Development Policy and Practice

Re-balancing the European Union security and economic interests with its development policy objectives and its values of democracy, solidarity and respect for human rights is a major challenge for the coming years. The issue is not only about policy coherence for sustainable development but also about using EU financial resources and cooperation instruments for the right purpose and with the right impact in a political context dominated by an economic crisis agenda, global competition for natural resources and land, growing inequalities and shrinking space for civil society.

Building on evidence from its members, ACT Alliance EU aims at influencing EU policy making, legislation and practice which impact on human rights, equality and inclusiveness, particularly for women and girls and the implementation of the sustainable development goals so that all people can realise their full potential and enjoy their rights protected by international law, conventions and norms.

 

The ACT Alliance believes that all have a shared responsibility to make sustainable development a reality for all, particularly for those living in situations of poverty, vulnerability or who are experiencing marginalisation. This will be partly achieved through support and participation in the realisation of the United Nation Sustainable Development Goals.

EU policies and actions can contribute to that objective by promoting more equitable and sustainable models of development, production and consumption in Europe and worldwide.

ACT Alliance EU advocates in favour of a comprehensive and ambitious EU implementation plan for the SDGs that is anchored in Human Rights and the 3 pillars of sustainable development. This plan should leave no one behind, ensure that we respect intergenerational equity and planetary boundaries. In its external dimension, the plan must take into account the impact of EU policies on developing countries and the human rights and livelihoods of their populations through policy coherence for sustainable development.

Together with ACT Alliance members and with partners in civil society, ACT Alliance EU will monitor EU role in the implementation of the SDGs and will hold EU institutions and Member States accountable for the promises and commitments they made.

Featured Resources

Africa-EU partnership of equals: how can we get there? Is the Global Gateway fit for purpose?

Together with other FBOs, ACT Alliance EU organised a panel discussion hosted by MEPs Bricmont (B, Greens) and Zorrinho... Read More

Towards a people-centred, fair and sustainable recovery : recommendations for future priorities for EU's development coo...

Priorities for the EU's development cooperation in the post-Covid 19 era - Policy paper The Covid-19 pandemic and the... Read More

Insider's Guide to the New EU-ACP post-Cotonou Agreement

The new partnership agreement between the European Union and the members of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and P... Read More

A critical eye on the post-Cotonou EU-OACPS partnership agreement

After 2 years of negotiations, the EU and ACP negotiators adopted a new binding agreement for the coming 20 years. The t... Read More

Post 2020 EU aid must address structural and new COVID related inequalities in education

In response to Commissioner Urpilainen's commitment to allocate 10% of EU's aid to education, ACT EU, FCA and 10 other N... Read More

ACT EU submission on EU Gender Action Plan III

ACT EU view is that an important added value of GAP III would be to promote gender appropriate actions and focus across... Read More

Resources

Social Protection as a basis for self-determined human development

To build back better after the COVID-19 pandemic to a new and different normal, that provides a solid ground for self-de... Read More

Recommendations for a people-centred and transformative EU-Africa strategy

This paper published in May 2020 is based on ACT Alliance EU`s analysis of the joint EC/EEAS communication, Towards a co... Read More

European Green Deal must strengthen partner countries’ recovery from the COVID-19 crisis

This joint NGO Statement on the role of the European Green Deal  in the EU short and longer-term global response to the ... Read More