Projects in Action: cooperation through the eyes of journalists in the South

Projects in Action
SOUTHERN NEIGHBOURS

Regional cooperation
through the eyes of journalists

People

Environment

Energy

Transport

FOREWORD

A flavour of
Neighbourhood
cooperation
“What exactly are you achieving with all this money?” This is
a key question we are asked on a daily basis when we talk
about cooperation with our Neighbours in public. Explaining
projects in their specific context is difficult enough. But what is
even more difficult is to show the concrete added value of our
Regional cooperation.

Our best link to the public in the Neighbourhood countries is
the media that can capture, analyse, and finally, tell a story.

I’m therefore proud to present this first story magazine, written
through the ENPI Info Centre under the Regional Information
and Communication Programme. The Partnership through “the
eyes of the journalists” is meant to give readers a flavour of our
cooperation in the 16 countries benefiting from the European
Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument. And, hopefully, it
will help to give an answer to the recurrent question on what
exactly we achieve.

Marcus Cornaro
Director Europe, Southern Mediterranean,
Middle-East and Neighbourhood Policy
EuropeAid Development and Co-operation
Directorate-General

Index
A flavour of Neighbourhood cooperation 3

Regional cooperation through the eyes of journalists 6
Our network of journalists 8

People
Education as a tool to curb Jordan’s deadly domestic accidents
by Mohammad Ben Hussein – Jordan 11

A bridge of knowledge across the Mediterranean
by Maurice Aaek – Syria 14

Breaking the wall of silence
by Elias Zananiri – Occupied Palestinian Territory 17

Sharing experiences to bring equal opportunities
by Yair Quedar – Israel 20

Familiarising civil servants in Partner Countries
with EU Affairs Interview with Stéphanie Horel 23

Combating discrimination and violence against women
by ENPI Info Centre/ANSA –
Lebanon, Israel, Occupied Palestinian Territory 24

A pioneering scheme that transformed the Medina
by Lotfi Touati – Tunisia 27

Putting the hammam back at the heart of the community
Interview with Andreas Oberenzer 30

A research and education network
to tackle the oldest affliction
by Lofti Touati – Tunisia 31

Local authorities – a bridge across the neighbourhood
Interview with Frank Samol 34

EU-funded Samir Kassir Award for Press Freedom
improves journalists’ lives
by ENPI Info Centre/ANSA 35

Environment
Guardians of Water: EuroMed Heritage project
in Morocco and Tunisia
by ENPI Info Centre – Morocco and Tunisia 39
Battling to beat pollution in the Mediterranean Sea
Interview with Michael Scoullos 42
Water, a link to the Mediterranean identity
by ENPI Info Centre – Algeria 43
Working across borders to bring people together
Interview with Bodil Person 46

Energy
Tracking the sun
by Dalia Chams – Egypt 49
Sharing a good energy
by ENPI Info Centre 52
An energetic collaboration across the Mediterranean
Interview with Alessandro Ortis 55
Building for the future
by Maurice Aaek – Syria 56

Transport
Roads of hope
by Hicham Houdaïfa – Morocco 61
Blending loans and grants to finance investments
for the Neighbourhood Interview with Richard Weber 64
A new vision for cargo freight
by Yair Qedar – Israel 66
Maritime security: reducing imbalances around a shared sea
Interview with Albert Bergonzo 69
Building the Motorways of the Sea
by ENPI Info Centre – Morocco and Tunisia 70
Euromed Common Aviation Area: An economy booster
Interview with Olivier Turcas 73
EGNOS airport security system shown in Morocco
by ANSA/ENPI Info Centre – Morocco 74

EuroMed Transport programme: Making an Impact
on People’s Lives Interview with Dalila Achour Limam 77

Find out more 78

Regional cooperation
through the eyes
of journalists
Cooperation between the European Union and the countries participating in
the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and benefiting from the Euro-
pean Neighbourhood Partnership Instrument (ENPI) exists on two levels.
The first is the political. The meetings where leaders get together to decide the
policy areas on which emphasis should be given. The second deals with turning
these decisions into actions on the ground, through the funding of projects, of-
fering the Partners practical support in their efforts to bring about change and
modernization.
This support is given to Partners mainly on a bilateral level. However, there is
a regional dimension, whereby funds are allocated to projects involving more
than one Neighbourhood country. This regional cooperation programme is
managed by EuropeAid.
It brings partner countries around the table to discuss and act upon issues of
common interest, be they economic, political or cultural. It supports over 80
programmes and projects in both the Eastern European Neighbour countries
and in the Southern Neighbours. These programmes have a direct or indirect
impact on the lives of ordinary citizens. Through the projects funded, new poli-
cies and actions are promoted within the countries themselves, an on-going
dialogue is maintained and relationships and networks are built.
Regional cooperation is truly a “Channel of Change” in 16 countries, namely:
Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon,
Moldova, Morocco, Occupied Palestinian Territory, Russia, Syria, Tunisia, Ukraine.

6 Projects in Action — Southern Neighbours

Telling the story
The ENPI Info Centre, in cooperation with journalists and photogra-
phers in the partner countries, has tracked down, written about and
All the stories are available on the “Feature
photographed some of the projects funded. The journalists researched Section” of the ENPI Info Centre’s website
projects’ activities and spoke to the people who have benefited from www.enpi-info.eu in English, French, Russian
them about their experiences, what they have gained, their consider- and Arabic, depending on the country.

ations and thoughts about the future. On their part, the photographers Detailed information on and news from the
captured the story with their lens. Regional projects funded is also available on
the ENPI Info Centre Website.
This magazine includes stories covered in 2010, and gives a flavour of
Neighbourhood Cooperation on the ground. The reportages are divid-
ed into four main categories: people, energy, environment, transport.
They tell the story of a Partnership.

Projects in Action — Southern Neighbours 7

Our network
of journalists Tarik HAFID – Algeria
Journalists collaborating with the ENPI Info Centre.
Winner of the Euromed Heritage
Partner news agency: ANSA/ANSAMED. Journalist Award 2007 with his article
«Si la Grande Poste nous était contée»,
Mr. Hafid has been writing in one of
the main French-speaking newspapers
in Algeria “Le Soir d’Algerie”
since 2002. He contributed
to the previous EU-funded
project Euromed Info
Centre with features and
articles.

Hicham HOUDAIFA - Morocco
Freelance journalist in Casablanca,
he worked at the « Hebdomadaire » Lotfi TOUATI – Tunisia
newspaper where he wrote features After having worked as a journalist
and reports on human rights and and reporter for Tunisian French-
society related stories. Between 1999 speaking newspapers “L’Action” and
and 2003, Mr. Houdaifa was the New “Le Renouveau”, Mr. Touati is now
York correspondent of the French Editor in chief of “Le Quotidien”. He has,
international magazine “Jeune Afrique”. throughout his career, participated in
He currently collaborates with a several workshops on EU affairs and is
number of magazines, websites and currently lecturing at the Arab Science
TV channels as well as communication University in Tunis.
EU-funded projects.


Dalia CHAMS – Egypt
Having started as a TV reporter and presenter, Mrs. Maurice AAEK – Syria
Chams has been working at the art, profiles and Mr. Aaek has a wide-ranging journalistic
culture pages of the French-speaking “Al-Ahram experience having worked at several
Hebdo” for many years. She media outlets including news
also works at the social features agencies, websites and magazines. He
section at the Arabic-speaking currently writes reports and
Al-Chourouq daily newspaper. features at a youth magazine
She won the Euromed Heritage based in Damascus. He has
Journalist Award in 2005. participated to many national
and international workshops
on media, journalism and
communication.
Yair QEDAR - Israel
As a freelance writer and filmmaker, Mr.
Qedar currently writes for various Israeli Mohammad BEN HUSSEIN – Jordan
newspapers including Ha’aretz, Yediot Mr. Ben Hussein is the correspondent
Aharonot, and produces documentary of the Italian news agency ANSA and
films. He wrote scripts and edited ANSAmed in Jordan, where he also
several audiovisual productions and works as a TV producer for Thomson
was awarded a special Reuters. He also writes in the “Jordan
notice of the jury for Times” and produces
the Euromed Heritage political analysis articles
Journalist Award 2005. for the “Lang Institute”.
Mr. Ben Hussein won the
2007 Natalie Lorenzo
award on the Arab world,
Elias ZANANIRI– Israel and Iran.
Occupied Palestinian Territory
Mr. Zananiri has 31 years of media
experience as a reporter, journalist, editor, Antoine B. AJOURY - Lebanon
teacher/ trainer, radio/TV programme Journalist in the Lebanese French-
producer, and public relations consultant speaking newspaper “L’Orient Le
throughout the Middle East. He is currently Jour” since 2003 and Head of its
the CEO of MAHARAT PR and Media Talents International News section since 2008,
Empowerment, a public relations consulting Mr. Ajoury has contributed to the
and media training company he established EU-funded project Eurojar with several
in the Palestinian Territories articles on cooperation between the
in 2005. European Union and
its partner countries
in the South of the
Mediterranean.


People
Energy
Environment
Transport


JORDAN

Education as a tool
to curb Jordan’s deadly
domestic accidents
Domestic accidents are claiming the lives of more and more children
in Jordan’s poor and overcrowded neighbourhoods. For the Kingdom’s
Civil Defence Department, providing children with a safe environment
is a top priority, and education is the key, under a project financed
by an EU programme on Prevention, Preparedness and Response to
Natural and Man-made Disasters (PPRD South).

Text and photos by Mohammad Ben Hussein

AMMAN – Situated in a politically unstable region, battling water scarcity and an
unsure peace process to the west, officials say that Jordan is facing another much
more dangerous everyday threat: deadly domestic accidents. Sameera, who lives in
the Sweileh neighbourhood in northwest Amman, lost her seven-year-old son af-
ter leaving him unsupervised near the stove. “I put the food on the stove and went
to hang wet clothes and left my son to watch the food to make sure it didn’t burn. “Children like
The next thing I heard was my son’s screams, with fire all over his body,” said the to play, so
23-year-old mother. “I should not have left him alone,” she admitted. Leaving chil- we will give
dren on their own is a common practice in Sameera’s neighbourhood, and many awards
other areas in Jordan where high birth rates and crowded conditions can be a to those who
deadly mix. In the Baqaa refugee camp, children play near makeshift fires they ar- give the best
range to cook tea. Twelve-yearold Ahmed says his parents never tell him what he answers to
should avoid while playing. “I spend most of my day playing with friends. I have six encourage
brothers and my mother is often busy with the house and my younger brothers,” the learning
he said. process”

Education is key
According to the Jordanian Civil Defence Department, education is key to halt-
ing the rising number of child victims of such accidents. Waleed Al-Soub, Director
General of the Civil Defence Department, said the major issue was lack of aware-
ness of household risks, particularly in areas of poverty and high unemployment.
Soub said a €5 million EU-funded programme on Prevention, Preparedness and
Response to Natural and Man-made Disasters (PPRD South) was key to raising


awareness on the hazards women face
in the home and how to prevent acci-
dents. The programme, which aims to
improve the civil protection capaci-
ties of Mediterranean partner coun-
tries, contributes to the development
of a civil protection culture based on
risk mitigation and prevention, rather
than purely response. The three-year
project works with national civil pro-
tection authorities and is managed by
a consortium of the Civil Protection
Authorities of Italy, France, Egypt and
Algeria as well as the UN International
Strategy for Disaster Reduction. Un-
N Children in the Baqaa der the initiative, each partner country identifies its priorities. For Jordan, provid-
refugee camp.
ing children with a safe environment was the top concern, according to Soub. “The
civil defence department will soon start distributing booklets across the Kingdom
to alert housewives to fundamental principles that can help protect their children
and to prevent hazards in the daily environment including electricity, gas leaks and
fires,” he said. The project, which is financed within the PPRD South with a budget
of €40,000, is one of five regional initiatives carried out in Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt,
the Occupied Palestinian Territory as well as Montenegro. “Jordan’s population has
increased sharply and the programmes we have are for households. We want to
tackle bad practices, such as housewives and caretakers unable to deal with gas
cylinders or electronic appliances,” said Soub. The civil defence department is also
trying to reach mothers directly, Soub said, adding that in August, they would or-
“In order for ganise seminars across the country for hundreds of women of all backgrounds.
people to be “Experts will explain to women how to do safe housekeeping and what the best
informed, practices are.” Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 children will be targeted through booklets
you need an explaining everyday risks, and experts will hold child safety-themed competitions.
awareness “Children like to play, so we will give awards to those who give the best answers to
campaign, and encourage the learning process,” Soub said.
this is what the
PPRD South is
trying to do”
N Ali, a 10-year-old boy who
lost four of his fingers while
playing with sharp objects.


Focus on prevention
PRRD South officials highlighted the
importance of such programmes to
help partner countries mitigate risks by
building the capacities of civil defence
staff to provide better services for com-
munities. Milojka Saule, Euromed PPRD
“I still have my South communications expert, noted
four sons as well that Jordan is implementing for the first
as nephews and time a project that focuses not only on
niece who remain response, but on prevention and pre-
vulnerable. paredness, which means educating
We need to people on the risks they encounter in
protect them their daily lives, and how to act when a
from themselves natural disaster such as a flood or earthquake happens. “In order for people to be
N Mariam, a 56-year-old
and the world” informed, you need an awareness campaign, and this is what the PPRD South is mother of ten children.
trying to do,” she said. A similar project is taking place in Lebanon, where a local
company will be distributing 125,000 CD-ROMs with computer games teaching
children how to avoid accidents, at home, on the street or outdoors.
The launch of the game will be accompanied by a media campaign to increase
awareness. Meanwhile, an ambitious project funded by the EU is under way in the
West Bank, where young residents are encouraged to join volunteer work, as civil
defence cadres are scarce in the occupied territory.
Egypt, the most populous country in the Middle East, has identified children and
households as its priority target area to prevent domestic accidents, Saule said.
For Sameera, although her own son is gone, it is not too late to save the lives of
thousands of other children through such badly-needed awareness programmes.
“I still have my four sons as well as nephews and niece who remain vulnerable.
We need to protect them from themselves and the world,” she said.

Civil Protection (PPRD South)
Programme for Prevention, Preparedness and Response
to Natural and Man-made Disasters (PPRD South)

www.euromedcp.eu

Participating countries Objective
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, The “Programme for Prevention, Preparedness and Response to Natural and Man-
Lebanon, Morocco, Occupied made Disasters” (PPRD South) contributes to the improvement of the civil protection
Palestinian Territory, Syria, capacities of Mediterranean partner countries at international, national and local
Tunisia, Albania, Bosnia- levels. Building on the achievements of two previous programmes it contributes
Herzegovina, Croatia, to the development of a civil protection culture based on prevention rather than
Montenegro and Turkey. response. It works with the Civil Protection Authorities of the participating countries
Libya and Mauritania are and is managed by a consortium consisting of the Civil Protection Authorities of
observer countries Italy, France, Egypt and Algeria as well as the UN International Strategy for Disaster
Reduction (UN/ISDR).
Timeframe
2009-2011 Find out more
PPRD South fiche > www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=245&id_type=10
Budget ENPI Info Centre Civil society and local authorities Thematic Portal >
€ 5 million (ENPI/IPA) www.enpi-info.eu/thememed.php?subject=14


SyRiA

A bridge of
knowledge across
the Mediterranean
In Syria the Tempus program has financed 35 projects allowing the mobility of 300 Syrian
Academics to European Universities. Tempus or (Trans-European Mobility Program for
the University Studies) is based on transfer the experiences from European educational
institutions to their counterparts in neighbouring countries. Erasmus Mundus was inspired
by the highly successful Erasmus programme, an internal EU programme supporting co-
operation and mobility between European higher education institutions. It offers a valuable
framework for exchange and dialogue between cultures and gives many Syrian students the
opportunity to complete their education in European universities.

Text and photos by Maurice Aaek

DAMASCUS – It’s a dream for many Syrian students, the dream of studying in Eu-
rope. On the other shore of the Mediterranean, there is another dream, that of
sharing Europe’s higher education with its neighbours – a dream of intercultural “Travelling to
dialogue among students, ultimately leading to a better world. On Study in Europe Europe has
Day, organised recently by the EU Delegation in Syria, students brought with them enhanced my
their dreams, but also their concerns and fears – financial, linguistic and cultural. experience in
As EU-funded student exchange programmes seek to address the financial difficul- dealing with
ties, additional efforts are being made to address the fears of adapting abroad. other cultures,
From this perspective, growing student mobility between countries is of particular it showed me
N According to official importance, as Pascal Restel, administrator of the cultural section of the Swedish
statistics, 62% of all Syrian
a different
students abroad are studying Embassy in Damascus, expained: “The Syrian who has never been to Sweden will lifestyle and
at European universities, and build a picture that is not based on personal experience, so it will be unreal, just
more than 75% of academics different
were educated in the EU. like the Swedish student who has never been to Syria.” Restel said the experience of research
one or two students would make little difference, but the mobility of methods”
thousands would lead to a better understanding, a better integration
across cultures. Such personal experience is exactly what Ziad Naser
has gained. Ziad, an IT student, spent nine months at the University
of Brighton in the United Kingdom, as part of the Erasmus Mundus
exchange programme.


N The “Study in Europe Day”
was organised by the EU
Delegation in Syria.

The Dream of Studying in Europe
“On the basis of
Ziad had never thought of going to Britain, especially given the international po-
the positive results
litical climate – “How could Arabs be accepted in Europe?” he wondered. But his
achieved, we
experience was an eye-opener: “Travelling to Europe has enhanced my experience
reached many
in dealing with other cultures, it showed me a different lifestyle and different re-
agreements
search methods… It’s an unforgettable experience.” Tempus and Erasmus Mundus
between Syrian
are EU-funded programmes for the exchange of students and academic expertise
and European
between Europe and its Neighbourhood, including Syria. Tempus is specialised in
universities”
promoting higher education in participating countries, while Erasmus Mundus
is based on financing scholarships to exchange students between participating
universities in Europe and its neighbours. Tempus is based on transferring exper-
tise between European educational institutions and their counterparts in partner
countries. In Syria, Tempus has financed about 35 projects over eight years, most
of them at Damascus and Aleppo Universities, allowing Syrian academics valu-
able exchanges with European universities. The programme, says its coordinator
in Syria, Rami Ayoubi, is an important opportunity for dialogue and to stimulate
academic networking. “If we want to talk about a programme that transfers knowl-
edge from more advanced countries into Syria, we won’t be able to measure it
quickly, it is an accumulated process and it takes time… Tempus works to finance
that process.” The programme, which allocated about €10 million to Syria from
2002-2006, has been extended to 2013. The new orientation of Tempus in Syria,
Ayoubi explains, is moving from developing curricula, to giving greater support to
comprehensive sectoral and structural evolution projects, benefiting Higher Edu-
cation in general.

Stimulating the academic dialogue
Erasmus for its part gives students the opportunity to spend time at European N Rami Ayoubi
universities, offering scholarships for both undergraduates and postgraduates. Tempus programme
coordinator in Syria.
According to Ayman Hemada, the project coordinator at Aleppo University, Eras-
mus aims to bridge the cultural, linguistic, and social divide, while also supporting
convergence between Middle Eastern and European students through a mobility
scheme between eleven EU universities and nine in Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon.
Hemada says the scholarships cover all expenses, from tickets to tuition fees and
health insurance, as well as a monthly stipend ranging from €1,000 for undergrad-
uates, up to €2,500 for members of the faculty. During the last three years, the
project provided 35 scholarships a year, 20 for Syrian students to study in Europe,
and 15 for European students coming to Syria. Rand Quwatli, Erasmus Mundus
coordinator at Damascus University, is enthusiastic: “We were able to send Syrian
students of all disciplines to European universities, where they showed very high
standards. At the same time, we received students from EU universities.


On the basis of the positive results achieved, we reached many agreements be-
tween Syrian and European universities.” Speaking at Study in Europe Day, Maher
“Most students
Kabakibi, Syria’s Deputy Higher Education Minister, underlined the importance of
attending
cooperation with Europe, revealing it was the government’s goal to see formal
Syrian
collaboration with foreign research institutions before the end of 2010. A new law
universities
had been passed, he said, allowing the creation of joint programmes with Euro-
dream of
pean universities that would allow students to get degrees from both universi-
studying in
ties. According to official statistics, 62% of all Syrian students abroad are studying
Europe” at European universities, and more than 75% of academics were educated in the
EU. Most students attending Syrian universities dream of studying in Europe. With
Tempus and Erasmus, that dream is one step closer.

N In Syria, Tempus has
financed about 35 projects
over eight years, allowing
Syrian academics valuable
exchanges with European
universities.

Erasmus Mundus II – Action 2 Partnerships
Promotes cooperation between higher education institutions through encouraging
partnerships, mobility and exchanges of students, researchers and academic staff
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/extcoop/call/index.htm
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, The Erasmus Mundus II - Action 2 Partnerships seeks to promote better
Moldova, Russia, Ukraine (East) Algeria, Egypt, understanding and mutual enrichment between the EU and third countries and in
Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Occupied the medium term strengthens political, cultural, educational and economic links.
Palestinian Territory, Syria, Tunisia (South)
Find out more
Timeframe Budget Erasmus Mundus fiche > www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=246&id_type=10
2009-2010 €29 million

Erasmus Mundus II – Action 2 Partnerships
Supports the modernisation of higher education, creates opportunities for cooperation
among actors in the field and enhances understanding
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/tempus/index_en.php
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, The Trans-European Mobility Scheme for University Studies (Tempus) supports the
Moldova, Russia, Ukraine (East) Algeria, effort of the Partner Countries to modernize their higher education systems and creates
Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, opportunities for cooperation among higher education actors of the EU and the
occupied Palestinian participating countries through joint projects. It also enhances understanding between
territory, Syria, Tunisia (South) cultures as it promotes a people-to-people approach and promotes convergence with EU
developments in higher education leading to more jobs and growth.
Timeframe Budget
2008-2013 aprox €35-39 million Find out more
per year (ENPI) Tempus fiche > www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=248&id_type=10&lang_id=450
ENPI Info Centre – Education and Training thematic portal >
www.enpi-info.eu/thememed.php?subject=11


OccupiED pAlEStiNiAN tERRitORy

Breaking
the wall of silence
Women in the Occupied Palestinian Territory have long lived in
the shadow of their male relatives, often suffering untold abuse.
Now, an EU-funded film project, ‘Masarat’, has given them a voice,
shattering taboos in the most dramatic way.

Text by Elias Zananiri
Photos by Elias Zananiri
“People were encouraged
and many demanded that
similar films be made
in the future. I think we
broke the wall of silence”

EAST JERUSALEM – When local Tulkarem
TV station Al Fajr Al Jadid showed Golden
Pomegranate Seeds, a short film made by
Ghada Terawi under an EU-funded project to
promote Palestinian women film directors,
the impact was immediate. Just minutes into
the film, furious viewers began to call in pro-
testing that “the film had crossed red lines”
says the channel’s Raja Nafee. “I told my staff
not to respond but simply to ask the viewers
to wait until the end and then talk.” By the
time the film was over, 15 minutes later, the
mood had changed. “People were encour-
aged and many demanded that similar films
be made in the future.” “I think we broke the
wall of silence.” Golden Pomegranate Seeds juxtaposes the folk-tale of a girl whose N Ghada Terawi on the set
of Golden Pomegranate Seeds.
silence in the face of what she saw would always haunt her, with real stories of real
women, who dare to speak out about the sexual abuse they have suffered in the
family. The message from the women is stark: “If you’re silent once, you’ll stay silent
forever.” A taboo had been shattered, said Nafee: a few days later, a police officer
called to tell her that in less than 24 hours, 14 cases of sexual abuse by relatives
had been reported by girls to the local police station.


N The Masarat project included
not only the production of four
films but also 58 screenings, like
this one in Beit Fajjar village.

Snowball effect
What happened in Tulkarem was repeated all over the occupied Palestinian territo-
ries, where the film was shown at community centres and on local channels. Farha
Abu Alheija of Farah TV in Jenin said people called her afterwards asking that such
cases be addressed more in the future. And secondary schools have taken up the
challenge, asking to show the film to their students, while the United Nations Relief
and Work Agency (UNRWA) and the Palestinian Ministry of Health have asked to “From the
use it in their gender outreach and counselling programmes. Golden Pomegran- outset,
ate Seeds was one of four films made by Palestinian women under the ‘Masarat’ I thought the
project, fully funded under the EU’s Regional Information and Communications festival should
programme with €120,000. The project has been a spectacular success for Shashat, not be directed
a Palestinian cinema NGO with emphasis on capacity building for Palestinian film- exclusively
makers, mostly women. Not all films touch such a raw nerve, but they do thrust to the elite
women to the fore, in a deeply conservative, patriarchal society. In Far from Loneli- intelligentsia…
ness, Sawsan Qaoud draws on the inspiration of an accidental meeting to follow but reach
N The poster of the
Masarat film project. three old farming women on the tough pre-dawn journey from their fields to the the largest
market. Mahasen Nasser-Eldin tells the story of Samia, a feisty, audience
active and committed 71-year-old woman, whose struggle to possible”
remain in Jerusalem and to promote girl’s education marks
her personal and professional life. The fourth film, Dima Abu
Ghoush’s First Love, tells the story of tender love blooming in
the lives of young girls, who speak of the importance of their
parents’ role in dealing with their emotions and dilemmas. Alia
Arasoughly, the director general of Shashat and Masarat proj-
ect director, says women should be given the chance not only
to consume, but also to create culture. Culture, she explains,
goes far beyond knowledge, entering deep into emotions and
feelings. Women, therefore, can and must play a major role in
cultural outreach. The EU funding for Masarat included not
only the production of four films but also 58 screenings, 25
showings in community and cultural centres in the West Bank
and Gaza Strip, and some 168 local community TV broadcasts,
followed by live talk shows. Following every showing, feedback
forms were distributed to the audience. Out of 7,790 respons-
es, 7,285 were positive (2,139 said the showings were excel-


lent, 2,934 very good and 2,212 good). With such a result, Shashat feels Masarat is “The films have
important enough to produce every year. helped to open
up a debate
Reaching out to a wide audience on the role of
“From the outset,” said Arasoughly, “I thought the festival should not be directed women – and we
exclusively to the elite intelligentsia of society nor concentrate its activities in the have much to
centre of the West Bank, but reach the largest audience possible.” She wanted a learn from how
wide platform, through screenings in multiple and socially diverse locations, ac- they managed
N Alia Arasoughly companied by discussions. For the EU, the project has “exceeded all expectations to raise such
the director general of Shashat in touching people’s hearts and prompting debates on difficult, even taboo sub-
and Masarat project director difficult issues
jects,” says Alix de Mauny, who as Press and Information Manager at the Europe- so positively and
an Commission Technical Assistance Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip was constructively”
closely involved with Masarat. “Because the local women film directors themselves
came up with the subjects and decided how to approach them, they were able to
tap into the real issues facing Palestinian women, and found a way to ask search-
ing questions without ever preaching to their audience.” Masarat has given women
a voice: “It exploded in us what we do not say, and gave us the confidence to think
that there are options!” one Bethlehem woman said after a screening of Golden
Pomegranate Seeds. “These things should be talk-
ed about.” Indeed, De Mauny is struck how many of
the issues raised find echoes in other parts of the
world, including Europe. “The films have helped
to open up a debate on the role of women – and
we have much to learn from how they managed
to raise such difficult issues so positively and con-
structively.” N A scene from Golden
Pomegranate Seeds.

Regional Information & Communication Programme
Aims at boosting public awareness and understanding of the EU and its relations in the ENPI area,
through support to journalists and media outlets for material production, as well as training

Armenia, Azerbaijan, The Programme seeks to increase public knowledge and awareness of the EU and its
Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, relationship with the Neighbourhood countries and create a local sense of involvement
Russia, Ukraine (East) and shared ownership. It clarifies policies but also highlights the development aid
Algeria, Egypt, Israel, implemented by the EU in the region It facilitates cooperation between journalists and
Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, media organizations, helps build sustainable communication networks and assists the
Occupied Palestinian continued development of free opinion and freedom of expression in a bid to contribute to
Territory, Syria, Tunisia the creation of an environment conducive to dialogue and mutual understanding.
(South)
Find out more
Timeframe Shashat website -
2008-2011 www.montada-forum.net/fr/montada/montada.htm
Regional Information & Communication Programme fiche -
Budget www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=247&id_type=10
€19 million European Commission Technical Assistance Office for the West Bank and Gaza Strip -
(€12 million ENPI South, www.delwbg.ec.europa.eu
€7 million ENPI East)


iSRAEl

Sharing experience
to bring equal
opportunities
In the two years since it was founded, Israel’s Equal Employment
Opportunities Commission has begun to make a real difference in the
fight against discrimination at work. Now, the Commission is gaining
valuable experience through its partnership with a UK expert, sent to
Israel under an EU-funded Twinning initiative.

Text and photos by Yair Qedar

Tel Aviv –You could have cut the air with a knife in the Tel Aviv Labour Court in
September 2009. Abdelkarim Kadi stood nervously before the judge, who slowly
began to read the verdict. In the lawsuit of Kadi against Israel Railways on the
basis of discrimination… the state finds the Railways at fault. This moment was
the end of a long process, which began in tragic circumstances. A train had caused
the deaths of five people at a level crossing. As a result, the Railways decided to
change the way they hired the watchmen who serve as lookouts at level crossings,
excluding all those who had not served in the army. Kadi is an Israeli Arab. He did
not serve in the army and therefore could not be a watchman. But he did not give
N Bob Niven
up. With the help of the Equal Employment Opportunities Commission in Israel
Resident Adviser at the Equal (EEOC), he sued Israel Railways for discrimination. “This is a very interesting case –
Employment Opportunities
Commission, Jerusalem, Israel. and a successful one from our point of view,” says Tziona Koenig Yair, the National
Commissioner of the EEOC. “We won eventually. The court decided that the criteria
of army service was not relevant to this position and therefore discriminatory, and
now the way is open to Kadi to get his job.”

Discrimination in employment
Koenig Yair is the founder of the Commission – which is only two years old and is
focused on tackling discrimination in employment in respect of gender, pregnancy,
age, religion, ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation, personal status, opinion,
party affiliation and reserve duty in the armed forces. “The EEOC’s current priorities


centre on women, the Arab Communities, Orthodox Jews and age,” says Koenig-
Yair, noting that Israel has “wide-ranging progressive legislation on discrimination
and equality, particularly in employment, but enforcement remains inadequate.”
“In the attempt to improve our work, we applied for the Twinning project – and
we won.” Twinning is an EU-funded initiative to twin a neighbouring country with
“Israel has
an EU member – where the experience and knowledge of the EU country can be
wide-ranging
put into practice through a mentor seconded to the partner country. In July 2009,
progressive
the European Commission in conjunction with the EEOC accepted a bid from the N Tziona Koenig-Yair
legislation on the National Commissioner
Northern Ireland Equality Commission (NIEC) in conjunction with Northern Ireland
discrimination of the Equal Employment
Public Sector Enterprises (NICO), a body with extensive experience of administering Opportunities Commission
and equality, (EEOC) in Israel.
Twinning projects. They sent over Bob Niven, who from 1993-2000, was Director of
particularly in
Equal Opportunities Legislation and Policy in the British Civil Service, covering all
employment,
aspects of gender and disability, as well as race, in employment and education and
but enforcement
the UK’s national childcare strategy.
remains
inadequate”
Raising awareness on equality at work
“The programme is specifically concerned to promote good employment practice
by employers,” explains Niven, “to design and implement a sustained awareness-
raising campaign on equalities at work; to construct accessible, up-to-date data
bases and reports on equalities in Israel as well as on leading legal cases here “I think
and abroad; and to help the EEOC frame its longer term strategy with effect from working
January 2012.” He says equality laws are impressive on paper, but more needs to be with the EU
done to make them a reality. “There are marked difference in employment rates - in the
and income - between various groups throughout Israel including with respect to Twinning
women, Arabs, older people and orthodox Jews.” Changes cannot be brought to project is a
Israel overnight, Niven admits: “It will be necessary to shift awareness and attitudes golden
on the benefits of diversity; to boost the confidence of both employers and opportunity
individuals that they can help to bring about change; to provide more information to promote
on how to apply the legislation and good practice in straightforward ways; and, our aims”
where necessary, to demonstrate that the law will be enforced. The EEOC can play
a key role on all of that, working with employers, NGOs and the government. As
I say, there are already signs of progress.” Does Koenig-Yair agree? “There is no

N A shopping mall in
Jerusalem - the new Equal
Opportunities Commission
aims to ensure equality to
reflect the diversity.


N Divesity in everyday
life: the Equal doubt that Israel should and can learn a lot from EU countries. Though Israel has “It will be
Opportunities Commission progressive legislation, it has very little resources. I think working with the EU in the necessary to
aims to safeguard the
interests of all groups in Twinning project is a golden opportunity to promote the aims of the Commission. shift awareness
Israeli society. The Twinning is actually a way for us to build cooperation with employers and and attitudes
prompt awareness in the Israeli public.” on the benefits
Such experience can be invaluable in of diversity;
cases like that of K, a young woman to boost the
from the south. She worked in a factory, confidence of
but when she became pregnant, the both employers
company did all it could to make and individuals
her go: they barred her from using that they can
the computer, from talking to other help to bring
workers, and eventually relocated her about change”
to a spot where she was exposed to
toxic environment. K, who spoke on
condition of anonymity, contacted
the EEOC. Her employers eventually
fired her and soon the Commission
will represent her at her trial, where
she hopes to gain both justice and her
job. Koenig-Yair has learned a lot from
dealing with such cases: “I learned that
real social change can come only with
a combination of the layers involvers
– the employers, the employed, civil
society and the government. I see the
role of the Commission in leading and
make these processes possible.”

TWINNING
Twinning is an EC initiative originally designed to help candidate countries
acquire the necessary skills and experience to adopt, implement and
enforce EU legislation. Since 2004, Twinning has also been available to
countries in the ENPI region. On a demand driven base, the projects bring
together public sector expertise from EU Member States and partner
countries, with the aim of enhancing co-operation activities. Twinning
projects are joint projects, shared by the two partner administrations.
The partner country retains ownership.
www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=167&id_type=10

Find out more
Twinning fiche www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=167&id_type=10
Multi-country cooperation instruments www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=271&id_type=10


Interview with Stéphanie Horel

Familiarising civil
servants in
Partner The EuroMed Training of Public Administration
Programme’s mission is to reinforce the management

Countries
capacity of the civil service in Mediterranean Partner
Countries and train their civil servants on European
affairs, in order to facilitate the implementation of the

with
Association Agreements.
One of its main achievements, its coordinator
Stéphanie Horel told the ENPI Info Centre in an

EU Affairs
interview, is the development of some 60 training
and networking activities which allowed over 1500
civil servants and experts from the Partner and the EU
countries to exchange views and best practices on
common public administrations issues.

Q: What is the project trying to achieve? creation of durable working practices on topics of common
Stéphanie Horel: The EuroMed Training of Public Admi- interest. This contributes to achieving better mutual unders-
nistration Programme seeks to enhance the Euro-Med Par- tanding and confidence in a collective future.
tnership by supporting the implementation of the Asso- Is it expected to have a long term impact or a ripple effect?
ciation Agreements. As the main actors in this process are A ripple effect can already be seen in the creation of the ME-
the public administrations, the Programme aims to support DPAN association comprising Euro-Mediterranean Schools of
their familiarisation with the main aspects of EU affairs and Public Administrations. Its objective is to formalize the Network
reinforce cooperation between the public administrations created in the framework of the Programme and ensure the
on both shores of the Mediterranean. Its first objective is the sustainability of its activities.
training of civil servants of the Mediterranean Partners and
What do you consider as your most important achievement?
a second objective is the creation of a Euro-Mediterranean
Definitely, the development of over 60 training and networ-
Network of Schools of Public Administration to enhance
king activities which allowed over 1500 civil servants and ex-
cooperation at regional, national and local level.
perts from the 10 Mediterranean Partners and the EU countries
How does it achieve its objectives? to discuss and exchange views and best practices on common
In the first phase, the programme focused on training activi- Public Administrations issues. We also manged to establish
ties on EU affairs. In total 49 training seminars took place, on durable relations and work practices in both South- North and
5 modules: ‘EU basics’ covering the Union’s functioning EU South-South approach that will continue to be developed.
advanced that focused on the implementation of the Asso-
What is the biggest challenge you are facing in its
ciation Agreements, EU Programmes discussing the mana-
implementation?
gement of EU funds, the European Neighbourhood Policy
The implementation of the Programme has been smooth,
explaining cooperation opportunities offered, with a focus
however, like in all capacity building programme, the biggest
on the three instruments for public administrations: SIGMA,
challenge is to ensure the sustainability of the results obtained
TAIEX and Twinning, and the “Train the Trainers” module. In
and to further deepen cooperation and exchanges between
the second phase we put more emphasis on networking
Euro-Mediterranean Public Administrations, in particular in
activities. We organised conferences and activities for the
view of the Union for the Mediterranean.
Euro-Meditern ranean Schools of Public Administration
around two topics: Territorial governance and Quality in
Training Civil Servants.
“Over 60 training and networking activities were
What is the expected impact on the citizens of partner
countries? held and over 1500 civil servants and experts
One of the expected impacts is the reinforcement of the ma- exchanged views and best practices on common
nagement capacities of their public administrations and the public administrations issues”


lEbANON, iSRAEl, OccupiED pAlEStiNiAN tERRitORy

Combating
discrimination
and violence
against women
Gender equality and stopping violence against women are at
the focus of EU-funded Enhancing Equality between Men
and Women programme (EGEP) that is assessing the situation
in 9 Mediterranean partner countries. Stopping violence against
women is a priority, team leader Judith Neisse said, adding another
key issue is women’s representation. A general report and 9 country
reports are being produced by the project, with an aim to establish
priorities and carry out needs-based regional activities.

Text by ENPI Info Centre/ANSA
Photos by Cawtar/ EPEG/ Euromed Heritage II

BRUSSELS – “Family law often does not allow charging husbands who commit “A top priority
violent acts. It is said they are family disputes, tensions, there is a certain trivialisation for women in
of the phenomenon,” Neisse explains. Israel is
EGEP will support the conducting of a national study in Jordan and Lebanon. to challenge
Another key issue is the role of women in the decision-making process, in public existing
and private spheres. “In several countries, women have a lower status because restrictions on
legislation, private law and family law is still based on religion. In several cases, the marriage and
approach is archaic, especially for marriage or divorce,’’ Neisse says. Making family divorce still
law lay is one of the aims. EGEP wants to create subgroups of EU Partner Countries handled in
at regional level to work on training at sub-regional level. ‘’After gathering data and religious
the priorities,’’ Neisse concluded, ‘’we will organise regional trainings on a series of courts”
N Yael Slater priorities for groups of countries, between 2010-2011.’’ Yael Slater
researcher at the The situation in the Mediterranean countries was discussed at a meeting in Brussels
Adva Center, Israel.
(March 2010), where ANSA news agency spoke to some of the participants.


“Women in Lebanese women face double discrimination
Lebanon To achieve this goal, Montada has scheduled various
face twofold activities (communicating via a dedicated website and
discrimination, newspapers, debate meetings, technical assistance for
first by religious the renovation of buildings, education and Women in
law Lebanon face twofold discrimination, first by religious
and then in law and then in numerous ways according to which
numerous of the 18 communities they belong. Ghada Jabbour,
ways according from the local NGO “Kafa (Enough) violence and
to which of the 18 exploitation” says “women in Lebanon are subordinate
communities they at home, thus they cannot take a lead role in society.
belong” The current system, reflected in the penal code, is still
Ghada Jabbour patriarchal.” Jabbour says “women’s associations are
trying to reform the female status within the single
communities, or else ask for a civil code that it is equal
for all denominations.” Violence, especially domestic,
“is fortunately no longer taboo,” she says, “and a draft
law developed by us is at the Cabinet Office.” A little
known issue, she adds, is “that of some 200,000 female
immigrant domestic workers that are discriminated
against and exploited for sexual reasons.” Women are
also trafficked for the sex industry.
N Ghada Jabbour
NGO “Kafa (Enough) violence
Religious courts in Israel and exploitation”, Lebanon.

One of the top priorities for women in Israel is to challenge existing restrictions
on marriage and divorce still handled in religious courts, said researcher at the
Adva Center in Tel Aviv, Yael Slater. “Jews cannot marry non-Jews, for example, and
the three religions are very strict on the issue of divorce, always favouring men.”
Divorces have to be filed in religious courts. Janet Shalom, of the government
equal rights commission, believes divorce is the main issue for the three religions.
Slater said. Israeli women are also faced with a weak enforcement of employment
regulations, a general deterioration of employment conditions, restrictions to
their numbers in the army, abortion restrictions and a small number of female
politicians.
“Family law often does not allow the charging
of husbands who commit violent acts. It is
said they are family disputes, tensions”
Judith Neisse
N Judith Neisse
EGEP programme
team leader


Palestinian culture discriminates
The culture prevalent within Palestinian society discriminates against women and
legitimises violence against them within families. According to Hanan Abu Goush,
of the Women’s Centre for legal aid and counselling in Ramallah, although the
fundamental law recognises equality, the situation is actually very different and
the family law and the penal code must be modified if discrimination is to cease.
“There are honour crimes, which basically lets men who kill women in their own
family go unpunished,” she said. In order to marry, Goush continues, “a woman
must ask for permission from the male head of the family, otherwise she has to
appeal to the judge. The only exception is if she is divorced and over eighteen.
“Although
“Divorce and custody of children always favours the husband,” she says, adding
fundamental
another discrimination is inheritance which Sharia provides for though the law is
Palestinian law
never enforced.
recognises
equality, the
situation is
actually very N Hanan Abu Goush
Women’s Centre for legal aid
different and and counselling, Occupied
the family law Palestinian Territory.
and the penal
code must be
modified”
Hanan Abu Goush

Enhancing Equality between Men and Women
in the Euromed Region
Supports gender equality and the full implementation of Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), increases knowledge on gender-based violence
and backs the follow up to the Istanbul Ministerial Conference on Gender
www.euromedgenderequality.org/index.php

Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Aims at promoting three main priorities: support to the current dynamics that
Jordan, Lebanon, favour gender equality and promote women’s rights, and to the full
Morocco, Occupied implementation of CEDAW and related instruments; contribution to increased
Palestinian knowledge of gender-based violence; backs the follow-up of the conclusions and
Territory, Syria, Tunisia the action framework of the Istanbul Ministerial conference on “Strengthening the
Role of Women in Society”.
Timeframe
2008–2011 Find out more
EGEP fiche www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=241&id_type=10
Budget ENPI Info Centre Gender Press Pack www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=66&id_type=3&lang_id=450
€4.5 million


tuNiSiA

A pioneering scheme
that transformed
the medina
For years, the medina of Mahdia suffered from the lack of a
regular household waste collection service. Today, thanks to
a series of urban cooperation programmes funded by the
European Union, waste disposal has become a reflex action for
the inhabitants, and the neighbourhood has been transformed.

Text and photos by Lotfi Touati

MAHDIA – It has become a reflex action for the inhabitants of this charming
ancient medina in the Tunisian city of Mahdia. Each evening, for around ten years
now, they have got into the regular habit of disposing of their household waste by
leaving it outside their homes in bags which are then collected by municipal waste
collection employees. This may appear to be an ordinary or even insignificant
event at first glance, but it’s one which has required significant action and a large
budget, the majority of which – 120,000 Euros – was funded by the European
Union. In fact this part of the North African city of Mahdia suffered from the lack
of a regular household waste collection service for years, due to a lack of vehicles.
N Samir Gandoura
The architecture of the streets constructed in the Fatimid era does undoubtedly director of the Association
have a certain charm, but they were unable to accommodate the vehicles used by for the Protection of the
Mahdia Medina.
the municipal authorities to collect household waste. The city’s history dates back
to the tenth century. It was built by the Caliph Fatimide, Obeid Allah El Mehdi,
after whom the city is named and whose reign was a prosperous time for the city.
The same period to which the great mosque, which is a source of immense pride
among the inhabitants of the city, can be dated. The fact that the neighbourhood
was built as a stronghold goes a long way towards explaining the narrowness of
the streets and the difficulty its inhabitants encounter in meeting the demands of
modern life.

A long-term effort
Mr. Samir Gandoura, the director of the Association for the Protection of the
Mahdia Medina, explains that this action required long-term work, which has been
undertaken in partnership with the European Union since 2004 as part of a series
of urban cooperation programmes focusing on sustainable development. The first
step was taken by the MED’ACT programme (2004-2006), with an overall budget,


N The architecture
of the narrow streets
“The inhabitants in Mahdia does
undoubtedly have a
of the medina certain charm, but
see the positive they were unable to
accommodate the
results every day” vehicles used by the
municipal authorities
to collect household
waste.

funded by the European Union, amounting to 567,530 Euros, “We were faced with
a problem regarding the collection of household waste because the equipment
available was unsuitable for the configuration of the medina. In cooperation with
the European Union, we started off by carrying out a study to help determine the
contents of household waste baskets as well as the rubbish bins belonging to
the inhabitants of the medina in order to be able take action appropriate to their
needs.” “The results concluded that 65% of the waste is organic waste, which is a
much higher figure than the amount of organic waste produced by the average
household in Europe. We then obtained a suitable vehicle, able to move comfortably
through the labyrinthine medina and regularly collect the household rubbish.” It
was important to educate the residents to leave out their rubbish in bags at a
set time just before the rubbish removal team collected it in order to avoid the
“The project is a
contents spilling out onto the street – an important action, according to officials,
success in the
which now needs to be encouraged. Four years after the completion of this phase
technical
of the project, it is a fine example of the continuity of the action of the European
sense.
Union, forming part of a vision for long-term cooperation, which eventually allows
We are even
local authorities to assimilate the good practices introduced. The inhabitants of
able to provide
the medina see the positive results every day. Mohamed Turki, an employee in a
assistance to
soap manufacturing company, was born in the heart of the medina around fifty
other cities as part
years ago. He lives in a detached house inherited from his parents which he has
of the cooperation
passionately refurbished. “This neighbourhood is part of our heritage and I am
N Four years after the start of
project”
pleased that the household waste collection project has been successful and has
the waste collection project,
both residents and officials allowed us to improve the appearance of the area and make it more attractive for
agree that it is a fine example the benefit of both for residents and visitors. The disposal of bags of household
of the continuity of the
European Union action. waste has become an everyday automatic reflex for us.”

Look how clean it is…
This opinion is shared by Mr. Mohamed Fraj, who is 75
years old and retired. “I’ve lived in this neighbourhood
and know it like the back of my hand. I can assure
you that the rubbish collection project is deservedly
deemed a success and has made the medina more
beautiful. Look how clean it is,” he says, pointing to an
alleyway. Following this success story, other projects
funded by the European Union were launched,
including the SHAMS and GODEM projects, the latter
in the framework of European Interregional CIUDAD
programme, which aims to help local authorities of
neighbouring countries to address sustainable urban
development issues in the long-term, encouraging


cooperation between local stakeholders and their EU counterparts. The SHAMS
project - funded in Mahdia with 90,000 Euros from the EU within the framework
of the MED-PACT programme (overall EU contribution € 600,000), the successor
of MED’ACT - relates to the composting of organic waste from public and private
gardens. Mr. Gandoura explained that this project is progressing well from a
“Four years after
technical perspective. A young entrepreneur has created a composting facility
the completion of
to provide a reliable product, expertise and support for which has come from
this phase of the
universities. However, the project has encountered a certain reluctance on the
project, it is a fine
part of the users. It is difficult to convince farmers who have been accustomed
example of the
to using conventional fertilisers for years to opt for a new product. “The project is
continuity
a success in the technical sense. We are even able to provide assistance to other
of European
cities as part of the cooperation project. But I think that raising awareness among
Union action”
users is necessary.” With regards to the GODEM project, it is progressing very well,
with financial support from the EU amounting to 492,000 Euros. It tackles the
optimisation of hotel waste in Mahdia, Sousse and Djerba. The agreements have
already been signed and all that remains now is for the tangible phase of the work
to begin, which will not take long.

N Waste disposal became a reflex action for inhabitants
of the medina of Mahdia and the neighbourhood has been
transformed

CIUDAD – Sustainable urban development
CIUDAD aims to help local authorities of neighbouring countries to address
sustainable urban development issues, by encouraging cooperation between
local stakeholders and their EU counterparts

www.ciudad-programme.eu/index.php

Algeria, Egypt, Israel, The CIUDAD programme (Cooperation in Urban Development and Dialogue) aims to promote
Jordan, Lebanon, mutual understanding, dialogue and cooperation between local stakeholders in the EU on the one
Morocco, the hand and partner countries in the South and East (ENPI region) on the other. For this purpose, it
Occupied Palestinian supports capacity building for modernisation and improvement of local and regional governments.
Territory, Syria, Tunisia; It also aims to establish new partnerships and strengthen existing partnerships between local and
Armenia, Azerbaijan, regional authorities in the ENPI region (south-south, east-east and south-east) in order to sustain
Belarus, Georgia, the achievements beyond the lifespan of the programme itself.
Moldova, Russia, CIUDAD uses the work of previous initiatives to its advantage like the MED’ACT and MED-PACT,
Ukraine funded by MEDA (South), and the TCAS and IBPP programmes, funded by TACIS (East), among others.

Timeframe Find out more
2009-2013 GODEM project fiche > www.ciudad-programme.eu/grant_pdfs/8_BRUSSELS.pdf
CIUDAD project fiche > www.enpi-info.eu/mainmed.php?id=336&id_type=10&lang_id=469
Budget ENPI Info Centre Civil Society and Local Authorities portal >
€ 14 million Projects in Action — Southern Neighbours
www.enpi-info.eu/thememed.php?subject=14&lang_id=469 29

Projects in Action: cooperation through the eyes of journalists in the South

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