European Union is supporting development, climate and environmental goals, and promote democracy, rule of law and human rights, through its external action fundings. To this end, the Foreign Affairs and Development committees propose a new Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). The text from 25 to 28 March.

Once approved by the Parliament and EU Council, the new financial instrument would have a budget of €93.154 billion for the period 2021-2027, an increase of almost €4 billion compared to the European Commission’s proposal. In concrete terms, MEPs propose that 45% of the budget should support climate and environmental objectives.

In addition, MEPs propose to increase the funds earmarked for activities in favour of human rights and democracy worldwide to at least €2 billion. In view of the reduction in the civil society space worldwide, they want to increase EU funding for civil society organisations to €2.2 billion, with an additional €0.5 billion for local authorities.