Development Cooperation

National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies are committed to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals and often partner with the EU on development-related issues. Their community-based approach and permanent presence is reinforced by the Red Cross Red Crescent’s global outreach, extensive capacities and long-term outlook, making them significant contributors to dealing with today’s complex development challenges. Red Cross EU Office members participate in development cooperation by providing technical assistance and strengthening the capacities of National Societies in third countries. They support sustainable development efforts around the world through a wide variety of services and programmes aimed at strengthening resilience, addressing the underlying causes of vulnerability, and promoting societal and personal transformation. Activities cover areas that include disaster risk reduction, climate change adaptation, shelter, health, water and sanitation, and the protection of marginalised groups.

As a major development cooperation actor, the EU plays an important role in promoting sustainable development worldwide, notably through its development programming. We work to channel our members’ experience into EU development policy processes through dialogue with the relevant EU institutions. In collaboration with Brussels-based development cooperation stakeholders, we also promote the Red Cross Red Crescent perspective on global themes linked to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.