How to access the EU’s €300B Global Gateway: Key tips from the experts

The EU’s “Global Gateway” is an ambitious €300 billion investment and partnership strategy guiding how the bloc will deploy and coordinate funding in partner countries to support sustainable infrastructure, energy, digital, health, and education systems. It is not a new stand-alone fund, but a framework that brings together existing EU financing instruments, member state contributions, and other public and private resources under a shared strategic banner — with a strong emphasis on leveraging private capital alongside public funds. But nearly four years in, many in the global development community are still asking: What exactly is it, and how can we get involved? At a recent Devex Pro Funding Briefing, Laura Atienza, team lead at the European Commission Directorate-General for International Partnerships, and María Garrón, managing director of DT Global Europe, helped answer those questions. Together, they unpacked where the initiative stands, how it’s evolving, and what it means for organizations — from NGOs and consultancies to development finance institutions and multilaterals — looking to engage. A new strategy for a new era Announced in late 2021, the Global Gateway was framed as the EU’s response to global infrastructure and investment gaps, and as a values-driven alternative to initiatives such as China’s Belt and Road. While it includes major infrastructure projects, the gateway is broader: It signals a shift in the EU’s development cooperation model, combining traditional aid with strategic investment priorities and structured efforts to crowd in private finance. Atienza described the Global Gateway as a collective effort, led through the “Team Europe” approach, which unites EU institutions, member states, DFIs, export credit agencies, and private sector groups to jointly design and finance projects. The goal is to support smart, sustainable, and secure investments across five main sectors: digital, climate and energy, transport, education and research, and health. Geographically, while the strategy is open to all countries eligible under the main EU’s external financing instrument — the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument — sub-Saharan Africa has received the largest share of funding so far, but projects are also advancing in Latin America, the western Balkans, and parts of Asia. And while the initiative is still maturing, its budget is set to grow: the European Commission has proposed a 75% increase for international cooperation funding in the next Multiannual Financial Framework (2028-2034), including a potential doubling of the budget for Africa alone. Beyond tenders: Where engagement really begins One message was clear throughout the session: Organizations can no longer rely on a “call-for-proposal” mindset alone. Successful engagement with the Global Gateway starts well before a formal procurement notice is published. According to Garrón, early outreach is essential. EU delegations in partner countries are often the best entry point to identify project pipelines, propose ideas, and demonstrate commitment. She emphasized the importance of engaging early with EU stakeholders — not just to express interest, but to demonstrate a clear understanding of country priorities and where an organization’s expertise can add value. Organizations should also monitor EU flagship projects — a set of specific initiatives, listed publicly on the Global Gateway website, that have been highlighted as central to the strategy’s objectives. These projects span the initiative’s five strategic sectors and often bring together EU institutions, DFIs, national governments, and private partners. Many of these involve large-scale blended finance packages — where technical assistance and advisory support from implementing partners can be essential. Monitoring these flagship projects — and identifying where an organization’s capabilities align — can provide a tangible and strategic entry point into the Gateway’s implementation. Many serve as anchor investments for follow-on work, making them a valuable focus for organizations looking to position themselves early. For those looking to track specific opportunities, look at the Devex Pro Funding platform or the official EU websites. Garrón noted that pre-tender consultations and EU business forums are also useful avenues to pitch project ideas and stay informed. Garrón also highlighted the importance of knowing how EU financial tools work, because these tools are directly tied to delivering the Global Gateway’s investment ambitions. A core feature of the strategy is to attract large-scale private investment into its priority sectors — and that requires mechanisms to make such investments viable. Through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus, or EFSD+, the EU provides grants, loans, equity, and guarantees that reduce the risks for private companies investing in Global Gateway projects. EFSD+ is designed to de-risk large operations — often in the €50 million to 200 million range — by providing political risk cover, first-loss protection, or other guarantees that make financing more secure. Complementing EFSD+ are sector-specific facilities: ElectriFI for early-stage energy projects, AgriFI for agriculture, and Get.Invest for digital infrastructure. These facilities support the pipeline of projects that can later scale into major investments — and implementers can play a role in structuring or advising these efforts. According to Garrón, together, these instruments are central to the Global Gateway’s model of leveraging private capital alongside public funds, giving companies and implementing partners the financial backing needed to engage confidently in complex, high-value projects. Crucially, Garrón emphasized the need for alignment. “We have to be sure that we are [...] speaking the language of Global Gateway, speaking the language of EU, and then very stuck to any of those sectors" — meaning that proposals should clearly reflect the initiative’s five priority sectors and emphasize collaboration with other actors. A new role for NGOs — and a new mindset While the Global Gateway’s emphasis on private investment may seem like a shift away from traditional development partnerships, both speakers underscored the continued importance of NGOs and civil society organizations. Atienza encouraged NGOs to rethink their approach — to partner with consultancies or DFIs, or to engage in technical and policy work that complements larger investments. Garrón went further, highlighting how civil society is often the bridge between massive infrastructure investments and real local impact. “Investment comes from private sector, and that’s a reality, but it’s true that when you have to translate the investments in the country, you also need the work of the of the NGOs and the civil society, because the priorities of the government are also linked to the priorities of the things that are highlighted by the civil society,” she said. But the method of engagement has changed. It’s less about applying for grants and more about collaboration — and speaking the language of investment, Garrón noted. The session also made clear that multilaterals — from United Nations agencies to DFIs — have a role to play. About half of the EU’s Global Gateway funding is expected to flow through pillar-assessed organizations — entities that have been vetted by the EU to manage funds directly and apply the same financial controls and safeguards as the EU itself. These include DFIs, U.N. entities, and global financing mechanisms, Atienza explained. A call to adapt — and to act If there was one message from the event, it was this: the Global Gateway is not just another funding initiative. It’s a sign that the EU is changing how it does development — and that implementers, donors, and governments will need to change with it. “Global Gateway is a completely new instrument, or a new paradigm for EU and ... for all of us in the ecosystem is something different from what we have been doing,” Garrón concluded. She pointed to examples such as creating technological hubs or national electricity programs — projects that can generate real economic opportunity, especially for young people, and help countries leap forward in areas like digital innovation or clean energy.