For decades, the European Union has rightly taken pride in being one of the world’s largest donors of development assistance. But as global crises multiply, there are signs that Europe’s commitment to international aid is wavering. Never has that commitment to partnerships and investments been more critical for both those in need and Europe’s own future.
In 2017, the European Consensus on Development cemented the EU’s pledge to channel 0.7% of its Gross National Income to development assistance by 2030. But today, the EU is at risk of falling short.
This is at a time when 300 million people are in urgent need of humanitarian support, the UN Sustainable Development Goals are slipping out of reach, and the US and some European member states are cutting their development spending. This is both a moral dilemma and a matter of strategic foresight.
Soft power through international assistance
Development assistance is one of the EU’s most powerful levers for shaping a stable, prosperous and secure world. It helps build resilient societies, support functioning institutions and stimulate sustainable economic growth.
It is also a force multiplier, something which increases impact by getting others involved, as we have seen with the EU’s Global Gateway Initiative. Used smartly, development assistance can unlock greater flows of investment from both the public and private sectors.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres has warned that development assistance “alone is not enough.” Used strategically, through blended finance, policy incentives and risk-sharing mechanisms, development assistance can catalyse transformative change. A shift from project-based funding to systemic financing is how we turn billions into the trillions needed to meet the Sustainable Development Goals.
A recent study from think tank ODI Global shows that European development assistance has helped lay the groundwork for stable, investable markets. This benefits not only partner countries, but also Europe’s own economic and multilateral standing.
Failing to sustain this approach would be shortsighted. Diminishing investment risks further destabilising fragile regions, accelerating irregular migration and weakening the EU’s influence and security in a more contested world.
Security and defence spending may now be the EU’s top political priorities, but we cannot ignore the human dimension of security. True security begins at the roots, not at the border. This includes eradicating poverty, reducing inequalities, advancing human rights and gender equality, strengthening social cohesion, and building hope. Development cooperation combined with investments such as the EU’s Global Gateway strategy is the most cost-effective prevention strategy we have for these issues.
International assistance has been a cornerstone of Europe’s soft power through opening markets, fostering stability and anchoring global influence. The same logic applies to migration.
Effective management of migration isn’t only about stronger borders; it’s about opportunity and dignity for potential migrants in countries of origin. The Global Compact for Migration recognises that sustainable livelihoods, job creation and the protection of human rights are essential. Development assistance can deliver all of these.
Budget decision pivotal for the future of aid
The EU’s next Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028–2034 is a defining moment for development assistance. Budget decisions made in Brussels and member states will determine whether Europe continues to lead on sustainable development.
We need a financial strategy that matches political ambition to address the human dimension of security. The EU’s strong commitment to multilateral action calls for a corresponding financial strategy. That means safeguarding sufficient levels of development assistance and ensuring that investments continue to serve as the linchpin of a broader financing effort for development, peace and prosperity.
During a recent visit to Brussels, Guterres called the EU “a fundamental pillar of the multilateral response” to the world’s most pressing challenges. Europe has lived up to that role — not only in words, but in action.
International aid is not an optional add-on. It is a strategic necessity, a moral responsibility, and a defining feature of the EU’s global leadership. We urge the EU and its policymakers to protect it, strengthen it and use it to build a brighter future for people and the planet.
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