Home News SAIDC at an international expert meeting: more effective European development cooperation
The Slovak Agency for International Development Cooperation (SAIDC) took part in the Practitioners’ Network Annual Meeting and General Assembly (AMGA), held from 18–20 May 2026 in Antwerp and Brussels.
The meeting marked an important milestone for the Network, including the transition of the co-presidency from Enabel–Sida to CzDA (Czech Development Agency)–GIZ for 2026–2027, and a collective shift towards a more operational and impact-driven approach.
A key outcome was the agreement to advance Scenario 2 for the future of the Network—striking a balance between consolidating core functions and strengthening operational delivery. This reflects a shared ambition among members to ensure that the Practitioners’ Network becomes more effective, strategically focused, and capable of delivering concrete results.
Discussions reaffirmed the central role of technical cooperation within European development policy. Notably, the Practitioners’ Network has successfully advocated for the inclusion of technical cooperation within the Global Europe Instrument, underlining its importance alongside financial tools in achieving sustainable development outcomes. At the same time, participants highlighted the need to push back against a growing trend in ODA towards prioritising development finance institutions (DFIs) and blending instruments, which risks narrowing the space for development agencies and civil society actors.
In this context, members stressed that development agencies play a unique role in de-risking investments through technical cooperation and investment grants, particularly in fragile and complex environments. Unlike guarantees—which primarily transfer risk—these instruments actively address underlying constraints and enable sustainable, long-term impact. This perspective is particularly relevant in shaping discussions around the upcoming EU Multiannual Financial Framework (Global Europe Instrument) and the implementation of the Global Gateway strategy.
SAIDC was represented at the AMGA by Jakub Šimek, Project and Finance Coordinator for EU DEL Serbia Project, who participated in the sessions on 19–20 May and highlighted the importance of supporting both innovation and inclusion in a rapidly changing global environment.
Overall, the AMGA confirmed that a stronger, more focused Practitioners’ Network, built on collaboration, technical expertise, and a balanced approach to development finance, is essential for delivering effective and sustainable international partnerships.