Global Gateway: EU Launches New Programme to Foster Inclusive Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean

Today, the EU and Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) launch a new programme aimed at reducing inequalities and fostering inclusive societies across LAC. The ‘Regional Programme Inclusive Societies’ represents a major step in enhancing the social dimension of EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda with a contribution of €60 million from the EU. This programme is a key EU contribution to the Team Europe Initiative ‘Inclusive and Equitable Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean’.

The launch took place in Brussels following the Foreign Affairs Council on Development and gathered representatives from EU Member States, LAC Ambassadors and implementing partners.

Commissioner for International Partnerships, Jozef Síkela, said: “This initiative embodies the 360-degree approach of our Global Gateway strategy, showing that our projects are about much more than just infrastructure. We place the people for whom we are developing these projects at the centre of the design process. By integrating social inclusion across our initiatives, we ensure that our investments benefit women, children, young people, and the most vulnerable in Latin America and the Caribbean - maximising our impact.”

Spain’s Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Eva Granados, remarked: "For Spain, social cohesion is part of the DNA of our cooperation.  That is why we are proud to lead from the Spanish Cooperation this programme funded mainly by the EU together with four other Member States - Spain, Germany, Italy and France, in a clear “Team Europe” approach. Social cohesion is not a sector, it is a value and a compass in our international partnerships. The external dimension of the European Social Agenda also becomes a key concept in our bi-regional partnership".

Running from 2025 to 2030, the programme will be implemented through two complementary components:

• The regional programme, delivered by a consortium of agencies from Spain (Fundación para la Internacionalización de las Administraciones Públicas and Agencia Española para la Cooperación Internacional para el Desarrollo), France (Expertise France), Germany (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit), and Italy (Organizzazione Internazionale Italo-Latino Americana and Agenzia Italiana per la Cooperazione allo Sviluppo), will strengthen the social dimension of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda with a comprehensive, 360-degree approach. It will promote policy dialogue and collaboration between public, private and civil society actors.
• The programme will be complemented by the Social Accelerator, implemented by Cámara de Comercio Servicios y Turismo de Santa Cruz and other partners in LAC and Europe. It promotes social innovation, supports innovation hubs and will provide grants to boost entrepreneurship, particularly among women and youth while advancing inclusive social, green and digital transitions.

Ahead of the fourth CELAC-EU Summit, Commissioner Síkela was joined by representatives from EU Member States for a symbolic signature marking the launch of the programme. Colombia’s Ambassador to the EU, H.E. Daniel Prado Albarracín, representing the CELAC pro-tempore presidency, shared a video message with all participants.

Background

The EU Regional Programme Inclusive Societies reflects the priorities set out at the third CELAC-EU Summit in 2023, where leaders from both regions underscored the need to strengthen the social dimension of the EU-LAC Global Gateway Investment Agenda.

Global Gateway

Global Gateway is the EU's positive offer to reduce the worldwide investment disparity and boost smart, clean and secure connections in digital, energy and transport sectors, and to strengthen health, education and research systems. The Global Gateway strategy embodies a Team Europe approach that brings together the European Union, EU Member States, and European development finance institutions. Together, we aim to mobilise up to €300 billion in public and private investments from 2021 to 2027, creating essential links rather than dependencies, and closing the global investment gap.

Team Europe Initiative: Inclusive and Equitable Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean

The Team Europe Initiative on Inclusive and Equitable Societies supports access to innovation, inclusive institutions, social protection, gender equality and care policies. Together with contributions from the EU, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain, and Sweden, Team Europe has committed at least €2.6 billion between 2021 and 2027 to over 500 projects.

More Information

Inclusive Societies in Latin America and the Caribbean

Factsheet