EC/developing countries: aid for population policies and programmes in developing countries

OBJECTIVE: to establish the management methods and rules applicable to cooperation operations to assist population policies in developing countries. CONTENT: - The measures contained in the present regulation seek to: . enable adults to make a free choice about the number of children which they have (establishment and development of family planning services); . help create a socio-cultural climate conducive to the exercise of that choice (education for women, support for information campaigns etc.); . help develop health systems in order to improve the care given to women and children (in terms of infrastructure and equipment). - Recipients and cooperation partners: countries, regions, decentralized services, regional organizations, public agencies, local or traditional communities, private operators, including cooperatives and NGOs representing the local populace. - Actions to be implemented: within the framework of the general objectives of this operation, Community funding may cover investment expenditure (except for the purchase of buildings) and operating expenditure in foreign or local currency, but only during the launch stage. Actions include studies, technical assistance, training and other services. Joint financing is eagerly sought from the Member States or from multilateral or regional organizations and, where possible, from local partners. Provision is made for measures to coordinate with and complement similar Community operations in this sector. - Type of aid: grants. - Decision-making procedure: the Commission will manage the operations implemented under this regulation, assisted by three advisory committees (FED, ALA and MED committees). Participation in invitations to tender and the award of contracts is open to recipient countries and Member States as well as other third developing or other countries in exceptional cases. - Exchange of views: once a year the Commission will hold an exchange of views with the three committees on the subject of future operations to be carried out within the framework of this cooperation. - Information: the European Parliament and the Council will receive an annual report summarizing and evaluating the operations financed during the financial year (contracts concluded, external evaluations etc.). - Budget: the financial statement makes provision for a budget of 7 million ecus in 1996 (this cooperation does not contain any provisions as to duration and is therefore renewable annually).�