Editing French Development Agency (section)

==Operations==

[[File:Pays d'intervention de l'AFD.png|thumb|Countries of operation, 2015. 
{{Legend|#339966|[[Subsaharan Africa]]}}
{{Legend|#FF6600|[[Latin America]] and the [[Caribbean]]}}
{{Legend|#993300|[[Asia]]}}
{{Legend|#3366FF|[[Middle East and North Africa]]}}
|alt=Countries of operation|650x650px]]

The French Development Agency (AFD) implements the policy defined by the French Government. It works to combat poverty and promote sustainable development.<ref>“[http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/aide-au-developpement/evenements-et-actualites-sur-le-theme-du-developpement/autres-evenements-et-actualites/article/publication-du-rapport-annuel-de-l Publication of Agence Française de Développement’s Annual report] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303184922/http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/aide-au-developpement/evenements-et-actualites-sur-le-theme-du-developpement/autres-evenements-et-actualites/article/publication-du-rapport-annuel-de-l |date=2016-03-03 }}” [archive], at diplomatie.gouv.fr, 26 May 2014 (consulted 22 July 2015)</ref>

It achieves this by financing and supporting projects that improve living conditions for populations, promote economic growth and protect the planet.<ref>AFD in figures http://www.afd.fr/webdav/site/afd/shared/L_AFD/AFD-2014/afd-chiffres/index.html [archive]
<nowiki>*</nowiki></ref>

In 2014, AFD allocated EUR 8.1bn to finance projects, including EUR 6.35bn in developing countries and EUR 1.55bn for overseas France.<ref>“[http://www.afd.fr/home/AFD/presentation-afd/bilan-annuel-afd-2014/infographie-impacts-2014 Our results in the field]” [archive], at afd.fr (consulted 21 July 2015)</ref>

=== Sectors ===
In 2014, AFD allocated some EUR 767m to education and health and invested over EUR 633m in water and sanitation programs. Projects related to territorial development benefited from over EUR 4bn, i.e. almost half AFD's commitments, with projects in the energy, transport and telecommunications sectors in rural and urban areas.<ref>"[http://www.afd.fr/webdav/site/afd/shared/PORTAILS/SECTEURS/CLIMAT/fiches-2015/AFD_livret_Fiches_projets_Climat_FR.pdf Climate: AFD’s Solutions Around the World. Project briefs – January 2015]" [archive], at afd.fr, January 2015 (consulted 21 July 2015)</ref> For 2014, the breakdown for commitments by sector is as follows:

* 22% in the productive sector,
* 27% in infrastructure and urban development,
* 21% in energy,
* 2% in biodiversity and natural resources,
* 8% in water and sanitation,
* 9% in education and health,
* 2% in agriculture and food security.
* 7% is divided among various sectors.

=== Development and climate change ===
AFD also operates in emerging
countries for issues related to the protection of the environment and energy management.<ref>“[http://www.afd.fr/webdav/site/afd/shared/PUBLICATIONS/THEMATIQUES/AFD_Changements_Climatiques_FR.pdf Reconciling Climate and Development]” [archive], at afd.fr (consulted 21 July 2015)</ref>

In a crosscutting manner to these sectors, in 2014, AFD earmarked 53% of its international activity for the fight against climate change, ''i.e.'' EUR 2.8bn, which financed development projects that also have a positive impact on the climate.<ref>“[http://www.afd.fr/lang/en/home/projets_afd/AFD-et-environnement/changement_climatique/60-solutions 60 Solutions Against Climate Change]” [archive], at afd.fr, June 2015 (consulted 21 July 2015)</ref>

AFD, ''via'' the projects it finances and several initiatives, is gearing up for [[2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference|the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP21)]] to the [[United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change]] (UNFCCC). For example, with the [[GoodPlanet Foundation]], it is putting on a photo exhibition “60 SOLUTIONS Against Climate Change”, which presents concrete, innovative and effective initiatives in four sectors that combine climate change and economic development.,<ref>“[http://www.goodplanet.org/60solutions/ 60 Solutions]” [archive], at goodplanet.org (consulted 21 July 2015)</ref><ref>« [http://www.objectif-developpement.fr/huitfoisoui/objectifs-2015/introduction Objectifs 2015] » [archive], at objectif-developpement.fr (consulted 22 July 2015)</ref>

=== Geographical areas of operation ===

AFD has been working for over sixty years to promote development in Southern countries and the French overseas territories. It is active in the field in over 90 countries, where it finances and supports projects that improve living conditions for populations, promote economic growth and protect the planet: getting children into school, assisting farmers, financing small businesses, water supply, tropical forest conservation, [[climate change mitigation|combating climate change]]... AFD's strategy is guided by sustainable development. Its operations are in line with the [[Millennium Development Goals]], at the intersection of the objectives of economic growth, poverty reduction and environmental conservation.<ref>“[http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/aide-au-developpement/dispositif-institutionnel-et/canaux-d-acheminement-de-l-aide/article/l-aide-bilaterale-de-la-france France’s Bilateral Aid] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924042226/http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/politique-etrangere-de-la-france/aide-au-developpement/dispositif-institutionnel-et/canaux-d-acheminement-de-l-aide/article/l-aide-bilaterale-de-la-france |date=2015-09-24 }}” [archive], at diplomatie.gouv.fr, 24 December 2013 (consulted 22 July 2015)</ref>

A wide range of financial and technical instruments meet the different needs of countries: grants, guarantees, equity investments, subsidized loans, loans on market terms and technical assistance.

It develops financial and intellectual partnerships with other donors and contributes, in conjunction with its supervisory authorities, to public policymaking and to France's influence in the development sphere.

==== Latin America and Caribbean ====
In [[Latin America]] and the [[Caribbean]], AFD promotes sustainable and equitable development through green and inclusive growth. There are a number of projects to fight climate change, for urban development, as well as projects to promote social convergence.

==== Sub-Saharan Africa ====
{{See also|Foreign Aid to Francophone West Africa}}
[[Sub-Saharan Africa]] is the priority region for France's public development policy.<ref>« Afrique Subsaharienne – Légère hausse des financements de l’AFD en 2014 », Jeune Afrique, 19 March 2015 ([http://economie.jeuneafrique.com/regions/afrique-subsaharienne/24392-afrique-subsaharienne--legere-hausse-des-financements-de-lafd-en-2014.html read online] {{Webarchive|url=https://swap.stanford.edu/20150321005953/http%3A//economie.jeuneafrique.com/regions/afrique%2Dsubsaharienne/24392%2Dafrique%2Dsubsaharienne%2D%2Dlegere%2Dhausse%2Ddes%2Dfinancements%2Dde%2Dlafd%2Den%2D2014.html |date=2015-03-21 }} [archive])</ref> In 2014, AFD invested EUR 2.95bn in the region, i.e. 36.5% of its total financing. Among the many projects, a number focus on promoting access to essential services, the growth of sustainable cities, the development of infrastructure, family farming and job-creating enterprises, as well as on the preservation of natural resources.<ref>« L’AFD soutient plus de 75% des collectivités d’Outre-mer », Polynésie 1ere, 2 April 2015 ([http://polynesie.la1ere.fr/2015/04/02/l-afd-soutient-plus-de-75-des-collectivites-d-outre-mer-244511.html read online] [archive])</ref>

==== Asia ====
In [[Asia]], AFD works to promote environmental and regional balances, with a focus on projects that limit the environmental footprint of cities or contribute to regional convergence.

==== Mediterranean and Middle East ====
AFD supports the region's political and economic transition, with a focus on promoting Euro-Mediterranean integration, territorial development and job creation. The AFD also funds restoration works, such as that of the [[Saint Hilarion Monastery|Saint Hilarion monastery]] which the AFD funded in order to have the [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine-era]] site inscribed in the [[UNESCO World Heritage Sites]] list.<ref>{{cite web |last1=F. |first1=K. |title=Palestine signs €29 million support agreements with AFD |url=https://english.wafa.ps/Pages/Details/128609 |website=WAFA |publisher=Palestinian News & Information Agency-WAFA |access-date=5 February 2024 |date=29 March 2022}}</ref>

==== Overseas France ====
Since 1946, AFD has had a public service mandate to provide a reference public service provision for credit and social housing. In 2014, overseas France accounted for 19% of AFD's activity, i.e. EUR 1.55bn. AFD conducts several types of action in overseas France. Its activities are based on the following areas: financing and assisting public policies, advisory services for local authorities, promoting business competitiveness and job creation, supporting regional integration and action for sustainable development.<ref>“[http://ideas4development.org/a-propos/ About us]” [archive], at ideas4development.org (consulted 22 July 2015)</ref> This involves financing and supporting projects that improve living conditions for populations and promote economic growth, while preserving the environment. Thanks to its financing, its expertise and its knowledge production, it assists the local public sector, finances companies, housing and urban development, and supports regional cooperation.

It fulfills this mandate through nine agencies throughout the overseas territories: [[French Guiana]], [[French Polynesia]], [[Guadeloupe]], [[Martinique]], [[Mayotte]], [[New Caledonia]], [[Réunion]], [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], [[Wallis and Futuna]].

In the overseas departments (DOM), in [[Saint Martin (island)|Saint Martin]], [[Saint Barthélemy]] and [[Saint Pierre and Miquelon]], AFD also represents the public investment bank [[:fr:Banque publique d'investissement|Bpifrance]], which finances the creation, innovation, investments and international development of French SMEs.

AFD is the reference shareholder in seven social housing companies (Simar in Martinique, Sic in New Caledonia, Sig in Guadeloupe, SIDR in Réunion, Siguy and Simko in French Guiana and Sim in Mayotte). These property companies promote, manage and build social housing.

Finally, it provides part of the staff of the note-issuing banks, [[Institut d'émission d'outre-mer|Institut d'Emission d'Outre-mer]] and Institut d'Emission des Départements d'Outre-mer.

{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align: right;" class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Financing allocated by AFD Group in 2014 (EUR million)<ref>Annual Report 2006.</ref>
|-
! scope="col" | Geographical area
! scope="col" | Project grants, support for NGO operations, miscellaneous grants
! scope="col" | Budget support and Debt Reduction-Development Contracts
! scope="col" | Loans
! scope="col" | Guarantees
! scope="col" | Equity investments and other securities
! scope="col" | Financing with resources from other donors
! scope="col" | '''Total 2014'''
!Total 2013
|-
| align="left" | Latin America and Caribbean ||19,3||||1184,2||0,3||11,0||11,0||'''1225,7'''
|1192,7
|-
| align="left" | Sub-Saharan Africa ||215,5||444,0||2041,1||109,0||80,5||54,8||'''2945,0'''
|3001,7
|-
| align="left" | Asia and Pacific ||34,3||||1122,9||0,3||11,0||11,0||'''1225,7'''
|1192,7
|-
| align="left" | Mediterranean, Middle East ||30,6||||827,6||10,4||56,7||134,0||'''1059,3'''
|838,2
|-
| align="left" | Overseas France ||0,4||||1378,6||161,5||7,0||||'''1547,5'''
|1505,6
|-
|Programs common to several geographical areas
|313,6
|444,0
|5218,0
|145,9
|163,7
|245,2
|'''6530,4'''
|6322,1
|- class="sortbottom"
| align="left" | '''Total''' ||'''314,0'''||'''444,0'''||'''6596,6'''||'''307,4'''||'''170,7'''||'''245,2'''||'''8077,9'''
|7827,7
|}

{{center|1=Source : [http://www.afd.fr/webdav/site/afd/shared/PUBLICATIONS/INSTITUTIONNEL/rapports-annuels/AFD-RA-2014-VF.pdf AFD Annual Report 2014, p62-63] 1}}

=== Knowledge production ===

Knowledge production is a major activity for AFD and aims to contribute to the definition of the public policies of France and its partners. It has become an essential complement to the financial and technical tools. AFD's knowledge production started to play an important role in the 2000s. This drive for knowledge production is based on the organization of seminars and conferences, training given by CEFEB, a studies and research program, and the establishment of partnerships with academic and research institutes.

AFD also offers a number of publications on developing countries and the French overseas territories:
* Afrique Contemporaine, a sociological, political and economic review on Africa;
* The Working Papers series, which reports on ongoing research;
* The ExPost publications;
* The Focales series, which describes practical case studies (projects, partnerships, experiments...) and puts them into perspective;
* The A Savoir series, which gathers either literature reviews or existing knowledge on issues that present an operational interest;
* The Recherches series, which presents research actions initiated or led by AFD;
* The Conférences et Séminaires series, which provides a wide audience of readers with the main outcomes and lessons learned from the research conducted by AFD and its partner development assistance actors;
* The MacroDev series, which provides analyses focused on a country, region, or on macroeconomic issues related to development processes;
* Publications co-edited with the World Bank;
* Other co-publications;
* Regards sur la Terre, the annual sustainable development report coordinated by AFD and IDDRI;
* The Ideas for Development blog, a forum for exchanges coordinated by AFD, open to development actors and the public interested in development.<ref>“[http://www.proparco.fr/webdav/site/proparco/shared/ELEMENTS_COMMUNS/PDF/Rapports-annuels/PROPARCO_Rapport_annuel_2014.pdf Annual Report 2014 (PROPARCO)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721040759/http://www.proparco.fr/webdav/site/proparco/shared/ELEMENTS_COMMUNS/PDF/Rapports-annuels/PROPARCO_Rapport_annuel_2014.pdf |date=2015-07-21 }}” [archive], at proparco.fr (consulted 17 July 2015)</ref>

All this contributes to improving knowledge of the Official Development Assistance policy: “its rationale, its effectiveness, its interactions with the other public policies, its role in the management of globalization”<ref>“[http://www.proparco.fr/Accueil_PROPARCO/PROPARCO About us]” [archive], at proparco.fr, June 2015 (consulted 17 July 2015)</ref> AFD's aim is to become an internationally recognized research center, both in terms of sustainable development and global public goods, and the design of innovative financing instruments.

=== AFD departments and subsidiaries ===

==== PROPARCO ====

PROPARCO is an AFD subsidiary set up in 1977. It is a development [[:fr:Institution financière|finance institution]] with a mandate to promote private investments for growth, [[sustainable development]] and the achievement of the [[Millennium Development Goals]] (MDGs) in emerging and developing countries. It provides financing tailored to the specific needs of investors in the productive sector, financial systems, infrastructure and private equity.<ref>“[http://www.cefeb.org/home/presentation Presentation (CEFEB)]” [archive], at cefeb.org, January 2013 (consulted 17 July 2015)</ref>

PROPARCO is jointly held by AFD (59.04%) and private shareholders from the North and South.<ref>“[https://whc.unesco.org/fr/partenaires/290/ French Facility for Global Environment]” [archive], at unesco.org (consulted 17 July 2015)</ref>

==== CEFEB ====
[[:fr:Centre d'études financières, économiques et bancaires|The Center for Economic and Banking Studies]] (CEFEB) is AFD's training institute. It is based in Marseille and offers training for partners from the South in order to contribute to building their capacities. It also acts as a platform for the dissemination of AFD's expertise towards its partners.<ref>“[http://www.ffem.fr/accueil-FFEM/ffem/instances FFEM, a collegiate instrument for intervention] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721034119/http://www.ffem.fr/accueil-FFEM/ffem/instances |date=2015-07-21 }}” [archive], at ffem.fr, June 2014 (consulted 17 July 2015)</ref>

==== FFEM ====
AFD handles the secretariat and financial management of the [[Fonds Français pour l'Environnement Mondial|French Facility for Global Environment]] (FFEM), a bilateral public fund set up by the French Government in 1994. It is a financial instrument for France's cooperation and development policy dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable development.

It is coordinated by five ministries ([[Minister of the Economy, Finances and Industry (France)|Economy and Finance]], [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Development (France)|Foreign Affairs]], [[Ministère de l'écologie, du développement et de l'aménagement durables|Sustainable Development]], [[Ministry of Higher Education and Research|Research]], [[Ministry of Agriculture (France)|Agriculture]]) and AFD.<ref>[http://www.afd.fr/jahia/Jahia/home/DemarcheRSE_AFD/DemarcheRisques AFD’s approach to environmental and social risk management] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090503015356/http://www.afd.fr/jahia/Jahia/home/DemarcheRSE_AFD/DemarcheRisques |date=2009-05-03 }} - AFD website [archive]</ref>