70 organisations join forces to call on the EU to commit to funding global development and climate action

For the first time, on 9 December, 70 organisations initiated a joint effort to call for the European Union (EU) to increase its funding for development, humanitarian assistance and climate action in the next long-term budget of the EU.

As the EU is embarking on the discussions about the architecture of the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028-2035, partners from around the world and across diverse sectors are coming together to call on the EU to commit the necessary funding to meet its global goals — from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals to upholding the Paris Agreement.

The effort was initiated by four founding organizations – Aidsfonds, Global Citizen, The ONE Campaign, and Pandemic Action Network. 

Kasia Lemańska, EU Representative of Aidsfonds, said: “The next EU budget runs until 2035. Decisions made today will shape our shared future. Marginalization and fear should never be anyone’s fate. The EU has the power to reverse the human rights backslide – but it needs the right level of investments. This is the sustainable path to shared prosperity and security. ”

Valentina Barbagallo, EU Representative & Climate Lead at Global Citizen, said: “The stakes have never been higher for Europe to fill the concerning gap in global leadership. Hunger and poverty are on the raise and a decade after the Paris Agreement, promises to protect our planet remain unfulfilled. Without sufficient funding to support partner countries in the green transition, the cost of inaction will be felt by us all. As the European Commission prepares its budget proposal for the next six years, we need EU institutions and member states to rally around a shared vision for strong external action.”

Emily Wigens, EU Director, at The ONE Campaign said: “Investing in global development, humanitarian aid, and climate action isn’t just the right thing to do — it’s in Europe’s best interest. Africa has immense human and natural capital that will be key to driving the green transition and global economy. A strong, resilient Africa is essential for Europe’s prosperity and stability. We’re joining forces to make sure the EU delivers for its international partners and boosts its budget for external action for the benefit of citizens both at home and abroad.” 

Eloise Todd, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Pandemic Action Network, said: “Our partnership of 70 organizations from across the world will strive to shape a long-term EU budget that delivers on our most urgent challenges. Investing ambitiously and effectively in international action on climate, peace, health, and development is the only way the EU can thrive across 27 Member States and internationally. Our growing partnership of organizations will be urging the EU to look outwards, not inwards, in its future spending plans.”

In our increasingly interdependent world, the EU has a choice: it can engage positively on global challenges or retreat from the international stage. The EU must deepen its engagement and commitment to its partners to face the global crises. By increasing its external funding, the EU can shape a future where individuals thrive, nations prosper, and our planet flourishes. All like-minded partners are invited to join this effort  calling for a EU that delivers for the world.

The newly established MFF Hub will be a repository for information and insight into the next MFF negotiations. Via the Hub, partners can closely follow the MFF negotiations developments and take action based on the latest policy analysis and commentary on the process. 

In conjunction with the launch, partners also started a petition calling on the EU to fund a bold, fair budget that tackles global crises and builds a safer, sustainable future for all. Sign it here. 

 

Background

The Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) determines the budget spending of the EU for a period of at least five years. The current MFF runs from 2021 to 2027. The EU institutions and Member States are starting to elaborate the new MFF for the period of seven years, from 2028 to 2035. During this process, the EU will determine its priorities and their budget size. The first proposal by the European Commission is expected in June 2025, which will set out the regulation laying down the MFF (the headings, instruments, structure, legal basis). This proposal will have to be adopted by the Council of Ministers by unanimity, after obtaining the consent of the European Parliament before 2028. 

 

Contact

Kasia Lemanska: +32 489 04 48 22 // KLemanska@aidsfonds.nl // Aidsfonds

Caroline Head: +32 471 68 29 43 // caroline.head@globalcitizen.org // Global Citizen

Guadalupe Casas: +32 472 71 74 20 // guadalupe.casas@one.org // The ONE Campaign 

Autumn Lerner: +1 206 234 1156 // autumn.lerner@pandemicactionnetwork.org // Pandemic Action Network