Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument

What does it finance?

Union funding under NDICI-Global Europe is implemented through: 

1. Geographic programmes encompassing country and multi-country cooperation in the Neighbourhood, Sub-Saharan Africa, Asia and the Pacific, and the Americas and the Caribbean.
2. Thematic programmes encompassing actions linked to the pursuit of the SDGs at global level in the following areas: human rights and democracy; civil society organisations; peace, stability and conflict prevention; and global challenges. Actions implemented through thematic programmes complement actions funded under geographic programmes to support global and trans-regional initiatives aimed towards achieving internationally agreed goals.
3. Rapid response actions enable early action to contribute to peace, stability and conflict prevention in situations of urgency, emerging crisis, crisis and post-crisis; to contribute to strengthening resilience; to address Union foreign policy needs and priorities. Rapid response actions under NDICI-Global Europe are complementary to geographic and thematic programmes and, where relevant, their design enables continuity under geographic or thematic programmes. 

In addition to establishing financial envelopes for geographic and thematic programmes as well as rapid response actions, the NDICI-Global Europe regulation also provides for an emerging challenges and priorities cushion to be used where most needed and duly justified, inter alia: to ensure an appropriate response of the Union in the event of unforeseen circumstances; to address new needs or emerging challenges, such as those at the Union’s or its neighbours’ borders linked to crisis, whether natural or man-made, violent conflict and post-crisis situations or migratory pressure and forced displacement; to promote new Union led or international initiatives or priorities. 

Addressing global challenges, such as climate change, and responding rapidly to resilience challenges, such as disasters, are essential and specific objectives of NDICI-Global Europe. Climate change mitigation, climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction are prominent among the areas of cooperation and intervention on which NDICI-Global Europe geographic and thematic programmes are based.  

It is important to note that the NDICI-Global Europe is deemed to contribute to mainstream climate action in the Union policies and to the achievement of an overall target of 30% of the Union budget expenditure supporting climate objectives. 

What kind of funding does it provide?

It provides funding for a number of actions that tackle country, multi-country, regional and global threats and challenges covering prevention, preparedness, response and recovery actions. 

For example, the EU Global Threats programopens in new tab is one of the European Union’s key initiatives to tackle major security threats around the world: from terrorism, organised crime, cyberattacks, and threats to maritime security, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear risks, and growing security risks linked to climate change. 

Through a wide range of projects and facilities, the European Commission supports partner countries and communities in building stronger institutions, preventing crises and promoting long-term peace and stability.  

Further, NDICI-Global Europe unifies grants, blending and guarantees (the latter previously subject to specific rules and regulations, such as the European Investment Bank’s (EIB) External Lending Mandate), which allows the EU to strategically promote public and private investment worldwide in support to sustainable development through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).  

Which authorities are responsible for this instrument?

The European Commission (the Directorates-General for International Partnerships, for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood, and for Middle East, North Africa and the Gulf, as well as the Service for Foreign Policy Instruments) oversees multi-annual indicative programming, planning of actions, financing decisions and coordination. The European External Action Service is jointly responsible for multi-annual programming. EU Delegations in partner countries manage local implementation. The EIB and other development finance institutions implement financial tools under EFSD+. 

Which countries are eligible?

Geographic programmes may cover all third countries, except for candidates, potential candidates and overseas countries and territories. 

Thematic programmes may cover all third countries as well as overseas countries and territories. 

Rapid response actions may cover all third countries as well as overseas countries and territories. 

Who is this call for?

NDICI-Global Europe targets a wide range of actors, including public authorities in partner countries, civil society organisations, international organisations and UN bodies, private sector actors, particularly under EFSD+, development banks and financial institutions. Calls for proposals are often tailored to specific actors based on thematic or geographic priorities. 

How to apply and other relevant information

For information on how to apply, please check the call specific page:  

Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument – Global Europe (NDICI – Global Europe) - European Commissionopens in new tab.

Other useful links

Global Europe: Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument - European Commissionopens in new tab  

The new ‘NDICI - Global Europe’ (2021-2027) | EEASopens in new tab  

NDICI Global Europe (NDICI) | EU Funding & Tenders Portalopens in new tab