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Legislative act: Regulation of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 October 2006, "laying down general provisions establishing a European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument" (EC) No 1638/2006 Replaces: The MEDA and TACIS programs. Objectives The overall aim of the instrument is to promote enhanced co-operation and progressive economic integration between the European Union and its neighbouring partner countries. In particular, this is an instrument for assistance to those countries which will not accede to the European Union in the near future. It also encourages efforts by partner countries to promote good governance and equitable social and economic development. The overall ENPI budget for the period 2007- 2013 is € 11.181 billion, of which 95% is allocated to country and multi-country programs, i.e. € 10.621 billion. The program's priorities vary according to the particular situation of each partner country. Funds are allocated following country and multi-country strategy papers which include multi-annual indicative programs specifying the priority objectives for each country and the indicative multi-annual financial allocations. Furthermore, the European Commission prepares annual action plans describing the objectives pursued, the fields of intervention, the expected results, the management procedures and the total amount of financing planned. Activities covered by the ENPI The regulation establishing the ENPI provides a non-exhaustive list of 29 different types of measures which the instrument may be used to fund. The measures relevant for NGOs are the following: - Measures aiming at poverty reduction, to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs);
- Measures intended to promote social development, social inclusion, gender equality, non-discrimination, employment and social protection, including protection of migrant workers, social dialogues, and respect for trade union rights and core labour standards, including on child labour;
- Measures aiming to promote health, education and training, including not only measures to combat the major communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases and disorders but also access to services and education for good health, including reproductive and infant health for girls and women;
- Measures intended to promote and protect human rights and fundamental freedoms, including women's rights and children's rights;
- Measures intended to foster the development of civil society and of non-governmental organizations.
Eligible Funding Partners The annual action plans determine how assistance is provided and provide details of eligibility restrictions. A wide range of non-state actors are eligible to receive ENPI funds. These are: - Non governmental organizations;
- Organizations representing national and/or ethnic minorities; local citizens' groups and traders' associations;
- Co-operatives, trade unions, organizations representing economic and social interests;
- Local organizations (including networks) involved in decentralized regional co-operation and integration;
- Consumer organizations, women's and youth organizations, teaching, cultural, research and scientific organizations;
- Universities;
- Churches and religious associations and communities;
- The media;
- Cross-border associations, non-governmental associations and independent foundations.
Sources:
http://www.euroresources.org/guide_to_population_assistance/european_community.htm
http://www.2007-2013.eu/by_scope.php
http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/s05031.htm Analysis of the implications of ENPI by civil society organizations can be found on www.enpi-programming.eu. This website is a tool for civil society actors to follow the discussions on the programming of assistance under the European Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI).
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