Bilateral cooperation between cities plays a major role in tackling some of today's most pressing challenges, including rapid urbanisation and the consequences of climate change. The International Urban Cooperation (IUC) programme supports city-to-city, sub-national and inter-regional cooperation to spur sustainable development and build partnerships across the globe. By setting up local, regional and global networks in Asia's economic powerhouses, the IUC is building cooperation with cities from two of the EU's most important partners.

Dangerously close to a conflict zone, one school in Bakhmut, eastern Ukraine, is, with the help of the EU, working hard to improve the safety of its students.

As stability and prosperity of the Lake Chad region are under threat by the presence of terrorist groups, the European Union and Chadian government work together to increase security and border controls on Lake Chad and the Chari-Logone rivers. The improvement of security infrastructure marks a crucial step towards increasing regional stability and economic prosperity for the local population and fighting organised crime in the region.

Natural resources belong to local communities not to militias. Since 2003, the EU and international partners representing 99% of the world’s diamond trade have joined forces to make sure that the production and trade of rough diamond contributes to peace and sustainable economic and human development. Through the Chairmanship this year, and a number of concrete projects, the EU is committed to prevent the trade in conflict diamonds and improve mining communities’ livelihoods.

An IcSP-funded project in Mali and Senegal tackles child labour by providing education and social reintegration work to children who have been exploited.

Libya has seen political turmoil, violence, and instability since 2011. What was hoped to be a success story – of democratic transition after the Arab revolutions – has turned into a protracted armed conflict.

An IcSP-funded project has tackled two issues that contributed to instability in Guinea: lack of trust between citizens and the police and the removal of abandoned weapon stockpiles.

An IcSP-funded project to remove deadly landmines in Colombia shows that communities can overcome the legacy of terrible and divisive conflict and is a powerful example for others to follow.

IcSP-funded projects have helped Syrian refugees in Turkey to integrate into their host communities, access health and education services and contribute to the local economy.

An IcSP-funded project has provided the OSCE’s Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine with the tools required to help ease tensions, engage all parties and build trust across the Line of Contact.

The IcSP’s European Resources for Mediation Support (ERMES) project continues to play a crucial role in fostering mediation and dialogue in conflict zones around the world.

* From March 2014, the Instrument for Stability (IfS) is succeeded by the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP)

An IcSP-funded project has helped poor communities in Lebanon with high concentrations of refugees to come together and tackle shared problems.

An IcSP-funded project has helped to promote religious reconciliation through dialogue and given young people the confidence to imagine a peaceful future.

Results of the study "Analysis of the perception of the EU and of EU's policies abroad".