Report from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on the activities of the EU Platform for Blending in External Cooperation since its establishment until end July 2014

The Agenda for Change emphasises the support of inclusive growth and job creation as a key priority of EU external cooperation. In this context, blending is recognised as an important vehicle for leveraging additional resources and increasing the impact of EU aid.

In accordance with Decision No 1080/2011/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council of 25 October 2011 on the EU guarantee for European Investment Bank (EIB) external lending, the Council and the European Parliament requested that the Commission study, and subsequently report upon, the development of an "EU Platform for External Cooperation and Development" with a view to optimising the functioning of mechanisms for the blending of grants and loans in the field of external action.

In its subsequent report to the Council and EP on 26 October 2012, the Commission proposed setting up the new EU Platform for Blending in External Cooperation (EUBEC) as a Commission Group of Experts. Accordingly, the Platform was formally launched at the first meeting of the "Policy Group" which took place on 14 December 2012.

In line with the commitment that the Commission will report to the EP and Council, this document represents the first such report and covers the work of the Platform since its establishment on 14 December 2012 until end July 2014.

EUR-Lex: COM(2014)733: Follow the progress of this report through the decision-making procedure http://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/HIS/?uri=COM:2014:733:FIN

EurActiv, 02.10.15: Commission says blending of funds produces 'huge' results http://www.euractiv.com/sections/development-policy/commission-says-blending-funds-produces-huge-results-318197

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