Development Policy
Czech government insists migration controls should precede relocation demands
It makes no sense to share a burden over which we have no control, the Czech government said in response to the criticism of its failure to comply with EU migrant relocation quotas. EURACTIV Czech Republic reports.
Member states fail to back Emergency Trust Fund for Africa
The Emergency Trust Fund for Africa has stalled. The situation is frustrating the European Parliament and Commission, which have demanded that EU member states respect their commitments. EURACTIV France reports.
EU, Brazil propose farm subsidies overhaul to help developing countries
The European Union and Brazil yesterday (17 July) proposed to the World Trade Organization a reform of farm subsidies in order to "level the playing field" for emerging economies, an EU statement said.
Angola rejects EU poll observers’ demands
Angola has rejected conditions demanded by an EU election observer mission that had been preparing to witness next month's polls in the country, state media reported Monday (17 July).
Cape Town shares lessons of record drought
Cape Town, South Africa’s second largest city, is experiencing its worst drought in 100 years. Gareth Morgan, trade and investment officer for the city, told EURACTIV.com that the crisis was also an opportunity to seek solutions which could be of use in other parts of Africa.
NGOs denounce cuts, tweaks to 2018 EU budget for development aid
EU member countries decided yesterday (12 July) to cut the proposed EU budget for 2018 by €1.2 billion. The European Parliament deplored this “mechanical” cut, while NGO’s denounced the decrease of development aid and its re-directing to combat immigration.
As Zimbabwe’s homes go solar, its businesses lag behind
With more than 100,000 solar power systems installed in homes in Zimbabwe, according to government figures, off-grid solar power is no longer a revelation for homeowners. But despite decades of power shortages, companies are only starting to catch on.
French backtracking on FTT undermines development commitments
France’s development aid objectives appear to be compromised by a reduction in the base of the Financial Transaction Tax (FTT), which funds more than 20% of the country’s international solidarity effort. EURACTIV France reports.
EU development chief: ‘We will not abandon Latin America’
The European Commission has proposed a new strategy that would exploit Spain’s strong ties with Latin America in order to help middle-income countries that are not eligible for development aid. EURACTIV Spain reports.
![[European Parliament/Flickr]](https://www.euractiv.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2015/01/european_parliament_plenary_crediteuropean_parliament_flickr.jpeg)
New plan for Africa called ‘best EU initiative ever’
MEPs are expected to pass on Thursday (6 July) the new European Fund for Sustainable Development (EFSD), a key element to a plan to raise as much as €88 billion, blending EU funds with national and private financing, bringing African development to a new level.
EU foreign affairs: Militarising EU development aid; Minsk 2.0; and freezing out Erdogan.
Will the militarisation of the EU's development aid get sent back to base by the ECJ? Should the EU push for a new Minsk implementation schedule?
European secrecy must end if Africa’s potential is to be unlocked
Having shown their serious intent at the lectern and on panels, G20 and African leaders must now move beyond speeches and pledges and take concrete, demonstrable steps to help the African continent harness its full potential, writes Acting-President of Nigeria Yemi Osinbajo.
MEPs pass new rules to tackle multinationals’ tax avoidance
The European Parliament on Tuesday (4 July) voted to oblige multinationals to publish details of their activities on a country-by-country basis, even outside the EU. The measure is designed to help the poorest countries fight tax evasion. EURACTIV France reports.
MEPs denounce ‘attempts to militarise EU’s development policy’
The European Parliament’s Development Committee endorsed on Monday (3 July) an opinion to amend the regulation for establishing one of EU's key external aid instruments.
Algeria to grant legal status to African migrants
Algeria plans to grant residency rights and job permits to illegal African migrants, responding to a shortage of workers in farming and construction while also seeking to combat a surge in racist sentiment.
Europe’s legal U-turn on militarising development policy
Europe’s development policy should stay true to its aims of eradicating poverty and raising people’s quality of life. The increasing military slant of EU development aid is both illegal and inhumane, writes Heidi Hautala.
Sustainable development must be overarching EU objective
The EU should throw its full weight behind the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and take a global lead in its implementation. Former President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy explains why sustainable development should be the bloc's top priority.
Mimica: We are analysing aid funding gaps left by the US
The EU is analysing the aid funding gap left by Donald Trump’s decision to ban US federal funding for NGOs providing birth control support or abortions in developing countries, Development Commissioner Neven Mimica told EURACTIV.com in an exclusive interview.
Nigeria seeks EU help to counter cancer outbreak in polluted delta
Officials from the Federal Republic of Nigeria arrived in Brussels on Monday (26 June) to seek EU help with establishing cancer screening centres in the Niger Delta, a hugely polluted area where a large proportion of the population suffers from cancer.
SDG advocate: ‘Development projects cannot be designed in Brussels’
Development is not a one-way street, rather it is a dialogue, according to SDG advocate Dr Alaa Murabit. She told EURACTIV Germany that she supports the EU’s Consensus on Development but warned against making investment conditional.
Time to move to an interest-driven Africa-EU political partnership
Geert Laporte proposes eight measures for Europe and Africa to build the strong partnership that everyone seems to want. But is everyone willing to support the tough decisions that these measures would entail?
WFP chief urges EU to step up funds for Africa famine
The UN food agency's director urged the European Union on Monday (26 June) to help raise the $1 billion needed over the next few months to save hundreds of thousands of children from starving to death in Yemen and three African countries.
UK to maintain duty-free access for developing countries after Brexit
The United Kingsom said it will maintain duty-free access to its markets once it has left the European Union for goods from nearly 50 developing countries including Bangladesh, Sierra Leone and Haiti.
EU fails to convince ACP countries to sanction Burundi
Despite two years of political crisis and a downward spiral of human rights and rule of law abuses in Burundi, Europe has failed to mobilise a wave of condemnation from other developing countries. EURACTIV France reports.