Posted on February, 20 2025

WWF, together with 30 other NGOs, is urging the EU to reinforce and expand its commitment to external action and international cooperation in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF). To effectively address global challenges—including poverty reduction, human rights, climate action, and biodiversity protection—the EU must significantly increase its investment in Official Development Assistance (ODA).

In a joint statement, the coalition highlights the effectiveness of the NDICI-Global Europe instrument (NDICI-GE) in advancing EU objectives internationally. The mid-term evaluation of NDICI-GE confirms that the current structure is delivering results and should be maintained with targeted improvements rather than overhauled. The EU’s external instruments must remain flexible and well-funded to address emerging crises while ensuring long-term, sustainable development.

The NGOs call on the EU to: 

• Substantially increase the external action budget to meet growing global challenges in development, human rights, and environmental sustainability.
• Maintain strong ODA commitments, with at least 50% of bilateral aid allocated to Least Developed Countries and Fragile States.
• Ensure predictable and sustainable financing, balancing flexibility with long-term strategic investments in human development, climate resilience, and biodiversity protection.

The coalition also urges the EU to scale up investments in climate action and biodiversity, recognizing their crucial role in sustainable development, peace, and security. The EU must ensure that 50% of external funding is dedicated to climate and biodiversity, with at least 35% allocated to climate action and 15% earmarked for biodiversity-specific actions. This will help address global environmental crises, protect vulnerable communities, and support nature-based solutions that enhance economic and social resilience in partner countries.

As the EU prepares the next MFF, WWF and its partners stress that every euro spent must deliver tangible results for people and the planet. A well-resourced, ambitious, and forward-looking external action budget will be essential to securing a just, sustainable, and resilient future for all.