Latest News

Mid-term review "in country" phase extended to 15 November - 21.10.09 - The European Commission has put back the deadline for its Heads of Mission in ACP countries to submit draft mid-term review reports until 15 November.  This is to ensure that there civil society and other non state actors are engaged in the preparation of the draft report.  The Commission's Director General for Development has informed Heads of Mission that there must be an effective involvement of civil society for the draft reports to be accepted in Brussels. See note to delegations


08-06-09- Gabon's leader Bongo died - The president of Gabon, Omar Bongo, has died after 41 years in power in the west central African country.  Read BBC article


New website for journalists provides single entry point to EU development cooperation. -

DevWire.eu is a unique website set up to help journalists covering EU development cooperation. The site is a comprehensive one-stop shop presenting relevant, up-to-date and reliable news from a variety of sources, such as the European Institutions, NGOs, think tanks and media.
Find the Press Release, go to Devwire.eu



EU-ACP Council of Ministers - EU-ACP Council of Ministers to be held on 29 May in Brussels. Find the provisionnal agenda here


Guidelines for MTR - 05.08.09. EC announces the guidelines for the Mid-term review will be ready by June 12th. (see here)

Phases of the project cycle
The project cycle consists of five main phases.

Here are quick definitions of these five main phases. For detailed information on each of these phases, please click on the links.

  1. Programming: The first phase of the project cycle during which the indicative programme is prepared.

  2. Identification: The second phase of the project cycle. It involves the initial elaboration of the project idea in terms of its relevance and likely feasibility, with a view to determining whether or not to go ahead with a feasibility study (Formulation).

  3. Formulation: The third stage of the project cycle. The primary purpose of this phase is to: (i) confirm the relevance and feasibility of the project idea as proposed in the identification/project fiche; (ii) prepare a detailed project design, including the management and coordination arrangements, financing plan, cost-benefit analysis, risk management, monitoring, evaluation and audit arrangements; and (iii) prepare a financing proposal (for individual projects) and a financing decision.

  4. Implementation: The fourth phase of the project cycle during which the project is implemented and progress towards achieving objectives is monitored.

  5. Evaluation: The fifth and final phase of the project cycle during which the project is examined against its objectives and lessons are used to influence future actions.

Click on the following links for more information on the tools available for the achievement of each phase of the cycle as well as on the reponsibilities of EC delegations: