EU Development Cooperation Policy

The objective of the European Union (EU) development cooperation policy is to fight poverty and contribute to economic and social development in developing countries, and especially in the poorest ones. EU seeks to integrate these countries into the world economy and simultaneously promote the dissemination of democracy, rule of law and respect for human rights.

The EU development cooperation policy is implemented by the European Commission’s Directorate General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA - EuropeAid) and other DG’s), the European External Action Service, the EU representations worldwide, the EU Member States, non-governmental organisations. 

Development cooperation constitutes a very important part of the European Union’s external relations. Most probably, this is the most important instrument developing the EU’s soft power and shaping a positive image of Europe in developing countries. The EU is the world leader in terms of official development assistance volume: it allocates more than 50 per cent of the world’s total official development assistance.

The common principles of EU development cooperation are embedded in the 2009 Lisbon Treaty and the The New European Consensus on Development adopted in 2017.The latter sets out the priorities and implementing measures with the aim to contribute to the achievement of 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Poverty eradication remains the primary objective of development policy under the new Consensus. It also integrates the economic, social and environmental dimensions of sustainable development and underlines the links between development and other policies including peace and security, humanitarian aid, migration and climate.

The EU's development cooperation policy is supported by the new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI), which came into force in 2021 and brings together all the EU's external action funding instruments. It aims to help partner countries eradicate poverty, promote sustainable development, prosperity, peace and stability.

The instrument's funding is distributed across 3 pillars:

• Geographical - to promote dialogue and cooperation with third countries. All regional financial envelopes will be tailored to the needs and priorities of the regions concerned, in line with the EU's strategic priorities, in particular in the EU's neighbourhood and in Africa and in the countries in greatest need.
• Thematic - to support human rights and democracy, civil society, stability and peace. It will complement the activities included in the geographical pillar when they need to be undertaken globally.
• Rapid Response - enabling the EU to apply conflict prevention measures and respond quickly and effectively to crises or lack of stability. This pillar will build the resilience of partner countries and take pre-emptive action to respond to the EU's foreign policy needs and priorities.

In December 2021, the European Commission unveiled an ambitious Global Gateway investment programme for the period 2021-2027, through which the EU institutions, together with Member States, aim to develop digital technologies, green energy and clean transport networks, improve health and education systems, and promote research around the world, and in particular in developing countries.

The Global Gateway programme will mobilise up to €300 billion of investment in partner countries, implemented in line with European standards of democracy and transparency.