VOICE, CONCORD, EPLO Press release: Europe cannot afford to turn its back on the world
How can Europe become stronger globally if it cuts the resources it needs to act?
This question will be at the heart of the EU budget proposal that will be presented by the Irish Presidency this Saturday, and the EU summit taking place next week.
EU leaders say they want to strengthen the EU’s global role and build resilient partnerships in a rapidly changing world. Yet a 40% cut to Global Europe, the EU’s future seven-year budget for external action (2028–2034) is being suggested. This would mean less capacity to respond to crises, support development and peace beyond its borders. External action funding is one of the EU’s key tools for turning its commitments into action: from poverty reduction and humanitarian assistance to peacebuilding, human rights and gender equality. It also builds the resilience and long-term partnerships needed to address shared global challenges.
As Executive Directors of civil society networks representing 2700 NGOs working with the EU on international cooperation, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding, we call on EU Member States to maintain the €200 billion proposed by the European Commission for Global Europe.
