Dutch development aid project charms Brussels

South South cooperation is on the move in Brussels. Launched ten years ago, the South-South Cooperation project involves an initial outside support before leaving developing countries work on their own. Costa Rica in Central America, Benin in West Africa, and Bhutan in South Asia all took part in the project, which led to 34 separate programmes.

This programme emerged as a Strategic Partner for Cooperation on Sustainable Development  by the Government of the Netherlands, which provided funding to promote environmental efforts in each of the countries.

Labour MP and development aid spokeswoman Sjoera Dikkers welcomed the cheap and useful approach:  “It’s really good that the EU is interested in development projects which work. If they deliver savings too, so much the better.”

Director of EEPA, Ms Van Riesen says the ‘South-South’ method is high on the agenda. “It’s being seen as a programme which has added value, which uses aid in a highly effective way.”

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