Team Europe

OVERVIEW

Team Europe was born out of the extraordinary conditions created in 2020 by the COVID-19 pandemic as a united European response to the major needs emerging in the partner countries. 
Team Europe is a team whose members are the European Union; the EU Member States, including their diplomatic network, finance institutions, implementing agencies and public development banks; the European Investment Bank (EIB); the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

What is it?

The Team Europe approach is an inclusive process open to all EU Member States, their implementing organisations and financing institutions. It focuses on building strong international partnerships through joint policy dialogue around the globe to provide an impactful response to different challenges that the world is facing today.
It aims for a strengthened collective approach by the EU institutions and Member States to achieve European strategic objectives through 3 elements:

• scale - combining resources, expertise and tools.
• focus - becoming the partner of reference on selected joint priorities.
• visibility - becoming visible as a team by projecting an image of confidence, reliability and sustainability.

Team Europe Initiatives are flagships of the Team Europe approach that aim to bring maximum transformative impact in partner countries. 
Following the Team Europe external response to COVID-19, the EU and its Member States have elaborated Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs).

What can it be used for?

Team Europe approach can be implemented through three methods, namely joint programming (JP), joint implementation (JI) and Team Europe Initiatives (TEIs). Where relevant and agreed by the EU and the EU Member States involved these can be combined, in coordination with European development finance institutions and implementing organisations.

At the country level, the EU and its Member States are strengthening Joint Programming in development cooperation to amplify their collective impact by pooling resources and capacities. This approach is promoted as voluntary, flexible, inclusive, and tailored to country-specific contexts. The active engagement, appropriation, and ownership of partner countries are essential to its success. Increasing the use of joint EU responses derived from Joint Programming enhances both the impact and visibility of the EU and its Member States on the ground. This collaborative model reduces fragmentation, improves effectiveness, and fosters mutual accountability through joint monitoring and results frameworks that sustain momentum and inform policy dialogue.

Joint implementation utilises various financial modalities—such as co-financing and delegated cooperation—and non-financial contributions. It leverages the comparative advantages of different actors and fosters the sharing of best practices. In this context, the EU and its Member States will continue to share experiences, including transition experiences from across the EU.

When can it be used?

Programming and Joint Implementation in development cooperation can be used in various contexts, depending on specific conditions. Here are a few key instances when it might be employed:

To Maximise Collective Impact Used to pool EU and Member State resources for coordinated responses to large-scale challenges.
To Align with Country Priorities Ensures flexibility and responsiveness to national contexts and local needs.
To Enhance EU Visibility Raises the EU's profile through unified, cross-sectoral engagement.
To Reduce Fragmentation Streamlines efforts and avoids duplication across EU and Member State actors.
To Build Inclusive Partnerships Engages a wide range of partners, including civil society, the private sector, and international organisations.
To Ensure Accountability Supports joint monitoring and shared results frameworks for transparency.
To Leverage Diverse Expertise Allows each partner to contribute its strengths for greater effectiveness.
To Support Transitions Useful in contexts of political, economic, or social change, drawing on EU and Member State experience.

Who can use it?

Joint Programming and Joint Implementation can be used by EU Institutions and Member States to coordinate efforts for greater impact. Member States' agencies and development finance institutions align resources through these approaches to enhance effectiveness. The private sector may participate by contributing expertise, innovation or investment, particularly in areas like infastructure or technology. Civil society organisations help ensure local relevance and accountability. Academic and research institutions add value through analysis and policy input. Like-minded non-EU governments can collaborate where interests align. UN agencies and international organisations bring global experience and technical depth. Regional organisations support cross-border coordination on shared challenges. Financial institutions contribute funding and expertise.
Crucially, partner countries are central actors, whose ownership and leadership underpin successful implementation.

What are its strengths?

Joint Programming and Joint Implementation reduce fragmentation and promote more coordinated and strategic interventions. Pooling resources allows for greater impact, enabling larger and more comprehensive responses to complex development challenges.
These approaches are voluntary and flexible, making them adaptable to different country contexts, sectors, and evolving needs. They strengthen the EU's visibility and credibility as a unified development actor and promote mutual accountability through joint monitoring and results frameworks. Each actor contributes according to its comparative advantage, ensuring that resources, expertise, and experience are used efficiently.
Importantly, the emphasis on partner country ownership enhances sustainability, as interventions are closely aligned with national priorities. Resource efficiency is improved through reduced duplication and better use of financial, technical, and human capacities.
Inclusivity is a hallmark of the approach, enabling the participation of diverse partners, including civil society, the private sector, academia, and international organisations.
Joint Programming and Implementation facilitate knowledge sharing and capacity building, allowing countries and institutions to benefit from each other's experiences.
Finally, their openness to both financial and non-financial modalities ensures a comprehensive and integrated approach to development cooperation.

What are its limitations?

The limitations of Joint Programming and Joint Implementation primarily revolve around the complexity of coordination, the potential for misaligned priorities among partners, and the administrative burden that can slow down decision-making and implementation. Additionally, challenges related to monitoring, local ownership, resource capacity, and the potential for dependency on external actors can also limit the overall success of the approach.

PRACTICAL APPLICATION

Key elements

Team Europe represents a unified EU initiative aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the Union's external action. It brings together EU institutions, Member States, and European financial institutions to deliver coordinated and impactful support aligned with the EU Global Strategy and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The initiative focuses on building long-term global partnerships, particularly in Africa, Asia, and the Caribbean, based on shared values and mutual interests. It supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with a strong emphasis on poverty reduction, climate action, gender equality, and democratic governance.
European development finance institutions, including the EIB and EBRD, provide critical financial support for sustainable investments. The initiative further aims to boost economic resilience, promote inclusive growth, and foster job creation through innovation, trade, and support for local economies.
In essence, Team Europe exemplifies the EU's collective commitment to global stability, sustainable development, and humanitarian objectives, grounded in European values and multilateral cooperation.

Requirements

Data/information

Accurate Data: Reliable, up-to-date data is critical for making informed decisions. This includes data on the local context, needs assessment, resource availability, and past development outcomes.

Joint Analysis: Detailed country-specific, sectoral, or cross-sectoral analyses are essential for defining priorities, objectives, and alignment among stakeholders. This includes mapping donor activities, identifying gaps, and determining synergies.

Monitoring and Evaluation Data: Regular collection of performance data, indicators, and results to assess the progress of joint programming and implementation. The system should ensure consistency and transparency across all partners.

Time

Timeframe for Planning: Initial joint programming and planning can take several months due to the need for consultation and coordination among stakeholders (EU Member States, international organizations, and local actors). Clear timelines should be set for planning, decision-making, and approval stages.

Ongoing Duration: The implementation phase typically spans several years, depending on the scope of the project or initiative. Flexibility is important as some initiatives might require adjustments or extensions due to changing circumstances.

Regular Reviews: Set aside time for mid-term reviews and annual assessments to evaluate progress, make adjustments, and align strategies.

Skills

Project Management: Skilled project managers are needed to oversee the entire process, including coordinating between various actors, ensuring alignment with goals, and ensuring the timely delivery of outputs.

Technical Expertise: Experts in specific sectors (e.g., education, healthcare, environment, etc.) are required to contribute to sector-specific planning and joint implementation. Technical expertise ensures that the initiatives are context-specific and effective.

Negotiation and Diplomacy: Given the diverse set of stakeholders involved (EU Member States, international organizations, private sector, civil society, etc.), strong negotiation and diplomacy skills are essential for ensuring that different priorities are reconciled, and that consensus is achieved.

Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E): Specialists with experience in data collection, M&E frameworks, and impact assessment are needed to track progress and provide feedback on outcomes.

Capacity Building: Local experts and partners should be trained in the tools and methods used for joint implementation to ensure long-term sustainability and local ownership.

Facilities and materials

Collaboration Platforms: Digital tools (such as online platforms for data sharing, communication, and coordination) are necessary to manage collaborative efforts effectively. These platforms should support document sharing, video conferencing, task management, and monitoring.

Technical Resources: The availability of software tools for project tracking, budget management, and reporting is important for managing resources, timelines, and data across partners.

Documentation: A range of documents are required, such as project proposals, agreements (MOUs), financial reports, and evaluation reports.

The Team Europe support provides partner countries with a menu of financial and technical support options. The following options are part of the Team Europe financial and technical support to partner countries: budgetary support, Guarantees, EU Trust Funds, Equity and liquidity to the private sector, Blending.

Financial costs and sources:

Budgeting: Joint Programming requires a comprehensive budget, with clearly defined cost categories such as personnel, administrative costs, local activities, travel, and logistical expenses. Financial planning should align with the scope of the initiative.

Co-Financing: EU Member States and other donors may co-finance projects, sharing both the financial burden and benefits. The funding sources could come from EU development funds, Member State development budgets, international financial institutions, or private-sector contributions.

Fundraising for Local Actors: Local partners might need to mobilize additional resources from national governments or local donors, which could include private sector investments, philanthropic organizations, or crowd-funding in some cases.

Risk Management: Financial plans should include contingency funds for unexpected costs or challenges during implementation. Budget flexibility is important to address issues that arise during joint implementation.

Tips and tricks:

Some tips and tricks are presented in the table below:

EU RESOURCES

• Shared vision, Common Action – Working better together:  Shared Vision, Common Action –Working Better Together
• Tracker of Team Europe's joint activities across the world.: Tracker of Team Europe's joint activities across the world
• Capacity 4 Dev Group on Team Europe and Development Effectiveness: Team Europe and Development Effectiveness Group
• Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation for Team Europe Initiatives Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation for Team Europe Initiatives
• Team Europe eLearning Course Team Europe eLearning Course
• Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation for Team Europe Initiatives Monitoring, Reporting and Evaluation for Team Europe Initiatives
  
  
  

For any revision or comments, please contact us at INTPA-ICM-GUIDE@ec.europa.eu

Published by INTPA.D.4 - Quality and results, evaluation, knowledge management. Last update May 2025