The Pacific Regional Indicative Programme (PRIP) encompasses all Pacific regional projects funded through the European Development Fund (EDF).
The European Union is a major donor to Pacific ACP Countries. Cooperation between Europe and the Pacific region dates back to 1975. Over this period, the EU has provided the Pacific ACP with a total of EUR194 million for regional projects. This is in addition to over EUR 2 billion provided to Pacific ACP countries bilaterally over the same period.
Currently, there are 15 members of the Pacific ACP Group. The eight original Lomé signatories are: Fiji, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati, Vanuatu, Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands.
In 2000, six new members - Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshal Islands, Nauru, Niue and Palau - became signatories to the Cotonou Agreement. Finally, in May 2003 Timor L’Este became the 15th member to join the Pacific ACP Group.
Regional Programming is undertaken jointly by the Regional Authorising Officer (RAO) on behalf of the 15 National Authorising Officers (NAO), and by the Head of Delegation for the European Commission for the Pacific. The RAO is the Secretary General of the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat.
Project identification and formulation is conducted through working groups consisting of all ten Council of Regional Organisations in the Pacific (CROP). Regional Non-state actors (NSAs), and other relevant donors and organisations often attend these group sessions. This consultative process reduces the risk of duplication of activities, at the same time, increases the prospects for building complementary programmes. Individual Pacific ACP countries are also able to submit proposals for regional funding consideration, however, such proposals must be consistent with the objectives of the agreed Regional Strategy Paper and the terms of the Cotonou Agreement .
The functions of the RAO are similar to that undertaken by NAO at country level. The RAO coordinates EDF regional programming and ensures that all PRIP projects are implemented according to the rules and conditions of the EDF. The RAO is dually accountable for programme expenditure to Pacific ACP NAOs and to the Chief Authorising Officer off the European Commission.
Much of the RAOs work focuses on the administration of PRIP programmes, the closing and evaluation of completed programmes and the coordination and development of new projects. A technical adviser and officer and two administrative assistants within the Development and Economic Policy Division, Forum Secretariat, undertake the day-to-day work of the RAO.
Currently the RAO is the contracting authority for 12 major regional projects valued at over EUR 61.2 million. Combined, these project employ over 50 staff.
