CHAPTER I

In order to attain the objectives of the Instrument geographic programmes shall be drawn up from the following areas of cooperation: good governance, democracy, the rule of law and human rights, including gender equality; eradicating poverty, fighting against inequalities and discrimination, and promoting human development; migration, forced displacement and mobility; environment and climate change; inclusive and sustainable economic growth and decent employment; peace, stability and conflict prevention; partnership. Further details on each of the areas of cooperation referred to in paragraph 1 are set out in Annex II. In order to attain the objectives of the Instrument, thematic programmes shall cover the following areas of intervention: Human Rights and Democracy: advancing: the fundamental values of democracy; the rule of law; the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of human rights; respect for human dignity; the principles of non-discrimination, equality and solidarity; respect for the principles of the Charter of the UN and international human rights law; Civil Society Organisations: inclusive, participatory, empowered and independent civil society and democratic space in partner countries; inclusive and open dialogue with and between civil society actors; awareness, understanding, knowledge and engagement of European citizens regarding development issues; Peace, Stability and Conflict Prevention: assistance for conflict prevention, peacebuilding and crisis preparedness; assistance in addressing global and trans-regional threats and emerging threats; Global Challenges: health; education; gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment; children and youth; migration, forced displacement and mobility; decent work, social protection, inequality and inclusion; culture; ensuring a healthy environment and tackling climate change; sustainable energy; sustainable and inclusive growth, decent jobs and private sector engagement; food and nutrition security; strengthen the role of local authorities as actors of development; promote inclusive societies and multi-stakeholder initiatives, good economic governance, including fair and inclusive domestic revenue mobilisation; support the assessment and documentation of progress in implementing partnership and effectiveness principles. Further details on each of the areas of cooperation referred to in paragraph 1 are set out in Annex III. Cooperation and interventions under the Instrument shall be programmed, except for rapid response actions referred to in Article 4(4). On the basis of Article 7, programming under the Instrument shall be based on the following: programming documents shall provide a coherent framework for cooperation between the Union and partner countries or regions, consistent with the overall purpose and scope, objectives and principles set out in this Regulation; when drawing up the programming documents for partner countries and regions in situations of crisis, post-crisis or fragility and vulnerability a conflict analysis shall be conducted to ensure conflict sensitivity and due account shall be taken of the special needs and circumstances of the partner countries or regions concerned and of their population; where partner countries or regions are directly involved in, or affected by a situation of crisis, post-crisis or fragility, special emphasis shall be placed on stepping up coordination amongst all relevant actors to help with the transition from an emergency situation to sustainable development and stable peace, including the prevention of violence; the Union and the Member States shall ensure inclusive consultations with each other at an early stage of and throughout the programming process in order to promote coherence, complementarity and consistency among their cooperation activities; joint programming shall be the preferred approach for country programming and its implementation shall be flexible, inclusive and driven at country level. Joint programming shall be open to other relevant donors and actors if the Union and the Member States consider this to be relevant; in addition, the Union and the Member States shall, whenever appropriate, seek to support partner countries through joint implementation; the Union shall at an early stage of and throughout the programming process encourage a regular multi-stakeholder and inclusive dialogue with other donors and actors, including local authorities, representatives of civil society, foundations and the private sector, where relevant, in order to facilitate their respective contributions, as appropriate, and to ensure they play a meaningful role in the programming process; the Human Rights and Democracy thematic programme and the Civil Society Organisations thematic programme referred to in points (a) and (b) of Article 4(3), respectively, shall provide assistance independently of the consent of governments and other public authorities of the third countries concerned; these thematic programmes shall mainly support civil society actors at all levels, taking into account forms and methods of implementation, as referred to in Article 27(3). The European Parliament and the Council shall be informed about the outcome of the consultations envisaged under points (c) and (d) of the first subparagraph. Programming documents shall be results-based and include, wherever possible, clear targets and indicators. Indicators shall be based, where appropriate, on internationally agreed targets and indicators, in particular those set out for the SDGs, as well as country-level result frameworks, to assess and communicate the Union contribution to results, at the level of outputs, outcomes and impact. Programming of geographic programmes shall be based on the following principles: without prejudice to paragraph 5, actions shall be based, to the extent possible, on an early, continuous and inclusive dialogue between the Union, Member States and the partner countries concerned, including national, regional and local authorities, involving civil society organisations, national, regional and local parliaments and other stakeholders, in order to enhance democratic ownership of the process and to encourage support for national and regional strategies; where appropriate, the programming period shall be synchronised and aligned with the strategy cycles of partner countries; programming may envisage cooperation activities funded from different allocations set out in Article 6(2) and from other Union programmes according to their basic acts. Programming of geographic programmes shall provide a specific, tailor-made framework for cooperation based on: the partners’ needs, established on the basis of specific criteria, taking into account the population, poverty, inequality, human development, economic and environmental vulnerability, and state and societal resilience and the impact of protracted and recurrent crises; the partners’ capacity and commitment to promote shared values, principles and interests, including human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, the rule of law, good governance, fight against corruption, open civic space and gender equality and to support common goals and multilateral alliances and cooperation, a rules-based international system, as well as the advancement of Union priorities; the partners’ commitments, including those jointly agreed with the Union, and performance established on the basis of criteria such as political reform; and economic and social development, environmental sustainability, and the effective use of aid, taking into account the specificities and development level of partner countries; the potential impact of Union funding in partner countries and regions; the partners’ capacities to mobilise and make effective use of domestic resources as well as to access financial resources, to manage resources transparently in support of national development priorities and their absorption capacities. The countries most in need, in particular the LDCs, low income countries, countries in a situation of crisis, post-crisis, or fragility and vulnerability, including small islands developing states and landlocked developing countries, shall be given priority in the resource allocation process. In addition, the Union shall address the specific challenges of middle income countries and in particular countries that graduate from lower income status. Cooperation with industrialised countries shall focus on the promotion of Union and mutual interests and values, as well as commonly agreed objectives and multilateralism. The Instrument shall contribute to actions established under Regulation (EU) 2021/817. A single programming document shall be drawn up from this Regulation for seven years, including funds from the IPA III Regulation. Regulation (EU) 2021/817 shall apply to the use of those funds. The implementation of the Instrument shall be carried out for geographic programmes through multiannual country and multi-country indicative programmes. Multiannual indicative programmes shall set out the priority areas selected for Union financing, the specific objectives, the expected results, clear and specific performance indicators, and the indicative financial allocations, both overall and per priority area and, where applicable, the methods of implementation. The multiannual indicative programmes shall be built on: a national or regional strategy in the form of a development plan or a similar document accepted by the Commission as a basis for the corresponding multiannual indicative programme, at the time of adoption of the latter document; a framework document laying down the Union policy towards the partner or partners concerned, including a joint document between the Union and Member States; a joint document between the Union and the partner or partners concerned setting out common priorities and mutual commitments. To increase the impact of collective cooperation of the Union, where possible and appropriate, a joint programming document shall replace the Union’s and Member States programming documents. However, such a joint programming document shall only replace the Union’s multiannual indicative programme, provided it is approved in the implementing act adopted in accordance with Article 16, complies with Articles 12 and 13, contains the elements set out in paragraph 2 of this Article and sets out the division of labour between the Union and the Member States. The implementation of the Instrument shall be carried out for thematic programmes through multiannual indicative programmes. Multiannual indicative programmes for thematic programmes shall set out the Union’s strategy, the priorities selected for Union financing, the specific objectives, the expected results, clear and specific performance indicators, the international situation, and the activities of the main partners for the theme concerned. Where applicable, resources and intervention priorities shall be laid down for participation in global initiatives. Multiannual indicative programmes for thematic programmes shall set out the indicative financial allocation, overall, by area of cooperation and by priority. The indicative financial allocation may be given in the form of a range. The Commission shall adopt, by means of implementing acts, multiannual indicative programmes referred to in Articles 14 and 15. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the examination procedure referred to in Article 45(2). That procedure shall also apply to reviews referred to in paragraphs 3 and 4 of this Article, which have the effect of significantly modifying the content of the multiannual indicative programme. When adopting joint multiannual programming documents referred to in Article 14, the Commission decision shall apply only to the Union’s contribution to the joint multiannual programming document. Multiannual indicative programmes for geographic programmes shall be reviewed following the mid-term evaluation referred to in Article 42(2), as well as on an ad hoc basis as necessary for effective implementation, in particular where there are substantive changes in the policy framework referred to in Article 7 or following a situation of crisis or post-crisis. Multiannual indicative programmes for thematic programmes shall be reviewed following the mid-term evaluation referred to in Article 42(2), as well as on an ad hoc basis as necessary for effective implementation, in particular where there are substantive changes in the policy framework referred to in Article 7. On duly justified imperative grounds of urgency, such as crises or immediate threats to peace, democracy, the rule of law, human rights or fundamental freedoms, the Commission may amend multiannual indicative programmes referred to in Articles 14 and 15 by means of implementing acts. Those implementing acts shall be adopted in accordance with the urgency procedure referred to in Article 45(4). The amount referred to in Article 6(3) shall be used where most needed and duly justified, inter alia: to ensure an appropriate response of the Union in the event of unforeseen circumstances; to address new needs or emerging challenges, such as those at the Union’s or its neighbours’ borders linked to crisis, whether natural or man-made, violent conflict and post-crisis situations or migratory pressure and forced displacement; to promote new Union led or international initiatives or priorities. The use of those funds shall be decided in accordance with the procedures established in Articles 16 and 25.

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Source: EUR-Lex (Cellar) · retrieved 2026-11-02 · Text as adopted (Official Journal); later amendments are not incorporated in this text.