The Swedish Commitment
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Sweden's interest in providing broad and
long-term support for East Africa's development efforts in
the Lake Victoria basin is motivated by the increasing
poverty in the area and by alarming, ongoing environmental
degradation.
The commitment is also based on recognition
of the area and by
alarming, ongoing environmental degradation. The commitment
is also based on recognition of the area's potential for
economic growth based on sustainable use of its natural
resources.
In
late 1999, the Swedish commitment was conceptualized in
the "Strategy for support of
Sustainable Development in
the Lake Victoria Region," passed by the Swedish government
in March 2000.
One of the
cornerstones for Sweden's planned involvement is the
experience acquired from 30 years of development cooperation
with the three riparian countries:Kenya,Tanzania and Uganda.
The
other is Sweden's successful cooperation with its neighbours
in combating the environmental thereat to the Baltic Sea and
promoting sustainable development in that region.An
absolute prerequisite for support is a strong commitment from the local
partners.
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Lake Victoria
 Sida
web page |
Intervention
Areas
At this initial stage, Sweden has
committed itself to a process, rather than to specific
sectors or projects. The gradual outcome of the process will
determine the focus for specific interventions over time.
Swedish contributions are foreseen to be directed towards:
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Support of process on
political decisions, setting regional goals and policies,
supporting the process of harmonizing laws and
regulations, and facilitating the establishment of
coordinating mechanisms; supporting capacity building,
initiating studies, establishing a database and developing
action and investment plans .
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Specific
regional level activities such as: building and
strengthening networks between relevant actors, developing
capacity through the strengthening of institutions and
research ,mapping pollution sources and unsustainable uses
of natural resources, and setting priorities for
investments.
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Activities prioritized on the
regional level, but implemented nationally or locally,
aimed at promoting sustainable development
(economic, social and environmental) in the Lake Victoria
basin. Such efforts will include expanding and refocusing
relevant ongoing Swedish supported programmes at both
national and local levels. In addition, a number of new
programmes are expected to be established in collaboration
with local and international partners.
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A few Swedish non-government
actors are already active in relevant programmes in the
lake region. The possibility to expand, and if necessary,
modify such programmes will be explored. Furthermore
,Swedish NGOs will be encouraged to take up new
activities in the basin within their respective fields of
competence and interest.
Tools To Be Applied
Sida stands ready to apply a
variety of methods and financial instruments to support
East Africa's development efforts in the Lake
Victoria region.Sida will
actively explore the potential for linking actors in the
Lake Victoria region. with those in Baltic Sea." Twinning"
between institutions, networks, municipalities and
organizations in the two regions will be encouraged.
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