation in different sectors of the economy;
- tackling the pay and pension gap;
- eliminating gender gaps and achieving gender balance in decision-making and policy.
The EU Strategy is based on a dual approach of gender mainstreaming combined with targeted actions, and intersection is the horizontal principle for its implementation. This strategy focuses on actions within the EU, but also guides EU external policy towards gender equality and women's empowerment in partner countries such as Cabo Verde.
The EU is stepping up its support for gender equality in the country by promoting: sustainable legal and structural changes in national social practices and policies through a variety of local measures, events and campaigns. Gender indicators have been introduced in the EU budget support programme, such as the creation of a support fund for GBV victims, and support to the national budget to address gender issues. In 2019, a budget support indicator of 1 MEUR was decided for the approval and implementation of the Parity Law, effectively adopted by Parliament on 28 October 2019.
In April 2019, the EU in Cabo Verde funded and organised a Workshop on "Gender and Development in International Cooperation" for the staff of the Delegation and Embassies of the Member States present in the country. Based on the final report, this activity had a very positive impact in improving the technical capacities of the participants. This activity was part of a commitment by EU Delegations to change the institutional culture of the Commission services and the EEAS in order to fulfil more effectively the EU's gender commitments as set out in the GAP. This year another workshop was given to Cabo Verdean civil society organizations.
EU Green Deal
The EU's ne Green Deal is "a new growth strategy to transform the EU into a fair and prosperous society, with a modern, resource-efficient and competitive economy, so that there will be no net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and where economic growth is significant. "The environmental ambition of the Green Deal will not be achieved by the EU alone", but in cooperation with its partners.
In addition to the new pillar of the special partnership (Oceans and Blue Economy), the EU in Cabo Verde has been developing other projects in the area of climate, energy transition and ecosystems, such as:
- Reflor Project: "Capacity Building and Resilience of the Forest Sector in Cabo Verde" (Climate);
- Project "Strengthening the Regional Anchorage of the Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance Centre of Cabo Verde (CERMI) (Energy);
- Farfish project - results-based management and capacity building for EU Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement and international waters (Ecosystems) - Horizon 2020.
Blue Economy
The EU has actively contributed to the development of the Blue Economy in CaboVerde.
International Ocean Governance is concerned with managing and using the oceans and their resources in a way that keeps them healthy, productive, safe and resilient. Today, 60% of the oceans are outside national areas of jurisdiction. This implies a shared international responsibility. The European Union's action in International Ocean Governance aims to build a structure and, together with other partners, improve the state of this crucial resource open to all States.
International Ocean Governance, as well as the Blue Economy and Maritime Spatial Planning are increasingly a priority for EU External Action. Due to its unique geographical position, Cabo Verde is a valuable EU partner with great potential in these areas. Based on the Fisheries Agreement between the EU and CV there are several activities and projects developed in these areas, especially in the Blue Economy. The development in this area will allow for a sustainable economic growth of Cabo Verde .
The Blue Economy in Cabo Verde contributes to the following areas: trade, job creation, scientific knowledge, consolidation of the value chain, environmental protection and biodiversity and maritime safety.
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Fisheries Partnership Agreement
The Fisheries Agreement in place between the EU and Cabo Verde benefits both parts and aims to promote a responsible and sustainable fishing in Cabo Verdean waters, as well as reduce illegal fishing and overfishing. More information about the Fisheries Agreement here.
A new complementary protocol of to the Fisheries Agreement was signed in May 2019. Under the new protocol for the period of five years, 69 EU vessels can fish for tuna and similar species in Cabo‑ Verdean waters. In return, the EU will pay Cabo Verde a contribution of EUR 750,000 per year .Of this annual contribution, EUR 350,000 are reserved for promoting sustainable fisheries management in Cabo Verde, including capacity building for reinforced control and supervision and development of fish stocks, development of the blue economy to generate growth and jobs, and support to local fishing with a view to sustainable exploration, supply and development in the sector.In addition, EU fishing vetoes will pay an estimated amount of EUR 600,000 per year. Cabo Verde will allow approximately 7 million euro for the period 2019-2024.
EU sectoral support to the fishing sector for claims in particular to:
- provide evidence of scientific knowledge underlying fishing rights granted under the agreements and provide more information on the global fishing effort carried out in the waters of partner countries;
- strengthen the good governance of the agreements and including a class protecting human rights, as well as gradually increasing the contribution from EU Shipowners to the costs of access;
- promoting sustainable fishing in the waters of partner countries, better defining the objectives of the concessional of the EU and ensuring regular supervision.
