The entry into force on 14 June 2021 of the new ‘Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation instrument – Global Europe’ (called ‘Global Europe’) was a historic achievement for the EU external action.

‘NDICI - Global Europe’: flexibility, coherence and policy driven

Global Europe simplifies the EU external financing architecture by replacing and merging ten instruments under the previous budgetary cycle (2014-2020) into one comprehensive instrument, and strengthens the Union’s capacity to deliver on its strategic priorities and international commitments by providing flexibilities and innovative tools to forge stronger trust and collaboration with EU partner countries. ‘Global Europe’ is driven by a ‘policy first’ and ‘value-driven’ approach that will enable the EU to take a stronger geopolitical approach to its external action.

A SOLID BUDGET: With a budget of nearly EUR 80 billion for the period 2021-2027, ‘Global Europe’ covers more than 70% of the EU’s external relations funding. It is based on three pillars: geographic programmes, thematic programmes and rapid response actions. It will be primarily implemented through geographic programmes (Neighbourhood, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and Pacific and Americas and the Caribbean), to allow for a more strategic and coherent approach of the EU action worldwide, closer to partner countries. Support and promotion of human rights will be at the core of our action, as well as supporting Civil Society Organisations around the globe.

AN INSTRUMENT TO FOSTER FURTHER INTER INSTITUTIONAL SYNERGY: To achieve our goals, we are mobilising the full toolbox of the EU’s external action. The EEAS, responsible of the EU foreign policy, is working even closer with the European Commission, in particular with DG International Partnerships  (DG INTPA), DG European Neighbourhood Policy and Enlargement Negotiations (DG NEAR) and the Service for the Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and with our Delegations around the world, as well as with our Member States, their cooperation agencies and EU financial institutions, particularly under the EFSD+, in a ’Team Europe’ approach.

AN INSTRUMENT READY TO TACKLE CURRENT GEOPOLITICAL CHALLENGES: In 2022, the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine ushered the world into a new geopolitical paradigm of instability. The consequences of the war are numerous, with food insecurity and rising energy prices, social unrests, heavy budget imbalances, disinformation, standing out among others. NDICI-Global Europe is currently being mobilised to its full potential to address the situation both in Ukraine and in other partner countries.

In the Eastern Neighbourhood, having one instrument allowed the EU to address the evolving needs related to the war of aggression against Ukraine, whether by providing immediate assistance to internally displaced persons and refugees, or by working on sustainable food systems and supporting local civil society organisations. The 2021-2024 Global Europe bilateral allocations in the East were set up at the level of EUR 1.5 billion. Moreover, additional funds (EUR 501m) were mobilized in 2022 from the “Global Europe” emerging challenges and priorities cushion to respond to the consequences of the war in Ukraine.

In the Southern Neighbourhood, many countries are heavily hit by rising food prices. As such, part of the 2021-2022 Global Europe funds were mobilized via the set-up of a Food and Resilience Facility of EUR 225 million to help mitigate the effects of the crisis. Support from the Facility comes as a top-up of the current bilateral allocations, which amounts to around EUR 3.8 billion, between 2021-2024. In total, nearly EUR 1 billion in EU grant support to sectors related to food security and social protection/social safety nets is foreseen in the Southern Neighbourhood until 2024.

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the looming food security crisis required a strong EU response via the mobilization of Global Europe. Jointly with EU Member States, the EU pledged EUR 1 billion on food security in the Sahel and Lake Chad regions and over EUR 600 million for the Horn of Africa, with EU contributions from Global Europe and additional humanitarian budget.