This Policy Note, based on an in-depth study, examines how EU development policy is being reshaped by a more strategic agenda that links development cooperation to competitiveness, geopolitical influence and access to resources, markets and partnerships. While European interests have always been present in development cooperation, current initiatives such as Global Gateway and the proposed Global Europe instrument give them greater visibility and weight. The emerging policy challenge is to ensure that poverty reduction continues to guide decisions when it competes with other EU priorities.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.60637/2026-pn45