What we do
What we do – More than delivering aid
EuropeAid does more than ‘deliver aid’. As both an active and proactive player in the development field, it also tackles universal issues, promotes good governance, human and social development, security and migration, natural resources, and more.
A whole set of activities are carried out under the EuropeAid umbrella. The aid office’s core area of competence is aid delivery and it achieves this by using a set of financial instruments. EuropeAid ensures the quality of the aid it delivers as well as its effectiveness.
Certain issues, such as poverty and environmental degradation, cut across borders and pose a challenge for humanity as a whole. These universal challenges require global co-operation and collaboration. In addition, since they often disproportionately affect poorer countries that are ill-equipped to deal with them, richer societies, such as the EU, have a responsibility to assist developing countries. Find out more in the ‘Tackling universal issues’ section.
Good governance and democracy are not luxuries but fundamental rights for all societies. They are also key components of efficient and representative government.
The degree of development a society enjoys is not just measured by economic success. It is also highly contingent on its degree of human and social development. Mobility is an integral part of the modern world. Properly managed, economic migration can be beneficial both to Europe and other parts of the world. Find out how EuropeAid promotes social inclusion, employment, welfare protection and more in partner countries under the section ‘Human and social development’.
EuropeAid provides direct economic support to partner countries, both at the macro- and microeconomic levels. This includes supporting national budgets, funding regional integration activities and micro-finance initiatives. These issues are tackled under the ‘Economic support section’.
Security is a basic human need and a fundamental prerequisite for sustainable development. That is why the EU helps partner countries to maintain law and order in times of peace and to rebuild stability in times of crisis. The ‘Security and conflict’ section will tell you more about this.
People in poorer countries are more directly dependent on natural resources than those in richer countries. EuropeAid works to promote broad-based rural economic growth, which ensures developing countries obtain equitable access to production methods, markets and services. People surviving at subsistence levels are the most vulnerable groups in the world. Access to clean drinking water and energy is also a constant challenge for many of the world’s poorest citizens. Wild resources are a vital natural and economic resource and developing countries need assistance in protecting them.
Good quality infrastructure is a key ingredient for sustainable development. All countries need efficient transport, sanitation, energy and communications systems if they are to prosper and provide a decent standard of living for their populations. EuropeAid is strongly engaged in supporting infrastructure policies, investment and services in developing countries.
