Located in the South-western Indian Ocean, and separated from the African continent by the Mozambique Channel, Madagascar is the fourth biggest island in the world with a population of 24.89 million.
After a political crisis of more than 5 years (2009-2014), Madagascar is now in a process of political normalisation. Development challenges are huge as the social, economic and environmental situation remains worrisome. About 90% of the Malagasy population lives on less than US $2 per day.
Agriculture, including fishing and forestry, is the mainstay of the economy, accounting for more than one-fourth of GDP and employing roughly 80% of the population.
Our priorities
Relations between the EU and Madagascar are dynamic. While Madagascar shares the values of the EU and our vision for global political priorities, a number of reforms remain to be implemented. The EU supports the country in its efforts to strengthen democracy and continues to assist it in matters of human development, resilience, and good governance.
The 2021-2027 multi-annual indicative program (MIP) for Madagascar should be based on the country's national development plan, the Emergency Plan for Madagascar (EPM), 2019 - 2023, which has not yet been formally approved. The framework for the MIP for 2021-2027 includes three priority objectives:
Governance and human development
This area is based on an analysis of the evolution of the situation in Madagascar over the last ten years in terms of poverty, human development, and governance, which shows stagnation or even regression of indicators and an increase in inequalities. Madagascar is among the countries where access to quality social services is the weakest with strong inequalities between regions.
Sustainable growth and jobs
This area aims to respond to one of the major challenges in Madagascar, which is to make economic growth contribute to job creation and the sustainable and inclusive improvement of the social and economic conditions of the population of Malagasy that is deeply marked by poverty. The business environment began to improve in Madagascar according to the Doing Business 2020 ranking, although there were still many indicators to improve.
Green Deal
This area is supported by the analysis of the country’s situation, strong demand from national authorities, and the achievements of EU rural development and environmental projects.
Our programmes
The Multiannual Indicative Programme (MIP) for Madagascar for 2021-2024 amounts to €325 million.
Priority area 1: ‘’Governance and human development’’ promotes inclusive, democratic, and equitable governance. Furthermore, it strengthens human capital for young people, women, and people in vulnerable situations.
Priority area 2: ‘’Sustainable growth and jobs’’ develops public service infrastructure for sustainable growth while improving trade within the framework of the Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA).
Priority area 3: “Green Deal” combats environmental degradation, conserves biodiversity and at the same time, it increases agricultural production in quantity, value, and quality, according to sustainable practices. Finally, it promotes better living conditions in targeted territories.
Support measures
The action of the EU Delegation in Madagascar in favor of civil society will be placed under the sign of a strategic partnership between the EU and CSOs. To achieve such a partnership, it is necessary to support civil society in order for it to become a real actor of governance, strong, legitimate, and structured, in favor of the consolidation of the rule of law, the culture of accountability, sustainable integrated development, and gender equality.
The EU will carry out targeted actions in favor of civil society such as:
- Accompany CSOs to move from a role of the basic service provider to a role of checks, balances and advocacy.
- Improve the legal and regulatory framework governing CSOs and support the empowerment of the common multi-donor support fund for civil society toward an entity permanent national.
- Create spaces for dialogue between the government and civil society to strengthen their role in the process of developing, monitoring implementing, and evaluating public policies.
- Contribute to creating a real civic space.