ACT Alliance EU and 23 other organisations are urging the EU to increase funding for external action in its seven-year budget, known as the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF).
This appeal comes at a crucial time as the world grapples with unprecedented challenges, including the ongoing global energy crisis, economic uncertainties, and the escalating impacts of climate change.
We live in an interconnected world. Whilst finding additional funding for external action will not be easy, investing in creating safer, more sustainable, and fairer conditions globally is crucial for Europe’s own future.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and escalating climate emergencies highlight how European citizens are deeply connected with their neighbouring regions. Moreover, the European Union’s partners expect it to uphold its commitments.
Europe’s Global Ambitions: Funding vs. Reality
Although the EU aims to foster a world that is more environmentally friendly and just, there’s an increasing discrepancy between its bold global ambitions and the resources available to fulfil them.
While the EU has the ambition to create a more environmentally sustainable and a more equitable world, there is a growing gap between its bold ambitions on the global stage and the resources available to achieve them. At a time when the geopolitical context calls for strong alliances, the EU’s capacity to realise its goals is at risk if it does not secure sufficient funds.
Funding Crisis: Jeopardising EU Aid and Global Goals
We are deeply worried that inadequate funding will lead to a conflict between immediate needs and long-term investments, and between core development sectors. Ultimately, this will make EU aid less effective. It will also make it harder to fulfil the goals of the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development – a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet, and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.
For this reason, ACT Alliance EU, along with 23 other organisations and networks involved in development cooperation, climate action, and humanitarian aid, has endorsed a position paper. This document urges the European Commission, the European Parliament, and the Council to boost the funding available for external action (under Heading 6) during the review of the MFF.
Read the full paper.
