EU rolls out multimillion-dollar development strategy in S. Sudan
The European Union in South Sudan yesterday launched a multimillion-dollar project in Juba that will be used to support development programmes in the country.
The head of the delegation of the European Union to South Sudan, Wim Vandenbroucke, told journalists that the bloc had dropped support for humanitarian activities and would now be focusing on development projects.
Vandenbroucke in his presentation, Vandenbroucke said the EU had adopted a strategic plan to support the country’s development in the next 7 years, beginning in 2021 until 2027. He said the strategies are built on eight principles.
“The government needs to work with us and we will need to connect the new national development strategy with the budget, and they need to keep their promises on allocation and accurate expenditure on budget and then we will decide then how we will use this $208 million,” Vandenbroucke said.
The other principles focus on conflict-affected areas that will also be reached as well as the need for the integration of returning IDPs. The refugees will also be factored in and gender equality will be central, not to mention the flexible budgetary measures that are necessary.
The $208 million projects will also focus on peace and reconciliation, transitional justice, constitution-making, democratic process, public financial management, transparency and accountability.
The EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Christian Bader, said the seven-year project’s budget phase started in 2021 and will end in 2027.
The project will also support a green and resilient economy that would improve food and nutrition security, prevention and preparedness for food crises, human development such as education and basic health care that focuses on high mortality rates and epidemic health, and good governance, peace and the rule of law for a fairer society.
During the presentation, the areas of need will include improving food and nutrition security, increasing productivity, sustainable agriculture, increasing women’s economic empowerment, and basic health care, focusing on the high mortality rate and epidemics.
Other areas will be to support early childhood numeracy and training of qualified teachers and match the skills of those in secondary and higher education with business needs, mainly through vocational training.
The project is anticipated to influence political and policy advocacy for transformational impact.
The allocation for 2025 to 2027 would be subject to a decision by the EU that might take after the mid-term review in 2024 of the Multiannual Indicative programme
