This letter co-signed by 8 NGO networks was sent to Heads of States ahead of the European Council on 19 June, with recommendations on Heading VI (Neighbourhood and the World) of the next EU Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the external aspects of the Next Generation EU 2021-2024.
The letter welcomes the European Commission’s proposal for the MFF 2021-2027 and the Next Generation EU. However since this increase is mostly through Next Generation EU guarantees, it recommends that climate and environmental action, development co-operation, human development, gender equality, human rights and democracy, humanitarian assistance and peacebuilding are strengthened under Heading VI. More specifically that Heads of State should commit to:
- a 95% ODA target for Heading VI
- a 50% climate and environment spending target in the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI)
- redirect some of the money intended for leveraging private finance towards grant-based support
