A mid-term review of the 10th European Development Fund (EDF) Country Strategy will be undertaken by the Government of Antigua & Barbuda and officials of the delegation of the European Commission to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean.

The review is being undertaken within the context of the present downturn in the global economy, which has left small open economies such as Antigua & Barbuda even more vulnerable to the severe economic challenges.

The objectives of the Mid-Term Review are to reflect on developments in the country brought on by internal, regional or international events and therefore present the possibility, if necessary, for a realignment of priorities.

Under the 10th EDF, Antigua & Barbuda has been allocated 3.43M euro (EC$13.27M), to contribute to fiscal and public sector modernisation.

The Mid-term Review also serves to enhance policy coherence and joint programming with the EU member states, mainstream aid effectiveness and to review governance issues in light of the commitments undertaken by the Government under the 10th EDF Country Strategy.

In order to facilitate this Mid-Term Review, the two co-operation partners will undertake a Country Portfolio Review (CPR) of the most important programmes and projects. These include the completion of the project for the upgrading of facilities at the Antigua State College, status of the ferry docking study and preparation for the implementation of the 10th EDF Public Sector Financial Management Programme and the Technical Cooperation Facility, Support to Non-State actors and Support to the National Authorizing office.

Both the MTR and the CPR will be opened to participation from the relevant ministries, agencies, and project implementation units, as well as representatives of civil society.

A wider range of civil society will also be consulted in a meeting with the Non-State Actors panel, which was set up in order to allow better involvement of civil society in EU-Antigua & Barbuda cooperation.