The partnership program between the European Union and the Portuguese-speaking African countries and Timor-Leste (PALOP-TL) has mobilized, over more than three decades, approximately €120 million, with investments focused on the sectors of justice, economic governance, and culture.
The information was released on Wednesday, April 15, during the partnership’s technical meeting, which brings together representatives from member and partner countries to assess the progress of ongoing programs and prepare for the next ministerial meeting.
On that occasion, the coordinator of the EU-PALOP-TL Partnership in Mozambique, Mário Saraiva Ngwenya, highlighted the cumulative impact of the funding over the years.
“Over nearly three decades, we have mobilized approximately 120 million euros, which has enabled significant progress in the areas of justice, economic governance, and culture,” he stated.
According to Ngwenya, the projects currently underway are proceeding normally, including initiatives based in Mozambique that have a regional impact.
“We have important projects based in Mozambique with a regional scope, which reinforces the country’s role in this partnership,” he emphasized.
Although funding has already been secured, the technical meeting also focuses on consolidating ongoing initiatives and strengthening coordination among the countries. “We are here to discuss the implementation of decisions already made and to strengthen coordination mechanisms among member states,” the official explained.
For her part, Paula Vasquez Haryaans, Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation in Mozambique, explained that the current programs follow a plan previously agreed upon by the partners.
“The ongoing projects had already been approved within the framework of the partnership. At this point, the focus is on their implementation and consolidation,” said Haryaans.
Among the main programs are PROCULTURA, with a budget of around 12 million euros, and PROJUSTIÇA, with a budget of approximately 10.5 million euros, both funded by the European Union with additional support from Portugal.
“The areas of intervention were determined by consensus with the partner countries. Any new areas will depend on a joint agreement,” she added.
The meeting is taking place on the occasion of the partnership’s 35th anniversary, with the countries seeking to continue their cooperation and identify new priorities.
“The European Union remains an indispensable strategic partner for the PALOP-TL countries,” Ngwenya stated, emphasizing: “We would like integrated education to be considered a priority area, despite financial constraints.”
The meeting, which concludes on Friday (17), is attended by representatives from the six Partnership countries—Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Timor-Leste—as well as representatives from European Union delegations, partner institutions, and project implementation teams
