Where we work

EuropeAid implements programmes and projects around the world, wherever assistance is needed. It delivers support through regional and country-specific approaches across a variety of sectors. In addition, programmes with a global reach allow the European Commission to provide similar support to countries that have shared problems, even if they are thousands of kilometres apart.

EuropeAid draws on a range of EU financial instruments and programmes to collaborate with partners from the following regions:

Country by country

The Commission has developed support strategies for individual regions across the world. For the regional neighbours, bilateral relations are founded on association agreements and ENP action plans. Across the world, the Commission has developed relations based on comprehensive bilateral dialogue. Aid support is guided in most cases by country strategy papers, currently running between 2007 and 2013.

A regional approach

Regional co-operation has allowed the Commission to develop strong relations with various regional groupings of countries. In Asia that means delivering support through forums like the Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM) and ASEAN, the Association of South-east Asian nations. In Latin America, the Commission works closely with regional blocs such as Mercosur and the Andean Community.

With ACP countries, regional co-operation allows the Commission to distribute European Development Fund (EDF) finance to tackle shared problems – for example, to build water and sanitation infrastructure or anti-poverty measures in Africa.

The Commission has developed a new European Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI), which is designed to provide support to the EU’s eastern and southern neighbours. An inter-regional programme has also been developed to strengthen dialogue and ensure that funds are used efficiently.

Once again, a regional approach has been developed as a means of tackling shared challenges. For the eastern region, programmes and projects focus on areas such as transport and energy; dealing with landmines, border management and sustainability of resources.

For the southern region, programmes focus on such issues as socio-cultural exchanges between the EU and the Mediterranean region; justice and security; and sustainable development.

Worldwide support

The Commission also runs programmes that have a global reach, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) which works across the world. EuropeAid also coordinates the deployment of EU election observation missions, which aim to ensure free and fair elections.

Other worldwide programmes cover: environment and natural resources, food security, gender issues, health, migration and asylum, Nuclear Safety and Stability.