Partnership programmes in Europe and Central Asia – A model for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing

 

In recent years, FAO partnership programmes complement the Organization’s wider cooperation with Members, the European Union, international financial institutions and other development partners in Europe and Central Asia and have emerged as strategically important instruments. Anchored in the national development priorities of the contributing countries, these programmes aim at addressing regional and transboundary challenges related to agrifood systems transformation, food security, natural resources management and rural development.

The FAO–Türkiye Partnership Programme was launched in 2006, alongside the establishment of the FAO Subregional Office for Central Asia, with the objective of fostering cooperation across the subregion. Over time, the programme has expanded both geographically and thematically, extending support beyond the subregion and incorporating forestry-related interventions.

FAO’s cooperation with Türkiye is currently implemented through two complementary partnership mechanisms: the FAO–Türkiye Partnership Programme on Food and Agriculture and the FAO–Türkiye Forestry Programme. Both programmes are financed through trust fund contributions from the Government of Türkiye, which to date have amounted to approximately USD 30 million. Together, these programmes support food security, sustainable agriculture and the sustainable management of natural resources while promoting regional cooperation and knowledge exchange. The thematic areas supported by the programmes include sustainable agrifood production and value chains, fisheries and aquaculture management, plant health and pest management, food safety and animal health, natural resources management and climate action, policy and institutional strengthening, and support to regional cooperation platforms, as well as cross cutting gender and social inclusion actions.

The FAO–Azerbaijan Partnership Programme was established in 2015 as a strategic cooperation framework, with an initial commitment of USD 10 million for the 2016–2020 period. The programme aimed to enhance agricultural productivity, strengthen food security and support agrarian reforms, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. The partnership focused on the development of sustainable agrifood systems, with particular emphasis on sheep value chains, food quality and safety, climate-smart agriculture and institutional capacity development. Key interventions have combined technical assistance with extensive capacity building for farmers and field staff, including initiatives to strengthen the participation of women in agricultural advisory services. The programme also has supported modernization efforts such as improved seed and agro-chemical laboratory services and capacity development for conducting a digital agricultural census. The engagement of Azerbaijan in South-South cooperation further reinforces the regional dimension of the partnership. The programme is now transitioning towards a new phase.

Kazakhstan has strengthened its cooperation with FAO following the ratification of the Host Country Agreement in July 2018, which laid the foundation for the FAO–Kazakhstan Partnership Programme. The programme is financed by the Ministry of Agriculture, with an indicative commitment of at least USD 2 million annually over a ten-year period, reflecting Kazakhstan’s long-term engagement in sustainable agricultural development and food security. The partnership was formally launched in 2024 with a contribution of around USD 2 million. Further commitment for annual contributions under underscores country’s engagement to this cooperation modality. The FAO–Kazakhstan Partnership Programme is designed as a strategic platform to support agricultural innovation, sustainability and regional cooperation while positioning Kazakhstan as an active contributor to knowledge sharing and South-South cooperation in the region. A set of national initiatives is advancing under the programme for sustainable and innovation driven agrifood systems, including strengthening national seed systems, enhancing locust monitoring and forecasting, and establishing a national soil organic carbon monitoring, reporting and verification system. Complementing these efforts, the programme also prioritizes sustainable water resources management and irrigation to improve resilience, productivity and long-term food security while reinforcing the country’s role as a regional hub for modern agricultural solutions.

Through these partnership arrangements, FAO has been able to mobilize national expertise, financial resources and institutional capacities to support countries within the region and beyond. The programmes provide flexible platforms for South-South and triangular cooperation, the promotion of peer-to-peer exchanges, the dissemination of good practices and the transfer of context-specific technical solutions, particularly among countries with similar agroecological and socioeconomic conditions.

The FAO partnership programmes with Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Türkiye illustrate how member-driven initiatives can function as effective vehicles for regional cooperation and knowledge sharing. By supporting pilot interventions and innovative approaches, these programmes have generated catalytic effects, creating opportunities for scaling up through larger national investments, trust funds and cooperation with international financial institutions.

 

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