This activity is deemed not ODA-eligible. The project will be beneficial for the civilian population; however, the Reporting Directives on the eligibility of activities in the field of peace and security give strict instructions in order to draw a clear line between ODA and non-ODA activities: eligible training of partner country military personnel, under civilian oversight and with a clear developmental purpose for the benefit of civilians is limited to the areas listed in the Reporting Directives (paragraph 97). Training in demining is not included in the list of eligible areas of training of partner country military.
The rules in relation to demining can be summarised as follows:
- Conduct of demining activities for civilian purposes by any actors can qualify as ODA (see paragraph 107); if conducted by military actors and additional costs only;
- Training of civilians in demining qualifies as ODA (paragraph 107); if delivered by military or provider country police and additional costs only;
- Training of military personnel in demining does not qualify as ODA (the section of the Reporting Directives on providing training to the military specifies limited areas of training which are reportable as ODA and does not include demining, paragraph 97).