Increasing dialogue between EC and Indonesian civil society Since 1999, the European Commission (EC) has more than doubled its cooperation with the Indonesian government. From around 20 million euros in 1999, the EC has now an average of around 50 million euros per year set aside for cooperation in a variety of sectors - education, health, justice reform, natural resources management.

The future of EC - Government of Indonesia cooperation looks even more promising: a new Country Strategy Paper is under preparation, defining areas of an increased collaboration for the period 2006 to 2013.

In addition to its cooperation with the government, the EC is also increasing its dialogue with the Indonesian civil society. Two facilities managed directly by the Delegation of the European Commission in Jakarta have been designed to strengthen EC relations with Indonesian civil society in the fields of economic cooperation and democracy and human rights.

On economic cooperation, the Small Project Facility (SPF) has so far supported 30 projects, up to 4.1 million euros in the field of EU-Indonesia economic cooperation.

These projects include technical assistance for the Indonesian business community willing to export to European markets; activities strengthening small and medium enterprises, promotion of Indonesian potentials in the field of tourism, scientific cooperation with universities and ministries for research and technology in the field of fisheries and agriculture.

On democracy and human rights, the European Initiative for Democracy and Human Rights (EIDHR) Micro-Projects facility currently provides support to 18 local NGOs and universities (totaling 1.8 million euros) for projects in the fields of conflict prevention and resolution, strengthening ethics and professionalism in the Indonesian media and strengthening democracy and transparency at the local level.

Finally the EC is enhancing its support to exchanges between European and Indonesian universities through its worldwide Asia Link and Erasmus Mundus programs.

For more detailed information, please consult: - Economic cooperation: SPF: www.delidn.cec.eu.int/spf - Human rights and democracy: EIDHR: www.delidn.cec.eu.int/eidhr - University and student exchanges: Asia Link: www.europa.eu.int/comm/europeaid/projects/asia- link/index_en.htm; Erasmus Mundus: www.europa.eu.int/comm/education/programmes/mundus/index_en.html - European Commission in Indonesia: www.delidn.cec.eu.int