The localisation of the EU’s Global Gateway
Opinion factsheet
On this page
- External relations, Enlargement and Neighbourhood Policy
- EU international partnership
Opinion number:
CDR-2518-2025
Status:
Adopted
Objective
This opinion aims to:
consolidate the CoR Political Position on the Global Gateway Strategy, as the new paradigm driving the EU's international partnerships.
make the case for the localisation of Global Gateway, by giving a strong role to local and regional authorities from partner countries in every aspect of the strategy, to connect EU's investments to local needs and sustainable development objectives.
highlight the contribution of decentralised development cooperation as a key tool that can help Global Gateway achieve its objectives, building on long term trusted partnerships and peer-to-peer learning to reinforce local capacities and ownership.
consolidate the CoR Political Position on the Global Gateway Strategy, as the new paradigm driving the EU's international partnerships.
make the case for the localisation of Global Gateway, by giving a strong role to local and regional authorities from partner countries in every aspect of the strategy, to connect EU's investments to local needs and sustainable development objectives.
highlight the contribution of decentralised development cooperation as a key tool that can help Global Gateway achieve its objectives, building on long term trusted partnerships and peer-to-peer learning to reinforce local capacities and ownership.
Impact
The European Commission replies to the opinion supports the key messages and objectives of the opinion and reiterates the Commission commitment to the local and territorial dimension of Global Gateway. Nevertheless, in line with the current focus on simplification and rationalisation of EU laws and policies, the Commission is of the view that a new Communication on LRAs would not bring a significant added value. Similarly, the Commission indicated its willingness to streamline consultations with LRGs on the ground, building on existing tools and instruments, but without dedicated focal points or roadmaps for LRAs. The proposition of a dedicated localisation marker was also seen as duplicating or fragmenting the existing M&E framework used for Global Gateway. On the call for direct support to LRAs and decentralised cooperation, the Commission also highlighted its partnership with the Fonds Mondial des Villes (FMDV) to look at how to improve access to finance at the local level. Geographical programmes under the current NDICI-Global Europe Regulation supported local authorities with around EUR 499 million for the period 2021-2023, almost reaching the NDICI-Global Europe indicative benchmark of EUR 500 million for the period 2021-2027.
In follow up to the CoR opinion on the localisation of Global Gatewayand the December 2025 Forum Cities and Regions for International partnerships, the Council Relex-Global Gateway working party organised a two hours discussion on 13th February focusing on the recommendation of the CoR Opinion and key take aways from the Forum. A dozen member states voiced support to see a greater role for local authorities in Global Gateway projects, calling both for stronger guidance being provided to EU Delegations in that respect, and for inclusion of Local Authorities in Team Nationals.
As a result, the Council Conclusions on Global Gateway adopted 15 June, include a section on "Local Ownership and mutually beneficial Partnerships"; https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10349-2026-INIT/en/pdf:
"The Council reaffirms the importance of local ownership and alignment with partner country priorities, including their national sustainable development plans as well as early and continuous meaningful engagement with national, regional, and local authorities, regional organisations, civil society and social partners throughout the project cycle. Consultation with such actors can mitigate risks and boost Global Gateway project sustainability."
*"The Council stresses the need for enabling environments, civil society participation, strengthening of local regulatory, institutional and technical capacities as well as respect for the rule of law and good governance, including transparency and accountability, throughout the project cycle to ensure sustainability, local value creation and lasting development impact. Particular attention should be given to local development of skills and training of human resources, including for maintenance capacity."
*
In follow up to the CoR opinion on the localisation of Global Gatewayand the December 2025 Forum Cities and Regions for International partnerships, the Council Relex-Global Gateway working party organised a two hours discussion on 13th February focusing on the recommendation of the CoR Opinion and key take aways from the Forum. A dozen member states voiced support to see a greater role for local authorities in Global Gateway projects, calling both for stronger guidance being provided to EU Delegations in that respect, and for inclusion of Local Authorities in Team Nationals.
As a result, the Council Conclusions on Global Gateway adopted 15 June, include a section on "Local Ownership and mutually beneficial Partnerships"; https://data.consilium.europa.eu/doc/document/ST-10349-2026-INIT/en/pdf:
"The Council reaffirms the importance of local ownership and alignment with partner country priorities, including their national sustainable development plans as well as early and continuous meaningful engagement with national, regional, and local authorities, regional organisations, civil society and social partners throughout the project cycle. Consultation with such actors can mitigate risks and boost Global Gateway project sustainability."
*"The Council stresses the need for enabling environments, civil society participation, strengthening of local regulatory, institutional and technical capacities as well as respect for the rule of law and good governance, including transparency and accountability, throughout the project cycle to ensure sustainability, local value creation and lasting development impact. Particular attention should be given to local development of skills and training of human resources, including for maintenance capacity."
*
Essential points
THE EUROPEAN COMMITTEE OF THE REGIONS (CoR)
- welcomes the Global Gateway (GG), as the EU’s flagship international investment strategy essential for responding to complex global challenges and enhancing the EU’s role as a strategic, values-based global actor; to that end, the GG should reinforce governance and capacity beyond national governments and the private sector and further engage at subnational level;
- points out that local and regional governments (LRGs) play a key role in implementing the Global Gateway by ensuring democratic participation, local ownership and sustainable outcomes, including in fragile settings; recognises that there are already several positive examples of LRG involvement in GG projects that need to be scaled up and structurally anchored at the heart of the GG;
- observes that decentralised cooperation offers a mechanism for mutual learning, institutional strengthening and transfer of know-how, which aligns with the values and priorities of the EU;
- calls on the Commission and the EEAS to formally recognise LRGs – both in the EU and in partner countries – as strategic actors in shaping, implementing, governing and monitoring the GG; proposes that the Commission issue a new Communication on the role of LRGs in development cooperation;
- urges the inclusion of LRGs in the formal governance of the GG at EU level, beyond their current limited participation in the Advisory Platform, and in partner countries; requests that EU delegations be given the tools and resources needed to engage with LRGs, including through increased coordination with associations of LRGs and with the UN system;
- urges the EU to integrate decentralised cooperation as a recognised modality; recommends the allocation of a dedicated budget line for LRGs and decentralised cooperation in the post-2027 MFF;
- recommends channelling direct financing to subnational governments to strengthen fiscal decentralisation and provide predictable support for local public investment aligned with the SDGs.