The Civil Protection Financial Instrument supports and complements the efforts of Member States for the protection, primarily of people, but also of the environment and property, including cultural heritage, in the event of natural and man-made disasters, acts of terrorism and technological, radiological or environmental accidents. It also intends to facilitate reinforced co-operation between Member States in the field of civil protection. The Emergency Response Centre of the European Commission co-ordinates assistance on the European level in the event of disasters.
The Instrument for Pre-Accession provides financial support to the enlargement countries in their preparations for EU accession.
The European neighbourhood Instrument promotes enhanced political cooperation and progressive economic integration between the Union and its neighbouring countries. The European neighbourhood policy aims to establish an area of stability, prosperity and good neighbourliness at the EU’s external borders.
The overall objective of the Partnership Instrument is to advance and promote EU interests by supporting the external dimension of internal policies (e.g. competiveness, research and innovation, migration) and to address major global challenges (e.g. energy security, climate change and environment).
The Guarantee Fund for external Actions covers defaults on loans and loan guarantees granted to non-EU countries or for projects in non-EU countries.
The Development Cooperation Instrument focuses on combating poverty in developing countries. It will also contribute to the achievement of other objectives of EU external action, in particular fostering sustainable economic, social and environmental development as well as promoting democracy, the rule of law, good governance and respect for human rights. It consists of three categories of programmes: geographic programmes covering cooperation with Asia, Central Asia, Middle East, Latin America, and South Africa; thematic programmes to address global public goods and challenges and support civil society organisations and local authorities; and a new Pan-African programme to support the implementation of Joint Africa-Europe Strategy.
The EIDHR is designed to help civil society to become an effective force for political reform and defence of human rights. Building on its key strength, which is the ability to operate without the need for host government consent, the EIDHR is able to focus on sensitive political issues and innovative approaches and to cooperate directly with local civil society organisations which need to preserve independence from public authorities, providing for great flexibility and increased capacity to respond to changing circumstances.
Macro-financial assistance is an exceptional EU crisis response instrument. It provides loans and grants to EU neighbours dealing with serious, but generally short-term, balance-of-payments or budget difficulties. It is conditional and complements assistance by the IMF.
The aim of the EU humanitarian aid policy is to provide assistance, relief and protection to people outside the EU victims of natural or man-made disasters.
The Instrument for Nuclear Safety Cooperation finances measures to support a higher level of nuclear safety, radiation protection and the application of efficient and effective safeguards of nuclear materials in non-EU countries.