Staying Engaged: Team Europe's Response to Fragility in a Complex World
In an increasingly fragile and complex global landscape, the role of international cooperation agencies has never been more critical. Jean Van Wetter, Managing Director of Enabel, the Belgian Development Agency and Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel, chair of the management board of the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, recently underscored this position in a joint call published in Politico EU influence. Their message emphasises the urgent need for sustained engagement by Team Europe in the face of evolving challenges.
The Call for Action
On October 17th, M. Schäfer-Gümbel and M. Van Wetter invited key stakeholders to a high-level roundtable in Brussels at the GIZ Representation office, which aimed at addressing how international cooperation can adapt to current realities, particularly in fragile regions like the Sahel. This event brought together influential figures from the European Commission, European External Action Service, European Parliament, and various Member State, international and non-governmental organisations, think tanks, and civil society representatives. It highlighted first results of a study on international cooperation and fragility by the European Think Tank Group (ETTG), which will be officially launched in December. This event was organised in close cooperation with the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation.
A Strategic Framework for Engagement
The discussions evolved around pivotal questions: How can Team Europe maintain its commitment to development in these challenging contexts? What innovative strategies can be employed to ensure effective cooperation and support for local communities?
By reflecting on these themes, participants will contribute to a broader strategic engagement initiative aimed at nurturing resilience and stability in fragile settings.
Focus on fragile and conflict affected states
Considering security concerns, climate change, and socio-economic instability, 25% of the world’s population lives in fragile contexts. Regions such as the Sahel serve as a critical case study, highlighting the complexities international development is facing in fostering effective engagement strategies.
Following the high-level roundtable, Enabel and GIZ co-hosted an expert workshop that aimed at diving deeper into the complex practicalities of engagement strategies and developing actionable recommendations going forward.
Next Steps
A second event on 11 December 2024 in Brussels at the Enabel premises will focus on the way forward, presenting the final results of ETTG’s study and on the role of Member States organisations in fragile context. Key themes of the study are the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus, localising aid, and staying engaged in fragile contextscharacterised by autocratic tendencies.
The study thereby supports the discussions around how Team Europe can stay engaged in fragile context, building on the experiences from implementing agencies. Based on best practices it brings forward practical recommendations to further contribute to the policy debate on fragility at EU and Member State level in the framework of the changeover in the EU institutions in the second half of 2024.
The ETTG paper will also include the FAC DEV discussion non-paper from Denmark, Belgium, and Sweden on “a joint European approach to development cooperation in politically complex environments in Africa” from November 2023, the Belgian Presidency paper of 20 June 2024 on “Principles for EU joint development cooperation in politically constrained environments”, and the October 2024 Position Paper from the German federal ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ) “Overcoming Fragility - Goals and approaches for effective development policy”
Conclusion
The commitment to "staying engaged" in fragile contexts is not merely a theoretical exercise but a vital necessity for international cooperation agencies like GIZ and Enabel. As global challenges continue to evolve, it is imperative for Team Europe to come together, share knowledge, and forge pathways that not only address immediate needs but also build a foundation for long-term stability and prosperity in vulnerable regions.
In an era marked by uncertainty, the collective expertise and collaboration of stakeholders are crucial for navigating the complexities of international development. The upcoming Panel discussion presents a timely opportunity to shape the future of European engagement in fragile contexts, ensuring that international cooperation remains effective and impactful.