global gateway advocacy toolkit: pushing for transparency, accountability and a just transition

How can civil society engage in the EU’s Global Gateway initiative?   

Launched in 2021 by the European Commission, the Global Gateway strategy was presented as the ethical and sustainable alternative to China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Russia’s investment plans. Described during the 2021 G7 summit as promoting “high-quality, value-driven, high-standard and transparent infrastructure partnerships,” Global Gateway was portrayed as a strategy that would reconcile development cooperation with competitiveness by framing private sector mobilisation as a positive necessity.

Nevertheless, despite its ambitions and positive framing, the strategy has raised widespread criticism from civil society actors, NGOs, and progressive policymakers, who argue that its promises of transparency and value-based projects remain unfulfilled. In fact, many contend that the strong involvement of European companies risks sidelining developmental objectives in favour of EU economic interests, undermining sustainability, human rights, and local ownership. 

Criticism has clustered around four main areas: the risk of negative impacts on human rights and the environment, the lack of transparency and democratic accountability, the limited involvement of civil society organisations and a flawed strategy that prioritises EU competitiveness over partner countries’ needs. Moreover, the alignment with internal EU priorities such as energy security and industrial competitiveness has reinforced concerns that Global Gateway is steering development policy away from its central purpose: the reduction and, ultimately, the eradication of poverty and inequality. 

In this framework, SOLIDAR and Counter Balance have developed an advocacy toolkit that analyses Global Gateway’s main shortcomings and offers practical tools and demands for civil society to hold Global Gateway’s actors accountable. 

The toolkit maps out concrete advocacy targets and entry points within EU institutions and financial actors, giving CSOs a structured way to contribute shaping the future Global Gateway’s direction ensuring that the initiative contributes to poverty eradication and sustainable development rather than narrowly serving European economic interests. 

The toolkit was launched through an online webinar that featured expert voices from Counter Balance, the Rosa Luxembourg Foundation, and grassroots organizations such as OCDIH in Honduras. You can read the full report and watch the webinar recording via this link.