[{"bbox": [96, 153, 1164, 364], "category": "Text", "text": "a focus on the Zimbabwean population as beneficiary and civil society as intermediary. It avoids any direct financing of government institutions while maintaining alignment with the National Development Strategy (NDS) 1 (2021-2025)¹ according to the aid effectiveness agenda. This aims at repositioning Team Europe in the Zimbabwean landscape as a determinant approach, able to promote EU values and interests and in particular those related with gender and green economy, fundamental objectives of the Team Europe Initiatives (TEI) in the country. The action goes beyond the priority areas of the MIP to extend to substantial communication activities, public diplomacy or cultural exchanges. It fits under the Support Measures foreseen under the Multiannual Indicative Program (MIP) 2021-2027 for Zimbabwe."}, {"bbox": [96, 392, 1162, 525], "category": "Text", "text": "The overall objective of this action is to support objectives outlined in Zimbabwe's NDS 1, the implementation of the EU-Zimbabwe Multiannual Indicative Programme 2021-2027² and other EU priorities in the country. This action will support the identification, formulation, implementation, audit and evaluation of actions under the MIP or under other financial instruments implemented by the EU Delegation in Zimbabwe, as well as the awareness of the EU in Zimbabwe and the EU-Zimbabwe partnership through strategic communication and public diplomacy activities."}, {"bbox": [85, 608, 323, 640], "category": "Section-header", "text": "# 2 RATIONALE"}, {"bbox": [130, 674, 278, 701], "category": "Section-header", "text": "## 2.1 Context"}, {"bbox": [96, 731, 1163, 813], "category": "Text", "text": "Despite its considerable natural resources, Zimbabwe faces a myriad of challenges, such as recurring droughts and a free-falling economy since the early 2000s. While there are glimmers of relative stability, the country needs sound economic policies and meaningful investments to improve its developmental trajectory."}, {"bbox": [96, 824, 1164, 1196], "category": "Text", "text": "The harmonised elections held in Zimbabwe in August 2023 were a test on government's commitment to democracy and re-engagement with the international community. Unfortunately, the elections fell short of national, regional and international standards as concluded by all EOMs including the EU EOM and the SADC EOM. The main opposition rejected the results, refused to acknowledge the new administration and launched a regional diplomatic offensive calling for fresh elections. Government dismissed reports of the EOMs and started a dis-information and defamation campaign against the EU and SADC EOMs. The legacy of contested elections, legitimacy challenges and a divided nation thus continue to plague Zimbabwe for the next five years although the environment remains fluid and difficult to predict. Government is increasing its pressure and control over civil society and the opposition, overall dissatisfaction amongst the population is growing, and there are real risks of deep polarisation, shrinking of civic space, and social unrest. In this context, the EU requires a coherent, sustained and effective strategic communication and visibility to counter disinformation, communicate EU values and interests as well as the positive results of past and ongoing EU cooperation. Ongoing monitoring and periodic evaluation of the context and its impact on EU cooperation specifically and broadly EU relations with Zimbabwe is also of utmost importance in order to ensure that actions are contextually relevant and adaptable."}, {"bbox": [96, 1207, 1164, 1340], "category": "Text", "text": "The GDP growth rate reached 3.5% in 2022 and is forecasted to remain at that level in 2023, thanks to the increasing mining production and high mineral prices. The government's policies are largely interventionist and politically oriented. Though several macroeconomic criteria – such as limited fiscal deficit, positive balance of payments, and net inflows of US dollars – are positive, continued monetary mismanagement causes a steep drop in the exchange rate of the Zimbabwean dollar (ZWL)."}, {"bbox": [96, 1352, 1164, 1540], "category": "Text", "text": "The country is highly indebted and in arrears with almost all creditors. Hardly any new sovereign lending is being conceded. However, since 2022, the Government is engaged in negotiations with creditors in a high-level Dialogue on Arrears Clearance and Debt Resolution supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). Governance and economic reforms are under discussion, as well as the compensation of farmers evicted under the fast-track land reform of early 2000. While the Government hopes for quick progress and an IMF staff-monitored program, the implementation of reforms may face political and financial challenges and requires both short and long-term approaches."}, {"bbox": [85, 1572, 1145, 1646], "category": "Footnote", "text": "¹ National Development Strategy 1 „Towards a Prosperous & Empowered Upper Middle Income Society by 2030”, Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, 16 November 2020.\n2 C(2021) 9056 final."}, {"bbox": [1027, 1654, 1144, 1680], "category": "Page-footer", "text": "Page 4 of 15"}]