As Cyprus hands over the Presidency of the Council of the European Union to Ireland on 1 July, the EU Presidency Project (EUPP) shifts from cycle 5 to 6. In light of this, our Irish member Dóchas shares its Presidency Programme and its key recommendations for the Irish Presidency.
Dóchas is the Irish network for international development and humanitarian organisations and is the lead network for the EU Presidency Project (EUPP). The EUPP brings together national and pan-European NGO platforms for development and relief representing the current and upcoming EU Council Presidencies. From July 2026 to December 2027, Dóchas (Ireland), Lithuanian NGDO Platform (Lithuania), The Hellenic Platform for Development (Greece) and the pan-European NGO network CONCORD closely collaborate to advocate for coherent development cooperation policies and positive change in Europe and beyond.
As Ireland prepares to embark on its eighth Presidency of the European Council, commencing in July 2026, Dóchas will be delivering a programme of activities and events to support civil society and elevate its central and critical role in international development cooperation, in a context of intense geopolitical uncertainty.
Ireland’s EU Presidency comes at a critical juncture for EU development cooperation.
The future of Official Development Assistance (ODA) is increasingly uncertain and there is increasing pressure to reorient EU external financing toward short-term geopolitical priorities, raising concerns about the dilution of poverty eradication and human development objectives.
Dóchas’ EU Presidency Programme Launch 24th June
On 24th June, Dóchas launched its EU Presidency Programme at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, bringing together members, policymakers, sectoral experts, and civil society representatives to examine Ireland’s upcoming EU Presidency and the future of International Development Cooperation. The event provided a critical platform for civil society to articulate a shared ambition and to reaffirm the centrality of poverty eradication, human rights, and sustainable development in EU external action.
The day featured an opening address by Peter Power, Head of the European Commission Representation in Ireland, a video message from Commissioner Michael McGrath, and a keynote address by Neale Richmond, Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora.
Additionally, attendees engaged in two thought-provoking panel discussions that focused on navigating the challenges and opportunities for civil society in a new era of development cooperation, as well as exploring how to effectively reflect Irish values in EU external action.
On the day, Dóchas launched its policy paper “The Future of Development Cooperation: Civil Society’s Ambition for Ireland’s EU Presidency”.
Drawing on the collective expertise of its members and European partners like CONCORD, Dóchas is calling on the Irish Government to act as a “model power”, leading not through size, but through values, credibility, and a commitment to reach those furthest behind.
Dóchas’ five key recommendations to the Irish Presidency
1) Champion a values-based EU external action agenda that reaffirms the principles of European Consensus for Development, poverty eradication, human rights, the rule of law, gender equality and meaningful partnership with civil society.
2) Safeguard an ambitious and accountable Global Europe Instrument that protects ODA integrity, prioritises human development and fragile contexts, and strengthens democratic oversight and civil society participation.
3) Place conflict prevention, peacebuilding, principled humanitarian action, and respect for international law at the centre of the EU’s response to global fragility and instability.
4) Place food security and nutrition as strategic EU priorities, through renewed political leadership, sustainable financing, and support for resilient and equitable food systems.
5) Advance a just and equitable EU climate agenda by increasing adaptation and loss-and-damage financing, supporting a fair transition away from fossil fuels, and prioritising the needs of vulnerable communities
Dóchas’ five key recommendations to the Irish Presidency
1) Champion a values-based EU external action agenda that reaffirms the principles of European Consensus for Development, poverty eradication, human rights, the rule of law, gender equality and meaningful partnership with civil society.
2) Safeguard an ambitious and accountable Global Europe Instrument that protects ODA integrity, prioritises human development and fragile contexts, and strengthens democratic oversight and civil society participation.
3) Place conflict prevention, peacebuilding, principled humanitarian action, and respect for international law at the centre of the EU’s response to global fragility and instability.
4) Place food security and nutrition as strategic EU priorities, through renewed political leadership, sustainable financing, and support for resilient and equitable food systems.
5) Advance a just and equitable EU climate agenda by increasing adaptation and loss-and-damage financing, supporting a fair transition away from fossil fuels, and prioritising the needs of vulnerable communities
Dóchas’ key events and other initiatives (July-December 2026)
Policy Papers & Core Priorities
● The Future of Development Cooperation: Concrete recommendations for Ireland’s EU Presidency, reflecting the collective voice of Irish and European civil society organisations. Read the full paper here.
● Future Funding for Fragile & Conflict-Affected States: Joint advocacy with the Irish Presidency during the 2028–2034 budget negotiations to secure inclusive, rights-based funding for the world’s most vulnerable regions.
● Climate & Food Security: A comprehensive policy paper ahead of COP31, this will be a policy paper on the demands and needs of climate at this current moment.
Upcoming Key Events
Dóchas will host launch events and roundtables to bring global stakeholders and members together:
● 24th June: The Future of Development Cooperation Launch (Completed)
● 25th September: Future Funding of Sustainable Development Event
● 3rd November: Climate & Food Security Event (Official Department of Foreign Affairs & Trade event)
● Date TBC: Global Gateway Roundtable
Key Initiatives & Engagement
EU Citizen Engagement Grant
● Small-scale grants (€7,500 to €15,000) for Irish civil society organisations.
● Funds innovative awareness-raising and citizen engagement projects (e.g., storytelling, media campaigns, workshops).
Field Trips to Brussels
● Targeted trips to Brussels for member Chief Executives, senior leaders, policy experts, and advocacy professionals.
● Provides direct access to EU institutions, key decision-makers, and European civil society networks.
Capacity Building Series
● Session 1 (In-Person, Dublin) | 21st July (09:30–12:30): How the EU works, mechanics of the Irish Presidency, and the EU’s role as a humanitarian and development actor.
● Session 2 (Online) | 3rd September (10:00–11:30): How to influence EU policy and mapping key entry points from MEPs to Brussels networks.
To learn more about Dóchas’ activities over the next 6 months, please check this page.