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Резюме : In June 2025, the European Commission published its proposal for the Global Europe Instrument – the principal financial instrument for external actions under the 2028-2034 Multiannual Financial Framework. The proposal foresees possibilities to restrict access to procurement under the instrument, provide direct support to European private companies and support to EU Member States' Export Credit Agencies. The workshop provided analysis of these issues from the perspective of development cooperation. Analysing the consequences of the proposed provisions from the perspective of tied aid and aid effectiveness, the workshop outlined opportunities and challenges of the current proposal for EU development cooperation. The workshop featured the presentation of preliminary findings of two papers for the DEVE committee on 'Eligibility restrictions and strategic procurement: Could European preference in the Global Europe proposal lead to tied aid?' and 'European preference and competitiveness in the Global Europe proposal: opportunities and challenges for development effectiveness'.

Външен автор : Annamaria LA CHIMIA, Lukas SCHLÖGL, Simela PAPATHEOPHILOU, Werner RAZA

Резюме : This paper examines how the European Union (EU) promotes gender equality in development cooperation through gender mainstreaming and targeted gender-equality actions. It asks whether this twin-track approach delivers meaningful results, where its strengths and weaknesses lie and what is at stake in the post-2027 period. The current EU framework is ambitious and gender mainstreaming has become increasingly visible and routine across EU development cooperation. In many mainstreamed actions, gender is included in diagnostic framing, cross-cutting commitments and some indicators, helping to bring gender equality into sectors where it was previously more marginal. However, the quality and depth of mainstreaming remain uneven. Gender is often better integrated in design and narrative than in implementation, resource allocation, accountability and structural change. Targeted actions are usually clearer and more direct in addressing gender inequality as the central problem, but remain more limited in number, scale and sectoral reach. The paper concludes that mainstreaming and targeted actions are indispensable and complementary. The post-2027 framework should make the twin-track approach more consequential. It is recommended to protect binding gender targets in the Global Europe instrument, use Gender Action Plan IV to set stronger operational standards, improve gender budgeting and reporting, and ensure that EU delegations and implementing partners have the expertise and resources needed to carry gender commitments through implementation.

Външен автор : Petra DEBUSSCHER

Резюме : The European Union (EU) and its Member States have taken on a central role in supporting mid- and low-income countries as they address the challenge of climate change mitigation by, for example, facilitating technical and financial support for large-scale renewable energy projects as well as new (critical) raw material supply chains. In recent years, the EU has put in place various strategies, initiatives and policies that support energy transition and are seen as mutually beneficial for both the EU and third countries. This paper critically examines the challenges and opportunities of such cooperation mechanisms, focussing particularly on how Indigenous Peoples and local communities are impacted in mid- and low-income countries. Four case studies (two on critical raw materials, one on green hydrogen and another on the use of international carbon credits under the newly proposed 2040 EU climate target) develop these challenges and opportunities across socio-environmental, socio-economic and socio-political dimensions. The associated empirical analysis helps inform the formulation of actionable policy recommendations for the EU.

Външен автор : Mathieu BLONDEEL, Ina LEHMANN, Mirja SCHODERER

Автори : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, SERPIERI Margherita

Автори : SERPIERI Margherita

Резюме : The Sudanese civil war has created the largest humanitarian emergency in the world. Since violence broke out in April 2023, fighting between the two main parties to the conflict – the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces – has not eased. As third countries have continued offering financial and military support to both parties, the situation of civilian Sudanese has continued to deteriorate. In 2026, more than 30 million people in the country need humanitarian assistance and over 15 million have been displaced. The EU and its Member States are the largest humanitarian donor for Sudan, helping with food distribution, nutrition, health, water, and other areas of need. Nonetheless, humanitarian assistance in Sudan generally faces several critical challenges. Cuts to aid budgets have led to an underfunded humanitarian system. In Sudan, this means that about 60 % of the funds needed were lacking in 2025. The delivery of aid also faces challenges as a result of ongoing fighting, violence against aid workers, and administrative hurdles. This complicates – and at times prevents – aid deliveries to a population that has faced widespread and systematic violations of international humanitarian and human rights law for three years.

Автори : BRYS INGE GABRIEL THERESIA, HERGADEN MALTE FREDERIK, DELESPESSE ELISE MARIE A.

Резюме : This study examines the evolving relationship between principles and interests in European Union (EU) development and cooperation policies. Against the backdrop of global fragmentation and heightened geopolitical competition, the EU has increasingly reframed its external action as ‘strategic’ and ‘geopolitical’, most notably through the Global Gateway initiative. While the EU Treaties enshrine poverty eradication as the primary objective of EU development cooperation policy, the study finds a significant shift towards integrating development cooperation with EU security, economic, and migration interests. This creates tensions between the normative core and legal foundation of the EU’s development policy and its strategic self-interests. Through a combined legal and political analysis, the study assesses the coherence of current priorities against the Union’s own benchmarks. It concludes by offering recommendations for the European Parliament to strengthen oversight, transparency, and the operationalisation of development principles within an increasingly complex and contested policy landscape.

Външен автор : Lukas SCHLÖGL, Stefan MAYR, Simela PAPATHEOPHILOU, Werner RAZA

Автори : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, CROSSFIELD CLARE BABETTE, SERPIERI Margherita

Автори : SANDERSKI ANDRZEJ, SERPIERI Margherita

Резюме : The European Commission drew up seven impact assessments (IAs) in support of 18 programme proposals for the 2028-2034 multiannual financial framework (MFF) and the proposed regulation on a horizontal performance framework. The broad scope of these IAs does not allow individual programme proposals to be assessed in any detail – as is particularly salient in the case of the IA on the national and regional partnership plans, covering nine legislative proposals. All IAs acknowledge a deviation from the scope and depth of a standard IA as defined by the Better Regulation Guidelines (BRG). This is justified with Tool #9 of the BR Toolbox, which indicates the specificity of the MFF, but does not define how related IAs should be carried out. As a result, the application of the better regulation principles varies widely across the MFF IAs. They are similar insofar as the Commission chose for all of them a mostly horizontal rather than policy-specific approach and did not include any budgetary considerations and scenarios. These choices affect the quality of key sections of the IAs considerably, albeit to varying extents. The problem definition often lacks specificity and substantiation. Similarly, the IAs' objectives remain largely unspecific, which, in turn, affects the IAs' monitoring and evaluation provisions and risks hampering the future measuring of the objectives' achievement. The description of policy options is in most cases short and vague, which weakens the impact analysis. The depth to which economic, social and environmental impacts are assessed varies across the sampled IAs. The analysis remains predominantly qualitative, with quantification largely lacking. All seven MFF initiatives are deemed relevant for small and medium-sized enterprises (SME) and are thus listed in the 'SME filter'. The IAs state that they place great emphasis on simplification and burden reduction. None of them is accompanied by a subsidiarity grid, and they discuss subsidiarity, European added value and proportionality rather briefly. While the IAs differ considerably in terms of quality and transparency when it comes to their evidence base and methodology, all of them acknowledge certain limitations and a lack of data (notably quantitative data). Consultation activities were largely limited to open public consultations. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board (RSB) found significant shortcomings in all seven draft IAs, prompting it, exceptionally, to issue opinions without qualification. The persisting flaws in the final IAs suggest that the RSB recommendations have at best been partially addressed. Altogether, the limited quality of the MFF IAs appears to reflect a missed opportunity to provide policymakers with high-quality and transparent evidence for one of the most important policy packages to be negotiated in the coming months and years.

Автори : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, KRAMER Esther

Резюме : This study examines how the European Commission and the European Investment Bank measure the impact of their external action programmes and investments on decent and sustainable job creation in Sub Saharan Africa, with particular attention to the Global Gateway. This paper summarises current employment impact assessment practices, recognising their capacity to capture high level direct and indirect employment effects while also identifying clear limitations, especially in harmonising job quality metrics. The paper identifies solid foundations alongside clear shortcomings in the EC and EIB appraisal, monitoring and evaluation systems for measuring decent jobs impacts. It finds that shifts under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe have underscored the importance of adopting robust job creation metrics and for embedding these systematically across EU external action. Finally, the paper showcases good practices in EU programmes and partner multilateral development banks and development finance institutions that have strengthened clarity and commitment to monitoring decent job impacts through country jobs diagnostics, adopting employment markers, reinforcing environmental, social and governance due diligence frameworks and policies promoting responsible business conduct.

Външен автор : Katerina Stolyarenko, Sandra Jane Wark

Резюме : The proposal for a Global Europe instrument is included in the post-2027 multiannual financial framework (MFF) package, which aims to be simpler than previous regulations and to provide additional flexibility (over and above MFF ceilings). The new instrument merges the Neighbourhood, Development, International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe; the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance, humanitarian aid; the Ukraine Facility, the Reform and Growth Facility for the Western Balkans; and the Reform and Growth Facility for Moldova. The impact assessment (IA) focuses on the six corresponding regulations. It falls under the Better Regulation Tool #9 (special case of preparing a new MFF); the scope and depth of analysis are therefore different compared with a non-MFF IA. Although the IA provides an intervention logic and defines the drivers, the problem definition remains vague and unclear. Moreover, the interlinks with objectives and drivers are not detailed in the intervention logic. In accordance with the Better Regulation Requirements, the IA assesses the expected economic, social and environmental impacts for the three policy options. It also compares and rates them against the Better Regulation criteria of effectiveness, efficiency and coherence. Proportionality and subsidiarity are not assessed in the IA, not even in the policy options. In terms of monitoring and evaluation, the IA is limited on data collection methods and on how progress will be measured. The evidence from previous evaluations could have been better integrated in the IA and be used to provide quantitative estimates. The Regulatory Scrutiny Board decided to issue an opinion without qualification given the lack of fundamental elements in this IA. The legislative proposal is aligned with the IA's preferred option.

Автори : CAPDEVILA PENALVA Josefina

Резюме : On 21 October 2025, the European Commission under Ursula von der Leyen's second mandate adopted its work programme for 2026 (2026 CWP). In line with the Commission President's political guidelines and letter of intent and highlighting the need for full implementation of Mario Draghi's competitiveness report, the 2026 CWP places a strong emphasis on competitiveness, innovation and collective security. In parallel, the Commission commits to advancing simplification, implementation, and this year, also to strengthening enforcement. These three areas will remain key horizontal priorities for the entire Commission mandate. Just like last year's CWP, the 2026 CWP adheres to the seven headline ambitions put forward in the political guidelines. It is accompanied by a report on implementation, simplification and enforcement, the first of its kind. This new annual report is set to replace the annual burden survey. Annex I of the 2026 CWP puts forward 70 major new legislative and non-legislative initiatives, 44 % of which fall under the competitiveness headline ambition. (Up to) 48 of the new initiatives are legislative, including three sector-specific omnibus packages (on energy product legislation, taxation and citizens). Of the forthcoming legislative initiatives, 67 % are likely revisions of existing legislation, while more than half have a strong simplification dimension. Unlike previous CWPs, the 2026 CWP does not indicate whether a legislative initiative will be accompanied by an impact assessment; this lack of transparency runs counter to the spirit of the Interinstitutional Agreement on Better Law-Making. Information on the Commission's 'Have your say' portal shows that, at the time of writing, two thirds of the up to 48 legislative initiatives were expected to be accompanied by an impact assessment (though the final number may be higher). The annual evaluation plan presented in Annex II of the CWP, comprising 20 evaluations, does not appear exhaustive. Finally, the communication on Better Regulation, expected in Q2 2026, may entail a revision of the Better Regulation Guidelines, the first since 2021.

Автори : ANGLMAYER Irmgard, DALLI HUBERT, IOANNIDES Isabelle

Резюме : Although microelectronics have a significant role in modern life, their low visibility and complex value chain have contributed to concealing a decline in EU industry in the field. It is broadly assumed that microelectronics are designed in California and manufactured in Taiwan. What if the EU could take a particularly strategic position in this technology?

Автори : GARCIA HIGUERA ANDRES

Резюме : This paper examines how European Union (EU) development cooperation is used to address irregular migration in Africa. It focuses on the implementation of the ‘root causes approach’ and increasing use of development funds to support migration management and border management in partner countries. Drawing on academic research, policy analysis and expert interviews, the paper explores both intended and unintended effects of EU-funded interventions, with a regional focus on Sub-Saharan Africa. The findings show that EU development-funded interventions on migration prioritise control over facilitation and may thus conflict with broader development objectives. In some cases, development cooperation has reinforced external control agendas while undermining local priorities and migration systems. Hence, tensions are identified between EU migration policy and its commitments to Policy Coherence for Development and the Sustainable Development Goals. The paper argues that EU development cooperation on migration should be cautious when targeting the reduction of irregular migration as a primary objective, since this approach relies on contested assumptions, shows little evidence of reducing migration, and may produce outcomes at odds with broader development objectives. It calls for a reorientation towards facilitating mobility in ways that enable its developmental potential, strengthen local ownership and build on existing regional priorities, particularly by supporting intra-African migration systems.

Външен автор : Cathrine Talleraas

Резюме : The dismantling of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) by the second Trump administration in 2025 marked a significant shift in US foreign policy. US national interests were prioritised over multilateral development and humanitarian aid, with the decision described by the Trump administration as an alignment of aid with US values. The European Union (EU) and its Member States cannot fully offset these cuts, which will most dramatically affect funding for global health, food security and crisis response. In the past, US and EU approaches to aid targeted different ends: while the EU has focused on sustainable development and peace building, the US emphasised crisis-driven aid. Potential consequences of the US cuts include increased migration, disease proliferation and geopolitical shifts, as China and Russia expand their influence.

Резюме : The traceability of critical raw materials along the supply chain is pivotal in meeting wider public demands for corporate sustainability and complying with relevant regulations from the European Union that contain requirements for responsible sourcing and the transparency of supply chains. This paper serves as a technical and logistical primer on traceability mechanisms, focusing on upstream mining in Africa – the part of a mineral supply chain from extraction to transformation. It compares and classifies the industry’s existing approaches to traceability based on the minerals targeted, implementation mechanisms, the use of technology and validity. Emphasis is placed on functional mechanisms, benefits and challenges. Particular attention is paid to comparing industrial methods with artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) approaches. ASM, which forms a significant proportion of the market of specific critical raw materials, is the most exposed to abuse but has high rates of livelihood dependence and developmental potential. This paper makes recommendations on: the complementarity, interoperability and integration of initiatives; the role of state and non-state actors for compliance and enforcement; and the potential for including ASM.

Резюме : The European Parliament is vested with powers of democratic oversight and political scrutiny vis-à-vis the European Commission. These powers of Parliament enhance the democratic legitimacy of the EU as a whole, and help increase the transparency and accountability of the Commission as the EU's executive body. This study examines Parliament's oversight and scrutiny powers over the Commission. It focuses mainly, but not exclusively, on the powers that are enshrined in specific provisions of the EU Treaties. This includes Parliament's role in the Commission's investiture, in motions of censure, parliamentary questions, committees of inquiry and special committees, and in the Commission's obligations to report, consult and inform. It also looks into Parliament's scrutiny over budgetary issues, of delegated acts, in the context of the EU legislative procedure and agenda-setting, of legal proceedings before the Court of Justice of the European Union, and of the EU's external relations. The study builds on a previous EPRS study on parliamentary scrutiny of the Commission, originally requested by the European Parliament's Committee on Constitutional Affairs (AFCO) in 2018. The data presented in this edition focus on the ninth term parliamentary term (2019 to 2024).

Автори : TENHUNEN Susanna, EISELE Katharina, AHAMAD MADATALI HANNAH NAFIZE, JANSEN Talander Hugo

Резюме : This paper examines the role and impact of Official Development Assistance (ODA) on human development outcomes, focusing on health, education and extreme poverty eradication. The aim is to consolidate existing knowledge on how ODA advances internationally agreed targets and to evaluate current trends in European Union (EU) development policy from the perspective of its contribution to human development. The paper finds that the current EU emphasis on resource mobilisation and private sector engagement differs from traditional aid modalities, which have effectively contributed to education and health outcomes, as well as poverty reduction. These traditional modalities should be sustained and expanded to address pending human development targets, particularly in Least Developed Countries. While the Global Gateway might be a good strategy for climate action and infrastructure development, a complementary strategy is required to balance funding and political attention towards poverty eradication, the primary goal of EU development policy, which risks being overshadowed by other aspects of the sustainable development agenda.

Външен автор : Aitor PÉREZ, Lisa M. BUTLER, Martiño Rubal MASEDA

Резюме : Commitments made at the confirmation hearings of the Commissioners-designate 2024-2029