[{"bbox": [83, 106, 1145, 185], "category": "Text", "text": "challenges the country is facing and mitigate the risks of political destabilisation. That in turn should create an environment in which people and businesses can grow, and in which the government can mobilise the revenue to re-invest in the much needed infrastructures and human capital."}, {"bbox": [83, 212, 1145, 477], "category": "Text", "text": "The rapidly mobilised EU COVID-19 support created an unprecedented positive momentum for EU-Nigerian relations. Building on this new impetus, the 7th high-level Nigeria-EU Ministerial Dialogue took place on 18 November 2020, where both sides confirmed their commitment to reinvigorating their relationship towards a more strategic, comprehensive and balanced partnership. In this context, the present action will provide the support required to implement the strategic objectives defined in the EU-Nigeria ministerial roadmap and in the MIP 2021-2027. The new MIP aims to support EU interventions in three priority areas: (1) Green and Digital Economy; (2) Governance, Peace and Migration; and (3) Human Development. Two Team Europe Initiatives are also foreseen: \"green and digital economy\" and \"peace and governance\". The Cooperation Facility will contribute to the development and implementation of all MIP interventions, to strategic communication and public diplomacy to raise the profile of the EU in Nigeria."}, {"bbox": [83, 503, 1145, 716], "category": "Text", "text": "The Facility will build on the substantial bilateral relationship, which encompasses political, security, economic and commercial cooperation as well as an active portfolio in development programmes. However, the Nigerian public at large is often not well-informed about the EU's role as Nigeria's key partner. Knowledge amongst Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), at both Federal and State levels, about EU policies and instruments, as well as international and multilateral cooperation, could also be further enhanced. This would facilitate a more efficient and result-based policy dialogue at all levels and across the priority areas of the MIP. Particular attention will be paid to the role of the country's youth with a specific focus on jobs and growth, participation in governance, migration and mobility, and flagship initiatives such as Erasmus+ and the Youth Sounding Board (YSB)."}, {"bbox": [83, 742, 1145, 925], "category": "Text", "text": "This action contributes to the consequent fulfilment of economic and social rights, and gender equality, in line with Nigeria's international human rights commitments. It will do so through gender and human rights' analysis in order to identify specific barriers that women and persons living in vulnerable situations face, and by specifically addressing these barriers in the actions. Moreover, it contributes to the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP) III² thematic areas of engagement, namely: 1) Promoting economic and social rights and empowering girls and women; and 2) Addressing the challenges and harnessing the opportunities offered by the green transition and the digital transformation, amongst others."}, {"bbox": [175, 946, 414, 976], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.2. Problem Analysis"}, {"bbox": [83, 990, 1145, 1362], "category": "Text", "text": "The Nigerian geopolitical context and the challenges and opportunities the country represents reinforces the need to maximise the benefits of the EU-Nigeria partnership in line with the shared values, mutual interests and common objectives of both parties as highlighted in the joint communique of the EU-Nigeria Ministerial Dialogue and of the Multi-Annual Indicative Programme for Nigeria. In this context, the aim of this action is to leverage the strategic partnership already established with the Nigerian authorities, and for private and civil society actors to reinforce the overall EU-Nigeria partnership. Nigeria's future political stability, social development and economic performance will significantly impact peace, security and economic growth in the West-Africa/Sahel region and influence European interests. Engagement with Nigeria offers important opportunities - economic and political alike. Guided by these geopolitical priorities and the Nigerian development plans, this action will advance the role of the EU as a lead strategic partner in economic cooperation and investment, trade, peacebuilding, climate action, youth and women empowerment, democratic values and human rights. It will also ensure continued monitoring, policy dialogue and support towards improving the capacity of the state to source finance and utilise resources efficiently. The rising trend of insecurity and political tensions, as well as some human rights issues require the EU to intensify its engagements with the authorities around democratic governance and peace."}, {"bbox": [83, 1388, 1145, 1573], "category": "Text", "text": "While Nigeria's previous three-year development plan, the Economic Recovery & Growth Plan (2018-2020), has come to an end, a new long-term development plan is under preparation in 2021. Meanwhile, the Economic Sustainability Plan (ESP), adopted by the Federal Government in June 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, is considered the most relevant national development strategy available. In order to help Nigeria achieve its key development objectives, the MIP for Nigeria covers a range of priorities in the areas of Green and digital economy, Governance, peace and migration and Human development (including education). This action will contribute to the design and implementation of the MIP as a whole (i.e. the three priority areas)."}, {"bbox": [72, 1637, 745, 1662], "category": "Footnote", "text": "² JOIN(2020)17 final of 25.11.2020; SWD(2020)284 final of 25.11.2020."}, {"bbox": [1051, 1663, 1158, 1687], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 5 of 16"}]