European development cooperation with Central Asia: From abstract to concrete

The European Union (EU) is a substantial development cooperation partner for Central Asia. As Central Asia has risen in prominence on the European foreign policy radar in recent years, there is increased interest among EU member states to be engaged with the region. But on what? This policy brief outlines eight connectivity project ideas that are characterised by human interaction, with long-term benefits for both Europe and Central Asia.

Key points

• EU development cooperation with Central Asia is a technical process that is difficult to fathom for outside observers who seek to understand and value its impact.
• As the EU works with Central Asian governments through ‘blending and guarantees’ and ‘sectoral budget support’, there is a need to prioritise concrete projects where Central Asians and Europeans can work together.
• If Central Asian and European civil societies want to remain relevant through impactful projects, they need to get smart on digitalisation, energy transition, and climate change. 

Authors
Jos Boonstra, EUCAM coordinator, Centre for European Security Studies (CESS), The Netherlands.
Kamila Smagulova, PhD candidate, Leiden University, EUCAM associate researcher, The Netherlands

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