Next to the geographical instruments, the EU offers a series of “thematic” or “horizontal” instruments which are accessible to NGOs and non-state actors for development co-operation activities in all developing countries. All of these instruments relate to a specific budget line of the annual EU budget.

The following information is available for each thematic instrument:

• Legal basis (Regulations from the Council and the European Parliament)
• Overall policy objectives
• Types of actions funded
• Priorities for 2004, 2005 or 2006
• Eligible partners and criteria
• Information on recent calls for proposals
• Tips for NGOs
• Relevant contacts in the EuropeAid Co-operation Office
• Web links for further information

There is also information on the budget foreseen for each of these instruments in the section related to the EU Budget.

Click on the links below for information on specific thematic instruments.

• NGO co-financing
• Decentralised co-operation
• European initiative for democracy and human rights (EIDHR)
• Environment in developing countries and tropical forests
• Aid for poverty-related diseases (HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis)
• Aid for population and reproductive healthcare
• Emergency and humanitarian aid (ECHO)
• Food aid and food security
• Integrating gender issues into development co-operation
• Actions against anti-personnel landmines
• Rapid reaction mechanism
• Campaign against drugs and drug addiction
• Co-operation with third countries on migration: AENEAS Programme
• Aid to uprooted people in Asia and Latin America
• Rehabilitation and reconstruction measures for developing countries
• Integration of children's rights into development co-operation
• Aid for basic education in developing countries
• Capacity building for information and communication technologies and sustainable energy