Trends and forward-looking scenarios in global governance

Recent trends in nationalism, protectionism and regionalism are affecting international commitments and policies. They also put added pressure on the political and operational capacities of global governance institutions created in the mid-twentieth century for critical yet partly different purposes. This raises the prospects of shifts, including in responsibility, in global and transnational governance. The challenge is to identify coherent responses and to effectively coordinate their implementation with stakeholders.

Scope

Proposals should assess contemporary and historical developments in key institutions (e.g. United Nations, North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, World Trade Organisation, Organisation for Security and Cooperation), regimes, processes and partnerships that aim at contributing to collective action and sharing responsibilities in taking on global problem solving. They should also investigate the EU’s role in these processes. In addition, proposals should assess challenges faced by global governance such as representativeness, diverging interests, trust, allocating responsibilities and legitimacy as well as difficulties related to the implementation of agreements. Responses to past challenges should also be assessed. Scenarios of stagnation, transformation or fragmentation should be considered. The impact on the implementation of the EU Global Strategy and on the achievement of the climate goals of the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals of Agenda 2030 should be addressed. The role played by non-state actors, including from the civil and private sectors may also be addressed. Relevant actors (e.g. researchers, policymakers, civil society representatives) should be involved to ensure mutual learning and take-up of results. Due to the specific challenge of this topic, participation of international partners strategically targeted by the EU is encouraged to ensure joint mapping, scenario design and policy recommendations.

The Commission considers that proposals requesting a contribution from the EU in the order of EUR 2.5 million would allow this specific challenge to be addressed appropriately. Nonetheless, this does not preclude submission and selection of proposals requesting other amounts.

Expected Impact

The action will equip relevant EU actors and partners with knowledge and tools for navigating and influencing effectively the emerging and future shifts in global and transnational governance, thereby increasing their readiness, resilience and capacities for developing globally coordinated strategies.

Cross-cutting Priorities

• International cooperation
• Socio-economic science and humanities