Countries

In September 2009, a programme was launched in Albania with the aim of furthering sustainable business development and income creation in the impoverished mountain regions of northern and eastern Albania. However, the more market oriented activities take place around the urban areas of Tirana and Durrës, which hold the greatest purchasing power in the country. The assistance is directed at all links of the so-called value chains that include the entire ‘from farm to fork’-process, including food production, processing, storage, transport and marketing. The program has a budget of 30 million Danish Kroner and runs until 2013.

Support for argricultural value chains (2009-2013): The programme focuses on the following value chains: (1) Medical and aromatic plants, (2) apples and (3) small ruminants. Included in the programme is a facility for furthering credit opportunities to agricultural activities and agro-processing in the focus areas. The programme is funded jointly by Denmark (80%) and  SNV/Albania (20%). Implementation is carried out by SNV/Albania. You will find more information at www.promalisnv.org

Support to human rights and good governance (2012-2015): By means of technical and financial assistance, it is the overall purpose of this support to contribute to the Albanian Ombudsman’s endeavour to become the most prominent human rights institution in the country. The support is focused on three areas: (i) improved awareness and access to options to complain about maladministration (ii) qualitative inspections of conditions in prisons and detentions and (iii) the establishment of a national human rights network and a partnership with the media. Support is also provided to formulate a multiannual strategic plan and an improved IT case management system.

During the second phase of the Neighborhood Programme, Armenia is highly prioritized and a new Private Sector Development Programme is currently being implemented.

The programme Pro-poor Rural Development aims at sustainably increase rural employment levels through accelerated economic development, led by the private sector, and improved skills of the workforce. To achieve this objective, two components will be implemented, targeting investments toward improving rural incomes, productivity and employment generation through 1) rural private sector development and 2) improved employability of vocational education graduates.

The components are considered in relation to Danish strategic priorities, the aid management capacity, as well as the indicative 3 years timeframe (2008 – 2011). The overall budget is DKK 29 million.

The first component aims at creating economic development in the rural districts by focusing on expanding a sustainable private sector. The second component aims at improving the quality of the vocational education. The main focus is to assist the Armenian Ministry of Education and Science to generate coherence between the educations that are offered and the needs of the local labor market.

Denmark has previously granted Armenia subsidies trough the regional Caucasus program. The programme was executed by the Danish Refugee Council focusing on migration prevention and the development of asylum systems.

In the second phase of the Neighbourhood Programme, Azerbaijan has the lowest priority, but Denmark still has focused activities in the country.

Through a regional media programme, the media situation in Europe’s neighbouring countries will be strengthened, as the countries still face considerable challenges in the area of democracy, such as freedom of the press and freedom of expression. Generally, the media in the countries can be characterised as weak and unprofessional, and violations of the freedom of the press are frequent. In Azerbaijan, the programme supports the media sector with a new, independent media centre, which provides resources for journalists and trains people from the press and public employees in areas such as freedom of the press and media development. The implementing partner of the Neighbourhood Programme in Azerbaijan is International Media Support (IMS).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has previously supported Azerbaijan through the regional Caucasus programme from 2005 – 2008. In Azerbaijan, where The Danish Refugee Council was the implementing partner, the efforts were focused on a better local integration as well as an enlargement of the income generating options of refugees.

Through the Danish Neighbourhood Programme, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark provides assistance to Belarus in order to promote democratic development and to prevent human trafficking. In the light of the current political situation in Belarus, Denmark wishes to support the democratic forces such as the civil society and free and independent media.

Independent media operate under difficult conditions in Belarus. The Neigbourhood Programme has included Belarus in a regional media programme covering Belarus, Ukraine, and the Western Balkans (40 mill. DKK for the period 2008-2011). In Belarus, the programme focuses on strengthening the few independent media and journalists and their ability to broadcast balanced information to the population. Danish organisations. Furthermore assistance will be provided to promote construction of independent and critical media, such as investigative journalism (SCOOP). International Media Support (IMS) is implementing the programme.

MFA's Programme Against Human Trafficking in Belarus, Moldova, and Ukraine (29,5 mill. DKK for 2009-2011) focuses on preventive activities, law enforcement, and capacity building of authorities and civil society organisations. In Belarus, the two international NGO’s, International Organization for Migration (IOM) and La Strada, are implementing the programme in close cooperation with local organisations.

Finally, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark is implementing a civil society programme in Belarus (13 mill. DKK 2008-2009). The objective of the programme is to promote democratic processes and respect for human rights through development of the civil society. The civil society is being strengthened by promoting the citizens’ participation in the development of society at all levels. Danish NGO’s are involved in partnerships with Belarusian civil society organisations. 

In the ”Strategy of the Neighbourhood Programme 2008-2012”, Georgia has a high priority. At present, a programme to further good governance and human rights in Georgia and a project for internally displaced are being implemented, just as Georgia is included in a regional programme to promote free media.

The purpose of the programme to further good governance in Georgia (Reform Process Georgia) is to build-up the capacity of the Georgian authorities, enabling them to more effectively implement approved laws and reforms oin the judicial and human rights area. The programme runs during 2008-2009 and the Danish contribution amounts to 15 mill. DKK. The programme is implemented in collaboration with the Council of Europe and the European Centre for Minority Issues.

The project to support the implementation of the national strategy and action plan for internally displaced in Georgia is aimed at supporting internally displaced and returnees from the Abkhazia conflict with sustainable solutions through local integration. The project runs in the period 2008-2009, has a budget total of 5 mill. DKK, and will be implemented in collaboration with The Danish Refugee Council (Internally Displaced in Georgia).

Through the Danish Neighbourhood Programme, Kosovo is benefitting from assistance aimed at economic and business sector development.

Support to Employment Creation through Business Skills Development (2008-2013): In 2008, the implementation of a private sector development programme was initiated. The main goal of the programme is to create sustainable growth and employment through (1) support to the horticulture value chains, (2) support to Kosovo's four agriculturally oriented Vocational Education and Training (VET) schools and (3) an improvement in access to credit in the rural areas provided through the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE). The overall aim of the assistance is to reduce the country’s massive unemployment. The total budget is 80 million DKK in the period 2008-2013.

Support to Kosovo’s Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (2012-2015): Approximately 60% of Kosovo’s population is living in the countryside characterised by disproportionally high unemployment and poverty. By supporting the implementation of Kosovo’s national Agriculture and Rural Development Plan, it is the overall purpose of the support to improve living conditions, employment and integration of Kosovo’s agriculture sector with the EU. The support is provided through three components: (A) Financial capital to the national agriculture subsidy scheme and technical counselling for the purpose of improving the institutional capabilities of Kosovo’s Ministry of Agriculture, (B) Support to value-chains in the horticulture sector and (C) support to female entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector.

Furthermore, a number of smaller programmes are supported in Kosovo, including support for: (1) Rule of law and access to justice in Kosovo (in collaboration with UNDP), (2) A multi-ethnic educational institution in Northern Kosovo (Mitrovica), (3) Population and agriculture census (4) The Kosovo Sustainable Employment Development Policy Program (in cooperation with the World Bank and other development partners).

Through the Neighbourhood Programme of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Moldova is assisted in fighting human trafficking.

In order to promote human rights for victims of trafficking, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs support a Programme Against Human Trafficking in Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova (29,5 mill. DKK for the period 2009-2011). The Programme focuses on preventive activities, law enforcement, as well as capacity building of authorities and civil society organisations. In Moldova, the programme is implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) and the international NGO La Strada.

The assistance to Montenegro, provided through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Neighborhood Program, focuses on development of organic agricultural production.

The overarching objective of the Danish support is to increase organic agricultural production for the benefit of the domestic market including the growing tourism sector. The activities cover the entire value chain within the various ranges of organic agricultural products. The concrete activities include training of agricultural advisors and experts, assistance to producer organisations as well as improved information about organic production. The private sector is benefitting from a grant facility, which provides economic support for organic production. An additional purpose of the support is to strengthen the competitiveness of Montenegrin organic products with a view to export.

Additional project support includes a Danish advisor specialised in EU agriculture policy assisting the Montenegrin Ministry of Agriculture in the adaption of the national agriculture policy with a view to EU integration.

Denmark has provided substantial assistance to Russia since the early 1990s. In view of the economic development in Russia, Danish assistance has been relatively limited in recent years. In 2010, an economic development programme in the Baltic Sea regions of Kaliningrad and Pskov was terminated.

With respect to development of civil society and respect for rule of law, there are still a number of challenges in Russia. Therefore, in recent years limited assistance has been provided to Russian civil society organisations within the framework of the Danish Foreign Ministry Neighbourhood Programme, i.a. via the Danish Institute for Human Rights and the Council of Europe. Furthermore, assistance has been provided to indigenous peoples in Northern Russia, via Danish and international NGOs. In view of Russia’s considerable economic development, Danish assistance to Russia will remain a low priority in coming years.  

The general purpose of the civil society assistance is to promote respect for human rights and rule of law in Russia via assistance to Russian civil society organisations. Priority is given to supporting Russian NGOs that seek to implement activities in cooperation with Russian authorities. So far assistance has been provided to projects concerning i.a. improved access to legal aid, advise and support for detained persons, enhanced court transparency, cooperation with local police about respect for human rights, and capacity-building of Russian civil society organisations.

The general purpose of the indigenous peoples assistance is to promote rights of indigenous peoples in Northern Russia. Assistance has been provided i.a. to the most important indigenous peoples interest group in Russia – RAIPON – and to local grassroots organisations under RAIPON. Assistance has been provided to projects that focus on strengthening rights of indigenous peoples in Russian laws. Moreover, assistance has been provided to informing indigenous peoples about their rights, using international human rights instruments to promote rights of indigenous peoples, and legal assistance in concrete cases concerning rights of indigenous peoples.

Through the Danish Neighborhood Programme, Denmark provides assistance to Serbia for the benefit of private sector development and employment creation.

In 2007, a large economic development program was initiated. The main purpose of the programme is to support a socially balanced economic development and job creation in the Nisava-region in Southern Serbia. The programme has a budget of 75 mill. DKK for the 2007 - 2012 period.

The programme is called LEDIB (Local Economic Development in the Balkans) and consists of two intervention areas: (1) Improvement of the framework conditions for small and medium-sized enterprises and (2) enhancement of the small and medium-sized enterprises with respect to production, marketing, development, etc. The first target area focuses on capacity building of local government aiming at improving the cooperation with the business community by lowering the administrative barriers. Furthermore, it focuses on modernising the business community’s own organisations in the region enabling them to effectively advocate their interests in a market economy. This takes place e.g. through training and exchange with Danish institutions. Small and medium-sized enterprises are supported directly under the other target area through counseling and training. In addition to this, a credit facility has been established with the purpose of securing better access to loans for the enterprises. You can find more information about LEDIB here.

A second private sector programme in Southeatern Serbia was launched in 2010-2014. The overarching goal of this program is to contribute to sustainable economic growth and employment in the private sector through strengthened productivity, competitiveness and the export of fruit and berry products. The Program has two components: (1) Capacity building of producers/businesses and support for innovation, quality control and certification and (2) A facility for financing investments in new crops, equipment and machinery, storage, processing and sales. The agricultural sector and related industries figure prominently in the strategy for Serbia’s approach to the EU and Serbia is co-financing the finance facility. An international advisor has been recruited to lead a programme office in the town of Nis (Southeast Serbia). You can find more information about the programme here.

Additional project support includes a Danish advisor specialised in EU agriculture policy assisting the Serbian Ministry of Agriculture in the adaption of the national agriculture policy with a view to EU integration.

In cooperation with the World Bank, Denmark has also agreed to support a multi donor fond aiming to reform the judicial sector in Serbia with DKK 2.5 million.

Turkey acquired the status of a EU candidate country in 1999 and opened negotiations with the EU on accession in 2005. Denmark provides assistance to Turkey’s preparation for EU accession in the field of human rights. The assistance is made available through a bilateral programme of 23 mill. DKK which is being implemented during 2006-2009. A second phase is under preparation and is expected to be launched in summer 2009.  

The programme consists of two components. The first component concerns competence development of those senior inspectors at the Turkish Ministry of Interior Affairs who monitor the observance of human rights of the police and the gendarmerie. The competence development will take place i.e. through training of the senior inspectors in complaint management procedures, inspection and the implementation of investigations, drafting of handbooks and manuals for the inspectors’ work with securing human rights, the establishment of a homepage for information on human rights and the opportunities for injured parties to complain.

The second component focuses on strengthening of the Turkish civil society organisations in the field of human rights. Aid has been given to the establishment of a network of the human rights organisations, which have contributed to the strengthening of these organizations’ participation in the public decision-making process. Furthermore, the network gives the participating organizations the opportunity to strengthen their capacity in a number of fields of both administrative and vocational nature.

Under the programme funding had originally been set aside to assist Turkey in establishing an independent Turkish human rights institution in accordance with the UN principles on this field. However, the work in Turkey with implementing the necessary legislation for establishing an independent human rights institution proceeds very slowly and is not expected to be accomplished during the programme’s lifetime.

The programme is implemented by the Danish Institute for Human Rights in close cooperation with relevant Turkish authorities, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and civil society organisations in the area of human rights. Furthermore, the programme is coordinated with the EU Commission and other countries’ assistance to Turkey.

Moreover, Denmark participates in activities under EU’s Twinning Programme, where Danish authorities and organisations participate in projects aiming at preparing the Turkish administration for EU membership.

For further information on the programme, click here.

The Danish Neighbourhood Programme supports many different programmes in Ukraine targeted at promoting the ongoing reform process and strengthening civil society. During the period 2008-2012, a total of DKK 120 million has been allocated to Ukraine covering the following areas: Capacity building in the public sector, free and independent media, combating human trafficking, strengthening civil society as well as furthering economic growth and employment in Ukraine’s impoverished rural areas. Assistance to Ukraine has the highest priority in the Danish Neighbourhood Programme.  

To strengthen civil society, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is carrying out a civil society programme in Ukraine (DKK 20 million for 2009-2011). The aim of the programme is to support the development of sustainable civil society organisations. The programme assists local civil society organisations in capacity building and knowledge transfer.
In general, the media in Ukraine can be characterised as week. Therefore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides assistance to furthering the democratic reform process within the area of media legislation. Assistance is targeted at the participation of independent media organisations in this process as well as the authorities’ work with the reform process. The contribution to Ukraine is part of a regional media programme (40 mill. for 2009-2011), which also includes a regional component regarding investigative and analytic journalism (SCOOP). The implementation of a new media legislation will is the main field for the Ukraine component. The programme is implemented by International Media Support (IMS).

MFA's Programme Against Human Trafficking in Ukraine, Belarus, and Moldova (29,5 mill. DKK for the period 2009-2011) focuses on preventive activities, law enforcement, as well as capacity building of authorities and civil society organisations. In Ukraine, the programme is implemented by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM), La Strada and OSCE.

In to support the Ukrainian reform process, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs provides technical assistance to public sector reforms in Ukraine (DKK 12 million for 2007-2009). The programme is aiming to support Ukrainian institutions to reform the public administration to become more effective, efficient and accountable.

Furthermore, a larger programme aiming at furthering economic growth and employment in Ukraine’s impoverished rural areas is being prepared.