ROSA Focus n°15

A concept note has been developed by unit E6 to set out a possible approach for the European Commission to support social transfer interventions. It looks at the specific opportunities for the EC to increase its engagement and identifies the best approaches to incorporate social transfers into its programming. This month’s highlight takes a look at available instruments that may be appropriate in the short term (through the food security thematic programme), in the medium term (through the country strategy papers and national indicative plans), and in the longer term (through its future programming and sector or general budget support). This bulletin also presents a report on recent trends in world markets. Food prices remain high in most developing countries. This is in contrast with world export prices, which are well below the levels reached in 2008. The international news section provides information on seminar on “Food, nutrition and gender”, organised by the Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and on the extension of the food aid convention.