A/HRC/32/43/Add.1 53. In order to prepare the current country partnership strategy, the World Bank Group conducted rounds of consultation with the central Government, the local authorities, project management units, civil society organizations, the private sector and development partners on selected issues, including access to education, the quality of teaching and training, citizens’ participation, governance, provision of services, youth and development. African Development Bank 54. The cumulative commitments of the African Development Bank (AfDB) in Morocco totalled almost $2.5 billion to fund 31 projects. This level of commitment testifies of the quality of the partnership between Morocco and AfDB. In addition to its major contribution to the Green Morocco Plan, which would have a positive impact on the right to food and the rights of rural women, AfDB has approved a loan of $115 million to finance the third phase of a programme supporting key institutional reforms of medical coverage in Morocco. The programme is aimed at reducing costs and expanding the social safety net for the poorest and most vulnerable in order to provide equitable access to quality health care for all Moroccans. This programme is a major component of both the AfDB fight against poverty and the inclusive growth agenda. 23 European Neighbourhood Policy 55. Within the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy, Morocco is the first recipient of European Union development cooperation. For the period 2014-2017, bilateral assistance from the European Union to Morocco may range between a minimum allocation of €728 million and a maximum allocation of €890 million. 24 The plan is based on a progressive disbursement approach that takes into account the country’s needs and progress in implementing its national reform agenda. The priority areas of this cooperation include the following: equitable access to social services; democratic governance, the rule of law and mobility; and employment and sustainable and inclusive growth. The framework also provides for complementary support for capacity-building and civil society empowerment. Morocco also receives additional funding under several other thematic programmes and instruments, such as the European Instrument for Democracy and Human Rights and the programme for civil society and local authorities. 56. Concerns were raised about the lack of involvement of civil society actors in the process of developing the European Neighbourhood Policy. It is also worth noting that calls from civil society actors to establish a tripartite dialogue between the European Union, the Moroccan authorities and civil society seemed to remain unanswered at the time of the visit. International cooperation and civil society organizations 57. The Independent Expert wishes to stress the important role that development partners can play in empowering civil society actors, including human rights organizations, as well as small grass-roots organizations that have very little access to international funds. Concern was raised that calls for projects often do not reach remote areas, so that the process itself tends to overlook the very small associations that are very active at the grass-roots level but who have limited resources. The Independent Expert acknowledges 23 24 16 For further information, see www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/article/afdb-approves-eur115-millionfor-inclusive-and-universal-health-coverage-in-morocco-12712. See http://ec.europa.eu/enlargement/neighbourhood/countries/morocco/index_en.htm (accessed on 7 March 2016).