Food Facility Auction Floor - European Commission - Europa

FOREWORD
Food Facility 'Virtual' Auction Floor
Food security has gained a great deal of attention on the international development agenda in recent years, mainly due to the food price hikes of 2007-08, which have pushed many people
further into poverty. The number of malnourished people increased worldwide to over 1 billion in 2009 – establishing a reversal of the trend towards achieving the first Millennium Development
Goal (to halve the proportion of malnourished people in the world by 2015).
After the peaks of 2008, the relative decrease in food prices has done little to alleviate the problems in many developing countries: prices remain high on many domestic markets, and the
number of 'food-insecure' people continues to rise. The global economic crisis has further exacerbated this situation, and the effects of climate change, combined with global population
growth, further threatens food security in many developing countries.
The European Union reacted to the challenge with an extraordinary effort of a €1 billion 'Food Facility' to support the most affected developing countries. The EU and its Member States are,
and have been for many years, the most important and reliable players in world food security - both financially and politically. Furthermore, in March 2010 the European Commission adopted
a new EU policy framework to assist developing countries address food security challenges.
The European Commission contributes approximately €3 billion to the international initiative on global food security agreed at the L’Aquila G8 summit to increase aid towards a goal of mobilizing
$20 billion for agriculture and food security.
This booklet presents a package of ready-to-go high-quality projects tackling food insecurity in developing countries and is a unique opportunity to respond to the commitment made in L’Aquila
and to proactively engage private and public sectors.
In other words, the purpose of the 'Food Facility Auction Floor' is to put forward well-rated proposals thoroughly evaluated by the European Commission to investors and donors. These
proposals, not selected only because of budget limitations, are 'EC quality stamped' and ready to be financed.
By bringing together investors, donors and development actors – such as EU Member States, multilateral donors, local authorities, private foundations, the private sector and civil society
organisations – this initiative will also build more effective and inclusive partnerships for development.
High visibility will be given to all partners and investors involved in a successful match on the 'Food Facility Auction Floor' website 1 .
I hope you will find projects that match your interests in this booklet!
Andris Piebalgs
European Commissioner for Development
1 http://ec.europa.eu/europeaid/auction-fl oor/
7