Cagliari: Regional Council approves guidelines for the implementation of international cooperation interventions.

Approved by the Regional Council, for the 2024 year, on proposal by President Alessandra Todde, the guidelines for the implementation of international development cooperation interventions based on the regional law on “Regulations on cooperation with developing countries and international collaboration”.

The Sardinia Region has underlined President Todde, in implementation of the regional law of 11 April 1996, n. 19, supports the implementation of development cooperation initiatives promoted by local authorities, civil society organizations and entities from the academic world. Consistent with the Sustainable Development objectives of the United Nations 2030 Agenda, the Region annually provides financial aid aimed at supporting initiatives whose primary intent is to promote, in the medium and long term, equitable and sustainable development in the countries of intervention. The financial allocation for the 2024 year is of 850 thousand euros of which, 400 thousand for the provision of contributions to local authorities and universities and 450 thousand euros for the provision of contributions to non-governmental organizations and voluntary associations.

The financeable initiatives are aimed at achieving the Sustainable Development objectives and must be consistent with the priority sectors and countries defined by “Three-year programming and direction document 2021-2023 for international development cooperation” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI).

They must contribute to promoting sustainable long-term socio-economic development in the territories of intervention, supporting decentralization policies, the strengthening of governance at the local level and the democratization of local autonomies in partner countries.

Furthermore, they must promote the creation of institutional agreements between territories, promote complementarity and synergies with the international cooperation action implemented by the Italian Government in the same geographical and thematic areas, promote the promotion of possible paths of return to the countries of origin of immigrants, promote actions of education for global citizenship, education of all levels, the implementation of interventions in the field of social and solidarity economy and provide emergency aid to the most vulnerable populations affected by war events or natural disasters.

The priority areas of cooperation are considered to be the countries of Mediterranean Africa (Egypt, Tunisia), Eastern Africa (Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, Sudan; 3. West Africa: Burkina Faso, Niger, Senegal), Southern Africa (Mozambique; 5. Middle East: Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Palestinian Territories), the Balkans (Albania), Eastern Europe (Ukraine), Latin America and the Caribbean (Cuba, El Salvador) and Asia (Afghanistan).

Project initiatives, considered to be of particular strategic importance for regional public development aid action, may also be carried out in geographical areas other than those listed, as long as they always refer to developing countries.

Priority will be given to initiatives that intend to carry out actions aimed at promoting ecologically sustainable agriculture, improving access to clean water, economic and sustainable energy systems, education, basic services, promoting decent work, gender equality and women's empowerment, combating all forms of violence and guaranteeing access to sexual and reproductive health, as well as strengthening health systems.

Funding requests may be submitted by lead entities with registered and operational headquarters in Sardinia, recognized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Volunteer Organizations registered in the National Single Registry (Runts). Regional funding may not exceed 70% of the total cost of the initiative and may not exceed €60.000.

The President also proposes to allocate at least 20% of the available resources to emergency projects in favor of the Palestinian Territories and Ukraine with the aim of providing humanitarian aid and assistance to the civilian population, displaced persons and refugees.