7 New Development Framework Agreements worth €36m Signed

On Wednesday 30 January 2019, Luxembourg's Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs announced the signature of seven new framework agreements for development cooperation.

Minister Paulette Lenert signed seven framework development agreements including two consortia with non-governmental organisations. Development (NGDO): Caritas Luxembourg Foundation in consortium with Fondation Partage Luxembourg, Chrëschte mam Sahel Foundation, International Assistance of the Luxembourg Red Cross in consortium with Pharmaciens sans Frontières ASBL, Friendship Luxembourg ASBL, New Pro Niños Pobres ASBL, ONGD-FNEL Scouts and Guides ASBL and SOS Faim Luxembourg - Action for development.

These 7 framework agreements involve a total contribution of €36.6 million from the Ministry, covering the period 2019-2023, with the exception of the consortium of Caritas Luxembourg and Partage Luxembourg which is for a period of 3 years. All these projects are co-financed at 80%.

Geographically, the activities of framework agreements implemented by NGDOs are located in 8 countries in Africa (Benin, Burkina Faso, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda), in 2 countries in Asia (Bangladesh, Nepal). ) and in 4 countries in South America (Colombia, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay).

The activities of the signatory NGDOs are focused on the following themes: human rights, civil peacebuilding and conflict prevention mechanisms, food security, agricultural financial services and agricultural cooperatives, education, sustainable development, eradication of hunger, gender equality, and access to water and sanitation, democratic participation and civil society.

At the official signing, Minister Lenert reaffirmed the importance that Luxembourg Cooperation attaches, and has for many years, to civil society organisations. In 2017, 16% of official development assistance was allocated to NGDOs.

Luxembourg state co-financing rate is 80% for NGO projects implemented in Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Luxembourg's partner countries (Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Laos), Mali, Nicaragua, Niger and Senegal), as well as for any project defending human rights and combating violence against women and girls. For all other projects, the applicable rate is 60%.