€63m to improve water in Africa

30 July 2009

Next year up to €63 million (£53.62 million) will be given to research projects aimed at improving water security in Africa.

A call for proposals has been launched by the European Commission, which will allocate the funding to schemes also intended to better health conditions and healthcare personnel, and reduce the burden of malaria, as well as newborn diseases. The initiative forms part of the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership originally agreed in December 2007 in Lisbon, Portugal.

The commission said there will also be studies to help improve sanitation and hygiene, and strengthen Africa's research base by harnessing science and technology potential.

Work will also be undertaken to challenge the impact climate change could have on the continent in the future. Forecast and early warning systems are due to be set up to address the threat of vector-borne diseases and droughts.

EU commissioner for science and research Janez Potocnik said: "We are working not only for, but with Africa."

Funding for the EU-Africa Strategic Partnership comes from a range of bodies and organisations, such as the European Neighbourhood Policy.

Category: Water