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FEPS Newsletter 24 November 2025 – 🌍 EU-Africa in a new global order

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24/11/2025
A partnership that needs to be redefined –

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Africa

Next week, the 7th AU-EU Heads of State and Government Summit is taking place in Angola (24-25 November), just two days after the G20 summit in Johannesburg, chaired by South Africa. In this context, the EU does not only have the opportunity but the strategic necessity to revamp its relationship with Africa amid a changing geopolitical order in which Africa is diversifying its partnerships.
 

From deepening collaboration on peace and security to reforming the global financial and debt architecture and rethinking the aid paradigm, key issues will be on the table. Last summit took place in a very different global context, just days before the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In 2025 priorities have shifted, especially from the European side. Although the 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting last May in Brussels showed promising signals, it remains to be seen whether both sides will demonstrate the political will to turn words into action and revive this partnerships in the upcoming months. 

15 NOV – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

Africa Day 2025

FEPS fringe sessions

In collaboration with Foundation Max van der Stoel 
 

What should the EU-Africa relationship be in a new global order? FEPS’ panels discussed the many aspects of the relationship between the EU and Africa, including on:

  • The EU and Africa in a new global order
  • Reshaping development partnerships: Aligning the EU’s global gateway with Africa’s priorities 
Africa Day 2025
  • The erosion of migration governance: A Progressive Migration Group panel
EU-Africa Progressive Network

14 NOV – AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS

EU-Africa Progressive Network 

In collaboration with Olof Palme International Centre, Foundation Max van der Stoel and Fondation Jean-Jaurès
 

On the occasion of the first in-person meeting of the EU-Africa Progressive Network, the policy brief “Beyond rhetoric: Crafting a win-win EU-Africa partnership” was launched.
 

Only by recognising Africa as an equal partner and the EU being transparent about its own interests with a value-based approach can both continents build a win-win partnership.

Stemming from discussions with the EU-Africa Progressive Network, the new policy brief presents recommendations driven by the urgent need for Europe and Africa to redefine their partnership, moving beyond historical patterns of resource extraction and export towards a relationship built on mutual benefit and shared development.
 

The policy brief was edited by Beatriz Abellán and prepared in collaboration with Olof Palme International Centre, the Foundation Max van der Stoel and Fondation Jean-Jaurès.
Beyond Rhetoric: Crafting a Win-Win EU-Africa Partnership
Events

Upcoming events

See full schedule
Call to Europe Denmark 2025
 

📅  29 NOVEMBER

📍  COPENHAGEN, DENMARK

Call to Europe Denmark 2025
Well-being for all

With the Danish Presidency of the Council of the EU, a new opportunity emerges to place “Well-being for all” at the heart of Europe’s future, which means building a Europe that delivers for people, from mental health and energy security to peace and prosperity. 
 

This edition addresses the following topics:
  • Promoting well-being for young workers
  • Advancing human security in a changing geopolitical context 
  • Ensuring a green transition for all in Europe

 Register now!
Silver Rose Awards 2025
 

📅  3 DECEMBER

📍 BRUSSELS, BELGIUM

Silver Rose Awards

The Silver Rose Awards is an opportunity to recognise and celebrate an organisation and individual who have made outstanding contribution to the progressive movement and to advancing a social just and green transition. 
 

This year, Agnes Jongerius will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and La Via Campesina the Just Transition Award. Register now!

Past events

See all past events

21-22 NOV – BELGRADE, SERBIA

A blueprint for tomorrow: How the new EU budget will shape a wider Union

Friends of the Western Balkans Conference

In collaboration with Karl Renner Institut, Kalevi Sorsa Foundation, Fondation Jean-Jaurès, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Društvo Progresiva and Olof Palme International Center
 

The Friends of the Western Balkans (FoWB) met to discuss the political, rather than technical, issues of the new EU budget following the Commission’s proposal for the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034). 
Friends of the Western Balkans Conference

Participants also discussed the future of the European Union, prepared the ground for accession and analysed the current situation in Serbia, as well as the impact that developments in the country are having on the region. 
Investment capacity in the MFF proposal

17 NOV – FEPS HQ

New own resources in the MFF proposal

An expert roundtable by the EU Investment Capacity Group – an initiative by FEPS and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES)
 

Where to find new EU own resources that match the demand for more ambitious European policies? 
 

The EU Investment Capacity Group met to discuss the Commission’s proposals for the EU’s own resources and presented alternative options for new own resources that are related to EU policies and could support important policy goals.

The Group also launched the policy brief “Public investment in the proposed 2028-2034 EU budget“, which proposes and discusses three concrete reform avenues to strengthen public investment during the next EU budget period: 
  • Reform the EU fiscal rules to be more friendly to national investment.
  • Expand EU own resources more ambitiously to fund more EU-level investment.
  • Use the national escape clause more comprehensively to fully unlock off-budget loan instruments.
Public investment in the proposed 2028-2034 EU budget
In the media
European digital sovereignty is a challenge for civilisation as a whole

Photo credits: Shutterstock/CeltStudio

European digital sovereignty is a challenge for civilisation as a whole
 

In an opinion piece in the newspaper Le Monde, FEPS President Maria João Rodrigues shares her concerns about European digital dependence on American and Asian giants. Read more. 
Progressive Post

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

How Progressives win when democracy is on the line

By Robert Benson, Senior Policy Analyst National Security and International Policy, Center for American Progress
How Progressives win when democracy is on the line

Today, the threat to democracy often comes from ruling parties who rewrite constitutions, normalise disinformation and exploit resentment.
 

In this article, Robert Benson outlines some lessons for progressives to win and govern with purpose. Read more. 

Photo credits: Shutterstock/lev radin
Palestine: in pursuit of a just and inclusive peace

PROGRESSIVE PAGE

Palestine: in pursuit of a just and inclusive peace

By Mattia Giampaolo, Research fellow at the Center for International Political Studies (CeSPI), specialising in Middle East and Mediterranean Politics

The twenty-point plan, initially proposed by the Trump administration in September and subsequently endorsed at Sharm el-Sheikh, achieved its formal legitimacy through a resolution by the United Nations Security Council. 
 

Despite securing substantial international support and benefiting from the perceived absence of political alternatives, the plan is critically assessed by international law experts and scholars as insufficient to deliver genuinely just and durable peace. Specifically, it fails to incorporate core Palestinian demands and lacks the fundamental feature of an inclusive political process. Read more. 

Photo credits: Shutterstock/Mirko Kuzmanovic
 

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