Voices & Views

Small, local conservation organisations in high-biodiversity areas are among nature’s most powerful allies; this is mainly due to their knowledge of and influence over the environment. However, in most cases, these organisations lack sufficient funding to achieve their full potential. The EU and five other donors to the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund are resourcing grants and technical assistance to enable long-term local conservation leadership and to nurture sustainable development.

While the origins of COVID-19 are still unknown, most explanations point to an animal source. Although the transmission of diseases from animals to humans is not uncommon, this pandemic has intensified the debate on the widespread consumption of wild meat. The EU is co-funding a major international initiative to improve wildlife conservation and food security.

Structural change is needed to overcome the unbalanced relationship of humankind with nature. The COVID-19 crisis has emphasized an urgent need to examine our footprint on ecosystems and avoid future pandemics of zoonotic origin. Solutions exist. The EU is funding numerous projects with integrated approaches which benefit both people and nature.

Thank you for being part of the Capacity4dev community.

The COVID-19 crisis has hit the Albanian economy severely, with a sharp decrease in tax revenue, an upsurge in debt, and loss of jobs. While still supporting the country’s recovery from the 2019 earthquake, the European Delegation (EUD) to Albania has mobilised its staff and financial resources to respond to the health crisis. Acting on both fronts, the long-lasting collaboration between the EUD and the Albanian Ministry of Finance and Economy has proved essential in planning and achieving short and long-term results.

Parliaments worldwide have had to adapt to the challenges created by the COVID-19 crisis. Digital responses have been proposed to keep democratic processes and political debates alive. INTER PARES, the EU´s first global parliamentary strengthening project, is collecting and sharing best practices on how to reinforce parliamentary democracy.

Gender equality and women’s empowerment are at the very heart of the European Union values, guiding practice both within and beyond its borders. DG DEVCO has an active, enthusiastic network of Gender Focal Persons (GFPs) who work to mainstream gender, both at headquarter and EU Delegations level. They ensure that gender issues are included in all actions, to advance EU commitments to gender equality as well as the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda.