The Global Gateway strategy is the European Union’s initiative to narrow the international gap in infrastructure investment, improve trade, and boost smart investments in digital innovation, green energy, transportation, healthcare, research, and education systems worldwide. Launched in December 2021, the strategy aims to mobilize up to €300 billion of investments in partner countries between 2021 and 2027. The first regional Africa-Europe Investment Package, worth €150 billion, was announced in February 2022.
It is proposed that almost half of the expected investments will be allocated to projects in Africa, highlighting the EU’s geopolitical efforts to restore its diminishing influence and counter China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in the region. In contrast to the BRI, the Global Gateway strategy presents a clear European offer that prioritizes democratic values, equal partnerships, environmental sustainability, safe and secure infrastructure, and private sector integration. Since its inception, the Global Gateway has been the subject of rising interest, debate, misunderstanding, skepticism, and scorn. Stakeholders in the EU and around the world continue to question who can participate in the Global Gateway initiative and what its potential benefits are.
To answer these questions, DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM), invites donor agencies, foundations, NGOs, the private sector, and individual experts to join the “Global Gateway: Combining Development Objectives with the EU’s Geostrategic Goals” webinar. In this high-impact webinar, Pauline Veron, Policy Analyst on EU foreign and development policy at ECDPM, will provide an overview of the Global Gateway’s priorities, logic and implementation, placing it within the broader context of a changing EU international cooperation agenda and forthcoming budget negotiations. Pauline will also share some entry points for strategic engagement.
Invitation to a Webinar
DevelopmentAid, in collaboration with ECDPM, invites you to attend the webinar on “Global Gateway: Combining Development Objectives with the EU’s Geostrategic Goals”, which will take place on 24 July 2025 at 4 pm (Brussels) / 10 am (Washington, DC).
Key Takeaways
- Get a snapshot of the Global Gateway strategy, its priorities and logic
- Understand how it is structured and implemented
- Learn about potential entry points for strategic engagement
- Ask questions during the Q&A session.
Speaker
Pauline Veron, Policy Analyst at ECDPM
Pauline is a Policy Analyst on EU foreign and development policy at ECDPM. She has impressive expertise in the EU’s foreign and development policies from various thematic perspectives, including the humanitarian-development-peace nexus, migration, and human development. Pauline regularly engages with and provides advice to EU officials, EU member states’ civil servants, development practitioners, civil society, researchers, and African diplomats. She has an extensive publication record and holds Master’s degrees in public administration and international relations from Sciences Po Strasbourg University.
Partner
ECDPM is a leading independent ‘Think-and-Do Tank’ that seeks to make policies in Europe, Africa, and beyond work to achieve inclusive and sustainable development. Its policy experts provide independent analysis thorough research, fresh ideas, advice, and training on topics related to climate, energy and food, economy and trade, geopolitics and development, governance, migration and mobility, and peace and security. ECDPM has offices in Maastricht and Brussels.
Host
Ion Ilasco, External Relations & Events at DevelopmentAid.
