Rounding out the EU’s Global Gateway: 360 Degrees for Human Development

This policy brief examines the European Union’s emerging 360-degree approach within the Global Gateway strategy. It assesses whether the 360-degree approach contributes to aligning investment-led international cooperation with human development objectives.

Global Gateway reflects a shift in EU external action towards large-scale infrastructure investment, private sector mobilisation and increased use of financial instruments such as guarantees and blended finance. This approach aims to close the financing gaps in infrastructure, but raises concerns that sustainable development priorities may be subordinated to the EU’s geopolitical and economic interests.

The 360-degree approach has been introduced as a response to these concerns. It seeks to ensure that infrastructure investments are embedded within a wider enabling environment, incorporating elements such as regulatory reform, governance, skills development, gender equality, environmental and social standards and stakeholder consultation. 

However, the evidence highlights a significant gap between ambition and practice. While the 360-degree approach offers a promising framework to enhance the developmental impact of EU investments, its effectiveness will depend on moving from conceptual ambition to concrete, measurable and accountable implementation.