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FEPS Newsletter 23 June 2025 – 🇺🇳 Financing for development & the UN Sevilla Conference

Mulitlateralism, MFF, and more! If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link   […]
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23/06/2025
Mulitlateralism, MFF, and more!

If you have problems displaying this email, follow this link

The EPP has aligned with the far right to vote down the European Parliament report on financing for development ahead of the UN’s International Conference in Sevilla (FfD4). This undermines the 2030 Agenda and weakens the EU’s global credibility when multilateral cooperation is crucial.
 

The EU must step up and lead by example in defending human rights, equality, and democracy. The Sevilla Conference must not mark a retreat, but a turning point. FEPS will actively participate in this conference through two pivotal events, join us!
Financing our future

UPCOMING EVENT – 30 JUNE – SEVILLA, SPAIN

Financing our future

Crafting a progressive vision for the future of financing for development

In collaboration with Socialist International, PSOE Andalucía, Fundación Avanza, Fundación Pablo Iglesias, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Olof Palme International Center, and Karl-Renner-Institut
Financing our future

We will be joined by high-level speakers such as the first VP of the Spanish Government and Vice General Secretary of the PSOE Spain, María Jesús Montero and MEPs Lina Gálvez, Leire Pajín and Udo Bullmann, among others.
 

The event will feature two panels: 

1) Financing development in the global south: The global gateway as the European strategic instrument

2) Defending and expanding feminist financing: Strategies for sustainable and inclusive funding
New strategic partnerships for development

UPCOMING EVENT – 30 JUNE – SEVILLA, SPAIN

New strategic partnerships for development

Developing countries and the EU

In collaboration with the United Nations Brussels office

This official side event will explore key issues of international cooperation to improve financing for development, such as the Global Gateway. We will focus specifically on perspectives and priorities from developing countries, and their voices will be central in the discussion.

POLICY BRIEF

Europe’s strategic role in global development

A call for ambition and reform

By Stefano Manservisi and Mario Pezzini – In collaboration with Karl-Renner-Insitut, FES, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Avanza, Fundaciòn Pablo Iglesias and Olof Palmes Internationella Center
 

In a world marked by geopolitical tensions, climate crises and weakening global cooperation, this policy brief argues that the EU must redefine its relationships with developing countries – moving from its current partnership approach to a strategic alliance, the terms of which are grounded in mutual interest and defined in common.
Europe's strategic role in global development
Reclaiming multilateralism

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Amazing Travel

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Reclaiming multilateralism

Financing for development through a human rights lens

By Maria Ron Balsera, Executive Director, Center for Economic and Social Rights (CESR) 

The rejection of the Financing For Development report by the Parliament just ahead of the UN’s International Conference in Sevilla undermines the Agenda 2030 and weakens the EU’s global credibility when multilateral cooperation is ever more vital. Read more.
MFF

19-21 JUNE – SIENA, ITALY

Siena Vision Conference on the Europe of the Future – 2025

An event by Vision Think Tank, with the University of Siena, the Institute of European Policy Making at the Bocconi University, the School of Government at LUISS and the European University Institute
 

Under the motto “Time to be bold”, participants gathered to debate how to respond to Europe’s most pressing challenges. FEPS hosted two fringe events: “The next EU budget and beyond” and “The challenge of industrial policies”. FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues also participated in the opening and closing panels.
Siena Vision Conference on the Europe of the Future – 2025
Lessons learned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for a future European fiscal capacity

POLICY BRIEF

Lessons learned from the Recovery and Resilience Facility for a future European fiscal capacity

By Atanas Pekanov – In collaboration with Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Austrian Institute for Economic Research (WIFO)
 

In this policy brief, Atanas Pekanov, former Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria, analyses how well the RRF accomplished its main functions and draws some lessons for the future EU budget design, in particular the upcoming MFF. Among other features, the study discusses performance-based approach, common debt and flexibility.  

POLICY BRIEF

Shaping a European budget fit for climate action and a just transition 

By Miłosława Stępień and Anelia Stefanova – In collaboration with  Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung Just Climate, CEE Bankwatch and Solidar
 

The MFF must fairly and transparently support the EU’s climate, environmental and social objectives. This policy brief offers concrete recommendations for shaping the next MFF.
 

⏱️ Short on time? Find inspiration in our two-page recommendation summary.
Shaping a European budget fit for climate action and a just transition 
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Serbia’s ‘Journey of Hope’
 

 📅  26 JUNE

 📍FEPS HQ

Serbia’s ‘journey of hope’

From students’ protests to political changes

Hear from Serbian and European voices as they reflect on the impact of the protests and explore the prospects for real political change in Serbia and the wider Western Balkans.
 

The tragic collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy exposed Serbian local authorities’ negligence and corruption, and sparked a powerful national movement, led by students, who took to the streets to demand justice, accountability and democratic reforms.

Past events

See all past events

11 JUNE – BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Towards gender-inclusive digital policy

By FEPS and FES Future of Work
 

We must ensure that AI promotes equality rather than reinforcing existing inequalities!
 

With speakers including Ivana Bartoletti, AI Governance Officer at Wipro and author of FEPS Primer “A digital union: Based on European values”; Isabel Schönmann (ETUC); June Lowery-Kingston (EU Commission); Christina Kampmann (SPD); Victoire Olczak (Gender5+) and many others.
Towards gender-inclusive digital policy

The conference discussed the impact of AI in gender inequality on topics such as creating an inclusive Digital Ecosystem, to the impact of AI on women’s health and safety in work and AI literacy from a trade union/civil society organisation perspective.
Progressive Post
Sanction Israel now

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Anas-Mohammed

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Sanction Israel now

Europe’s long overdue moral reckoning on Gaza

By Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, MEP for the constituency of Dublin, only Irish S&D member of the European Parliament

Gaza is in ruins. Europe is out of excuses. As the EU finally begins to review its ties with Israel, the time for vague and toothless statements is over. What is needed now is action, sanctions and moral clarity. Read more.
Progressive Post

FEPS TALKS PODCAST

Democracy today and tomorrow 

With George Papandreou and László Andor
 

🎧  Spotify | Apple Podcast | Website 
 

George Papandreou, Former Prime Minister of Greece, has in recent years focused his work at the Council of Europe on the state of democracy.
Listen to the podcast

He warns of growing democratic backsliding and stresses that democratic and social issues are deeply linked. He urges the EU to address its own democratic deficits, especially in economic governance, and highlights both the challenges and opportunities digitalisation and AI pose for democratic participation.

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