European Commission Directorate General for Inte : Samoa

Samoa is a group of islands in the Pacific Ocean. It has enjoyed political stability since becoming the first island country in the South Pacific to gain independence in 1962. Despite the country growth was severely affected by 2009 Tsunami and the more recent Cyclone Evans of 2012, Samoa has one of the best managed economies in the Pacific region.

The government's reform programme is boosting sustainable growth through private sector development, as well as reducing extreme poverty with social sector investments. The approach has led to solid economic growth, low inflation and has improved public finances, enabling the country to make progress towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs)(link is external).

The Country Strategy Paper for Samoa (2008-13) and a multi-annual indicative programme represent the strategic framework for the cooperation of the European Commission (EC) with Samoa under the 10European Development Fund (EDF) and set out the priorities for €31.3 million.

The water sector has been identified as a national priority under the current Strategy for Development of Samoa (2012-2016).

EU assistance for the water and sanitation sector - in the form of sector budget support - aims at improving public health by extending access to safe water supply and basic sanitation, as well as strengthen water resources management. It has had a significant impact resulting in some institutional reforms, administrative changes and in an improvement of public health.

Additional EU assistance is also funding a microfinance programme to support the initiatives of non-state actors, and their active participation in the policy dialogue.