Brussels, 16 August 2021 /OACPS: The ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme today announced a call for Expressions of Interest for four new countries to join the existing six focus countries supported by the ACP-EU-UNDP Development Minerals Programme.

An initiative of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), coordinated by the OACPS Secretariat, the ACP-EU Development Minerals Programme is a three-year, €11.1 million capacity building programme, which is co-financed by the European Union (EU) through the intra-ACP 11th EDF and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and implemented by UNDP. It aims is to build the profile and improve the management of development minerals and foster better livelihoods for people working along the development minerals value chain.

During Phase I in 2015-2019, the Programme helped to build the capacity of stakeholders in many Member States of the OACPS and provided further support in six focus countries (Cameroon, Fiji, Republic of Guinea, Jamaica, Uganda and Zambia). It also helped to formalise Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Enterprises (ASMEs), boosting local enterprise development and improving capacities in health, safety and environmental management.

Through the historic Mosi-Oa-Tunya Declaration adopted in Livingstone, Zambia, in 2018, the Programme elevated the recognition of the so-called “Development Minerals” sector which has stronger linkages to local economies and greater job generation potential but faces enormous challenges in formalisation.

Currently in Phase II, in addition to expanding to include four additional countries, the Programme is seeking to receive support for formalisation and business acceleration of Artisanal and Small-Scall Mining Enterprises (ASMEs) in the development of minerals value chains, with strong focus on women’s economic empowerment.

Selected countries will each receive financial support of US$200,000 and are expected to mobilize additional commitment of resources from UNDP, Governments or EU delegations in the country. Selected countries will also benefit from extensive technical expertise, on-the ground experience, blueprints/ roadmaps, and knowledge-sharing opportunities from the Programme.

The call for Expression of Interest is open to Members of the OACPS – targeting the line Ministries in charge of the mining sector,

The deadline for applications is 20 September 2021. Click HERE for application information.

For more information or clarification, contact: Uyanga Gankhuyag (uyanga.gankhuyag@undp.org; development.minerals@undp.org)