Flanders cuts development cooperation funding in new budget
As part of its budgetary exercise, Flanders is cutting down on development cooperation. Development cooperation policy will focus on one-off interventions in countries where, for example, an emergency has occurred. Opposition party Groen reacts with indignation.
Flanders currently spends a total of 15 million euros annually on development cooperation with Mozambique, Morocco and Malawi. The agreement with the first country has expired and will not be renewed, and the other two countries will also lose their budget. The non-profit media project MO*, which focuses on global stories, also loses its subsidy.
Development cooperation policy will focus on one-off interventions in countries where, for example, an emergency has occurred.
Opposition party Groen reacted with indignation. “Vooruit and CD&V are abandoning their values to participate in this antisocial policy,” said Nadia Naji of the Greens. “This is at the expense of the world's poorest people and the fight against the climate crisis. This government is showing its true colours: antisocial at home, cold abroad.”
According to human rights organisation 11.11.11, Flanders is “actively choosing insecurity, abandoning human rights and joining the global attack on solidarity”. “This is a Trumpian, short-sighted and anti-social policy,” added the NGO, “happening at a time of unprecedented international instability, war and attacks on human rights.”
The federal government is also cutting down on development cooperation. Earlier this year, it was announced that the federal government will spend 25 per cent less on development cooperation.
September Declaration
This Monday afternoon, Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele is delivering his September Declaration to the Flemish Parliament. In this annual policy statement, the minister president outlines the government’s assessment of the region’s social and economic situation, sets out the main policy priorities for the coming year and presents the Flemish budget.
In the coming days and weeks, the federal government also has to decide on its budget, which involves a much larger budget cut. The regional governments of Brussels and Wallonia still have to present their budget cuts.
#FlandersNewsService | Flemish minister president Matthias Diependaele © BELGA PHOTO BENOIT DOPPAGNE
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