[{"bbox": [79, 121, 241, 146], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## Lessons Learnt:"}, {"bbox": [79, 172, 1150, 254], "category": "Text", "text": "Belize benefitted from substantial grant funds from the European Union over the past decades. While interventions have produced many good and visible results as well as valuable experiences on all levels of project design and implementation, lessons must be drawn in particular to the following aspects:"}, {"bbox": [117, 254, 1151, 360], "category": "List-item", "text": "* Due to its small economy and limited institutional capacities, the country's absorption capacity is restricted, which refers to both, financial commitments and complex technical designs. Future interventions should therefore strive for simple actions, precisely defined responsibilities and close supervision / monitoring of involved stakeholders;"}, {"bbox": [117, 362, 1151, 549], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The traditional EDF structure of National Authorizing Officers has demonstrated to be limited in terms of inter-ministerial and multi-sector coordination which are key for the new partnerships, widened in scope, complexity and implementation modalities. The government of Belize has recognised that enhanced institutional coordination and stronger leadership will increase efficiencies and widen opportunities at regional level and entered into a reflection process for a more flexible institutional setup and better networking for EU cooperation. The new structure would also attempt to create better synergies and involvement of other international partners through donor coordination;"}, {"bbox": [117, 549, 1151, 630], "category": "List-item", "text": "* The project designs have not always followed a demand-driven approach, needs assessments, stakeholder participation was limited, and accountability and visibility have not always been implemented with the necessary dynamic."}, {"bbox": [79, 654, 1151, 759], "category": "Text", "text": "The present action includes many activities to overcome these limiting factors for guaranteeing a successful implementation of the MIP, and ensuring enhanced public awareness, understanding and support for the EU's partnership with the country. The new institutional interface for the EU - Belize (MSEFP) represents the cornerstone and main stakeholder."}, {"bbox": [101, 805, 402, 837], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 3.5. The Intervention Logic"}, {"bbox": [71, 848, 1160, 980], "category": "Text", "text": "The underlying intervention logic for this Cooperation Facility is that increased institutional capacities at the MSEFP and bundled responsibilities and authority for the EU - Belize partnership are indispensable for strong leadership at all institutional levels of Belize, facilitating efficient project implementation. In turn, successful technical and financial execution will result in genuine appropriation of the MIP actions by public bodies, involved stakeholders and final beneficiaries."}, {"bbox": [71, 981, 1160, 1168], "category": "Text", "text": "By targeting general public through strategic communication, we can measurably increase awareness, understanding and approval of the EU's partnership with the country, as well as its role in the region and world. By doing so, we build support for priorities identified under the EU-Belize partnership. Likewise, increased coordination with stakeholders and the wider international community at country and regional level will enhance more relevant and effective opportunities, complementarities and synergies for the achievement of selected SDG targets. As a consequence, concrete results and visible benefits for the targeted regions and sectors, as well as for the wider population of the country will strengthen the partnership between Belize and the European Union at all levels."}, {"bbox": [71, 1168, 1160, 1248], "category": "Text", "text": "The design and operation of a participatory monitoring system, the collaboration with a donor coordination mechanism, and the action plan for SDG achievement will strengthen institutional capacities and thematic know-how, hence building up strong leadership and ensure appropriation."}, {"bbox": [71, 1273, 689, 1307], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 4. IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS"}, {"bbox": [101, 1336, 385, 1368], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 4.1. Financing Agreement"}, {"bbox": [71, 1404, 952, 1434], "category": "Text", "text": "In order to implement this action, it is envisaged to conclude a financing agreement with Belize."}, {"bbox": [101, 1475, 514, 1508], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 4.2. Indicative Implementation Period"}, {"bbox": [71, 1519, 1160, 1600], "category": "Text", "text": "The indicative operational implementation period of this action, during which the activities described in section 3 will be carried out and the corresponding contracts and agreements implemented, is 60 months from the date of entry into force of the financing agreement."}, {"bbox": [71, 1600, 1160, 1653], "category": "Text", "text": "Extensions of the implementation period may be agreed by the Commission's responsible authorising officer by amending this Financing Decision and the relevant contracts and agreements."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1660, 1160, 1686], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 9 of 13"}]