01 Dec 2021
EU launches Global Gateway Strategy towards lasting global recovery
On 1 December 2021, the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy launched the Global Gateway, the new European Strategy to boost smart, clean and secure links in digital, energy and transport and strengthen health, education and research systems across the world. The Global Gateway stands for sustainable and trusted connections that work for people and the planet, to tackle the most pressing global challenges, from climate change and protecting the environment, to improving health security and boosting competitiveness and global supply chains. Global Gateway aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments between 2021 and 2027 to underpin a lasting global recovery, taking into account the EU's partners' needs and EU's own interests.
Global Gateway is about increasing investments promoting democratic values and high standards, good governance and transparency, equal partnerships, green and clean, secure infrastructures and that catalyse private sector investment. Through a "Team Europe" approach, the Global Gateway Strategy will bring together the EU, Member States with their financial and development institutions, including the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and seek to mobilise the private sector in order to leverage investments for a transformational impact. EU Delegations around the world, working with Team Europe on the ground, will play a key role to identify and coordinate Global Gateway projects in partner countries.
Amongst a number of other financial tools, Global Europe will also draw on funds from Interreg, InvestEU and Horizon Europe. In particular, the European Fund for Sustainable Development+ (EFSD+), will make available up to €135 billion for guaranteed investments for infrastructure projects between 2021 and 2027, up to €18 billion will be made available in grant funding from the EU budget, and European financial and development finance institutions have up to €145 billion in planned investment volumes.
Key sectors for investment priorities under the Global Gateway Strategy are the following:
- Digital transition in line with European values and standards
- Energy connectivity in support of green transition
- Sustainable, smart, resilient, inclusive and safe transport networks
- Health
- Education and research
With regard to education and research, the Global Gateway Strategy provides that the EU will invest in quality education, including digital education and work with partner countries to strengthen cooperation on research and innovation. Amongst others, Talent Partnerships under the Erasmus+ programme will facilitate the mobility of partner countries' young professionals and trainees to Europe for employment or training. With regard to reinforcing global co-operation in the field of research and innovation, the Global Gateway Strategy refers to the EU's Strategy on international cooperation on research and innovation ‘the ‘Global Approach', stating that the EU is a major catalyst to increase scientific excellence and addressing global challenges while enhancing economic growth and job creation. The opportunities provided under Horizon Europe for collaborative research and for mobility of researchers at international, inter-sectoral and interdisciplinary level are mentioned, as is the possibility to associate countries located anywhere in the world to the Framework Programme which share fundamental values and with a strong science, technology and innovation profile. The EU will also continue investing in cultural cooperation between Europeans and citizens in partner countries.
Global Gateway is global in scope, adapting to the needs and strategic interests of different regions. It builds on the achievements of the 2018 EU-Asia Connectivity Strategy, the recently concluded Connectivity Partnerships with Japan and India, as well as the Economic and Investment Plans for the Western Balkans, the Eastern Partnership, and the Southern Neighbourhood, but paying also particular attention to Africa, Central Asia and Latin America.
For more information:
Joint communication by the European Commission and the High Representative on Global Gateway