Co-operation Partnerships

Portuguese co-operation is based on a decentralised structure with a wide range of governmental and non-governmental entities from the public and private sector, both profitable and non-profitable, all with their own objectives and complementary capacities for intervention. In light of this, the main priority is to develop inclusive and comprehensive partnerships that serve to reflect the strengths of each entity. This vision involves establishing a consensus, aligning incentives and mobilising resources in a holistic manner with the aim of creating higher levels of co-operation and ensuring a joint effort among the various entities in line with the strategy set out in the Agenda 2030 programme for sustainable development.

Thus, Portuguese co-operation policy has an integrated approach, co-ordinated and supervised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to become a true pillar of foreign policy.

It is widely considered that a better division of labour, along with the adoption of new approaches (joint interventions, delegated co-operation, help based on programmes and partnerships with other entities such as the private sector) generally serve to increase the quality of co-operation. Further progress in this area requires a greater level of co-ordination on the ground, which is based on the need for strengthening local frameworks.

Co-ordination and supervision of all the co-operative development activities is the responsibility of Camões, I.P.. In this context, priority is given to the control, co-ordination and supervision of the various national partners which are there for the purpose of two main pivotal platforms: the Inter-ministerial Commission for Co-operation and the Forum for Co-operative Development (which brings together representatives of the Civil Society Organisations).

In a gradual and progressive manner, Camões, I.P. has increased the delegation’s responsibilities for the implementation of programmes, projects and activities relating to Portuguese co-operative partnerships, taking into account the comparative advantages in technical and financial terms whilst maintaining its managerial prerogatives, co-ordination and supervision covering the entire programming and project cycles, where applicable.

Portugal has been investing in this delegated form of co-operation by identifying the areas of greater interest.

Portugal has also strengthened its contact base in order to establish trilateral partnerships that contribute effectively in the development of partner countries. Such partnerships are being developed with other entities, some of which are new providers, with the main beneficiaries (although not exclusively) being the Portuguese co-operative countries and their relevant sectors where this kind of agreement provides added-value or is complementary to any bilateral support being given.

On the other hand, it should be noted that the logic of partnership has gained momentum with the investment made in developing partnerships with agencies of bilateral co-operation, particularly for the co-financing of projects and for the setting up of consortia, as well as the private sector.

Camões, I.P. has sought to establish partnerships with different governmental and non-governmental entities as well as contributing to the creation of partnerships between other national players. It also seeks to initiate partnerships between municipalities and other co-operative partners, particularly non-governmental institutions and the private sector, as part of its projects strategy in the areas of co-operation and the education for development programme (ED).

Camões, I.P. also strives to support non-governmental initiatives within the framework of financing projects in emerging countries since 2002 and funding education for development (ED) projects since 2005.

In this respect, it’s also important to mention the signed programme agreement with the Portuguese non-governmental platform from 2014-2018 which, for its part, seeks to contribute to the creation of partnerships between non-governmental institutions, universities, municipalities and organisations within the private and public sector.

In the area of education for development (ED), and in the preparation, execution and monitoring of the education for development national strategy (ENED) which ran from 2010-2015, Camões, I.P. created lasting partnerships with various governmental and non-governmental organisations. In this context, it should be noted that protocols and programme agreements were signed with key entities both at home and abroad, namely the Ministry of Education and Science, Amilcar Cabral Development Study Centre (CIDAC), Gonçalo da Silveira Foundation, Viana do Castelo Institute of Higher Education and the Global Education Network Europe (GENE).

With regard to municipalities, it should be noted that Camões, I.P. and the European Commission have supported development project networks through the Global Partnership for Effective Development Co-operation programme from 2014-2017, which has as its main objective the enlargement and consolidation of a themed network of Portuguese municipalities dedicated to the development of co-operation.

According to the terms of its implementation, Agenda 2030 seeks to establish partnerships in various shapes and sizes with a wide range of countries, including less developed and fragile states to middle-income and high-performance nations, by mobilising the various instruments and policies in place.