Peace Report 2026: What future for European development cooperation?

European development cooperation is under pressure. It is increasingly being framed through the lens of security, migration, economic interests and geopolitical competition. The gradual withdrawal of key players from development policy and the severe cuts in national and European funding not only narrow the scope for international action but also play into the hands of authoritarian regimes. 

Against this background, together with the Brussels office of the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD), we are delighted to invite you to a panel discussion to present elements of the Peace Report 2026. 

The EU needs to play a stronger role in coordinating development policy with other actors

Development cooperation risks losing its transformative potential for sustainable peace if it is conducted solely as a transactional policy driven by self-interest. For the EU it is therefore particularly important to create new avenues for negotiation and dialogue – for example, by playing a stronger role in coordinating development policy with other actors. 

At the same time, the EU needs to strengthen the “P” in the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus and ensure that conflict prevention and peacebuilding remain integral parts of development cooperation. This approach not only maintains Europe’s capacity to act, but also contributes to the promotion of long-term peace and stability. Together with our policy experts, we want to discuss what role the EU could and should take in face of geopolitical changes and times of polycrisis. 

Date: Tuesday, 29 September 2026, 12:00-14:00 CEST

Venue: Office of the EKD, Rue Joseph II 166, 1000 Brussels 

The panel discussion will be held in English. There will be no interpretation.

Please register by sending an e-mail to ekd.bruessel(at)ekd.eu 

For more information, please contact Sidonie.Wetzig(at)fes.de

About the Peace Report

The Peace Report is the joint yearbook of the German Institutes of Peace and Conflict Research (BICC/HSFK/ IFSH/INEF). Researchers from various disciplines investigate the realities of conflicts in various countries around the world and call on Europe to forge new partnerships to jointly protect rules and prevent conflicts.