Promote and improve dialogue and cooperation between PALOP-TL in general with a focus on certain thematic areas:Good Governance (Efficiency and transparency in Economic and social governance), Democracy, Employment and Vocational Training. Health, Promotion of Culture.This partnership has a direct impact on 4 SIDS countries: Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Sao Tome e Principe and Timor-Leste.

The 11th EDF contribution to PALOP-TL will soon be known.

The EDF 11 PALOP-TL proposal is based on lessons learned from EDF 9 and 10 and on the results of the latest PALOP-TL evaluation (2012). The programme gives priority to institutional strengthening, capacity development and mobility. It aims at strengthening the structures and systems of qualifications, professional training and recognition of diplomas, and at preserving the PALOP-TL intangible cultural heritage and identity.Social protection aspects will be included in view of reducing poverty and vulnerability. Capitalisation of past work and lessons learnt orient the choice of activities, the identification of common solutions to common problems; exchange of know-how and experiences and the dissemination of best practices; and therefore the implementation of efficient, effective, relevant, and sustainable projects, with an impact on the targeted populations.

Cooperation between the EC and the PALOP group began in 1992, when the first Regional Indicative Programme (RIP PALOP) was signed. The EDF has so far funded two PALOP-targeted regional Programmes (RIP PALOP I, signed in 1992, with a 25M€ allocation from 7th EDF; RIP PALOP II, signed in 1997, with a 30M€ allocation from 8th EDF which was later partially transferred to the 9th EDF). The ongoing RIP PALOP II provided the umbrella for two multi-year and multi-country projects which directly address Governance issues (Justice I&II and Public Administration); a first Statistics project also converged to that common purpose. Very soon and still under the 9th EDF, the remaining four RIP PALOP II projects will be launched: 3 social sectors-oriented (Health; Employment and Training; Culture) and a second Statistics one.

Angola, Cape Verde, Guiné-Bissau, Mozambique, Sao Tomé e Príncipe, Timor-Leste (UNDP has been a major partner in the implementation of programmes)