Mutually beneficial partnerships: changing attitudes towards development cooperation

Next event Online

Global Europe
to
starts
ends
Drive impact initiative - cover

About

As part of its DRIVE Impact Initiative, Friends of Europe will launch its second Working Group Meetings on 22 and 23 October 2024. Held online, these Meetings will serve as a crucial step in developing the draft policy recommendations resulting from the discussions at the first round of meetings, focusing on more detailed strategies to reform the world of development cooperation.

Each Working Group will dive into the following topics:

  • Working Group 1 – Rebalancing partnerships and redefining community engagement
  • Working Group 2 – Optimising social impact in partnerships
  • Working Group 3 – Long-term solutions to natural resource management
  • Working Group 4 – “Trade and investment”

This second round of Working Group Meetings will provide a platform for participants to elaborate on these areas, creating more actionable and refined policy recommendations that will contribute to reshaping global investment practices.

Discussions will also address the impact of recent development aid cuts, the appointment of a new College of EU Commissioners, and Mario Draghi’s report emphasising on boosting EU competitiveness. The Draghi report highlights the need for the EU to adopt a more strategic and competitive stance on the global stage, moving away from the traditional aid model and focusing instead on development cooperation as a form of investment. This shift in approach would position the EU not merely as a donor but as a partner in driving sustainable economic growth, encouraging innovation and building resilient infrastructures. By reframing development aid as investment, the EU can strengthen its soft power, creating long-term partnerships supporting mutual prosperity and solidifying its global leadership in digitalisation, sustainability and governance reform.

Along with Friends of Europe’s 10 Policy Choices for a Renewed Social Contract, this Initiative sets the course for a more inclusive and resilient future. Building on these Policy Choices, the DRIVE Working Groups will contribute to reforming EU institutions to improve coherence (Policy Choice 5), engaging the private sector for social good (Policy Choice 7), reconciling competitiveness and social protection (Policy Choice 8) and enhancing the EU’s soft power (Policy Choice 9).

The Meetings will feature a diverse network of participants, including academics, civil society actors, policymakers, private sector representatives, development sector experts and EU officials.

 

Follow us on TwitterLinkedIn or Instagram, and join the #DRIVEImpact conversation!


Our events include photos, audio and video recording that we might use for promotional purposes. By registering, you give your permission to use your image. Should you have any questions, please contact us.

PHOTO CREDIT: Triff/Shutterstock

Schedule

Schedule

Working Group 1 – Rebalancing partnerships and redefining community engagement
Expand Working Group 1 – Rebalancing partnerships and redefining community engagement

This group will focus on creating more equitable partnerships by exploring ways to rebalance power dynamics and redefine how local communities are engaged in development cooperation efforts.

The discussion will be guided by the following questions:

  • How can development and investment strategies be co-created with partner countries, ensuring inclusivity by involving local and regional authorities, civil society and subnational entities to enhance alignment with local needs and foster greater ownership?
  • What methods can be employed to conduct comprehensive feasibility and impact assessments involving partner countries, and how can internal EU policies be adjusted to better support these external partnerships while meeting both EU and partner country goals?
Working Group 2 – Optimising social impact in partnerships
Expand Working Group 2 – Optimising social impact in partnerships

This group will delve into strategies to maximise the social impact of development cooperation projects.

Discussions will be guided by the following questions:

  • What approaches can be used to build local capacity for managing and leading development projects, including the provision of training, resources and support for local organisations and governments?
  • How can investment in local talent and youth be effectively encouraged and supported by the EU, partner governments and educational institutions to build a skilled workforce and reduce brain drain in partner countries?
Continue to DAY 2
Working Group 3 – Long-term solutions to natural resource management
Expand Working Group 3 – Long-term solutions to natural resource management

This group will focus on sustainable natural resource management by exploring long-term strategies that prioritise environmental health and community empowerment.

Discussions will be guided by the following questions:

  • How can legal frameworks such as trusts or cooperatives be effectively established to promote community ownership and legal empowerment over infrastructure and renewable energy projects, ensuring that local communities have the authority to manage resources and benefit from these projects?
  • What policies and practices can be advocated to ensure that countries retain ownership and benefit from their natural resources, including revenue-sharing agreements that involve local communities and measures to prevent conflicts and exploitation?
Working Group 4 – “Trade and investment”
Expand Working Group 4 – “Trade and investment”

This group will work on facilitating sustainable investment by exploring ways to de-risk private sector engagement and introduce stronger financial incentives for long-term, responsible investment.

Discussions will be guided by the following questions:

  • How can blended finance mechanisms for large infrastructure projects be designed to ensure fair competition between multinational corporations and local businesses and what role should local development finance institutions (DFIs) play in managing and distributing these funds?
  • What strategies can be implemented to streamline the process of channelling blended finance to SMEs by reducing the number of intermediaries, and how can this approach lower transaction costs and improve accessibility for small and medium-sized enterprises?

Activities

view all
view all
view all

Continue
the debate on

Track title

Category

00:0000:00
Stop playback
Video title

Category

Close
Africa initiative logo

Dismiss