In October, CONCORD launched the annual AidWatch report analysing both the quantity and quality of EU ODA. The report finds that while reported figures are at a record high, 22% of all recorded ODA did not meet the most basic criteria to qualify as such. 

As well as AidWatch, in October CONCORD published a study on EU development cooperation funding for CSOs, marked World Food Day on our social media channels, and our Director spoke at the event ‘Tackling Inequalities: Paving the Way for a Sustainable Future’ at the European Parliament. 

Discover these highlights and more in the October edition of CONCORD’s newsletter!

 

Inequalities are not just numbers. They take different forms and compound each other. But mainly, inequalities have a human face.

Europe can and must make a difference by funding projects that follow four key principles.

During our travels in Paraguay and South Africa we have asked to participants and leaders of projects funded by the EU and EU Member States how can EU’s international partnerships become a gateway for equality. All the testimonies and lessons learnt are collected in the report What makes the difference for equality?

Watch the video to find out more!

Inequalities persist at high levels throughout the world and they affect individuals in a wide range of ways. Europe has a particular responsibility with respect to inequalities, but the increasing recognition of inequalities as a key global challenge by the European Union (EU) and many EU Member States shows that different partnerships, focused on equality, are possible and feasible.

This report looks at case studies in South Africa, Paraguay and Bangladesh which show how Europe can engage constructively with communities and marginalised groups and support their struggle for equality.

The present report identifies a number of key ingredients for equality, with the hope to stimulate political debate among European policy-makers to
fully mainstream inequality reduction in policies, programmes and projects.

We have also collected the testimonies of the participants and leaders of projects funded by the EU and EU Member States in a video that  highlights the four key principles that programmes need to follow.

 

EU Member States committed themselves to tackling inequalities when they adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the European Consensus on Development (2017) and the Council Conclusions on addressing inequalities in partner countries (2019), and in the common EU response to COVID-19. Some Member States (MS) have also given individual commitments.

Research has shown that inequalities are economically inefficient and hinder social development; tackling inequalities is necessary if we are to achieve all the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). CONCORD is committed to supporting the reduction of inequalities both through its members’ work and by following up on the commitments by the EU and its Member States to reduce inequalities through their international cooperation.

This report provides an EU-wide analysis based on an assessment of how Member States’ organisations and their international cooperation strategies respond to the challenge of inequalities. The research focuses on five key aspects: (1) Member States’ political commitment to reducing inequalities, (2) mainstreaming tools and practices, (3) redistributing wealth to partner countries, (4) targeted action within partner countries and (5) Policy Coherence for Sustainable Development.

Inequalities between people and countries are continuing to reach staggering heights. The social contract is under unprecedented pressure as witnessed by the multiplication of protests, marches and social unrest against austerity, inequalities and injustice all over the world. Inequalities come in different shapes and can strengthen one another. Not only are inequalities morally wrong, but they threaten the realisation of peoples’ human rights. Reducing inequalities, to realise a more sustainable world with less poverty and higher levels of well-being for all, must be a top priority for the EU.

And the EU and its Member States have committed to tackling inequalities in partner countries! But, are commitments being translated into action? Addressing inequalities requires a multidimensional and intersectional approach that begins at an institutional level. By analysing some of the EU’s most recent actions, our scoreboard evaluates whether or not this approach has been taken – or if inequalities have been addressed at all. In doing so, our in-depth analysis provides valuable insights to ensure that equality is mainstreamed in the future.