Report on the future of the European Financial Architecture for Development

The European Parliament (EP) has published its report on the proceedings of its workshop on the future of the European Architecture for Development (EFAD). The workshop, held on 7 February and requested by the EP’s Committee on Development (DEVE), was informed by two briefings written by external experts earlier this year, one of whom was …

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Eradicating child Labour in South Asia

Over sixteen million children between ages 5 and 17 are engaged in labour in South Asia, according to estimates from recent years, with the highest levels in absolute terms found in India, followed by Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal. The ILO’s Asia Regional Child Labour Project (ARC) was implemented in 2019 with the aim of reducing …

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Big data analysis of 4,287 cultural policy measures

Big data analysis conducted by ECOPER assesses 4,287 cultural measures and the alignment with the principles of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions. While alignment increases in all signatory countries, data proves that financial support from Sweden makes a significant difference in developing countries. Occurrences of …

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Online training in trade and gender

UNCTAD has published ECOPER’s report on a cluster of trade and gender capacity building projects In trade, women often do not benefit from the same opportunities as men, and trade policies designed without taking into account gender-specific outcomes can contribute to the widening of gender gaps. In order for gender equality to be achieved, policymakers, …

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Private sector partnerships to address water scarcity

The MENA region is the area of the world most acutely affected by water scarcity. UNICEF views partnerships and engagements with the business sector as being a crucial component in the response to the crisis and has commissioned ECOPER to conduct a ‘Study on private sector engagements and partnerships to support response to the climate …

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ECOPER conducts evaluation research at UN Palace of Nations

ECOPER consultant Aitor Pérez has travelled to the UN Palace of Nations in Geneva as part of the evaluation of UNCTAD’s Subprogramme 1. During the week-long visit, Aitor interviewed several UNCTAD officials, including the Secretary General, Rebeca Grynspan, and the directors of a number of UNCTAD divisions. In addition, he had the opportunity to interview …

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ECOPER conducts evaluation research at UNESCO in Paris

The 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expression was a milestone in international cultural policy. It is a standard-setting instrument which affirms the right of states to formulate and implement policies and measures in support of cultural activities, goods and services. Within this framework, it encourages governments to …

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Policies for cultural diversity

The cultural and creative industries are some of the fastest growing sectors in the world and are essential for inclusive economic growth, the reduction of inequalities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. The 2005 Convention for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions was a cultural policy milestone and reflected the …

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Social protection to reduce child labour

In the mica regions of Madagascar, an estimated 10,800 children as young as five years old work alongside their families to sort and extract mica, which results in poor education and health for children in these regions and perpetuates poverty across generations. ECOPER has been commissioned by UNICEF to elaborate an advocacy paper on ‘Investing …

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The Future of the European Finanical Architecture for Development

Under the Team Europe framework, the European Architecture for Development (EFAD) has undergone changes aimed at improving capacity through enhanced synergies and political steering. Although the Team Europe approach emerged as a response to the COVID-19 crisis, it has overlapped with an intense debate on the fragmentation of the EFAD; the entry into force of …

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