Interaction
Co-operation – EU - Réunion - Indian Ocean ACP
ERDF funds totalling €35.4M, in addition to contributions from the French state and Réunion bring total funding for an operational programme for the ‘Indian Ocean’ to €47.3M. Beneficiaries are Réunion and the Indian Ocean islands of Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles and Comoros, who are members of the African, Caribbean and Pacific grouping.
This programme has three elements: sustainable and environmental development, aimed at improving expertise in these fields to develop innovative research and to support protection against natural hazards; and economic regional integration to support Réunion’s private sector in economic cooperation projects and to foster the exchange of know-how, notably in the fields of maritime security and the management of fish stocks. The third element is fostering human development and international solidarity to ensure harmonious regional integration, cultural and sporting exchanges and cooperation on training, education and integration.
Projects financed by the European Development Fund for the EU’s ACP partners are also either underway, or will be launched shortly. A total of eight projects amounting to €54M include a regional programme for the protection of plant life with the EDF contributing €4.85M of the total of €6.6M. Réunion, which is ineligible for funding allocated to ACP countries, is putting €1.24M into this programme, with the four ACP countries making up the remaining sum of €510,000.
