Cooperatives receive mention in MIP – EU development policy

On 18th of July the European Commission adopted the EU Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for the Thematic Programme “Civil Society Organisations and Local Authorities” for the period 2018 – 2020.  The document recognises cooperatives as key actors within Civil Society and, therefore, being fully entitled to implement EU development projects in partner countries.

Initiatives on youth, gender equality, climate change and environment, resilience as well as root causes of irregular migration and forced displacement are also considered priorities in the MIP. Additionally, the EU recognises the positive impact of the different Framework Partnership Agreements such as the existing ICA-EU Partnership (#coops4dev) on setting the “joint strategic objectives for long term cooperation” and the “reinforcement of the partners’ capacities as actors of governance.”