[{"bbox": [83, 122, 1147, 176], "category": "Text", "text": "that conservation of biodiversity, proper land management and fighting climate change is critical to ensuring that Zambia achieves its aspirations of a green economy and attainment of socio-economic development for all."}, {"bbox": [83, 201, 1147, 600], "category": "Text", "text": "Today the country is faced with many challenges. Zambia continues to struggle to translate economic growth into poverty eradication and reduction of inequalities, despite impressive growth rates in the last decade and reaching low middle-income status (LMIC) in 2011. Zambia is once again in the throes of a debt crisis, having borrowed extensively during the last decade, and now being unable to service the debt. Exogenous shocks (climate change, COVID-19 pandemic) have amplified Zambia's macroeconomic vulnerabilities, which have increased over the years, as long-awaited structural reforms and their implementation have not yet taken place. This, combined with a depreciation of more than 50% of the Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) versus the USD and a consequent inflation exceeding 15% in 2020³, has resulted in recession and a default on the debt in 2020. The long-term economic and fiscal consequences, including access to finance, shrinking fiscal space and further currency depreciation negatively impacts Zambia's competitiveness and economic recovery. In December 2020, Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) launched the Economic Recovery Programme 2021-2023, as a successor to \"Zambia plus\"⁴ under the 7th NDP, largely under-implemented and falling short of its targets⁵. However, it should be noted that the Kwacha has appreciated significantly since May 2021. There has also been a successful presidential transfer of power as a result of the general elections held in August 2021. H.E. Hakainde Hichilema was elected. This has led to watchful donor and investor optimism and created expectations from the Zambian population at large which remain to be translated in action."}, {"bbox": [83, 625, 1147, 785], "category": "Text", "text": "Zambia is a country of young people, with the majority of the population under the age of 35 (83 %), out of which 46 % are children (0-14 years) and 37 % youth (15-35 years). The estimated median age is 17.6 years (2020), which is one of the lowest in the region and globally. With an average population growth of 3 % per year, an increasing number of youth is looking for access to social services and employment while the situation is currently already constrained. Youth unemployment rate has reached nearly 52% driven to a great extent by a persisting mismatch between job, relevant skills and training and employment opportunities⁶."}, {"bbox": [83, 810, 1147, 996], "category": "Text", "text": "In Zambia, poverty is increasing in absolute and relative terms. 54.4 %⁷ of the population (60.5 % according to the WB latest estimates⁸) is considered poor and 40.8% extremely poor. Poverty is primarily a rural phenomenon as 77 % of the poor population live in rural areas. Rapid urbanisation, due to rural poverty and lack of prospects in rural areas, risks to further aggravate the situation. Zambia is among the countries with the highest income inequality levels in the world⁹. Zambia's malnutrition rates remain among the highest in the world. The country ranked 143 of 189 in the 2019 Human Development Index, with 48 % of the population unable to meet their minimum calories requirements, and more than one-third of children under five years are stunted."}, {"bbox": [83, 1022, 1147, 1103], "category": "Text", "text": "Gender inequality remains highly prevalent and all pervasive in Zambian society. A significant barrier to gender equality are the prevailing gender and social norms that limit female access to most sectors including education and health (especially sexual and reproductive health) services."}, {"bbox": [83, 1128, 1147, 1338], "category": "Text", "text": "Zambia is characterised by large regional socioeconomic disparities, while GRZ's shrinking fiscal space is crowding out social sector spending. Where relevant, the EU engagement will address opportunities and challenges of specific territories, in view of ensuring an inclusive and sustainable development. As far as possible and when assessed more efficient, a geographic approach of EU engagement in Zambia will be carried out through integrated, cross-sectoral actions, particularly in the governance and social sectors. \"Team Europe\" (EU and EU member states) and \"whole-of-society\" approaches will be at the core of the EU action in Zambia, and engagement with non-governmental actors will be essential. Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) are expected to play a key role in the implementation of the 2021-2027 MIP."}, {"bbox": [72, 1360, 325, 1391], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2 Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [83, 1404, 1147, 1483], "category": "Text", "text": "EU's cooperation in Zambia requires technical assistance aimed at policy implementation, support for policy development and new programme identification, specific capacity building related to new policy orientations and programmes, and complementary activities such as strategic communication in focal sectors. These may be in the"}, {"bbox": [72, 1532, 471, 1551], "category": "Footnote", "text": "³ Bank of Zambia, Statistics Fortnightly Time Series"}, {"bbox": [72, 1552, 613, 1570], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁴ The Economic Stabilization and Growth Programme (ESGP) 2017-2019"}, {"bbox": [72, 1571, 727, 1590], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁵ Issues Paper for the 8th NDP, ministry of national development Planning, November 2020"}, {"bbox": [72, 1591, 1082, 1610], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁶ https://www.zamstats.gov.zm/phocadownload/2010_Census/2010%20Census%20of%20Population%20National%20Analytical%20Report.pdf"}, {"bbox": [72, 1611, 694, 1629], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁷ Living Conditions and Monitoring Survey - 2015. Central Statistical Office, Lusaka."}, {"bbox": [72, 1630, 985, 1648], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁸ World Bank estimates, international poverty rate (USD 1.9 in 2011 PPP) - Macro Poverty Outlook, Sub-Saharan Africa 10/2020."}, {"bbox": [72, 1649, 326, 1667], "category": "Footnote", "text": "⁹ Gini index 49.5 (2018) - Ibid"}, {"bbox": [1072, 1667, 1158, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 19"}]