AGENDA FOR HUMANITY

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1B

Act early

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will continue to intensify its partnership on conflict prevention with the UN and commit to work with regional organisations to increase their prevention and mediation capacities, where relevant in partnership with the UN.
Partnership
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

The EU will actively use its Early Warning System for Conflict to identify and anticipate risks of conflict or escalation of existing conflict in order to inform decisions on the prioritisation of resources.
Operational
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

The EU will continue to deploy its Special Representatives and Special Envoys, also with conflict prevention mandates, where they can provide added value to its Member States and wider international efforts.
Operational
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

The EU will implement its comprehensive approach to preventing conflicts and resolving crises. It will increase the use of conflict analysis, including jointly with international partners, to inform its strategy development and programming, and to assess the impact on addressing conflict causes, as well as consequences.
Operational
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

The EU will more systematically capture, share and reflect on good practices and lessons learned on prevention within EU institutions, with EU Member States and with international partners, including with the UN, building on the now-established annual conflict prevention dialogue.
Operational
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to act early upon potential conflict situations based on early warning findings and shared conflict analysis, in accordance with international law.
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

Commit to make successful conflict prevention visible by capturing, consolidating and sharing good practices and lessons learnt.
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU has instated many tools for conflict prevention that could serve as a model for others, for example: the EU Conflict Early Warning System (EWS); a light-touch methodology for joint conflict analyses with international partners; and a comprehensive approach to external conflicts and crises; all of which better harness the EU's full potential to support conflict prevention activities. However, in a more challenging global political context, the full implementation of these initiatives is even more important and further actions and innovative solutions are urgently needed.
Achievements at a glance

In June 2016, the EU presented a new Global Strategy for the EU's foreign and security policy to ensure its institutions, expertise, and instruments work together and with Member States in conflict prevention. The EEAS established a single focal point for conflict related issues, namely prevention, response, resolution and stabilisation. The EU improved its Conflict EWS to better identify strategic conflict prevention activities. The EU delivered training to EU Special Representatives and Envoys to strengthen their prevention roles, such as in Colombia. The EU further strengthened partnerships with international and regional organisations (e.g. with the World Bank on fragility, conflict and violence as well as on Recovery and Peace Assessments); the EU-UN conflict prevention partnership meetings now take place annually; the EU continued support to early warning capacities of OAS, ASEAN, CARICOM and LAS, and played a role on the IDPS and the implementation of the New Deal.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU external action on conflict prevention further improved through early identification of risk of violent conflict, and closing the gap to early action; better understanding of conflict situations (root causes, actors and dynamics); enhanced identification of the range of options for EU action; and conflict-sensitive programming of external assistance.
Challenges faced in implementation

Conflict prevention activities are always sensitive for third party supporters and communication and messaging becomes very important.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU plans to continue the implementation of the WHS commitments by e.g. increasing the number of joint conflict analyses and conflict sensitivity trainings, as well as deployment of EU Special Representatives with stronger prevention mandates.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Act early', what would it be

It is crucial to recognise the need for continous and targeted conflict analysis to ensure strategic, effective and conflict sensitive prevention support to third parties.
Cross cutting issues

☑Innovation ☑ Urban
Specific initiatives

☑Global Partnership for Preparedness

1C

Remain engaged and invest in stability

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will increase expert capacity in its delegations on conflict-affected and fragile states. It will establish a professional career development stream including of cross-cutting advisers who can work across the political-security-development fields.
Capacity
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to improve prevention and peaceful resolution capacities at the national, regional and international level improving the ability to work on multiple crises simultaneously.
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

Commit to sustain political leadership and engagement through all stages of a crisis to prevent the emergence or relapse into conflict.
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

Commit to address root causes of conflict and work to reduce fragility by investing in the development of inclusive, peaceful societies.
Political Leadership to Prevent and End Conflicts

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU is able to employ its wide array of external assistance instruments in support of conflict prevention and peace building. The EU is one of the biggest donors in this area.
Achievements at a glance

In cooperation with EU Member States, the EU deployed cross-cutting technical experts to the field. The EU increased capacity-building activities for EU Delegation staff worldwide, including on conflict analysis and sensitivity skills. Through its Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace, the EU supported security initiatives and peace-building activities in 70 countries so far, for example where a crisis is unfolding, or long-term support to global and trans-regional threats.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU further improved the links between early warning and early action by engaging EU staff in the field. The EU improved early warning capabilities of civil society actors around the world through dedicated funding.
Challenges faced in implementation

The current financial climate is not conducive to increasing staff capacities in the field.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU plans to work closer with EU Member States to better coordinate activities in the field and benefit from their expertise.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Remain engaged and invest in stability', what would it be

There is a need for truly cross-cutting conflict experts in the field to cover development-political-security nexus.
Cross cutting issues

☑Innovation

2A

Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will propose new Protection Guidelines that will provide guidance on programming, monitoring and evaluation of protection in humanitarian crises. They will also set the framework for building the capacities of the international humanitarian system with respect to protection in humanitarian crises.
Policy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to promote and enhance the protection of civilians and civilian objects, especially in the conduct of hostilities, for instance by working to prevent civilian harm resulting from the use of wide-area explosive weapons in populated areas, and by sparing civilian infrastructure from military use in the conduct of military operations.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Ensuring protection of populations is a core objective of EU humanitarian action, as defined by the 1996 Humanitarian Aid Regulation and confirmed by the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid. The EU has funded protection interventions with an aim to prevent, reduce and respond to the risks and consequences of violence, deprivation and abuse. The EU has also financially supported the Global Protection Cluster.
Achievements at a glance

In May 2016, the EU developed new policy guidelines "Humanitarian Protection: Improving protection outcomes to reduce risks for people in humanitarian crises", which outline the definition and objectives of the Commission’s humanitarian protection work. The document provides guidance for the programming of protection work in humanitarian crises, for measuring the effect of interventions, and for planning related capacity building activities.
How is your organization assessing progress

Protection remains a key priority both in policy and operational terms. The new policy guidelines will continue to guide EU action in protection work.
Challenges faced in implementation

There is a continued need to ensure that the centrality of protection remains at the heart of humanitarian action and is further promoted and strengthened.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will pursue the roll-out and dissemination of its new policy guidelines on protection, including through dedicated trainings and awareness-raising. The EU will explore possibilities for strategic and systematic funding of relevant protection activities.
Cross cutting issues

☑Humanitarian principles
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑2B - Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

2B

Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to support awareness-raising and trust building activities to ensure respect for the medical mission and the emblems of the Red Cross and the Red Crescent or other identification for health care.
Advocacy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU commits to support relevant States and non-state actors implementing or reinforcing context-specific measures to enhance physical safety of health care personnel and infrastructure.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU commits to support training on the rules protecting the provision of health care and the applicable sanctions to armed and security forces, as well as on rights and responsibilities of all health care personnel, including on ethical principles.
Training
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU commits to uphold and promote the humanitarian principles by increasing the visibility and understanding of the humanitarian mandate and promoting the knowledge and respect for the humanitarian principles through the implementation of the European Consensus on Humanitarian Aid.
Policy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will engage in regular strategic discussions with Member States on principled humanitarian action and IHL in order to increase the understanding and respect of the humanitarian mandate.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will promote the knowledge and respect for IHL and the humanitarian principles, notably by strengthening the knowledge of Member State and EU staff active in humanitarian contexts and promoting initiatives that disseminate and provide training on IHL and the humanitarian principles, with a view to enhancing protection efforts.
Training
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will promote the understanding of the humanitarian mandate at the political level and strengthen humanitarian advocacy in particular by targeting non-humanitarian actors at the international, EU and national level.
Advocacy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to ensure all populations in need receive rapid and unimpeded humanitarian assistance.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Commit to promote and enhance efforts to respect and protect medical personnel, transports and facilities, as well as humanitarian relief personnel and assets against attacks, threats or other violent acts.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Over the last decade systematic violations of IHL have been on the rise, the Syria conflict being a case in point. Some of the most recurrent violations affecting humanitarian action are direct attacks on the civilian population, attacks on civilian facilities such as schools and hospitals, denial of access to humanitarian aid and attacks on humanitarian workers. The EU is a key donor of humanitarian operations, and violations of IHL heavily impact and hamper the EU's investments in meeting needs of the affected populations and imperil the security of the EU's humanitarian partners and own staff in the field.
Achievements at a glance

The EU promoted respect for IHL through political bilateral dialogues, multilateral fora (e.g. follow-up of UN Security Council resolution 2286, negotiations of the annual UN General Assembly resolution on safety and security of humanitarian personnel, Switzerland-ICRC IHL compliance process), field missions (e.g. of Commissioner Stylianides, where he advocates with authorities for IHL respect), and public statements (e.g. 31 October 2016 by HR/VP Mogherini and Commissioner Stylianides on West Aleppo). The EU provided humanitarian funding for dissemination of information on IHL, training on IHL and the humanitarian principles, and enhancing awareness among relevant professionals, especially those working in contexts where IHL is violated. The EU organised training courses internally and to Member States on civil-military relations. The EU engaged in strategic discussions with Member States on principled humanitarian action and IHL.
How is your organization assessing progress

Follow-up and implementation of the 'EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law' by EU institutions as well as EU Member States.
Challenges faced in implementation

Mainstreaming of the promotion and respect for IHL throughout all relevant EU activities requires further strengthening.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to implement the 'EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law' including by improving the reporting on the implementation by EU and its Member States. The EU will continue to advocate and reach out to third countries on compliance with IHL as well as to actively support the follow-up of UN Security Council resolution 2286, including the recommendations by the UN Secretary-General to ensure enhanced protection of medical and humanitarian personnel and hospitals. The EU will organise further training courses on the EEAS crisis management structures.
Cross cutting issues

☑Humanitarian principles
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑2A - Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

2D

Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU underlines that those who have committed serious crimes of concern to the international community, including war crimes, crimes against humanity or the crime of genocide must be brought to justice. In line with its efforts to fight impunity, the EU commits to continue to promote the universality and preserve the integrity of the Rome Statute; include the fight against impunity for the most serious crimes of international concern as one of the shared values of the EU and its partners through the insertion of provisions concerning the ICC and international justice into its agreements with candidate countries and third parties; to continue its support to the Court, civil society and to the third States interested in receiving assistance in order to become party to the Rome Statute or to implement it.
Advocacy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will continue its efforts in promoting dissemination and training in international humanitarian law in third countries, including in peacetime, in particular to national authorities, armed non-state actors and humanitarian actors.
Training
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will contribute to preventing and responding to all forms of violence against girls and women, including sexual and gender-based violence in conflict. It will support political, legislative and judicial action to protect girls and women, and to prosecute perpetrators; will ensure the regular collection of reliable and comparable prevalence data as well as administrative data on violence against women and girls; will invest in governmental and non-governmental services and institutional capacity building; and will promote behavioural change through public and media campaigns.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

The EU will provide policy support and expertise to help host governments put in place legislation giving displaced people access to the formal labour market and decent work and protecting them from labour exploitation.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

The EU will work towards eradicating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence, to ensure that survivors are treated with dignity and receive necessary support to help rebuild their lives, and to hold perpetrators accountable for their crimes.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Commit to speak out and systematically condemn serious violations of international humanitarian law and serious violations and abuses of international human rights law and to take concrete steps to ensure accountability of perpetrators when these acts amount to crimes under international law.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Implement a coordinated global approach to prevent and respond to gender-based violence in crisis contexts, including through the Call to Action on Protection from Gender-based Violence in Emergencies.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

It is an EU top priority to ensure that perpetrators of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity are held accountable for their actions, and to achieve justice for the victims of those crimes. Thus, the EU has been a strong supporter of the International Criminal Court (ICC) and the universality of the Rome Statute, based on a 2011 Council Decision and a 2011 Action Plan on its implementation. The EU Global Strategy explicitly commits the EU to promote international criminal law and the universality of the Rome Statute. The EU has also been strongly involved in preventing and combating...
Achievements at a glance

The EU supported the ICC in multilateral fora, through financial assistance, bi-annual demarche campaigns, and public statements, notably on the notifications of withdrawal by South Africa, Burundi and Gambia. The EU continued implementing the 'EU Guide to Practical Actions for Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict'. It funded projects on violence against women, e.g. a survey across 10 countries in South Eastern Europe (€2 million), and a project on transitional justice processes in Kosovo, Colombia and the Philippines (€3.5 million). The EU also allocated €18 million of humanitarian aid to prevention and response to GBV in 84 projects, including in Syria, DRC and Somalia. The EU adopted a new Code of Conduct and Discipline for EU civilian CSDP missions. It also remained an active member of the Call for Action on Protection from GBV in emergencies.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU assesses progress through regular reporting on the implementation of the 2011 EU Action Plan by EU institutions and EU Member States; the 'EU Guide to Practical Actions for Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict'; sexual and gender-based violence related indicators regarding implementation of EU policy on Women, Peace and Security; EU's second Gender Action Plan for the period 2016-2020; EU Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019; EU Guidelines on Violence Against Women; EU Comprehensive Approach on Conflict and Crisis; reporting to the UN on the operationalisation of the Responsibility to Protect.
Challenges faced in implementation

The notifications of withdrawal from the Rome Statute by South Africa, Burundi and Gambia raised serious concerns of the EU and its Members States.

Main challenges relating to violence against women include: growing linkages between trafficking in persons and conflict-related sexual violence; ensuring a localised multi-stakeholder approach, based on supporting relevant local actors through formal partnerships, including civil society organisations; addressing sexual exploitation and abuse in peacekeeping, crisis management and humanitarian settings.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to implement the 2011 Council Decision and 2011 Action Plan on its implementation, including through political advocacy and outreach to promote the universality principle and to encourage pro-ICC African mobilisation and prevent withdrawals from the Rome Statue. The EU will continue to implement the 'EU Guide to Practical Actions for Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict' (SVC), support projects and cooperation with UN SRSG on SVC, continue advocacy through high-profile statements, and adopt upgraded Generic Standards of Behaviour, applicable to both civilian and military CSDP missions and operations.
Cross cutting issues

☑Gender ☑ Humanitarian principles
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑3D - Empower and protect women and girls

2E

Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to strongly support the establishment of a regular, voluntary, meeting of states to provide a forum for discussing thematic issues and reports of national implementation of IHL.
Advocacy
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to promote and enhance respect for international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and refugee law, where applicable.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The multiplication of crises and armed conflict with dire humanitarian consequences has continued. The number of forcibly displaced persons has been unprecedented since World War II and the protection of civilians in conflicts remained an acute concern of the EU. Syria, as well as emergencies that risk being forgotten, have shown that civilians, especially women and children, bear the brunt of today's conflicts.
Achievements at a glance

The EU continued to strongly promote compliance with IHL, in particular the Geneva Conventions, including through public statements. The EU and its Member States continued to implement the EU Guidelines on IHL. In order to improve implementation of international humanitarian law at the national level, the EU offered political and technical support to third countries in their efforts to adopt national legislation pertaining to their international humanitarian law obligations. The EU also funded programmes to help build effective and accountable security and justice sectors.
How is your organization assessing progress

Regular reporting on the implementation of the 'EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law' by EU institutions as well as EU Member States.
Challenges faced in implementation

Ensuring that the promotion of and respect for international humanitarian law is mainstreamed throughout all relevant EU activities remains a challenge.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to implement the 'EU Guidelines on International Humanitarian Law' including by improving the reporting on the implementation by EU institutions and EU Member States. The EU will continue advocacy and outreach to third countries on compliance with international humanitarian law standards.
Cross cutting issues

☑Humanitarian principles ☑ IDPs

3A

Reduce and address displacement

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to enhance coordination among all the instruments of EU external action to better contribute to stability and resilience as well as to tackle the root causes of humanitarian crises, irregular migration and displacement.
Partnership
Leave No One Behind

The EU commits to help host governments develop integrated approaches to providing services and developing social protection programmes for both the displaced and host communities.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will assist diaspora and civil society initiatives to increase the self-reliance of the forcibly displaced and their integration into host communities.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will engage with host governments to provide policy support for legally anchoring the protection and socioeconomic inclusion of forcibly displaced people in local and national development plans. Special regard will be paid to the needs of vulnerable people due to gender, age and disability.
Policy
Leave No One Behind

The EU will ensure that joint analyses and preventive action address risks and consequences of forced displacement. The EU will apply the lessons learned from the resilience approach more consistently to situations of forced displacement. The lessons point to the need for joint analysis of risks and vulnerabilities, joint strategic programme design and humanitarian-development frameworks for addressing the needs of the most vulnerable.
Policy
Leave No One Behind

The EU will promote access to all forms of legal registration for all displaced populations, whilst ensuring protection of personal data in full respect of international standards. This includes registering births to ensure that displaced children are included in the civil registration system of the host country and to prevent the emergence of new stateless populations.
Advocacy
Leave No One Behind

The EU will promote and support the extension of security and justice services to refugees and forcibly displaced people.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will provide budget support to public services as well as other service providers, including civil society organisations under pressure in order to complement host government actions and address shortcomings, whenever possible.
Financial
Leave No One Behind Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will provide policy support and expertise to help host governments put in place legislation giving displaced people access to the formal labour market and decent work and protecting them from labour exploitation.
Operational
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

The EU will provide support to host countries to facilitate access to quality education, at all levels, to all internally displaced and refugee children and youth. The EU will support host countries in analysing educational levels and needs and ensuring a greater continuity between education in emergencies and non-formal education and/or the public education services. The EU will support financially and operationally the good functioning of public education services while promoting equal access to education for displaced children, particularly girls. The EU will facilitate access to universities, also by offering scholarships, and put in place higher education distance learning and certified higher education programmes which provide flexible accreditation.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will set out a proposal framing its policy on resettlement, providing a common approach to safe and legal arrival in the EU for persons in need of protection.
Policy
Leave No One Behind

The EU will systematically include forcibly displaced persons and their host communities in the programming, design and implementation of international cooperation and assistance interventions.
Operational
Leave No One Behind Invest in Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to a new approach to addressing forced displacement that not only meets immediate humanitarian needs but reduces vulnerability and improves the resilience, self-reliance and protection of refugees and IDPs. Commit to implementing this new approach through coherent international, regional and national efforts that recognize both the humanitarian and development challenges of displacement. Commit to take the necessary political, policy, legal and financial steps required to address these challenges for the specific context.
Leave No One Behind

Commit to promote and support safe, dignified and durable solutions for internally displaced persons and refugees. Commit to do so in a coherent and measurable manner through international, regional and national programs and by taking the necessary policy, legal and financial steps required for the specific contexts and in order to work towards a target of 50 percent reduction in internal displacement by 2030.
Leave No One Behind

Acknowledge the global public good provided by countries and communities which are hosting large numbers of refugees. Commit to providing communities with large numbers of displaced population or receiving large numbers of returnees with the necessary political, policy and financial, support to address the humanitarian and socio-economic impact. To this end, commit to strengthen multilateral financing instruments. Commit to foster host communities' self-reliance and resilience, as part of the comprehensive and integrated approach outlined in core commitment 1.
Leave No One Behind

Commit to collectively work towards a Global Compact on responsibility-sharing for refugees to safeguard the rights of refugees, while also effectively and predictably supporting States affected by such movements.
Leave No One Behind

Commit to actively work to uphold the institution of asylum and the principle of non-refoulement. Commit to support further accession to and strengthened implementation of national, regional and international laws and policy frameworks that ensure and improve the protection of refugees and IDPs, such as the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees and the 1967 Protocol or the AU Convention for the Protection and Assistance of Internally Displaced Persons in Africa (Kampala convention) or the Guiding Principles on internal displacement.
Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The importance of coordination and complementarity between the different areas of EU external action/aid was identified in the European Development Consensus. With the aim to address forced displacement more effectively and to gradually end dependence on humanitarian assistance in displacement situations, the EU proposed a new policy framework in its Communication "Lives in Dignity: from aid dependence to self-reliance". The EU actions on resettlement and effective integration could be strengthened through joint actions.
Achievements at a glance

In its external cooperation, the EU mobilized a broad set of external cooperation instruments: humanitarian and development funding (including trust funds), the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), political dialogue and, in Jordan, simplified rules for exports. Numerous actions were launched to improve access to basic services through national systems, e.g. education, health or water for both displaced and host communities, and access to employment, while closely coordinating humanitarian and development interventions. IcSP and trust funds strengthen early engagement, complementing EU humanitarian action. Joint assessments and humanitarian and development frameworks improved coordination. The EU proposed "Union Resettlement Framework" for more predictability and harmonization. An Action Plan on the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and a Proposal for a Regulation on Qualification provided legal, policy and support measures to enhance integration.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU has significantly stepped up and diversified its external engagement to address the effects of forced displacement and tailored its actions in line with its WHS commitments. The Resettlement Framework Proposal is currently being discussed by EU co-legislators. A number of Member States have already amended legislation and/or practices to implement new requirements regarding access to integration facilities in line with the Proposal for a Regulation on Qualification.
Challenges faced in implementation

While refugees can make positive contributions to their host societies, their socio-economic integration and in particular access to the labour market is often perceived as politically sensitive. The high-level agreement found in the Jordan Compact is therefore a welcome example of addressing host country concerns. Similarly, the inclusion of refugees in national development plans, a good practice e.g. in Uganda, requires both host countries responding to their responsibility and development partners to share that responsibility. Within the EU, implementation of the Qualification Directive is uneven due to varying support for integration.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The European Parliament, the Council and the Commission are currently discussing the Commission's proposal for a new European Development Consensus. It is hoped the institutions could agree a final text in the first half of 2017. By capitalising on existing good practices, identifying remaining gaps and promoting learning lessons the EU will continue to adapt the way it addresses forced displacement situations in line with its new approach. The EU will also continue close cooperation with UNHCR under the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. Discussions on the Union Resettlement Framework and the Qualification Directive will continue.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Reduce and address displacement', what would it be

It is critical to agree on ways to share responsibility based on a better understanding of the impact of forced displacement. Forcibly displaced persons need to benefit from appropriate measures to promote their socio-economic integration.
Cross cutting issues

☑IDPs ☑ Refugees
Specific initiatives

☑Commitment to Action: Transcending the humanitarian - development divide ☑ Platform on Disaster Displacement
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑4C - Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

3B

Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for migration

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will propose an action plan on integration of third country nationals that will consist of concrete actions to be undertaken at EU level to support Member States in their integration efforts.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Following the entry into force of the EU-Turkey Statement, permanence of migrants on islands where a hotspot is present is currently longer than foreseen. In this framework, the European Commission, EU agencies and national authorities, supported by international organisations, are on the ground to ensure prioritised registration procedures for minors and other vulnerable migrants so that minors can be transferred swiftly to dedicated centres.
Achievements at a glance

Building on the existing resettlement initiatives at EU level as well as on the experience gained through national resettlement programmes, the Commission adopted a proposal for a Regulation establishing a Union Resettlement Framework with the objective to facilitate the EU policy on resettlement and provide for a more predictable, collective, and harmonised approach with unified procedures.
How is your organization assessing progress

The proposal is currently being discussed by the co-legislators, the Council and the Parliament.
Cross cutting issues

☑IDPs ☑ Refugees
Specific initiatives

☑Commitment to Action: Transcending the humanitarian - development divide ☑ Platform on Disaster Displacement
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑3A - Reduce and address displacement

3D

Empower and protect women and girls

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to adapt its humanitarian assistance to the specific needs of women, girls, boys and men in emergencies through the use of the gender and age marker.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU commits to contribute in a measurable manner an increase in girls' and women's action, voice and participation in social, economic, political and civil life, in particular in crisis situations.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU reconfirms its commitment to UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and its follow-up resolutions, and to fully implement the EU's second Gender Action Plan for the period 2016-2020, which provides a results-oriented framework to advance the agenda for gender equality and women's empowerment in all EU external relations.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will contribute to reduce under-nutrition and stunting among children, particularly under the age of 2 years, and for pregnant and lactating women. The overall budget planned for this purpose is EUR 3.5 billion in the period 2014-20.
Financial Contribution
Leave No One Behind Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Empower Women and Girls as change agents and leaders, including by increasing support for local women's groups to participate meaningfully in humanitarian action.
Leave No One Behind

Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Programme of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the Outcome documents of their review conferences for all women and adolescent girls in crisis settings.
Leave No One Behind

Ensure that humanitarian programming is gender responsive.
Leave No One Behind

Fully comply with humanitarian policies, frameworks and legally binding documents related to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women's rights.
Uphold the Norms that Safeguard Humanity Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU adopted a gender approach to humanitarian aid as quality criterion for effective programming that reaches the most vulnerable. The EU Gender Action Plan 2016-2020 aims to transform lives by promoting and protecting women and girls' rights. Since 2008, the EU has been implementing a Comprehensive Approach on the implementation of the UNSG resolutions 1325 and 1820 on Women, Peace and Security(WPS), as an instrument for conflict prevention, security, peace, gender equality, human rights and sustainable development. In 2012, the EU committed to support partner countries to reduce stunting in children under 5 years by 7 million by 2025.
Achievements at a glance

Since 2014, the EU uses a gender-age marker to assess to what extent each humanitarian action integrates gender and age considerations. In 2016, the EU allocated € 1.8 million of the humanitarian budget to global capacity building projects on gender and gender-based violence (GBV). In the context of WPS, in 2015 the EU pledged concrete actions to promote women's participation and leadership, end GBV in conflict, further integrate the gender dimension into countering emerging threats, and strengthen cooperative frameworks. WPS, gender equality and women's empowerment were included in the EU Global Strategy. The EU adopted indicators to broaden the way of measuring progress in implementing EU framework policy on WPS. The EU also funded projects aimed to achieve gender equality and women's empowerment. The prevalence of stunting in the 40 nutrition focus countries of the EC has been reduced by 2% in 4 years.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU assesses progress through regular reporting on the implementation of the EU policy on WPS; 'EU Guide to Practical Actions for Ending Sexual Violence in Conflict'; the Gender Action Plan; the EU Strategic Engagement for Gender Equality 2016-2019; the EU Comprehensive Approach on Conflict and Crisis. The EU also reports on EU's commitments under the Call to Action on Protection from GBV in Emergencies; prepares updates on implementation of EU Guidelines on Violence Against Women; develops annual reports on stunting situation, trend and projections.
Challenges faced in implementation

Main challenges include: matching political commitments with concrete actions; predictable and sustained financing; mobilizing and generating male leadership and involving men and boys; crafting a balanced and effective approach of targeted actions and effective mainstreaming, i.e. the integration of a gender perspective; government's commitment and capacity; lack of national malnutrition targets; donor coordination at country level.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue implementing its policies on gender in humanitarian aid and WPS, including by ensuring that pledges made in 2015 translate into concrete actions. It will continue awareness raising, political advocacy, bilateral and multilateral cooperation and capacity building of its staff and implementing partners on gender in humanitarian aid and WPS. The EU will promote national implementation of WPS in the EU, consolidate the European Network of Gender Focal Points and improve the gender balance within the EU institutions, including in management positions. The EU will continue working on achieving its 2020 target of €3.5B on reducing stunting.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Empower and protect women and girls', what would it be

The EU must continue turning its policies into action. Implementation requires clear leadership and management as well as resources for implementation including gender subject matter experts.

Focus on commitments that can be measured and for which there is a clear methodology; develop a specific area for nutrition on its own.
Cross cutting issues

☑Gender
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑2D - Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability ☑ 4C - Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

3E

Eliminate gaps in education for children, adolescents and young people

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will allocate 4% of its humanitarian aid budget to Education in Emergencies.
Financial Contribution
Leave No One Behind

The EU will continue its support to the Global Partnership for Education (GPE).
Policy
Leave No One Behind

The EU will continue to support access to quality education in crisis environments for host communities and internally displaced and refugee children and young people.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will focus on supporting teaching and learning in fragile and protracted crisis situations. This commitment includes support to the start-up/setting-up phase of the new platform 'Education Cannot Wait'.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

The EU will provide support to host countries to facilitate access to quality education, at all levels, to all internally displaced and refugee children and youth. The EU will support host countries in analysing educational levels and needs and ensuring a greater continuity between education in emergencies and non-formal education and/or the public education services. The EU will support financially and operationally the good functioning of public education services while promoting equal access to education for displaced children, particularly girls. The EU will facilitate access to universities, also by offering scholarships, and put in place higher education distance learning and certified higher education programmes which provide flexible accreditation.
Operational
Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU has long been a top donor and advocate for education. In last years, it has been increasingly focusing on supporting education in fragility, emergencies and protracted crises in recognition of the huge global financing gap and the unmet education needs of the most vulnerable children. The EU has also been working on linking its humanitarian and development efforts in this area. It adopted a Communication on Forced Displacement and Development in April 2016, recognising the importance of education in crises and the need for close cooperation between humanitarian and development actors to ensure longer-term perspectives from the start.
Achievements at a glance

The EU allocated €70 million of its humanitarian budget to support education in emergencies (EiE) in 2016. 60% of development country education support went to fragile states, complemented by funds through several EU crisis Trust Funds. As a major donor to the Global Platform for Education, the EU influenced international debate on education, especially in fragile states. The EU engaged actively in the start-up of Education Cannot Wait Fund: it allocated €5 million, and Commissioner Mimica participated in the Fund's High-Level Steering Group. €21 million was allocated for a new programme on education in crisis environments. €200 million of the Madad Trust Fund funded education and higher education of Syrian refugees in Syria's neighbouring countries. €25.85 million was disbursed for education in Jordan. €550 million of the EU facility for refugees in Turkey supported access to education for Syrian refugees in Turkey.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU has progressed firmly, fulfilling all of its commitments on education. Education in emergencies has been firmly established as key priority both in policy and operational terms.
Challenges faced in implementation

The EU supports education through a number of financing instruments using several channels of implementation at all levels. Coordination, including linking humanitarian and development funding, will need to be further strengthened in order to increase resource allocation efficiency and aid effectiveness in general. The EU also strives towards a more efficient coordination with its Members States. The global evidence base for EiE, including data availability and data quality, the documentation of best practices as well as research on what works, is rather scarce and should be strengthened.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to prioritise education in fragility, emergencies and protracted crises through international engagement, policy development and by funding operations. It will continue the implementation of its 2016 Communication on Forced Displacement and Development and strengthen the linkages between its humanitarian and development funding instruments and actors. The EU will continue to advocate for education as a basic need and a fundamental right of all children. In 2017 a global call for proposals will be launched (EUR 21 million) focusing on evidence based models for education in crisis affected environments.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Eliminate gaps in education for children, adolescents and young people', what would it be

The evidence base for education in emergencies and protracted crises needs to be strengthened. Innovative financing is necessary to bridge the enormous financing gap. The Education Cannot Wait Fund could truly transform how education is being financed. Therefore, its establishment should proceed at a firm pace.
Cross cutting issues

☑IDPs ☑ Refugees
Specific initiatives

☑Education Cannot Wait
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑3A - Reduce and address displacement ☑ 4C - Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides

3G

Address other groups or minorities in crisis settings

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU endorses the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action.
Policy
Leave No One Behind

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Persons with disabilities face disproportionate risks in crisis situations, therefore it is important to ensure that they are included in all aspects of relief. This requires both mainstreamed and targeted response. The Disability Charter is an important step to ensure that their needs are taken into account in humanitarian response.
Achievements at a glance

In 2016 the EU endorsed the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action. Through its funding the EU also provides specific support for those affected by disabilities in disaster and crisis-stricken areas.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU continues to engage in dialogue and cooperation with relevant stakeholders concerning the implementation of the Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action and other relevant actions to strengthen the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action.
Challenges faced in implementation

Mainstreaming of the inclusion of persons with disabilities in humanitarian action requires further strengthening.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

In the follow-up to the Summit, the EU is keen to put its commitments into practice and is currently exploring with relevant actors how to take the WHS commitments forward.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disability
Specific initiatives

☑Charter on Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Humanitarian Action

4A

Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to scaling up cash-based assistance.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

The EU will boost its engagement with local host authorities to increase their capacity in areas such as urban planning, local area-based economic development and service delivery, including through decentralised cooperation (e.g. city to city cooperation).
Capacity
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will facilitate cooperation between the private sector and host governments and local authorities in order to boost complementary actions.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will increase social protection programmes and strengthen national and local systems in order to build resilience in fragile contexts.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will provide budget support to public services as well as other service providers, including civil society organisations under pressure in order to complement host government actions and address shortcomings, whenever possible.
Financial
Leave No One Behind Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will provide international support and coordination with clear assessments of how to complement local and national leadership in order to avoid building parallel international response mechanisms.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will support greater collaboration between regional organisations, including through the ROHAN network.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Through the EU Aid Volunteers programme, the EU commits to contribute to the strengthening of local capacity and resilience building of disaster-affected communities outside of the EU, by supporting capacity building, including on DRR, of at least 100 humanitarian organisations and local communities working in disaster-affected countries, and by training and deploying approximately 4000 volunteers to strengthen humanitarian aid operations globally by 2020.
Capacity
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Commit to reinforce national and local leadership and capacities in managing disaster and climate-related risks through strengthened preparedness and predictable response and recovery arrangements.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Commit to increase investment in building community resilience as a critical first line of response, with the full and effective participation of women.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Commit to ensure regional and global humanitarian assistance for natural disasters complements national and local efforts.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Launched in 1996, the Disaster Preparedness ECHO programme (DIPECHO) is the core element of EU's global efforts to increase local communities resilience, in which it has thus far invested €325 million. The EU Aid Volunteers initiative was established in 2014 to, inter alia, strengthen the capacity of non-EU based organisations to prepare and respond to humanitarian crises and to improve their volunteer management with a 2020 target to train 4400 people from non-EU disaster-affected countries. The EU has also used development cooperation to support local authorities (LA) on urban planning, local area-based economic development and service delivery.
Achievements at a glance

The EU supported the START network to enable local actors to respond in anticipation of crises. The DIPECHO programme helped nine disaster-prone regions to increase communities' resilience through training, local early warning systems and contingency planning, stocks of emergency and relief items, and small-scale infrastructure and services. Furthermore, within the EU Aid Volunteers initiative, 66 organisations were involved in the implementation of 6 capacity building projects and 22 organisations in 4 technical assistance projects to strengthen their management and operational systems. In addition, 28 capacity building projects were implemented and signed with Local Authorities (LA) for total amount of €15.8 million. At a country level, €50 million were contracted to support LA as important stakeholder for improving service deliveries to citizens.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU-funded activities reinforced local systems and helped the most vulnerable communities in rural and urban areas to be better prepared for and more resilient to natural hazards. This was achieved by setting up disaster committees, developing contingency plans, early warning systems and evacuation routes, and identifying safe places to evacuate. Projects also promoted coordination between disaster management institutions at all levels, from local to national and supra-national, in order to ensure that legislation is adopted or adapted and budgets are foreseen for preparedness and timely response.
Challenges faced in implementation

Lack of coordination by local authorities and their insufficient empowerment by the existing administrative system are among the main challenges. Decentralisation has three components: administrative, political and fiscal decentralisation. The administrative and the political components are sometimes in place; however resources and competences are often concentrated in the services of the central government.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to implement DIPECHO programmes. The EU will implement its 2017 work programme of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative. The EU will increase the number of National Associations of Local Authorities supported by the EU's Thematic Budget line and will prepare multi annual programme for 2018-2020 with a stronger focus on cities and urbanisation.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems', what would it be

It is important to continue supporting local authorities as an important actor of governance, in line with the priorities identified in the European Consensus on Development; concerning all bilateral and other development cooperation instruments.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disaster Risk Reduction ☑ People-centred approach
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑5A - Invest in local capacities

4B

Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to improve the planning of disaster response operations under the Union Mechanism, including through scenario-building for disaster response, asset mapping and the development of plans for the deployment of response capacities.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

By the end of 2017, through support from the EU and other INFORM partners, INFORM partners will work with local stakeholders to develop INFORM subnational models in at least 8 priority countries and 3 regions; implement a training programme for staff of INFORM partner organisations, regional organisations and governments to help them use and develop INFORM subnational; improve and increase tools, guidance and capacity to support the rollout of INFORM subnational worldwide. INFORM partners will continue to publish the INFORM global risk index for humanitarian crises and disasters on an annual basis; provide technical support to regional and national actors, including governments, wishing to develop an INFORM subnational model.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to contribute to the development and better integration of transnational detection and early warning and alert systems in order to enable a rapid response, including through the Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System (GDACS), and to continue providing disaster managers with timely and accurate geo-spatial information, such as satellite-based maps for preparedness, emergency response and recovery monitoring of major disasters through the Copernicus Emergency Management Service.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to develop and implement an action plan on the Sendai Framework for disaster risk reduction, translating the Sendai Framework priorities across EU policies, and supporting a disaster risk-informed approach of all EU policies.
Policy
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to enhance preparedness and response capacities for disasters with health consequences, and cooperation between health authorities and other relevant stakeholders, through the Implementation of the European Medical Corps (EMC), aimed at mobilising medical and public health experts and teams for preparedness or response operations.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to facilitate the sharing of good practices and improvements in disaster risk management policy and operations through mutual learning and expert review, including through voluntary peer reviews implemented in 6 EU neighbouring countries between 2016 and 2018.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to further support the global and subnational development and use of the Index for Risk Management (INFORM) to enable open and shared analysis for better risk-based decision-making.
Financial
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to promote synergies and enhance coherence between risk management and climate change adaptation in its work to implement the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, and in particular in its efforts to contribute to the global goal for adaptation to enhance adaptive capacity, strengthen resilience and reduce vulnerability to climate change and to support the work of the UNFCCC "Warsaw International Mechanism to address loss and damage due to climate change".
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to strengthen coherence between climate change adaptation strategies and risk management plans at national level in third countries, including through the support provided by the 'Global Climate Change Alliance+' ('GCCA+') programme.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to strengthen national and local capacity to prevent and respond to crises and to support the development of local and national disaster risk reduction strategies, with the active engagement of civil society, through EU development assistance in vulnerable countries, in particular Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), by 2020.
Capacity
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to support global risk analysis through its online knowledge hub Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC) that allows for a strengthened engagement with the research community to better 1) address disaster risk management knowledge and technology gaps, 2) encourage stronger science-policy interface in decision-making and 3) contribute to reducing the information gap in the immediate aftermath of a disaster by providing timely and reliable scientific information for early actions.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to support improved regional coordination efforts aimed at reducing disaster risks and improving preparedness, including through projects aimed at strengthening the disaster risk management capacities of regional inter-governmental organisations.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to support the collection and sharing of disaggregated baseline data on disaster loss and damage through EU development assistance in at least 20 countries (in particular in Sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific) at the local and national level by 2020.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to support the development of local and national disaster risk reduction strategies, with active engagement of the civil society, through the EU development assistance in at least 20 most vulnerable countries, mainly Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) until 2020.
Policy
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU commits to support through EU development assistance by 2020 at least 20 cities in third countries, including crisis-prone cities, to strengthen their capacities in addressing disaster risks at the local level and in developing and implementing national disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies.
Capacity
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

The EU commits, through the support system of the online knowledge hub Disaster Risk Management Knowledge Centre (DRMKC), further engagement with the research community to better address disaster risk management knowledge and technology gaps and to encourage stronger science-policy interface in decision-making.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will establish and strengthen regular policy and operational exchanges as well as strategic dialogue and sharing of best practices with a view to identifying synergies between humanitarian aid, development cooperation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk management.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will perform joint, multi-hazard risk analysis and multi-year planning, with national, regional and local coordination in order to achieve collective outcomes. Risk will be shared between humanitarian, development, stabilisation and peace-building communities.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

The EU will prioritise prevention, mitigation and preparedness for early action to anticipate and reduce humanitarian need. Prioritisation will need to be the focus not only of aid organisations and donors but also of national governments at all levels, civil society, and the private sector.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to a new way of working that meets people's immediate humanitarian needs, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years through the achievement of collective outcomes. To achieve this, commit to the following: a) Anticipate, Do Not Wait: to invest in risk analysis and to incentivize early action in order to minimize the impact and frequency of known risks and hazards on people. b) Reinforce, Do Not Replace: to support and invest in local, national and regional leadership, capacity strengthening and response systems, avoiding duplicative international mechanisms wherever possible. c) Preserve and retain emergency capacity: to deliver predictable and flexible urgent and life-saving assistance and protection in accordance with humanitarian principles. d) Transcend Humanitarian-Development Divides: work together, toward collective outcomes that ensure humanitarian needs are met, while at the same time reducing risk and vulnerability over multiple years and based on the comparative advantage of a diverse range of actors. The primacy of humanitarian principles will continue to underpin humanitarian action.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

Commit to accelerate the reduction of disaster and climate-related risks through the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as other relevant strategies and programs of action, including the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Commit to improve the understanding, anticipation and preparedness for disaster and climate-related risks by investing in data, analysis and early warning, and developing evidence-based decision-making processes that result in early action.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU played a key role in the negotiations of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). It has also invested in decision-making based on evidence and science. The EU, together with IASC Task Team for Preparedness and Resilience and other partners, developed INFORM - a global, open-source risk assessment for humanitarian crises and disasters, which guides evidence-based, risk-informed and coordinated decisions on the prioritisation of actions, resource allocation, and joint humanitarian-development planning and programmes.
Achievements at a glance

The EU released an action plan (2016-2020) with 51 actions to implement the Sendai Framework and promote integration of DRR in EU policies. The EU continued to implement its Action Plan for Resilience (APR) in crisis prone countries 2013-2020. The EU supported INFORM: its technical development, additional 5 sub-national models, and the 2017 global results. It consolidated the DRMKC platform providing access to knowledge, partnerships, and channels for innovation. The EU in partnership with UNISDR supported two DRR programmes to: build capacity on disaster loss databases in 12 African countries, share knowledge among 15 countries in 3 regions to integrate DRR and CCA in development planning and public investments. The EU supported its MS to improve their capacity to assess disaster risks, collect and record loss and damage data, and self-assess DRM capability. It contributed to the work of the Executive Committee of the Warsaw Mechanism for Loss and Damage.
How is your organization assessing progress

The online DRMKC platform has become a point of reference to build knowledge and create networks across science and policy in DRM. Activation of the support service determined the level of interest from stakeholders to benefit from this service. Support to partner countries on DRR is continuously monitored, and an independent evaluation started to assess its quality, delivery and impact. The EU will bi-annually monitor the implementation of its Sendai Action Plan. All results are available on INFORM's website. The EU also integrates specific indicators on DRR and resilience, monitors implementation of the EU APR and related EU funded programs.
Challenges faced in implementation

Challenges include: scaling up and cross-sectorial momentum to improve access to DRM knowledge; on DRR programmes, providing the appropriate level of technical support to strengthen national capacities in disaster risk management, and ensure its sustainability; low capacity in some partner countries even when resources are available to invest in capacity building; coherence between various global initiatives (SDGs, Sendai, WHS, Paris agreement, etc.).
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will adopt a new policy framework on resilience and will update the Sendai action plan based on the first monitoring results. Additionally 2 sub-national INFORM models, the INFORM training and guidance package will be completed. The EU will identify activities to improve engagement with the broader DRM community. The evaluation of the EU adaptation strategy will reflect how DRR-CCA synergies can be developed. It is also expected that the risk knowledge will be applied in the processes of main-streaming DRR and CCA in public investment and risk financing.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Anticipate, do not wait, for crises', what would it be

- Ensure strong coherence between various international processes.
- Collaborate around shared and agreed priorities.
- Capacity building requires engaging authorities and their political will as well as clear guidance to all relevant stakeholders, including donors and authorities.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disaster Risk Reduction ☑ Innovation
Specific initiatives

☑Global Partnership for Preparedness ☑ Risk and Vulnerability Data Platform

5A

Invest in local capacities

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will build and strengthen the institutional and operational preparedness and response capacities of local and national responders over longer periods of time by increasing and supporting investment, including through collaboration with development partners.
Financial
Invest in Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to empower national and local humanitarian action by increasing the share of financing accessible to local and national humanitarian actors and supporting the enhancement of their national delivery systems, capacities and preparedness planning.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU has taken coordinated action to address extreme poverty and vulnerability, invest in risk management and build local capacities for pre-emptive and early action. The EU played an important role at the World Humanitarian Summit held in May 2016 and during the negotiations which created the Grand Bargain (GB) and the commitment for signatories to improving aid efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, the EU has invested in local capacities through a dedicated disaster preparedness programme (DIPECHO) and EU Aid Volunteers initiative.
Achievements at a glance

In the context of Grand Bargain work on localisation, the EU provided technical support for the establishment of the localisation marker, in particular regarding parameters on tracking funding flows of local and national responders. The EU's DIPECHO programmes increased local actors' and communities' resilience through training, establishing or improving local early warning systems and contingency planning. DRR was "integrated" into EU humanitarian assistance in 43% of all projects in 2016. The EU used the Enhanced Response Capacity instrument to fund pilot initiatives (e.g. the NEAR network and Demac project) to reduce barriers to direct funding to local responders, promoting partnerships and facilitating their inclusion in the humanitarian system. The EU further built capacity of local staff and volunteers of organisations in countries hit by disasters through its EU Aid Volunteers initiative.
Challenges faced in implementation

Discussions in the localisation marker Working Group show that there is still a long way to integrate a participatory approach in the process. Despite calls for broader participation and consultation (including online consultations), local and national actors are still under-represented in a process which is critical for the success of localisation. This shows that more effort still need to be made to bring change in mindset within the humanitarian system.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU will continue to engage in discussions on localised response in the context of Grand Bargain. The EU will implement its 2017 work programme of the EU Aid Volunteers initiative.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disaster Risk Reduction ☑ People-centred approach
Specific initiatives

☑Grand Bargain
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑4A - Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems ☑ 5E - Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

5B

Invest according to risk

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to support effective risk financing and insurance solutions for vulnerable people and critical public assets at risk, including through the ACP-EU DRR IntraACP programmes funded by the European Development Fund (EDF).
Financial
Invest in Humanity

The EU commits to support through EU development assistance by 2020 at least 20 cities in third countries, including crisis-prone cities, to strengthen their capacities in addressing disaster risks at the local level and in developing and implementing national disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation strategies.
Capacity
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to accelerate the reduction of disaster and climate-related risks through the coherent implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change, as well as other relevant strategies and programs of action, including the SIDS Accelerated Modalities of Action (SAMOA) Pathway.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Commit to invest in risk management, preparedness and crisis prevention capacity to build the resilience of vulnerable and affected people.
Invest in Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU has invested in evidence and risk-based decision-making, including by supporting INFORM (global, open-source risk assessment) and the DRM Knowledge Centre. Disaster risk financing is one of priorities in the EU Resilience Action Plan and the EU Sendai Action Plan. As example in this area the EU development cooperation thematic program Global Public Goods and Challenges supports 3 programmes, namely the ACP-EU Natural Disaster Reduction Programme (as of 2011, covering ACP countries), the Africa Disaster Risk Financing (ADRF) Programme (launched in 2014) and the Partnership for Disaster Risk Financing Analytics (started in 2016).
Achievements at a glance

See also self-report on transformation 4B. Under the ACP-EU NDRR Programme, at least 13 ACP countries benefited from technical assistance to develop disaster risk financing and insurance strategies, through national or regional level. The main achievements so far are in the Pacific, the Caribbean and Indian Ocean Community. The Africa DRF Program started work on identifying risk financing needs and priorities, and defining work programs in 12 African countries. 5 multiple-hazard country risk profiles, analytical studies for 2 countries, disaster risk financing diagnostics reports in 4 countries, and a Understanding Risk and Finance Conference (Nov 2016), attended by 450 participants. To date the ADRF trained about 200 people in risk financing. The recently-started Disaster Risk Financing Analytics partnership initiated the development of a suite of standardized “parent” disaster risk financing analytics decision-making tools that will be piloted in 3 countries.
How is your organization assessing progress

Under the 3 programs, progress is monitored through a monitoring framework developed specifically for each program. The monitoring frameworks allow to assess the progress made by each program against the targets, outcomes and outputs specifically agreed between the EC and the World Bank/GFDRR, before the launch of the programs. The monitoring frameworks are updated every six months, and achievements presented in the programs’ related Steering Committees.
Challenges faced in implementation

Given the differing needs and priorities of countries across the region, each country progresses at its own pace. The policy area of disaster risk financing is largely a new one in Africa, therefore the program includes both key activities that are similar across countries and activities addressing specific needs expressed by governments. In the Pacific, the Caribbean and Central America where the risk financing agenda is much more advanced, the main challenges are now to deepen the implementation of the risk financing strategies, to scale up the insurance coverage of the countries and to enhance and leverage achievements ...
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The ADRF program will continue the implementation of ongoing activities aiming at creating the enabling environment for risk financing, formulating risk financing priorities in the 12 countries and beyond, and facilitating risk financing knowledge sharing. In other regions of the World such as South East Asia, preparatory work still needs to be undertaken to start developing risk financing solutions to countries that have important exposure and vulnerabilities to disasters.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disaster Risk Reduction ☑ Innovation
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑4B - Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

5D

Finance outcomes, not fragmentation: shift from funding to financing

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU will increase multi-year, collaborative, and flexible planning and multi-year funding.
Financial
Invest in Humanity

The EU will systematically include forcibly displaced persons and their host communities in the programming, design and implementation of international cooperation and assistance interventions.
Operational
Leave No One Behind Invest in Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to enable coherent financing that avoids fragmentation by supporting collective outcomes over multiple years, supporting those with demonstrated comparative advantage to deliver in context.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Commit to promote and increase predictable, multi-year, unearmarked, collaborative and flexible humanitarian funding toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of humanitarian action for affected people.
Invest in Humanity

Commit to broaden and adapt the global instruments and approaches to meet urgent needs, reduce risk and vulnerability and increase resilience, without adverse impact on humanitarian principles and overall action (as also proposed in Round Table on "Changing Lives").
Invest in Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

The EU implemented programs under multi-year planning and funding strategies in relation to Disaster Preparedness (DP), Enhanced Response Capacity (ERC) and Children of Peace - Education. With the launch of the Grand Bargain negotiations, in which the EU was a committed participant, multi-year planning and funding was one of the ten work streams selected as having serious potential for increased efficiency and effectiveness, resulting in better delivery to beneficiaries. As such, the EU is working on expanding its multi-year planning and funding strategies and allocations.
Achievements at a glance

As a result of the Grand Bargain discussions, the EU launched exploratory work to expand its multi-year planning and funding strategies, as it has large potential for efficiency and effectiveness gains in terms of enabling reduced costs of implementation, preparedness and early-warning and linking humanitarian and development programming innovative ways of working.
How is your organization assessing progress

Change of programming practice (planning and funding) including assessment of cost efficiency and effectiveness due to the award of multi-year grants.
Challenges faced in implementation

Without prejudice to the final decision to be made on moving towards multi-year planning and funding, the following challenges can be expected:
1) Operationalization of multi-year strategies whilst ensuring flexibility within multi-year grants, to adapt to changing humanitarian context and/or needs,
2) Balancing annual budgetary allocations from central authorities with multi-year funding allocations to partners, and
3) Ensuring multi-year funding allocations are 'downstreamed' from first recipient to implementing partner, so as maximize efficiency and effectiveness gains.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

1) Determining how multi-year planning and funding can be further operationalized in DG ECHO's humanitarian programming,
2) Working together with DG ECHO partners on developing best practices in multi-year funding and planning, especially in connection with ongoing work on humanitarian-development nexus, early warning/preparedness and localization agenda,
3) Working together with other donors, in the context of GHD, on developing best practices through case studies/research initiated by Canada/FAO and others.
Cross cutting issues

☑Disaster Risk Reduction ☑ Social protection
Specific initiatives

☑Grand Bargain
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑4C - Deliver collective outcomes: transcend humanitarian-development divides ☑ 5E - Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

5E

Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency

Individual Commitment

Commitment
Commitment Type
Core Responsibility

The EU commits to scaling up cash-based assistance.
Operational
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

The EU will continue to report development and humanitarian support to the International Aid Transparency Index (IATI) Registry and will encourage others to also report to the IATI Registry.
Operational
Invest in Humanity

The EU will engage strategically with non-DAC donors, regional organisations and the private sector with a view to enhancing the more effective involvement of a wider variety of actors active in humanitarian contexts.
Partnership
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Core Commitment

Commitment
Core Responsibility

Commit to increase substantially and diversify global support and share of resources for humanitarian assistance aimed to address the differentiated needs of populations affected by humanitarian crises in fragile situations and complex emergencies, including increasing cash-based programming in situations where relevant.
Change People's Lives: From Delivering Aid to Ending Need Invest in Humanity

Commit to promote and increase predictable, multi-year, unearmarked, collaborative and flexible humanitarian funding toward greater efficiency, effectiveness, transparency and accountability of humanitarian action for affected people.
Invest in Humanity

What led your organization to make the commitment?

A solid evidence base confirms that cash-based assistance can be an efficient means of delivering humanitarian assistance, which needs to be scaled-up. Cash offers dignity, choice and flexibility for beneficiaries; it is about greater efficiency, value for money and ultimately improved effectiveness for donors and taxpayers. A multi-purpose (cash) response means doing things differently, through joined up programming of assistance, joint assessments, coordination of actors and coordinated targeting. The best response is well-designed and context specific, selecting the most appropriate modality (or combination of modalities) for the situation.
Achievements at a glance

The EU adopted Common Principles for Multi-Purpose Cash-Based Assistance to respond to Humanitarian Needs, subsequently endorsing them at political level through Council Conclusions. The principles were developed to guide donors and humanitarian partners on how best to work with multi-purpose assistance and make the link with longer term resilience building and national social protection systems. Cash based assistance was the key component of the EU's largest ever single operation - the contribution to the ESSN (Emergency Social Safety Net) in Turkey. In January 2017, the EU issued Guidance to partners on how to implement medium and large-scale cash transfer programmes. In order to improve transparency, the EU published data giving full details of activities to the IATI standard on a monthly basis. The EU also strengthened outreach to the private sector, calling for its increased engagement in using their comparative advantage to address growing humanitarian needs.
How is your organization assessing progress

The EU improved data gathering according to each delivery modality. Since the second half of 2016, proposals need to differentiate by delivery modality and identify the amount of the transfer reaching the beneficiary. The EU continues to advocate with partners to consider a cash response in all cases and to provide suitable justification for the choice of delivery modality. The EU is externally assessed both by the Publish What You Fund "Aid Transparency Index" and the transparency monitoring of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).
Challenges faced in implementation

Scaling up cash-based assistance beyond current levels is certainly possible. However, the availability of financial service operators or a means to delivery mobile money is needed to make delivery more secure and efficient. Not every context lends itself to this and staff and implementing partners need to become familiar with the technological and financial tools that are necessary when working with cash and to systematically consider cash alongside other delivery options. In terms of transparency, internal management systems are not all configured for IATI requirements.
Next step to advance implementation in 2017

The EU aims to deliver 35% of its humanitarian assistance in the form of cash-based assistance in 2017. Efforts will be made to obtain a better understanding of where and why different modalities are used, with a view to identifying opportunities to scale up the use of cash transfers in all areas and across all sectors. Implementation of the Guidance Note on cash will ensure that the cash delivery elements of medium and large programmes can be isolated with a view to harnessing maximum efficiencies. To improve transparency, the EU will include more detailed information in IATI publications.
If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Diversify the resource base and increase cost-efficiency', what would it be

Cash transfers are an appropriate response across sectors. Efforts need to be made to scale up the use of cash, in particular where a response involves the need for goods or for services which can be accessed through a payment.
Cross cutting issues

☑Cash ☑ Private sector
Specific initiatives

☑Charter for Change ☑ The Connecting Business Initiative
Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

☑4A - Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

Attachments

WHS Commitments Attachments
Transformation - 4B | Private sector
WHS Commitments Attachments
Transformation - 4C | Food Security, People-centred approach, Social protection
WHS Commitments Attachments
Transformation - 4A | Disaster Risk Reduction, Humanitarian principles | Regional Organisations Humanitarian Action Network (ROHAN)

Annual Report Details

European Union

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Register Commitments

Self Report 2017

1B Act early

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Act early', what would it be

Cross cutting issues

Specific initiatives

1C Remain engaged and invest in stability

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Remain engaged and invest in stability', what would it be

Cross cutting issues

2A Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

Cross cutting issues

Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

2B Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

Cross cutting issues

Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

2D Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

Cross cutting issues

Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

2E Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

Cross cutting issues

3A Reduce and address displacement

Individual Commitment

Core Commitment

What led your organization to make the commitment?

Achievements at a glance

How is your organization assessing progress

Challenges faced in implementation

Next step to advance implementation in 2017

If you had one message for the annual report on what is most needed to advance the transformation 'Reduce and address displacement', what would it be

Cross cutting issues

Specific initiatives

Other related Agenda for Humanity transformations

3B Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for migration

Individual Commitment

1B

Act early

1C

Remain engaged and invest in stability

2A

Respect and protect civilians and civilian objects in the conduct of hostilities

2B

Ensure full access to and protection of the humanitarian and medical missions

2D

Take concrete steps to improve compliance and accountability

2E

Uphold the rules: a global campaign to affirm the norms that safeguard humanity

3A

Reduce and address displacement

3B

Address the vulnerabilities of migrants and provide more regular and lawful opportunities for migration

3D

Empower and protect women and girls

3E

Eliminate gaps in education for children, adolescents and young people

3G

Address other groups or minorities in crisis settings

4A

Reinforce, do not replace, national and local systems

4B

Anticipate, do not wait, for crises

5A

Invest in local capacities