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CODEV-PI visits Malawi

Under the banner of the Irish Presidency, the European Union Delegation to Malawi together with the Irish and German Embassies organised a 4-day visit for the Development Cooperation & International Partnerships Working Group of the Council (CODEV-PI). 23 delegates from 15 Member States were  joined by colleagues from the EU International Partnerships, European External Action Service, European Council, European Parliament and European Investment Bank. 

During their visit (13-16 July), delegates had the opportunity to witness firsthand, how the EU’s Team Europe approach to development cooperation demonstrates that there is “strength in unity”, and experienced how that approach translates into tangible change to the lives and livelihoods of the people of Malawi.

Codev Malawi
© Irish Embassy-Malawi

During the 4-day visit, the delegates visited a full range of EU, Team Europe, Irish and German Embassy programmes and projects, interacted with authorities, beneficiaries, project partners, CSOs, representatives of the private sector, like-minded development partners and a host of other interlocutors , which provided them with a full and multifaceted picture of what Team Europe works to achieve in Malawi. 

According to the initial echoes, a visit to a mobile health clinic providing services in the area of sexual and reproductive rights resonated greatly, as well as Malawi’s rice producers and in particular, young, bright and ambitious entrepreneurs who are working to boost the economy in exciting and innovative ways.

Following their visit, the CODEV-PI delegates will have ample space for reflections, and will take their findings back with them to Brussels, where they will percolate into the discussions and decisions around the next MFF, in the year and a half to come.

For the EU Delegation to Malawi, it was a privilege and a pleasure to be co-hosting and facilitating the visit. It offers a welcome opportunity to put the spotlight on Malawi, on our shared values and interests, and thus positively contribute to the shaping of future EU and Team Europe development cooperation policy, especially now that European and African democracies need to support one another more than ever.