Overview
Peru is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, with huge reserves of natural resources. With a population of almost 33 million, the country is a long-standing partner to the EU with a 10-year-old free trade agreement.
The EU is working to support Peru in its efforts to reach the Sustainable Development Goals, and supports Peru’s process accession to become an OECD member, strengthen EU-Peru economic and trade relations, and facilitate private and public investments in infrastructures making full use of Global Gateway.
Our partnership
The EU supports Peru towards sustainable and inclusive development in line with the Global Gateway Strategy. The focus lies on water sanitation infrastructure investments as well as promoting green energy and sustainable transport.
The Team Europe initiative in Peru brings together the EU, the European Investment Bank (EIB), as well as Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands Spain, and Sweden. Circular transition was identified as the main sphere of work, divided into two areas: circular economy and sustainable cities. Over 70 actions by EU partners are underway or planned within this framework. Other priorities include human development and social inclusion, and governance and rule of law.
The EU has allocated €78 million in grant funding towards the partnership in 2021-2027. Peru also benefits from several multi-country EU-programmes.
EU-Peru partnership programming documents can be found in the ‘Related documents’ section below.
Our key initiatives
- Health
The EU is funding the construction of a potable water treatment plant in Chimbote District, connecting 1,800 homes, as well as a wastewater treatment plant for the sewage system, connecting 7,000 homes.
- Climate and energy
The EU and the private sector are financing the construction of a 500kV transmission line and two new substations that will link Chorrillos Substation in Ecuador with the La Niña Substation in Peru. This project contributes to regional energy integration through the Andean Electricity Interconnection System.
- Circular transition and economy
The EU and Peru are working together on Peru’s transition to a circular economy. Specifically, they are bringing together an alliance of public and private actors (profit and non-profit) to consolidate new partnerships, develop new policies and regulations, and strengthen the development of a more inclusive and green development. A specific example is Team Europe’s support for the construction of wastewater and potable water treatment in Chimbote.
The EU’s Global Gateway in particular is involved in:
- Strengthening the conditions for developing sustainable finance in Peru
- Enhancing the conditions for sustainable solid waste management and valorisation
- Enabling the adoption of circular water and sanitation management
- Social protection and migration
The EU and Peru are working to create a universal and inclusive social protection system with equal opportunities for all beneficiaries. The specific objectives are:
- Designing and enforcing inclusive legal and policy frameworks for different types of social protection and employment policies
- Increasing the coverage, inclusivity, and quality of existing social protection programmes and services
- Improving socio-economic integration and social protection for immigrants and refugees
In the San Martin de Porres region, in particular, Team Europe is helping mobilise investments to improve the organisation and quality of health services for the most vulnerable populations.
The EU and Peru are also working together on promoting a formal economy, with better opportunities for decent and productive work. This cooperation will especially work to improve the situation for vulnerable groups.
- Good governance and democracy
The EU is working with Peru to consolidate the country’s democratic institutions and electoral system. That includes:
- Strengthening Peru’s electoral integrity and reducing the risks of conflict and violence during elections
- Following up on the implementation of electoral reforms
- Increasing the representation and participation of under-represented groups, especially women and youth
- Ensuring that citizens are better informed about political issues and electoral processes
- Promoting gender equality and eradicating gender-based violence through policy and legislation and raising local awareness of gender-related issues, rights and protections
The EU supports Peru’s fight against illicit drug trafficking and organized crime through bilateral and regional programmes. The main focus is on:
- The consolidation of the technical skills of judges, prosecutors and police officers dedicated to anti-drug criminal investigations, organized crime (including environmental crimes and human trafficking);
- Improving the articulation and interoperability of the main entities dedicated to criminal investigations and
- Strengthening the monitoring and execution of multisectoral policies for the fight against drugs and organized crime based on evidence.
In addition, the European Union also supports alternative development initiatives (alternative crops) in the VRAEM region (Valle de los Ríos Apurimac, Ene and Mantaro Valley) in close coordination with Peru’s drugs enforcement Agency (DEVIDA).
