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AidWatch 2025: keeping a vigilant eye on EU commitments and the true purpose of ODA | AidWatch 2025 Launch
AidWatch 2025: Ending short-sightedness, restoring Official Development Assistance’s purpose
CONCORD’s 2024 AidWatch report reveals that Official Development Assistance (ODA) from EU Member States increasingly serves national self-interest, falling short in both quantity and quality.
CONCORD’s Position Paper on GAP IV
The current Gender Equality Strategy has a section on external action, essentially composed of a commitment to the Gender Action Plan III. In this paper, CONCORD highlights its first key recommendations for GAP IV.
The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry recently concluded what has been evident for a long time: genocide and manmade famine are unfolding in Gaza
Understanding the EU’s Global Gateway: Why Civil Society Must Pay Attention
Joint statement from 30 organizations: Commission Global Europe proposal “potentially game-changing”
How to Reclaim Space for Civil Society: CONCORD’s General Assembly 2025
On 11-12 June 2025, Delegates from CONCORD’s National Platforms and Networks gathered for our General Assembly. Over two days, we reflected on the past year, assessed our strategic direction, and set priorities for the future of our Confederation.
2025 AU-EU Ministerial Meeting: a missed opportunity for youth and civil society meaningful participation
The African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) will convene a Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on Wednesday, 21 May 2025, bringing together representatives from over 80 governments to advance their strategic partnership ahead of the 7th AU-EU Summit later this year.
MFF INI Report Adopted: A Strong Signal for EU External Action
Yesterday marked an important milestone: the European Parliament adopted its Own-Initiative (INI) report on the revamped Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) – the EU’s long-term budget. While non-binding, this report allows the Parliament to present its political vision and influence the direction of future negotiations.
Beyond ODA numbers: the politics behind EU aid cuts. Who pays the price? The Majority World and Europe’s aid crisis.
The EU’s short-sighted aid cuts are a choice – so is the way forward!
Director’s blog: Do partner country interests matter to the EU anymore?
Whose Interests does ODA Truly Serve? AidWatch 2024 Launch Event
On Tuesday 22 October, CONCORD launched the 2024 edition of its AidWatch report. This year, the report posed the question, ‘Whose interests does ODA truly serve?’ and found that a significant portion of European ODA provision is being shaped by self-interests instead of the wellbeing of partner countries.
AidWatch 2024: Whose Interests Does Official Development Assistance Truly Serve?
CONCORD’s 2024 AidWatch report reveals that Official Development Assistance (ODA) from EU Member States increasingly serves national self-interest, falling short in both quantity and quality.
Launch of the Africa-EU Civil Society Platform for engagement in the AU-EU Partnership
CONCORD expresses its deepest sorrow on the death of former President Justin Kilcullen
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Justin Kilcullen, former CONCORD President (2006-2012) and valued member of the CONCORD family. Justin was a visionary leader and a tireless advocate for justice and equality. His dedication to making the world a better place has left an indelible mark on CONCORD and our entire community. His legacy of compassion and commitment to solidarity will continue to inspire us. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to his family, friends, and all who were touched by his extraordinary life. Rest in peace, Justin.
Tanya Cox interview: EU Development Policy Under Pressure from Right-Wing European Parliament
EP-ELECTION 2024:European development NGOs foresee challenges if the expected shift to the right occurs in the European Parliament elections. Tanya Cox, Director of CONCORD, the umbrella organisation for European development organisations, explains.
Claiming meaningful civil society space: CONCORD’s General Assembly 2024
On the occasion of our 21st General Assembly, our Confederation met in Brussels (Belgium) on 10-11 June. Over the two days, delegates from the 57 national platforms, networks and associate members gathered to celebrate the successes of the past year and how to further enhance our joint strategy.
‘You cannot reach the poorest if you don’t know who they are’: New research finds Global Gateway projects currently lacking ambition regarding inequality reduction in partner countries
CONCORD has launched new research on Global Gateway and inequalities, finding that if the initiative is not effectively rethought, it will exacerbate inequalities in partner countries rather than reducing them.
Nele Meyer: EU decision-making processes are being challenged and the rules of the game are changing. What does this mean for civil society?
The established decision-making processes in the EU are being challenged and the rules of the game seem to be changing before our very eyes. As civil society, we will need to learn from this experience. If indeed the democratic decision-making process is being put into question, we must play to our strength and join forces to counter the political power play.
Nicolas Van Nuffel: Civil society’s Brussels Declaration asserts a vision of a fair and sustainable Europe – in contrast to the Council’s draft Strategic Agenda
On 21 and 22 March, European civil society organisations gathered in Brussels for the European Citizens’ Summit, with a dual aim: to discuss their proposals and strategies, and to speak with one voice for an open, fair and sustainable Europe. The result was the Brussels Declaration, adopted at the end of the Summit by over a hundred organisations. Unfortunately, the provisional priorities of the Council outlined in the draft strategic agenda for 2024-29 stand in stark contrast to the civil society’s vision in the Brussels Declaration.
‘A sell-out of international cooperation’: DG INTPA turns its back on commitments to put human development at the centre of its international cooperation in leaked briefing
The leak of the draft Briefing Book from the Department for International Partnerships (DG INTPA) for the next Commission sparked anger among CONCORD and its members. DG INTPA, entrusted with supporting its partner countries on their path to sustainable development, reducing poverty, and promoting human rights, has taken a shocking turn toward prioritising competition and EU-centric interests, particularly in securing critical raw materials.
ODA … missing the mark (again): Preliminary 2023 figures show EU aid keeps failing human development and equality
Statement: African and European CSOs on key issues in the AU-EU Partnership
CONCORD has endorsed a statement by a group of African and European civil society and youth organisations working as the Africa-Europe Joint Civil Society Engagement Team. The group aims to establish a structured and permanent mechanism for civil society and youth engagement within the AU-EU Partnership, based on principles of transparency, equal participation, accessibility, and inclusion.