The flagship Team Europe Initiative on Water, Energy and Climate Change contributes to managing water and energy resources sustainably, addressing environmental challenges and tackling climate change in the five Central Asian countries. Out of a total of over EUR 700 million allocated through the Team Europe Initiative, the EU contributes EUR 200 million.

To achieve its objectives, the Team Europe Initiative focuses on:

1. Improving regional cooperation and governance for sustainable development in Central Asia;
2. Increasing investment in a regionally integrated green and energy transition in Central Asia.

The initiative is supported by a collection of adopted and ongoing projects from the EU, participating Member States, the European Investment Bank, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. The EU Support to Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia (SECCA) programme, the Central Asia Water and Energy Program (CAWEP), the support to Rogun Hydropower Plant project are just some examples of ongoing actions under the Team Europe Initiative, among others. A Team Europe Initiative secretariat was established, to act a main entry point for both EU and Central Asian partners to discuss their common priorities on water, energy and climate change.

The Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity

The EU is delivering a regional Global Gateway flagship initiative on Digital Connectivity in Central Asia, as one of the actions taken in support of the Global Gateway initiative. It aims to promote digital connectivity and the development of the digital economy in Central Asia by developing a high-capacity internet network, while increasing access to international bandwidth and establishing a secure connection between Europe and Central Asia. Out of a total of over EUR 80 million allocated through the Team Europe Initiative, the EU contributes EUR 55 million.

Mitigate the digital divide in the region

Under this initiative, the first component focuses on “soft connectivity” and creating an enabling environment for the development and deployment of sustainable and inclusive satellite connectivity. This infrastructure investment supports the development of the countries’ governance in sectors such as telecoms reform, cybersecurity, and personal data protection.  More broadly, this support will accelerate digital connectivity in Central Asia, including through initiatives undertaken by other international partners.

The second component is devoted to “hard connectivity” in the form of developing infrastructure. This component is to be implemented through an International Financing Institution that will manage the investment needed for the satellite constellation and the deployment of ground infrastructure to spread connectivity across the region. It will exploit the newest technology for satellite connectivity provided by European private sector.

Cooperation on Critical Raw Materials

Critical Raw Materials play an important role in achieving a green and digital transition.

Central Asia’s richness in Critical Raw Materials (CRM), combined with European expertise in advanced CRM mining, processing and recycling, form a solid basis for a stronger EU-Central Asia cooperation and partnership. A first Memorandum of Understanding was signed by the EU and Kazakhstan in 2022, and then with Uzbekistan in April 2024. A total of EUR 16 million has been allocated to cooperation on CRM in Central Asia. In addition, under the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) a EUR 30 million guarantee agreement will trigger investments on renewable energy projects and mining of critical raw materials.