Philippines

The EU and the Philippines cooperate on fighting climate change and promoting a green economy. This covers issues such as the development of a circular economy, reduction of waste, green investments and green skills. 

Specific actions include: 

• Supporting circular economy policy and solutions to reaching carbon neutrality and a plastic-free economy.
• Promoting sustainable consumption and production along with the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient, and circular economy.
• Financing and accelerating the sustainable transition of local governments.
• Stimulating investments in climate adaptation infrastructure and projects with a focus on water, waste, and renewable energy.

EU-Philippines cooperation on digital transition is built around a Global Gateway flagship which focuses on earth observation and digital connectivity, supporting the Philippines to become a digital hub in Asia. 

Specific actions include:

• The Philippines has the first EU Copernicus data centre in the region.
• Developing Copernicus Earth Observation services to strengthen the Philippines’ capacity to tackle climate vulnerability and biodiversity conservation while improving hazard management and resilience.
• Promote skills to the use of Copernicus Earth Observation data
• Support national and local-level disaster risk reduction.
• Promote digital connectivity to upgrade national infrastructure and expand Copernicus to ASEAN.
• Policy support to roll out of 5G and EU 5G Toolbox.
• Increase cybersecurity and protection of critical infrastructure.
• Use of EU Copernicus by the private sector.

The EU is furthering the work of peace, justice, improved livelihoods, and human rights in the Philippines. It’s working to strengthen local civil society organisations, increase access to justice, and extend protections for the most vulnerable. Specific actions include: 

• Supporting the transformation of ex-combatant camps, as well as supporting the normalisation of peace and security in Mindanao.
• Increasing the climate and conflict resilience of vulnerable groups in Mindanao.
• Supporting justice sector agencies with the establishment of ‘Justice Zones’ for improved coordination and the equal and fair application of the law.
• Improving vulnerable groups’ access to justice and supporting anti-corruption measures in the judicial system.
• Supporting agriculture cooperatives and rural infrastructure in Mindanao.
• Supporting agri-food value chain production in Mindanao with an emphasis on production and commercialisation.
• Delivering grants to civil society organisations working on:
  • sexual and reproductive health and rights
  • gender-based violence
  • children and youth’s rights
  • women’s economic and political empowerment
  • disaster risk management
  • green and circular economy
  • good governance
• Delivering grants to defenders of human rights, media freedom, and the environment.
• Creating spaces to give advice to civil society on programme implementation, political challenges, strategic communication, and more.

The EU is supporting the Philippines access the EU market and develop the Philippine private sector. It is also working with the Philippines within the framework of EU-ASEAN cooperation. Connectivity and private sector development projects range from higher education collaboration to a green economy programme.