MFF 2028–2034: an ambitious budget for Global Europe?

The European Commission has unveiled on 16 July its proposal for the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) of the EU from 2028 to 2034 and called it the « most ambitious ever ». According to President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, this budget is worth €2 trillion, €200 billion of which would be dedicated to “Global Europe”, an instrument for financing the EU’s external commitments.

Here are our first thoughts about Global Europe instrument’s ambitions:

What we liked

Sustainable Development Goals. The implementation of the Instrument should support the Global Gateway strategy, the Union’s external investment strategy to advance the sustainable development goals together with partner countries.

Consultations. Fostering close consultations with local authorities, as well as their participation in contributing to sustainable development and localisation of SDGs at the local level. Local authorities should be duly consulted and have timely access to relevant information allowing them to be adequately engaged.

Inclusive partnership. Local authorities of partner countries are duly consulted and have timely access to relevant information to play a meaningful role during the design, implementation and associated monitoring.

Geographic dialogue. Actions shall be based, to the extent possible, on a dialogue between the Union, Member States and the partner countries concerned, including national, regional and local authorities.

Flexible funding. When working with stakeholders of partner countries such as local authorities, the Commission shall take into account their specificities, including their needs and the relevant context, when defining the financing modalities, such as financial framework partnership agreements, financial support to third parties, grants awarded without a call for proposals, or simplified forms of funding.

Engagement with local authorities. Engagement with local authorities and strengthening local authority institutions and their effective operations in line with their respective mandate – in Sub-Saharan Africa, in Asia and the Pacific, and in the Americas and the Caribbean.

Partnerships with enabling networks. Strengthening institutional and operational capacities of European and partner countries’ local authority networks and alliances for development.

What we missed

Local democracy. The Union shall seek to promote, develop and consolidate the principles of democracy, good governance the rule of law and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms on which it is founded, through dialogue and cooperation with partner countries and regions and civil society… but not with local authorities?

EU Policy dialogue. The Commission shall exchange information on a regular basis with civil society within the Union… but not with local authorities?

Consultations. The Commission shall consult other donors and actors, including local authorities, representatives of civil society and the private sector, where relevant… but who decides where and what is relevant?

Empowering local authorities in Europe. Empowering civil society and strengthening its capacity on the monitoring of the implementation of reforms… but not empowering of local authorities?

Engagement with local authorities. Engagement with local authorities and strengthening local authority institutions and their effective operations in line with their respective mandate… why is it missing in the Enlargement and Neighbourhood East, and in Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf?

Global Citizenship Education. Development Education and Awareness-Raising, or Global Citizenship Education, are largely missing from the draft… unless hidden under “public diplomacy activities”, “integrated actions that can create co-benefits and meet multiple objectives”, “supporting inclusive, equitable and quality education”, “promoting democracy, human rights and rule of law”, or “engaging in public diplomacy activities to promote dialogue and mutual understanding”?

Decentralised cooperation. The draft Global Europe regulation fully misses the potential of decentralised development cooperation as modality to empower local authorities as promoters and implementers of territorial approach to local development, providers of local public services for the populations, and creators of enabling environment for Global Gateway investments or for civil society organisations… unless hidden under “coherent framework for cooperation between the Union, partner countries or regions and other partners”, “promoting intercultural dialogue and cooperation, twinning, mobility, exchange and leadership programmes”, or “engaging in public diplomacy activities to promote dialogue and mutual understanding”?

Context:

• Adopted every seven-years, the MFF sets the European Union’s long-term spending and revenue priorities.
• The current MFF, adopted in 2020 for the 2021–2027 period, was complemented by the Next Generation EU recovery plan and revised in 2024 to include, among other elements, the Ukraine Facility — nearly doubling the initially planned budget.
• The European Commission’s proposal of 16 July only marks the beginning. This proposal will need to be adopted by the Council of the European Union and the European Parliament.

More information:

• Read the European Commission Proposal for a Regulation.
• Check the European Commission factsheet on Global Europe.
• Share our reaction on social media: X-former Twitter, Bluesky, LinkedIn.