The Technical Facility on Deforestation-free Value Chains collaborates with commodity-producing countries to assist in transitioning to legal and deforestation-free value chains, in line with the EU Deforestation Regulation’s (EUDR) market requirements. It provides technical expertise to country stakeholders and supports the development and implementation of inclusive tools, frameworks and processes. Value chains in the Facility’s scope include cocoa, coffee, rubber, palm oil, soy and cattle.
The Facility aims to provide a flexible and rapid response to country stakeholders’ policy and technical needs, in close collaboration with other EU initiatives and programmes. It is funded by the European Union and steered by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA). It works in close collaboration with the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission (JRC).
Key activities
- Policy and trade dialogues: Facilitating informed dialogues between the EU and producing countries.
- Stakeholder engagement: Promoting multi-stakeholder dialogues and ensuring the inclusion of smallholders.
- Information exchange and lessons learned: Sharing knowledge and experiences to inform policy and practices at national, EU and international levels.
- Traceability: Developing robust, credible and transparent systems for tracking commodities.
- Legal frameworks and compliance: Clarifying legal and regulatory frameworks and means of verification.
- Deforestation risk monitoring: Strengthening national information systems and data availability.
- Trade and incentives: Analysing value chain dynamics and supporting incentive mechanisms.
Operational approach
- Demand-driven: Activities structured around priorities set with EU Delegations and the DG INTPA, based on commodity-producing country needs and demands.
- Flexible expertise: Offering specialised and tailer-made knowledge and solutions with a broad set of stakeholders and value chain actors.
- Global reach: Operating in Africa, Latin America and Southeast Asia, focusing on commodities like coffee, cocoa, rubber, palm oil, soy, and cattle.
- Smallholder focus: Ensuring the role of smallholder farmers is recognised and supported in the transition to sustainable practices.
Requesting support
EU Delegations can contact the thematic unit F3 on “Sustainable Agri-Food Systems and Fisheries” at DG INTPA, who will liaise with the Technical Facility.
Types of support
- Technical support: Offering analysis, technical assistance and facilitation support on issues related to legality, traceability, deforestation risk monitoring, trade and incentives, and smallholder inclusion.
- Inclusive approaches: Working with governments, civil society and private sector in commodity-producing and consuming countries.
- Multi-stakeholder approaches: Promoting inclusive dialogues and the development of inclusive, technical solutions.
- Flexible and versatile: Providing in-house technical expertise through EFI staff based in Europe and partner countries, combined with service contracts and grants with external partners.