Members of the European Parliament’s Foreign Affairs and Development Committees, concerned about the multiplicity of crises, are calling for the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe) to be adapted to geopolitical realities to ensure that it is more effective in the future.
The joint report, adopted on 16 November (53 votes in favour, 8 against and 5 abstentions) sets out MEPs’ recommendations for the European Commission’s mid-term review of this instrument – an exercise which is currently underway and due to be completed by the end of 2024.
Last June, the European Court of Auditors pointed to shortcomings in the methods used to allocate funds and the monitoring indicators used to measure the impact of this external aid (see EUROPE 13196/17).
MEPs hope that the mid-term review will provide an opportunity for an in-depth assessment of the instrument’s effectiveness in achieving its main objectives: reducing poverty, promoting human rights and supporting the long-term sustainable development of partner countries.
They are concerned about the capacity of this financial instrument to meet these objectives, given the escalation of geopolitical unrest, and recommend that it be adapted to a new, more competitive geopolitical reality.
MEPs welcome the Commission’s proposal to increase funding for external action as part of the mid-term review of the EU budget, believing that NDICI has so far been underfunded. They stress that under no circumstances should the budget review lead to a reduction in funds or a reallocation of funds.
They are concerned that the climate and biodiversity funding targets have not been met.
MEPs also want the Commission to assess the extent to which funding has produced tangible results in Africa and whether a revision of priorities and objectives is necessary.
Targeted support for organisations campaigning for respect for LGBTQ+ people around the world should be a priority.
See the report voted on: https://aeur.eu/f/9mp (Original version in French by Aminata Niang)