The European Commission (EC) is one of the leading donors supporting Haiti's Interim Co-operation Framework (ICF), which sets out a comprehensive two-year plan for Haiti's development from September 2004 to 2006. The EC pledged a total of €294 million to the ICF, comprising of primarily the remaining funds available to Haiti under the 8th European Development Fund (EOF) and Haiti's allocation under the 9th European Development Fund (EOF) (€167 million). The Commission is utilising the remaining funds under the 8th EOF and €95.6 million from the 9th EOF to support programmes that directly benefit the Haitian people, strengthen civil society and the private sector, and support democratisation, the rule of law and the electoral process; and other short and medium term priorities identified through the ICF. Discussions are underway between the Commission and the Haitian Interim Government to prepare an indicative programme for the balance of funds (€72 million) allocated to Haiti under the 9th EOF. The indicative programme will be signed and implemented once national elections deemed free and fair are held. National elections are scheduled for later this year. The EC has taken measures to improve the disbursement rate of this substantial funding by reinforcing the Commission staff in Haiti and simplifying the procedures for implementing projects.