European Union and Mauritius join hands in the fight against piracy and for the promotion of maritime security

On 14 July the European Union (EU) and the Republic of Mauritius signed the "Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Mauritius on the Conditions of Transfer of Suspected Pirates and Associated Seized Property from the European Union-Led Naval Force to the Republic of Mauritius and on the Conditions of Suspected Pirates after Transfer" or in short the EU-Mauritius Transfer Agreement.

The agreement was signed by Ambassador Alessandro Mariani, Head of the Delegation of the European Union to the Republic of Mauritius, and Mrs Fong Weng-Poorun, Permanent Secretary for Home Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office. The signature took place within the framework of the ESA-IO regional strategy and action plan to fight against piracy and to promote maritime security, as endorsed by the 2nd regional ministerial conference, co-chaired by Catherine Ashton (High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission) and held in Mauritius on 7 October 2010.

This Agreement defines the conditions and modalities for the transfer of persons suspected of attempting to commit, committing or having committed acts of piracy within the area of operation of EUNAVFOR on the high seas off the territorial seas of Mauritius, Madagascar, the Comoros Islands, Seychelles and Reunion Island and detained by EUNAVFOR, the transfer of associated property seized by EUNAVFOR from EUNAVFOR to Mauritius and the treatment of transferred persons. 

Catherine Ashton stated "I congratulate the Government of Mauritius for joining hands in the fight against piracy and for the promotion of maritime security, in line with the regional strategy and action plan endorsed by the 2^ndregional ministerial conference held in Mauritius last year. Piracy is a scourge which is affecting all countries". In Ambassador Mariani's view this signature is emblematic of the quality of the relations between Mauritius and the European Union and of the common vision of our leaders in the mutual interest of our peoples. 

In parallel, the signature of two programs for additional financial support from the European Union for implementing this Transfer Agreement took place.

Addendum to the National Indicative Programme for Mauritius

First of the two additional programmes is the Addendum to the National Indicative Programme allocating to Mauritius an additional grant of EUR 3 million (approx. 120 million MUR) to be invested as general budget support.  This signature took place as regards medium and long term assistance to cover further needs and to compensate, in support to the fight against poverty, the additional costs to the economy and to the Government incurred to respond to piracy. The Addendum was signed by Ambassador, Alessandro Mariani, and the former Minister of Finance, Pravind Jugnauth.

Contribution Agreement with UNODC

The second programme receiving the additional funding is the EU and UNODC (United Nations Office for Drugs and Crime)joint programme to support the trial and related treatment of piracy suspects in Mauritius.

During the negotiations of the Transfer Agreement, the EU has recognised the request for additional financial support for implementing such an Agreement and therefore made available an additional grant of EUR 1.08 million (approx. 43 million MUR) to finance a joint EU-UNODC programme to respond to the immediate needs for initiating the prosecution of suspected pirates. This programme will be implemented by UNODC and is financed via the EU Instrument for Stability (IfS). While adapted to the specificities of the Mauritius context, there is a close correspondence with the nature of the EU IfS support already provided to Kenya and to the Seychelles. The support to Mauritius will be implemented over 18 months incorporating inter alia assistance with: 

• Legislative review, including assistance with amendments to legislation;
• Support to the Police/Coast Guard, including mentoring assistance for the police, investigative
• assistance of the police, counter-piracy training for the police and coast guard, police support for piracy investigations;
• Support for the Prosecutors and the Attorney General's Office, including the provision of legal research and materials, the preparation of a handover guidance, support for the attendance at international piracy meetings and exposure to trials in other jurisdictions;
• Support to the Courts, including the provision for supporting the attendance of witnesses, supporting the presence of interpreters, the purchase of a transcription/voice recognition system, reinforcement of court security, the purchase of video link and other court technology, provision for legal representation for suspects at trials;
• Support to the Prison Service, including preparation of a master-plan for use of the existing Mauritius prison capacity, support essential renovations and improvements of designated areas of the existing prison estate at Beau Bassin so as to allow better use to be made of existing capacity, development of legislative framework, development of strategic framework, training and assistance to prison staff and management.

For the full Press Release, please click here.

Article 8 Political Dialogue meetings - 6-7 June, 2011

On 6 and 7 June the first ever Article 8 political dialogue with Mauritius was organised. The programme, in addition to a meeting chaired by Hon. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Integration, included a working lunch with private sector apex organisations - Joint Economic Council (JEC), Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Mauritius Exporters Association (MEXA), a meeting with civil society organisations included in the EU HRD Strategy, a visit to projects financed by the EU, a visit to sugar and energy producer Omnicane and a presentation on the Maurice Ile Durable (MID) initiative from the Adviser to the Prime Minister, who is also the Chairman of the MID initiative. The EU was represented by five Heads of Missions (EU, Austria, France, Italy and United Kingdom). The first ever political dialogue with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) was also organised. The event was co-chaired by the Secretary General of the IOC.
The meetings took place in a very cordial atmosphere in line with the excellent relations that exist between the European Union and Mauritius.


Discussion EU-Mauritian relations
The first day started with a meeting chaired by Hon. Arvin Boolell, Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Regional Integration. The agenda covered issues of mutual interest to the EU-Mauritius relations such as fight against piracy and promotion of maritime security, EU-Mauritius development co-operation, priorities for the economic development of Mauritius, trade relations and EPA, regional matters. The minister congratulated the EU for the initiative to organise the political dialogue and expressed the interest for it to become an annual event.

Talks with Private Sector Representatives
Subsequently, the EU Heads of Missions met with private sector representatives: Chairman and Secretary General of Joint Economic Council (JEC), Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Mauritius Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), and Chairman and Director of Mauritius Exporters Association (MEXA). The get-together provided an opportunity for the private sector to highlight the different mandates of each apex body. They also evoked the fact that in Mauritius the private sector has the opportunity to maintain an open and fruitful public –private sector dialogue. Representatives pointed out some key areas that offer investment and business opportunities available in Mauritius, specifically the knowledge hub which could possibly provide a high potential for European universities, as well as other sectors like medical tourism.

Visits to the DCP ProjectsIn the afternon, the EU Heads of Missions visited two projects financed under Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP) I in 2009:  Magic Fingers Association and SOS Femmes.

The visit focused on the involvement of women associations in complementing government's action in championing for the protection and promotion of human rights, notably those of women and children.  During the visit the discussions focused on the need and the methods to empower unemployed women and those subject to gender-based violence. Participants also agreed on the specific role of NGOs as regards to this specific field. Appropriate capacity building programme is needed to improve their capacity to deliver basic services to the poorest sections of the population which would result to the reduction of poverty in a context of sustainable development.  

Magic Fingers Association benefited from a total of MUR 420 000 (i.e. EUR 10 000) from the 9th EDF DCP. The objective of the project was to encourage capacity building and networking of vulnerable groups involved in high value textile craft and related products, with sharing of product design and development, production equipment for high end finishing and finally branding, marketing and commercialisation support. As a result, by 2011 80 unemployed, retrenched or elderly women were trained.

SOS Femmes benefited from a total of MUR 4 200 000 (i.e. EUR 100 000) from the 9th EDF DCP for the construction of shelter and purchase of equipment. The overall objective of the project was to alleviate poverty and improve living conditions of deprived women looking for shelter. The DCP has financed the construction of a shelter building to increase the welcoming capacity of SOS Femmes; and furnishing it with equipment so that desperate women and children can benefit from first hand care, homely attention, moral, medical, psychiatric or psychological support. 

Discussions with the civil society
The second day started with a meeting between the EU Head of Missions and civil society representatives at the EU Delegation to discuss issues faced by the Mauritian society. Possible areas for mutual collaboration between the EU and the civil society were reviewed.

Regional Cooperation



The first ever political dialogue with the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) was also organised. The IOC was represented by the Secretary General, Ambassador d’Offay, other IOC representatives and senior officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mauritius which assumes the current Presidency of the IOC. The agenda covered four main subjects: fight against piracy and promotion of maritime security, IOC role in the Peace and Security Architecture of the African Union (AU), trade relations and EPA and EU-IOC development co-operation.

Participants

Sugar Industry
The programme was concluded by a visit to one of the main sugar refineries and energy producers Omnicane.  The visit also included a presentation of the Chief Executive Officer who offered a perspective of new potential investments. Omnicane has been operational since the second semester of 2010.  It has set up an efficient cogeneration plant (bagasse and coal) that allows it to sell electricity to the national grid. Approximately 90 % of the power produced is sold to the Central Electricity Board.


For more information about the EU-Mauritius Relations, please click here.

Five Non State Actors’ projects awarded

In 2011, five Mauritian non-governmental and civil society organisations received the funding under the European Union (EU) thematic programme Non State Actors and Local Authorities in Development. These grants complement the funds available under the Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP) for which the Mauritian Government and the EU had signed the Financing Agreement in May 2011.

This new thematic programme “Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development” was introduced already in 2007 to cover different components such as the support to development actions to be implemented by Non-State-Actors (NSAs), actions in the EU aiming at raising public awareness of development issues and promoting education for development, to mobilise greater support for activities against poverty and fairer relations between developed and developing countries as well as actions aiming at achieving more efficient cooperation, foster synergies and facilitate a structured dialogue in the area of development between civil society networks and local authorities associations from the EU and acceding countries, within their organisations and with Community institutions.

Association Pour les Enfants Inadaptes de L'Ile Maurice (APEIM)

The association proposes vocation training and rehabilitation services for young adults with moderate to severe intellectual disability. Through this action, APEIM attempts to empower intellectually disabled young men and women through capacity building and to promote their professional and social integration.
The association estimates that over 24 months, some 10 to 15 trained adults with intellectual disability will be placed in companies and earn their living, 150 men and women with moderate to severe intellectual disability will receive training in work skills, work habits and social skills and 500 to 600 parents and siblings will receive support and training and 16 teacher trainers are trained and therefore will be more confident in their work.
Website: http://www.apeim.org/

 SOS Children's Village Mauritius 


Mr Amedee Dabeecharu​n - General Manager SOS Children's Village

 The project aims at developping a non-formal pre-vocational training (woodwork, painting, electricity etc.) facility for needy adolescents using transformed containers. The specificity of the training is that it takes on board the developmental needs and individual characteristics of the adolescents.


Three-month long training will be combined with the provision of relevant services. The non-formal aspect of the training corresponds to work in small groups, responsiveness of the programme to the levels and ability of the participants, its duration, and a balanced combination of practice and theory.

The recruitment criteria will include the following risk factors: poverty, failure at school, lack of parental care and guidance and idleness etc. Social workers of the Family Strengthening Programme will provide relevant support services.

For more information, please visit the SOS Village's website : http://www.soscvmauritius.org/

Diabetes Parents Support Group 

The programme consist of providing the education and care for parents whose children are suffering from diabetes. More precisely, it will address the treated diabetic patients and aim at preventing type 2 diabetes among children.
DPSG will provide diabetes education and care to insulin treated patients based on structured and evaluated concepts and prevent the onset of Type 2 diabetes among children and adolescents through a targeted approach. the project will also bring diabetes care of international standards within the reach of the Mauritians and  prevent the increase of Type 2 diabetes by 10% in one year.
  
Union Park Women Association


Oyster Mushroom - delicious and healthy

The project aims at providing an opportunity of employment and poverty alleviation to the beneficiaries through the production of fresh mushroom and mushroom fruiting bags. The project will involve sixty beneficiaries most of whom are members of Women Associations.
The unemployed women from low income household will be trained in the production of mushroom fruiting bags. The goal of the project is to alleviate poverty of the sixty women, though training and job opportunities and to help the beneficiaries to earn a living, learn new techniques, and produce fresh mushroom.

Prevention, Information et Fight against the AIDS (Prévention Information et Lutte contre le SIDA)

Recreational activities

PILS is a Mauritian NGO created in July 1996 and one of the key players in the national response against HIV / AIDS. the overall objective of the project funded by the EU is mitigating the impact of HIV among Most at Risk Populations (MARPs) in Mauritius. More     specifically, the project will seek to intensify targeted prevention programs towards commercial sex workers (CSW) as well as empowering people living with HIV. It will also aim at reinforcing multi-partner advocacy concerning MARPS. Some of the activities of the project include among others the setting up of a CSW Peer Educators Programme, the recruitment of a social worker and a nurse to propose a comprehensive care and support package, holding of group therapy sessions, training, recreational activities, sketches and income generating activities. It also foresees the improvement of a Positive Ambassadors program.
For more information, please visit PILS website: http://www.pils.mu/

More information about the EU support to the Non State Actors, please click here.  

Decentralised Cooperation Programme – Phase II

The Decentralised Cooperation Programme (DCP) is a European Union funded intervention, implemented through the Ministry of Finance and Economic Development. Its overall objective is poverty alleviation through the capacity-building of Non State Actors (NSAs) in the Republic of Mauritius in synergy with other poverty alleviation programmes. The first phase of the programme lasted from March 2006 to March 2010 and has seen the participation of 240 NSAs and Local Authorities and has allowed the implementation of 340 community-based projects. 

The Financing Agreement for the the second phase of DCP under the 10th EDF has been signed on 6 May 2011. The programme is scheduled to be implemented from June 2011 to June 2014.  The total budget of 5.5 million euros has been provided for this programme. Under this second phase, the programme will attempt to reinforce the capacities of NSAs aiming at improving their strategic planning, implementation and monitoring of poverty alleviation projects. It will also foster a more coherent and informed approach to poverty issues among decision makers and NSAs in order to  improve the policy dialogue between state and non state actors. And last but not least, it will be aiming at enhancing the participation of NSAs in poverty reduction activities related to  on-going empowerment and poverty alleviation programme and through effective complementary support.

The programme will be implemented through a series of thematic Calls for Proposals eventually leading to the award of grants to NSAs such as local associations, community-based organisations, NGOs, cooperatives and federations among others.

Direct budget support for Mauritius

On 8 June 2011, the EU has disbursed a total of EUR 1.4 million grant in recognition of the good progress made by Mauritius in its economic reform programme, in maintaining a policy of macroeconomic stability and in implementing measures to improve public finance management. This is the first of the two equal tranches available to Mauritius in the context of the Global Climate Change general budget support programme. Mauritius can benefit from a total of EUR 3 million under this programme, made available by the EU especially to the countries with higher vulnerability to climate change. EUR 2.8 million is provided in form of budget support and EUR 200.000 as technical assistance in the field of sustainable development.

Mauritius has introduced the Energy Efficiency Bill to the National Assembly, which was one of the objectives under this jointly agreed programme. The Energy Efficiency Bill provides for the setting up of the Energy Efficiency Management Office to, among others, develop and implement strategies, programmes and action plans for the efficient use of energy, establish procedures to monitor energy efficiency and consumption, compile and maintain a database for energy auditors and devise labelling requirements and specifications for any equipment, machine or appliance which is imported, manufactured or sold in Mauritius. This is an important step to put Mauritius on the sustainable development trajectory. Furthermore, the Government of Mauritius is strongly committed to elaborate and adopt a strategy for sustainable development until end of 2011 as well as the accompanying action plan by March 2012.

The EU's Global Climate Change programme is complementary to the EUR 125 million loan that the AFD is providing to the Government of Mauritius to support the sustainable development.

For more information about the budget support, please click here.

Erasmus Mundus Presentation - University of Mauritius

On 26 September 2011, the EU Delegation to Mauritius invited the students of Mauritius University to assist to the presentation of the Erasmus Mundus programme which gave an opportunity to learn more about the possibilities of studying in Europe. A short introduction on the European Union as well as the mission and the role of the EU Delegation in Mauritius was made by Achim Schaffert, First Secretary. Afterwards, Vilija Sysaité, Press and Information Attachée at the Delegation, presented Erasmus programme which offers full tuition and living expenses scholarships for graduate studies.  Students had also the opportunity to listen to the intervention of Noor-Ehsan Gobindram, Mauritian National awarded Erasmus Mundus scholarships. He shared his experiences and answered very concrete questions raised by the students. 

More information about the Erasmus Mundus Programme can be found following this link:
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus_mundus 

Last Steering Committee of the Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Indian Ocean (ReCoMaP)

The 5th and last Steering Committee of the Regional Programme for the Sustainable Management of the Coastal Zones of the Indian Ocean (ReCoMap) was held on 27 and 28 July 2011 at the Indian Ocean Commission (IOC) Secretariat in Quatre Bornes, Mauritius. The opening remarks were done by the Secretary General of the IOC, Mr. Callixte d'Offay, the Chief Divisional Environment Officer on behalf of the Director of the Department of Environment and Sustainable Development of Mauritius, Mr. Rajiv Beedassy, and the Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the EU Delegation, Mr. José Morgado. The meeting was attended by Government representatives of Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, and Tanzania, as well as a representative of the Inter Regional Coordination Committee regrouping the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), East African Community (EAC), Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) and IOC which all share a common envelope for the 10th  European Development Fund regional envelope for the Eastern and Southern Africa and Indian Ocean region.
In his welcome address, Mr. J. Morgado commended the key role of the Indian Ocean Commission in spearheading this important programme and its continued commitment to its effective implementation. He also stated that environment and preservation of biodiversity are key priorities of EU development policy and that EU will continue supporting countries of the region for enhanced cooperation in this area.
The ReCoMaP (or ProGeCo in French) is a 18 million euro-worth programme, funded under the 9th European Development Fund, which has been developed within the framework of the longstanding cooperation between the European Commission and the Indian Ocean Commission. Implemented by the IOC Secretariat since mid-2006, the programme is designed to address the sustainable management of the resources of the coastal zones of the ACP Island and coastal states of the South West Indian Ocean. The focus countries under the programme are Comoros, Seychelles, Mauritius, Madagascar, Kenya, Tanzania & Somalia.

Participants

The Programme will come to its end in December 2011. Its main achievements are:

• The establishment of the regional collaboration of countries of the region for the elaboration of an Integrated Coastal Zones Management Protocol to the Nairobi Convention on the Protection and Development of the Marine and Coastal Environment of the Eastern African Region. With the presentation of the Protocol to the next Conference of Parties of the Nairobi Convention scheduled in 2012, the IOC could have an opportunity to play a key role to ensure sustainability of the actions undertaken under ReCoMaP and further promote regional cooperation in the area of coastal and marine conservation and management.
• The organisation of national school contests as important vehicles for raising public awareness, particularly amongst the youngest. The school contests targeted a total of 13 000 children and hundreds of teachers who have been trained on coastal zones issues. 35 000 pedagogical booklets, produced with selected drawings and essays of primary and secondary students, have been distributed to schools of the region.

The website of the programme, which is being transferred to the IOC portal currently being developed, had more than 3 million visits on a monthly basis, which is a sign of the strong interest in the numerous training materials on Integrated Coastal Zones Management and the various technical guides (waste management, preparing and managing projects under Calls for Proposals) produced under the programme.

For more information, please visit:

• EU Delegation to Mauritius website
• Indian Ocean Commission website

L'action de l'Union Européenne à Mayotte : Appui au Développement Durable (Partie I)

Mayotte: une île en rapide évolution

Situation géographiq​ue de Mayotte

Mayotte est une des iles de l'archipel des Comores dans l'Océan Indien. D’une superficie de 375 km², elle est composée de deux îles principales, Grande Terre et Petite Terre, ainsi que de petits îlots non peuplés. Cette petite terre française est davantage connue pour son lagon, le troisième plus grand au monde, et abrite une très forte biodiversité.

L'île connait une démographie accélérée, passant de 47 000 habitants en 1978 à 180000 en 2006 et un développement rapide au gré des évolutions successives de statut, la dernière en date établissant Mayotte en département français en mars 2011, un statut que possède déjà l'île voisine de la Réunion.



La modernisation des modes de vie et le développement rapide de l'urbanisation et des infrastructures a entrainé des bouleversements considérables et potentiellement critiques pour un espace micro-insulaire fragile, avec de multiples effets induits tels que l’érosion des bassins versants, les pollutions organiques et terrigènes, les risques accidentels et sanitaires, et l’augmentation de la vulnérabilité du lagon, d'autant plus dommageable que le lagon de Mayotte est un espace protégé (Parc Marin) placé  depuis peu sous le contrôle du Conservatoire du Littoral.

L'action de l'Union Européenne et le 9^e FED: Appui au Développement Durable de Mayotte



PEDMA Mayotte: Les installations à créer hors déchèteries

C'est pour aider Mayotte à relever ces défis que l'enveloppe du 9^e FED de l'Union Européenne s'est focalisée sur trois aspects clés : le drainage et l'assainissement des eaux pluviales, le reboisement des zones d’érosion (padzas) et la gestion des déchets. Deux conventions de financement mobilisant un montant total de près de 24 millions d'euros ont été engagées à cette fin.

Sous la première convention de 3,6 million d’euros, la capacité de gestion des projets FED par le Conseil Général de Mayotte a été renforcée et plusieurs études clefs ont été menées. Pour le secteur des déchets il a été vital d’élaborer leu Plan d’Elimination des Déchets Ménagers et Assimilés (PEDMA) adopté officiellement par Mayotte en septembre 2010. La seconde convention court jusqu'à fin 2013 et finance la mise en œuvre de travaux à hauteur de 20,5 millions d’euros dont 8,5 million d’euros seuls pour la construction d'une décharge contrôlée aux normes françaises et européennes, appelée Installation de Stockage de Déchets non dangereux (ISDnd) de Dzoumogné.

Le secteur des déchets à Mayotte: un défi environnemental, infrastructurel et réglementaire



On estimait en 2007 la production totale de déchets à environ 55 000 tonnes/an, soit 293kg/hab., la plus grande majorité des déchets étant d’origine domestique (ordures ménagères et déchets verts). Les ordures ménagères représentent 217kg/hab., à comparer avec 391Kg/hab. en moyenne pour la France.

Mais cette situation est en rapide évolution et les projections effectuées dans le cadre du PEDMA montrent un triplement attendu de la production des déchets entre 2007 et 2030. Si on considère que les déchets sont actuellement stockés de façon sauvage sur quatre décharges créées dans les années 1980 qui ne sont conformes ni à la réglementation française ni aux exigences des directives européennes, on mesure l'ampleur des défis environnementaux et infrastructurels qui se posent à l'ile.

Par ailleurs, la directive européenne du 18 novembre 2008 fixe d’ici 2020, la préparation en vue du réemploi et le recyclage des déchets (…) passant à un minimum de 50% en poids total pour les déchets ménagers et assimilés et 70% pour les déchets de construction et de démolition. Quand aux lois françaises "Grenelles 1 et 2" qui en sont inspirées, elles sont davantage contraignantes au niveau national*.

Le PEDMA a établi qu'il n'était pas réaliste dans le contexte actuel d'appliquer ces lois à Mayotte à l'horizon 2020. Néanmoins, on évalue le défi qui se pose à Mayotte en termes de rattrapage par rapport aux objectifs nationaux.

* La réduction de production d'ordures ménagères de 7%/hab. pendant les cinq prochaines années;  taux de recyclage matière et organique de 35% en 2012 et de 45% en 2015 (contre 24% en 2004), valorisation en 2012 de 75% des déchets d’emballages ménagers et des déchets d'entreprises assimilables aux déchets ménagers.

Synoptique de gestion des déchets visés par le PEDMA en 2020

L'action de l'Union Européenne à Mayotte : Appui au Développement Durable (Partie II)

Mise en œuvre du PEDMA Mayotte en 2011: un démarrage très encourageant

Sur le plan institutionnelSous l'impulsion conjuguée des partenaires principaux (Conseil Général, Préfecture et Union Européenne), un syndicat unique de valorisation des déchets a été crée en mars 2011 sous l'appellation SIDEVAM. L'extension du mandat de ce syndicat à la collecte est  inscrit dans ses statuts et visée à l'horizon 2014.Sur le plan technique
Le contrat de construction de l'ISDnd financé par l'UE a été signé en mai 2011. Les travaux ont démarré dès la fin mai 2011 et se poursuivent à un rythme très satisfaisant, avec l'objectif de compléter les travaux d'étanchéité des cellules de stockage des déchets avant la saison humide, soit d'ici la fin de l'année 2011. Quand aux stations de transfert, leur étude a été financée partiellement par l'UE et le lancement des Appels d'offres Travaux est attendu au début 2012.

Sur le plan financier
Les besoins pour la mise en œuvre du PEDMA représentent un effort financier très important :  l'UE finance l'ISDnd à hauteur de 8,5 million d’euros et le Conseil Général a déjà contribué plus de 3 million d’euros (études techniques, supervision, travaux préparatoires).
En outre, en 2012 l'Etat et le Conseil Général devront mobiliser pour les stations de transferts des déchets plus de 12 million d’euros, sans compter la fermeture des décharges actuelles, l'assistance technique et le lancement du contrat d'exploitation de l'ISDnd et des stations de transfert.

Les travaux en cours: l'Installation de Stockage de Déchets non dangereux (ISDnd)

Travaux en cours à Dzoumogné -'Installation de Stockage de Déchets non dangereux (ISDnd)

Depuis la fin du mois de mai 2011 sort de terre la future Installation de Stockage des Déchets Non Dangereux (ISDND) de Dzoumogné. Située dans le nord de Grande Terre, l'ile principale de Mayotte, cette Installation classée pour la protection de l’environnement (ICPE), s’étend sur une superficie totale de 24 hectares.
La fin des travaux est prévue sous un an, soit d'ici fin mai 2012.
Outre les casiers étanches de stockage des déchets, bassins de collecte des lixiviat et bassins de récupération des eaux de drainage,  les installations prévoient une plateforme de compostage des déchets verts (environ la moitié des déchets ménagers à Mayotte).


Les travaux prévus en 2012: Les Stations de Transfert et la Fermeture des Décharges actuelles


Pour assurer la collecte des déchets, le Plan d’élimination des déchets ménagers et assimilés (PEDMA) prévoit la construction de quatre quais de transfert : en Petite Terre, à Mamoudzou, au centre et au sud de l’île.
Les déchets seront regroupés sur ces plateformes, avant d’être acheminés à l'ISDnd de Dzoumogné en camion ou par barge selon  le cas (Petite Terre etc.).
Les quatre décharges actuelles (à l'exception de celle de Mamoudzou) devraient enfin fermer l’année prochaine, les travaux de réhabilitation devant être pris en charge par l’Etat dans le cadre du Contrat de projet Etat-Conseil Général.


Mise en place des filières de valorisation

Les dispositifs d’accompagnement comme le tri sélectif, la participation financière des éco-organismes et la valorisation des déchets verts sont en cours de préparation, avec comme priorités l'organisation des filières de retraitement des métaux, des plastiques et des papiers.
Il faut en effet optimiser les filières de valorisation pour que les structures de gestion disposent de moyens autres que la Teom (taxe d’enlèvement des ordures ménagères), dont l’instauration est prévue en 2014 avec les autres impôts locaux.


Canettes métalliques et bouteilles plastiques
L'opération Nayenshi urahafu, démarrée fin 2010 et menée conjointement par  l’Agence régionale pour la Santé (ARS), le Conseil General à travers le CDTM (Comité départemental du Tourisme de Mayotte) en charge sa coordination, la Direction des Entreprises, de la Concurrence, de la Consommation, du Travail et de l'Emploi de Mayotte (Dieccte), l'Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie (Ademe) et la préfecture de Mayotte, a pour mission de nettoyer les sites touristiques, les lieux de vie, les abords des écoles et de sensibiliser la population quant à la gestion des déchets. Au 31 août 2011, 13 communes sur 17 participaient à l'opération.

Un début de tri sélectif s'est organisé : parmi les objets ramassés, les nombreuses canettes métalliques et bouteilles plastiques font l'objet d'un projet d'export de matières premières secondaires après le tri et la mise en balle. Les balles sont ensuite mises dans un container destiné à l'export. Il est estimé actuellement que plus de 23 tonnes de recyclables sont prêts à l'export avec un possible triplement d'ici la fin de l'opération prévue en Avril 2012.


Huiles usagées
L'Agence de l'environnement et de la maîtrise de l'énergie (Ademe) a lancé fin 2010 l'opération "Vidange propre" dédiée au grand public et aux professionnels qui génèrent des huiles usagées. L'enjeu est triple : augmenter le taux de collecte, améliorer la qualité de l'huile collectée pour un meilleur recyclage et accroitre le nombre de sites d'apport volontaire.
Environ 600 tonnes de lubrifiants et d'huiles sont importées chaque année pour une collecte environ 200 tonnes d'huiles usagées qui sont exportées à la Réunion pour être valorisées énergétiquement. Ce taux de valorisation est très faible comparé à celui de la Métropole où 96% des huiles usagées sont collectées et traitées.


Automobiles
Trois filières existent à Mayotte pour les professionnels de l'automobile : les carcasses de voitures à dépolluer, les batteries, et les pneus. En cas d'abandon de ces déchets dans des lieux non autorisés, les amendes sont  fortes pouvant aller jusqu'à 1 500 d’euros. Des contrôles sont prévus de commencer à partir de fin 2011.

D3Es: appareils électriques, électroniques et électroménagersUne opération de ramassage collectif alliant le syndicat SIDS, Eco-systèmes et les Communes est en cours d'expérimentation depuis le milieu 2011. Les D3E sont collectés et rassemblés dans un lieu de stockage et font appel à une entreprise qui se charge de recycler ou détruire ces déchets.

Contribution à la lutte contre le changement climatique et à l'utilisation efficace des ressources

Outre les résultats attendus de la mise en œuvre du PEDMA en termes de gestion des déchets, le Conseil Général, l'Etat Français et l'Union Européenne prêtent également attention aux autres effets positifs qui seront générés, notamment :



Bilan des émissions de gaz à effet de serre   



Bilan des émissions de gaz à effet de serre   
La diminution des émissions de gaz à effet de serre : liée à la maîtrise sur l'ISDnd des émissions de méthane (émis par les sites de stockage de déchets) et à l’arrêt du brûlage des déchets. Le gain est estimé à 76 000 tonnes de CO2 par an à l'horizon 2020, par rapport à une émission de 96 000 tonnes de CO2 par an sans mise en œuvre du PEDMA.

 

Bilan Energétique



Bilan très positif sur les matières premières : par la valorisation de l’énergie sur l'ISDnd (2 000tep/an) et le développement des valorisations matière (2 200tep/an) à l'horizon 2020, soit recyclage de 9 400 tonnes avec une économie de 15 000 tonnes de matières premières, et recyclage organique de 25 000 tonnes.
 

Un avenir meilleur pour Mayotte

L'adoption du PEDMA par Mayotte en 2010, la création d'un syndicat unique de valorisation des déchets en 2011 (SIDEVAM), l'avancée des travaux de construction de l'ISDnd financés par l'UE et le démarrage d'initiatives multiples en faveur du recyclage sont les aspects les plus marquants des grands progrès réalisés dans le secteur des déchets a Mayotte depuis un an.
Les partenaires (l'UE, le Conseil Général, la préfecture de Mayotte et les collectivités locales) se réjouissent de ces avancées, mais sont bien conscients qu'elles représentent seulement le moyens nécessaires à la réalisation des objectifs du PEDMA : une gestion des déchets efficace, respectueuse de l'environnement fragile de Mayotte, et intégrant une valorisation importante des déchets (un tiers des déchets produits).

Au delà des ces actions, la préservation de la richesse et de la beauté de l'environnement, la protection de la biodiversité ainsi que la prévention du bien être et de la santé de ses habitants sont les véritables objectifs du projet. 

Illustration du dossier PEDMA

Pour plus d'informations sur la Mayotte et l'UE, merci de vous diriger vers le site Internet de la Délégation.

10th EDF Governance capacity-building programme

The European Union retained thirteen applications for the award of grants, worth a total amount of nearly SR 4.1 million. The approved projects will be carried out between nine and eighteen months. The awarded associations include eight non-state and five state actors with their projects varying significantly in scope and focus.
The signing ceremony for the small grants projects took place the 22 September 2011 at the Wharf Hotel & Marina and was attended by the Principal Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Resident Representative of UNDP for Mauritius and Seychelles Leyla Tegmo-Reddy and the representatives of the Non State Actors.

Grantees

The grants aim to boost public awareness and contribute towards forging effective partnerships to influence development policy-making in matters of governance.

The awarded associations are: the National Council for Disabled, Association of People with Hearing Impairment (Aphi), Association for the Promotion of Solid Humane Families, Sustainability for Seychelles, Red Cross Society of Seychelles, National Gender Secretariat, Seychelles Revenue Commission (SRC), International Commission for the Prevention of Alcoholism and Drugs, Seychelles Heritage Foundation, National Council for Children (NCC), Seychelles Authors Composers Society, Wildlife Clubs of Seychelles and the Liaison Unit for Non-governmental Organisations Seychelles.

Under the 10th European Development Fund (EDF), the European Union (EU) and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed the financial agreement in December 2009 in Seychelles for a governance project. The EU and the UNDP signed the contribution agreement in December 2010 for the management of the project.
The Seychelles governance capacity-building programme is funded by the EU for 580 000 euro and is aimed at supporting efforts of state and non-state actors to continue improving and strengthening governance capacity in Seychelles.
The EU is thus providing small grants worth 281 600 euro to state and non-state actors to carry out governance-related activities. The project is being carried out by the UNDP over a period of two and a half years.

Appui à la Formation Professionnelle aux Comores

Les autorités, le secteur privé et la société civile comoriens expriment depuis un certain temps leurs besoins quant à la formation professionnelle, facteur de la dynamisation de l’activité économique. C'est dans ce contexte que le 14 septembre 2011 les autorités comoriennes ont procédé au lancement du projet d'Appui à la Formation Professionnelle (FP). Le projet de 6,565 million d’euros est financé par l'Union Européenne dans le cadre du 10e FED et cible les chômeurs et les employés souhaitant améliorer leurs compétences professionnelles.


Le centre horticole de Grande Comores qui bénéficiera de réhabilitation et d'équipement dans le cadre de ce projet



Le projet vise à répondre aux réalités locales des acteurs de la société civile qui souhaitent renforcer leurs interventions dans le domaine de la FP en facilitant l'accès aux subventions. La mise en œuvre de la FP sera assurée par le Ministère de l'Emploi, du Travail, de la Formation professionnelle et de l'Entreprenariat féminin qui a été créé au début de 2010.


 Lors du lancement, le Secrétaire Général du Ministère de la Formation Professionnelle a plaidé pour une collaboration de toutes les parties prenantes concernées. Effectivement, le projet d'appui à la FP préconise un partenariat solide et dynamique entre les différents ministères, le secteur privé et la société civile ce qui représente un élément de grande importance pour l’impact et la durabilité de l’intervention.

Au terme de cinq ans de mise en œuvre, cette initiative devrait apporter une amélioration en termes d'accès ainsi qu'une meilleure qualité de l’enseignement dans le domaine de la formation professionnelle.

Pour plus d'information sur la coopération UE-Comores, merci de visiter notre site Internet.