Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC) concentrates on six priority regions in Africa, Asia, Central America, South Eastern and Eastern Europe, because bundling programmes and projects to focus on a selection of partner countries is the only way to make efficient use of available funds.

Harnessing expertise in priority areas

ADC supports its partners and cooperates with them in areas where Austria has gained sound specialist know-how and long-standing experience. Country strategies, sectoral and regional programmes as well as guidelines for joint operations are developed in dialogue with partner countries. Non-governmental organisations, experts and other donor countries are also involved in this consultation process to assure coherent and efficient outcomes.

The thematic priorities of Austrian Development Cooperation are water and sanitation, rural development, energy, private-sector development, education and science, governance.

Keeping the main aims in view

In its programmes and projects, ADC always pays attention to gender equality and takes the needs of children and persons with disabilities into consideration. Its prime goal is supporting its partners in reducing poverty, preserving environmental resources and safeguarding peace and human security.

In Austria, bilateral development assistance, that is, direct cooperation between two states, is largely implemented by the Austrian Development Agency, the operational unit of ADC. Multilateral development cooperation is coordinated directly by Department VII.1 in the Foreign Ministry. Pursuing the same aims, multilateral and bilateral programmes are interlinked to harness synergies.