Asunción, Agencia IP.- Paraguay’s Government and the European Union (EU) have agreed to disburse €13 million in budgetary support for education and protection programs.
The non-repayable cooperation is allocated with €8 million for projects supporting the educational system and €5 million for the Social Protection System known as «¡Vamos!»
Chancellor Rubén Ramírez expressed gratitude for the EU’s collaboration on projects crucial to the Government, aiming to enhance the quality, accessibility, and learning outcomes at all educational levels. The focus is also on ensuring vulnerable populations’ access to essential services throughout their developmental stages.
Representative Javier García de Viedma stated that the EU’s non-repayable cooperation amounted to €168 million from 2014 to 2020. The European organization’s support aligns with Paraguay’s established priority agenda.
Currently, there is €38 million in non-repayable cooperation for improving educational quality, including teacher training, and reducing school dropout rates, with a 6% decrease attributed to EU support, according to the ambassador.
Regarding the «¡Vamos!» Social Protection System, implemented in 2020, has received €48 million in cooperation. This funding aims to integrate and enhance government social programs, focusing on maternal health, employment training, care policies, and improving access to social security and retirement benefits.
The funds’ reception ceremony included the participation of the Minister of Social Development (MDS), Tadeo Rojas; the Minister of Education (MEC), Luis Ramírez; and the Minister of Childhood and Adolescence (Minna), Walter Gutiérrez, along with representatives from the Social Cabinet. The cooperation reflects the ongoing commitment of the EU to support Paraguay’s development goals.