Make Europe's development cooperation more efficient

The EPP Group calls on the EU and its Member States to improve coordination, enhance local ownership, and better involve “non-traditional” donors in the EU’s development cooperation.

The European Parliament will debate today and vote on Thursday on a proposal to modernise the European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD). Currently, the European Union provides nearly half of the world’s development contributions.

“To close current gaps and to make our development investments more efficient, coherent and sustainable, the EFAD should assist our partner countries in domestic resource mobilisation but it also needs to better involve Central Eastern European Member States in development projects”, said György Hölvényi MEP, EPP Group Spokesman for Development Policy, who negotiated Parliament’s proposal.

“Both European and African micro, small and medium-sized enterprises play an immense role in sustainable development. Their support, particularly in the current economic situation, needs to be at the heart of our cooperation”, stressed Hölvényi.

“The 2018 financial crisis, the COVID-19 pandemic and the current Russian military aggression in Ukraine have affected the worldwide implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals. Armed conflicts further hinder the achievement of these goals. That is why we need to foster security in Africa as a precondition for development", Hölvényi continued.

Hölvényi emphasised the increasing need for supporting education projects. “To make our investments more efficient and sustainable, we need quality education and vocational training available for young people in our partner countries, therefore education must be the number one priority for us", Hölvényi concluded.