Remarks to the European Parliament Committees on Foreign Affairs and Development on the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+)

Mikaela Gavas, Managing Director (Europe) and Senior Policy Fellow, speaks to the Committees on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and Development (DEVE) of the European Parliament on the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+).

Mikaela highlights the urgent financing needs of low-income and highly indebted countries, and the growing pressure on European budgets. She explains that while the EFSD+ is intended to mobilise large-scale investment for development, its complex architecture, fragmented operations, and weak monitoring frameworks reduce its effectiveness and slow the deployment of funds.

Drawing on a joint CGD–Lion’s Head Global Partners study, she sets out proposals to simplify the EFSD+ structure, strengthen transparency and accountability, and improve financial efficiency through more flexible risk management.

The session was broadcast live on Wednesday 24th September, from 10:30AM (CEST). Mikaela's intervention begins at 11:08:43.