Objectives of the Unit:

The EDF NAO Support Unit has the overall objective to reinforce the effectiveness of EDF assistance (European Development Fund) in its contribution to poverty alleviation.
The EDF is the major vehicle for development cooperation between the European Union and 78 States that make up the African, Caribbean and Pacific group (ACP).
As stated in the Cotonou Agreement (Annex IV, article 35), the Government of each ACP State is expected to appoint a National Authorizing Office (NAO) to represent it in all operations financed from the Fund resources managed by the European Commission and the European Investment Bank (for few projects).
Accordingly in Rwanda, the appointed NAO is the Minister of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) who has established the EDF NAO Support Unit that facilitates discharging of its responsibilities in the implementation of the cooperation with the European Commission.
Specifically, the EDF NAO Support Unit aims at:
 

• Reinforce the MINECOFIN capacities to program, manage, coordinate and control the resource allocation of the EDF aid;
• Improve the effectiveness of the EDF financed projects in Rwanda.

Functions of the Unit:

• define the objectives and priorities on which the indicative programmes are based, in harmony with the Country Development Strategies;
• be responsible for the coordination, programming, regular monitoring and annual, mid-term and end-of-term reviews of the EDF implementation cooperation;
• ensure programme formulation after appropriate consultations with line ministries;
• prepare and present programmes and projects to the EU for approval;
• launch tenders, prepare, negotiate and conclude contracts;
• regular monitoring and operational follow up of EDF programmes and projects.

 
Framework of the EDF Cooperation
Currently the Rwanda-EU cooperation is governed by the Cotonou Agreement which was signed between the EU and all ACP Countries on June 23^rd 2000 in Benin and revised on June 25^th 2005 in Luxembourg. The Cotonou Agreement which last for 20 years, is centered on a common objective of reducing poverty, consistent with the goals of achieving sustainable development and gradual integration of the ACP Countries into the world economy.
The bilateral cooperation between the Government of Rwanda and the EC is based on the Rwanda 10^th EDF Country Strategy Paper and National Indicative Programme (CSP/NIP) signed in December 2007 for five years (2008-2013), in support to Government policy in three areas:
 

• Governance,
• Rural development and,
• Infrastructure.

 
Major part of the 10^th EDF portfolio (around 80%) is committed to be disbursed through General Budget Support and Sector Budget Supports.