Better aligning decentralised cooperation with EU external action in Mozambique
54 participants attended the online seminar focusing on decentralised cooperation in Mozambique. It was organised on 27 June by the Andalusian Fund of Municipalities for International Solidarity (FAMSI) with PLATFORMA, in coordination with the Andalusian Agency for International Development Cooperation.
This seminar is part of a series of FAMSI meetings with the European Union Delegations and other European and multilateral actors. The series began in Bolivia in September 2022, followed by the Dominican Republic in June 2023. The seminar on Mozambique marks the first meeting of this kind held on the African continent.
The objective was to identify and kick-start processes of mutual support and exchange of experiences and information related to territorial approach and multi-level, multi-actor dialogue. Additionally, the aim was to highlight the benefits of decentralised cooperation, local governments, and territories.
Invited organisations showcased the most relevant aspects of their work in the country, always within the context of decentralised cooperation and a territorial approach. Given the significant role of EU Delegations in the current programming period, they must comprehend how decentralised cooperation can contribute to achieving EU priorities.
The agenda covered topics such as decentralised cooperation by European sub-national governments, a presentation of Mozambique’s sub-national governments, and the EU priorities in Mozambique for 2021-2027 and available instruments.
A space for dialogue
The discussions underscored the critical need for this kind of dialogue. It highlighted the importance of partners coordinating and understanding each others’ work, as they ultimately serve the same objectives.
The presentations made during the seminar provided better insight into the initiatives and activities of the entities in Mozambique, opening a significant space for dialogue and work to harmonise territorial development strategies.
The importance of fostering greater alignment between decentralised cooperation and the EU’s external action to avoid misalignment in working with partners on the ground was emphasised.
FAMSI, which brings together 130 local governments and 60 collaborating entities, operates with a territorial and multi-actor approach that aligns with EU priorities, Spanish cooperation, and regional governments, bridging the local and global levels. PLATFORMA recognises FAMSI as a leading partner in creating opportunities for engagement with EU Delegations, emphasising the importance of multi-level, multi-actor, and multisectoral coordination.
As the partnership between local and global entities is highlighted as a crucial strategy for development policy, FAMSI intends to continue hosting seminars in the second half of 2024 in Senegal and Morocco within the same framework.
