Madagascar

For a long time, Norway has provided development assistance to Madagascar through the UN system, the World Bank and NGOs. Madagascar has had the status of a Norwegian partner country since 2004, and in May the same year the Norwegian Embassy in Antananarivo was established. Norwegian missionaries have been present in Madagascar since 1866 and have worked hard all this time.

Norwegian state-to-state assistance to Madagascar is currently frozen as a result of the political situation in the country. Support through NGOs and the UN system, however, has been maintained.

Education

After the coup in March 2009 it was decided that Norwegian assistance to the education sector would continue. The agreement with the Norwegian Directorate of Education and Training was frozen, however, and assistance is now being channelled through UNICEF, ILO and the Norwegian Mission Society (NMS). UNICEF uses Norwegian support for, among other things, the implementation of the Education for All initiative, new and improved curricula, printing of school materials, special efforts aimed at girls, and school buildings. ILO builds classrooms. The support channelled through the NMS is used for inclusive education for the hearing-impaired and deaf.

Results from previous initiatives:

• Teacher training has been provided in 45 school districts.
• 29 800 teachers have received training in approximately 2 650 networks (2008-2009).
• 20 different text books for children have been published.
• A communication plan giving guidance on the education reform has been introduced in all the 20 pilot districts.
• 10 000 guidelines for teachers have been printed.
• 500 000 brochures and 70 000 educational periodicals have been made and distributed in 69 selected districts. 
• The programme also showed increased capacity in the weakest districts in relation to planning and implementing activities and account keeping.

Environment

As a consequence of the increased pressure on Madagascar's natural resources in connection with the political crisis, in 2009 and 2010 Norway strengthened efforts in the environmental sector. Funds are channelled through two international environmental organisations, WWF and Conservation International, as well as Alliance Voahary Gasy, a Madagascan platform for environmental organisations. The effort is particularly related to the management of vulnerable protected forest areas in cooperation with the local population, and to strengthening the civil society.