BACKGROUND AND PROJECT DESCRIPTION
The 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Caribbean Regional Indicative Programme (CRIP), valued at €165 million, provides support to CARIFORUM to aid in the implementation of commitments undertaken with respect to the CARIFORUM-EU Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA). In this regard, a €46,500,000 contribution amount has been provided—for a period of 84 months—to support interventions in seven programme component areas.
The 10th EDF Institutional Support to CARIFORUM-EU Development Cooperation and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Project constitutes two sub-components of Component 7—Institutional and Implementation Capacity—namely:
- Institutional Support to the CARIFORUM Directorate; and
- Facilitating effective CARIFORUM participation in Joint CARIFORUM-EU Institutions of the EPA.
These two sub-components fall under a Grant supported by the European Union (EU), represented by the European Commission (the Contracting Authority). The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat is the beneficiary of the Project.
Key details of the Project are as follows:
Primary EDF Commitment: €4,200,000
Implementing Agency: CARICOM Secretariat/CARIFORUM Directorate
Date of Commencement of Implementation: 1 July 2012
Implementation Status: Ongoing
Overall objective: To provide Institutional support for CARIFORUM/EU Development Cooperation and EPA implementation and to support the beneficial integration of CARIFORUM into the world economy.
Specific Objective: Effective overall implementation of CARIFORUM-EU cooperation, including the EPA
Expected Results:
(1) Institutional support provided to the CARIFORUM Directorate; and
(2) Effective CARIFORUM participation in Joint CARIFORUM-EU Institutions of the EPA facilitated.
PROJECT ACTIONS
In respect of ‘Institutional Support to the CARIFORUM Directorate’, the 10th EDF Institutional Support to CARIFORUM-EU Development Cooperation and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Project is fundamental to:
- A fully staffed and operational restructured CARIFORUM Directorate, with the capacity required for the effective performance of the CARIFORUM functions;
- The effective performance of the Cotonou Agreement and EPA-related functions by the CARIFORUM Directorate.
In respect of ‘Facilitating effective CARIFORUM participation in Joint CARIFORUM-EU Institutions of the EPA’, the 10th EDF Institutional Support to CARIFORUM-EU Development Cooperation and Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) Implementation Project is fundamental to:
The preparation and participation of CARIFORUM representatives in Joint Institutions, as well as relevant technical preparatory meetings at the CARIFORUM level;
Effective and representative CARIFORUM participation in the CARIFORUM-EU Parliamentary Committee and the CARIFORUM-EU Consultative Committee.
