Review of the MFF – The case for increased funding for external action
In the midst of a global energy and economic crisis with heavy effects also in Europe, finding new resources for external action (under Heading 6) will not be easy. Yet in an interconnected world, investing in safer, greener, and more equitable conditions abroad is unquestionably one of the best investments in Europe’s future itself. The devastating war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, and worsening climate catastrophes underline how closely tied European citizens are to their neighbors, as well as the expectations that partners have for the European Union (EU) to live up to its commitments.
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 leadership and ability to deliver on its ambitions will be seriously jeopardized, if not matched with adequate funding. We are very concerned that insufficient resources will damage competition between short-term needs and long-term investments, and between core development sectors, ultimately hampering the effectiveness of EU aid and its contribution to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
For this reason, ACT Alliance EU together with other 23 organisations and networks from various sectors of development cooperation, climate protection and humanitarian aid endorsed a position paper calling on the European Commission, the European Parliament and the Council to increase resources for external action (under Heading 6) as part of the multiannual financial framework (MFF) review process.