APRODEV monitors and works to influence the formulation and implementation of European Commission development cooperation strategies with Central America. The objective is to strenghten the focus on human rights, democracy and governance, as well as to ensure transparency and civil society participation.

In November 2011, the European Commission (EC) presented the proposal for external action instruments for 2014-2020. The proposal will be discussed with the member states and the European Parliament during 2012-2013 and APRODEV is involved in this process.

Civil society reports and letters on the role of the private sector in development

In recent years, EU development policies have increasingly focused on the contributions of the private sector (from small and medium to big enterprises) to development. Therefore, new instruments to support them have been created and implemented. APRODEV is following these instruments.

NEW

Press Release: Who is benefiting from the new European development cooperation policy?. ALOP, APRODEV, CIFCA, CIDSE, Grupo Sur, OIDHACO, Eurodad and Counter Balance. March 2013. Also in Spanish and French.

Aid for a green development: the Latin American Investment Facility (LAIF) in the making

Blending mechanisms, mixing grants and loans have been promoted by the EU policies in the recent years. Among them, the Latin American Investment Facility was approved in 2010 and implemented since. This research paper by ALOP and APRODEV gives an overview of such mechanism and raises questions on the transparency of the selection of beneficiary companies and the impacts both on the environment and the involved communities.

See the report in English or in Spanish.

Previous contributions:

• “The future of EU development cooperation – In support of people or business?”, ALOP, APRODEV, CIDSE and CIFCA. Report in English or in Spanish.

Civil society reports and contributions on EU-LAC and EU-CA relations

• Civil society networks welcome European Parliament position on the future EU development cooperation with Latin America. ALOP, APRODEV, CIDSE, CIFCA, Grupo SUR and OIDHACO. Communique. June 2012.
• The new EU development cooperation and Latin America - APRODEV, CIDSE and CIFCA contribution to the EP report on future development cooperation with Latin America. December 2011.
• Concerns and proposals regarding the mid term review of the Regional Strategy Paper (RSP) and Country Strategy Papers (CSP) of the European Commission development cooperation with Central America, in order to define the Indicative Programmes for 2011-2013. Full report and Summary and key recommendations to member states. APRODEV, ALOP, CIDSE and CIFCA. October 2009.
• Mid term review of regional EU strategy for Central America - Information for advocacy (in Spanish). APRODEV. March 2008.
• EU development cooperation strategies for CA 2007- 2013 - Information for advocacy (in Spanish). APRODEV. June 2007.

The country and regional strategies of the EC for Central America can be found on the EuropeAid website.