Defending EU aid | Plan International

Multiannual Financial Framework 2021-2027: The next EU budget and how it can unlock girls’ power

Girls remain one of the most discriminated groups around the world, in all areas of their lives. It is estimated that 130 million girls are not in school. As much as 41,000 girls are forced into marriage every day. Half of all sexual assaults are committed against girls below the age of 16. These violations of girls and young women’s rights, fueled by discriminatory social and gender norms, attitudes and behaviours, have a huge impact on their futures.

Now it’s up to the Member States to follow the EP’s example on the next EU budget and make sure the EU will invest in girls

Yesterday, March 27, the European Parliament has made a final decision on the joint position on the NDICI coming from its Foreign Affairs and Development Cooperation Committees. Throughout the past few months, we have been calling on the Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) to invest in girls, in gender equality and ensure that the different needs per age group are taken into account. For Plan International the European Parliament has made an important step towards realising the Sustainable Development Goals. The focus on children and youth and the role the EU can play to ensure they can shape their own future worldwide is a very welcome tone, especially ahead of the European elections.

Next EU budget: Will Member States follow the European Parliament’s example?

Gender equality, sustainable development and children and youth are all essential to ensure the next EU budget will help the EU reach the goals of the 2030 Agenda over the next 7 years. On 4 March 2019, Members of the European Parliament (EP) in the Foreign Affairs and the Development Cooperation Committees voted on amendments to the European Commission’s proposal for the Budget’s Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). With this vote a few months before the European elections they leave behind a strong legacy.

Is the DEVE committee turning its back on development cooperation in the next MFF?

On 30 August 2018, the European Parliament development (DEVE) committee met to discuss a draft Opinion from MEP Engel on the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF 2021-2027) and in particular the Regulation for the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI). This draft Opinion will be one of the Committee’s contributions to this instrument and to the MFF process within the European Parliament. It is thus an important opportunity for the DEVE Committee to have its voice heard on part of the future budget dedicated to development policy, and to push for instruments that truly support sustainable development and the principle of leaving no-one behind.

EU must take urgent action to safeguard gender equality in its budget for 2021-2027

Civil society organisations come together once more to call on the EU to prioritize gender equality across its post-2020 budget. The recent European Commission proposal for the new Neighborhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - part of the EU Budget - fails to really mention gender equality though the EU has committed to champion the issue. We are very concerned about the worrying signal that this sends and the effect that this might have on gender equality in EU external action.

Statement: Making the case for gender equality in the new MFF

Brussels, 4 May 2018 – On Wednesday, the European Commission released its Communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework (2021-2027). As the gender and development community we are deeply concerned that gender equality is not addressed as a key political priority. We question to what extent the external relations budget, increased to 10% of the MFF, will serve the primary long-term objective of EU’s development cooperation which remains the eradication of poverty.

What would the EU budget look like should girls take over…

Later today, the European Commissioner for Budget and Human Resources, Günther Oettinger, will unveil the European Commission’s proposal for the 2021-2027 EU budget. Expectations are high, with the announcement launching the year-long negotiation process. This marks the moment when all other EU actors – whether in Brussels or the Member States – will enter the fray in order to shape the Europe they want. We are very curious to see Oettinger’s vision – particularly as regards the EU’s external action. But we can’t help wondering what the budget would look like were girls to have taken over designing it…

The European Parliament’s position on the next EU budget voted in plenary today

The Budget Committee’s own initiative report on the next EU Multi-Annual Financial Framework (MFF) by Jan Olbrycht (EPP) and Isabelle Thomas (S&D) has been voted by the plenary of the European Parliament (EP) today. It sets out the EP’s position ahead of the European Commission’s proposal which will be published on 2nd May.

European Commission Building Flags

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As the European Parliament and EU Member States enter into conciliation talks over the 2017 budget, we outline what's at stake when it comes to development and humanitarian aid.

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Defend EU aid social media toolkit

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MEPs raise hands during vote on EU Budget 2017

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BRUSSELS, 26 October 2016: EU member states must reverse their proposed cuts to external spending and increase aid beyond the budget ceiling if the EU is to meet its commitment to end extreme poverty by 2030.

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The EU is currently facing a serious liquidity crisis. With the EC already unable to honour bills legitimately incurred in 2014, Member states have proposed cuts to the 2015 budget, including development and humanitarian aid, jeopardising the EU’s ability to respond to complex global challenges.

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MEPs raise hands during vote on EU Budget 2017

Open Letter: Defending the EU development and humanitarian aid budget for 2014-2020

An open letter from Plan Europe to EU Heads of State or Government, calling on them to defend the European Commission's proposal for development and humanitarian aid budget in the 2014-2020 Multiannual Financial Framework.

Video: 2014-2020 EU budget must have children at its heart

If the EU is to meet its poverty eradication targets, child rights and gender must be identified as a cross-cutting theme of EU development cooperation, with at least 20% of EU aid earmarked for health and basic education.