The European Union (EU) aims to reduce, and eventually eradicate poverty. It is the world’s largest donor of development aid. In 2023, the EU and its member countries provided €95.9 billion for official development assistance to support long-term economic, social, environmental and political development around the world.
EU development aid policies
The EU is committed to implementing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals to eradicate poverty, find sustainable and inclusive development solutions, and ensure everyone’s human rights by 2030.
In 2021, the EU adopted its Global Gateway strategy. It aims to boost smart, clean and secure connections in the digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. Up to €300 billion in public and private investment will be mobilised between 2021 and 2027 to achieve these goals. More information is available in the related press release.
EU action follows the principle of policy coherence for development, which means that EU policies should not have negative effects on developing countries. Under this principle, the EU aims to minimise inconsistencies and improve synergies between different EU policies, for instance in trade, agriculture or on climate action.
The EU therefore supports the private sector through public funding and several initiatives aiming to leverage investment in developing countries. For instance, the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+) promotes sustainable investment in the EU’s partner countries. It aims at mobilising up to €135 billion of public and private financing to help partner countries achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
To help improve people’s lives and the economy by fighting hunger and protecting natural resources, the EU also engages in international partnerships with countries in need, providing assistance through financial grants, public procurement contracts and budgetary support. In June 2021, the EU adopted the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument, which aims to promote stronger partnerships with non-EU countries, including with the European neighbourhood.
European Parliament’s position
In a March 2023 resolution, the European Parliament called to prevent EU policies from negatively impacting poor and vulnerable people in developing countries. Parliament also stressed the need to clarify, strengthen and promote policy coherence for development in line with the Sustainable Development Goals.
In a December 2023 resolution, the European Parliament reaffirmed that everyone has the right to education. It also stressed that, if we are to meet the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030, education – notably basic education – must be free, quality, inclusive, and accessible without discrimination.
In a May 2025 resolution about the updated long-term budget for the Union, the European Parliament emphasised that the EU should aim to remain the world’s leading provider of development aid and climate finance. Parliament also noted that the EU and its member countries have jointly pledged to allocate 0.7 % of their gross national income (GNI) to official development assistance, and stressed that reducing poverty must remain the main goal.
Further information
- Understanding the triple nexus: The challenges of creating synergies between humanitarian, development and security policies, European Parliamentary Research Service, Briefing, April 2025
- The EU Aid Strategy: A Gateway to Human Development?, European Parliament External Policies Analysis and Support Unit, Study, March 2025
- Assessing policy coherence for development across internal and external EU policies: A call for action – Ex-post evaluation, European Parliamentary Research Service, Study, November 2024
- Understanding policy coherence for development, European Parliamentary Research Service, November 2023
- Keep sending your questions to the Citizens’ Enquiries Unit (Ask EP)! We reply in the EU language that you use to write to us.
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