As preparations for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) advance, the EU must prioritise a coherent, predictable, and flexible international cooperation strategy, ensuring that funding reaches those most in need while retaining the capacity to address emerging challenges.

This position paper, developed by Concord with contributions from WWF, calls for a well-resourced external action budget anchored by a dedicated instrument for international cooperation. It urges the EU to direct ODA towards Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and fragile countries, with a strong focus on human development, gender equality, climate action, biodiversity protection, and civil society engagement.

To meet the scale of today’s environmental and development challenges, the EU must significantly raise its ambition. The paper advocates for binding targets within the next MFF, including:

• Allocating at least 35% of international cooperation funding to climate action, ensuring a fair balance across mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage, and supporting a just transition that fosters social and economic inclusion for marginalised and climate-vulnerable communities.
• Dedicating at least 15% of external spending exclusively to biodiversity, distinct from climate or broader environmental funding, directly contributing to the Global Biodiversity Framework’s goals to halt biodiversity loss, restore ecosystems, and support the most affected regions.

By implementing these recommendations, the EU can reaffirm its global leadership. ODA remains a cornerstone of international cooperation; reducing it now would neither strengthen Europe's security nor stability. Instead, continued commitment to multilateralism and ambitious, sustainable development goals is essential for a safer, fairer, and more resilient world.

Note: