IIED Europe Global Research Priority Tracker
This tracker, devised by IIED Europe, shows the priorities that Majority World experts seek for European Union sustainable development policies, research and funding to focus on in the future.
In a global first for Europe, a pool of experts largely from the Majority World have been asked for their priority research topics for the European Union (EU) in a way that is methodologically robust.
The study, which took place over eight months in 2022, identified 230 research priorities and the result is a searchable database for global researchers, policymakers and funders to build their understanding of which research topics the Majority World actors would like the EU to focus its research and funding on.
| Priority | Category | Tag | Entry point | Region |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| How has the departure of the UK from the EU affected development aid - from the EU and from the UK? (#23001) | Just transition | Investment; EU policy | Impact | Caribbean |
| What specific EU actions and initiatives could assist majority world countries in mainstreaming green economy and blue economy principles into their economic policies? (#23002) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Impact | Caribbean | |
| How can EU subsidies for fossil fuels be reformed to accelerate a just transition in the energy sector in the majority world? (#23003) | Climate change; Just transition | Fossil fuels | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How do EU policies, programmes and projects complement national and local level development policies in the majority world? (#23004) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU develop and apply in-depth and multi-disciplinary knowledge of the ecological and socio-economic realities on the ground in the majority world? (#23005) | Localisation | Economics | Strategy analysis | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| With rising sea levels, can fishing activities continue to sustain coastal communities in majority world countries, and in particular in least developed countries (LDCs)? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23006) | Food systems; Natural resources | Industry; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy identify and support actions and measures for agricultural industries to adopt when establishing projects in majority world countries (and more specifically in least developed countries (LDCs)) to ensure that their investments are relevant for local communities, and promote local agricultural entrepreneurs? (#23007) | Food systems; Localisation | Farmers | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What measures can be taken by majority world countries to adapt to desertification and food insecurity challenges (eg Sahel region etc)? What are the implications for EU policy in those countries? (#23008) | Food systems; Climate change | Climate adaptation | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What can majority world farmers do to adapt and continue to produce adequately in the context of climate change-induced distortion of local agricultural calendars? What are the implications for EU policy in those countries? (#23009) | Food systems; Climate change | Farmers; Climate adaptation | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy support majority world countries to achieve green transitions while maintaining their national development objectives? (#23010) | Natural resources; Just transition | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can EU policy on natural resources identify and support actions and incentives to limit deforestation in the majority world (beyond existing schemes such as REDD)? (#23011) | Natural resources | Climate adaptation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the least and most cost-effective policy options for circular economy design and e-waste management in majority world contexts? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23012) | Natural resources; Just transition | EU policy; Economics | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How does the EU benefit, in social, economic and political terms, from its relations with majority world countries? (#23013) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How does the EU develop a partnership with the majority world to achieve mutual and just-for-all development? (#23014) | Just transition | Partnership | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| Do the policies of the EU and its member states empower countries with damaging policies in the majority world (eg through their military and monetary cooperation programmes)? (#23015) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on localisation support ownership or uptake of policies by target populations? (#23016) | Localisation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can the EU ensure that it undertakes a robust assessment of the needs and priorities of the local beneficiaries of its policies in the majority world? (#23017) | Localisation; Gender, equality and human rights | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can the EU support strategies to reduce the health impacts of climate change in the majority world, paying special attention to impacts on vulnerable groups? (#23018) | Climate change | Climate adaptation; Human rights | Health | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| The EU has invested heavily in the development of a market for renewable energy systems (standalone, household, mini-grid, and grid). What are the implications (impacts, costs, benefits) for markets and market development in majority world countries? (#23019) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Energy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policies, initiatives and projects decrease societal disparities in majority world countries? (#23020) | Gender, equality and human rights | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How is gender discrimination affecting development prospects in majority world countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and action? (#23021) | Gender, equality and human rights; Economics, finance, business and trade | Equality; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What information and analysis is available on the intersectionality between poverty, gender and equity in the majority world? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23022) | Gender, equality and human rights | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How is EU policy and support contributing to more transparency, participation and accountability in governance systems at country level in the majority world? (#23023) | Just transition; Gender, equality and human rights | EU policy | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How should EU policy consider the attitude and level of understanding and support of target communities and/or beneficiaries of policies and projects focussed on the majority world? (#23024) | Localisation | EU policy | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU ensure participation of target groups and/or beneficiaries in the design, planning and execution of policies related to the majority world? (#23025) | Localisation; Gender, equality and human rights | Participation; Partnership | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU support improved, more responsible and more equitable land governance and support wider property rights in the majority world (in particular least developed countries (LDCs))? (#23026) | Natural resources; Localisation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can the EU support effective mechanisms to improve the contribution of biodiversity and ecosystem services to sustainability and wellbeing in majority world countries? (#23027) | Natural resources | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can the EU ensure that adaptation actions are complemented and linked at multiple spatial scales to build resilience of broader urban systems in different geographical contexts in the majority world? (#23028) | Urban development; Climate change | Urban | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the possible causes of gender-based violence in rural society in majority world countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23029) | Gender, equality and human rights | Equality; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How do EU policies, programmes and projects engage and involve target communities in the majority world, from design to implementation? (#23030) | Localisation | EU policy | Strategy analysis | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are best practice examples of EU aid and support promoting successful development in the majority world? (#23031) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy address population pressures in majority world countries, particularly considering existing use of natural resources? (#23032) | Natural resources | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the best approaches to improve and strengthen stakeholders’ integration (including the participation of local communities) in biodiversity conservation and sustainable utilisation in the majority world? (#23033) | Natural resources; Localisation | Participation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU support increasing the awareness of policymakers and the general public in the majority world so as to achieve conservation goals and the sustainable use of biodiversity? (#23034) | Natural resources | Biodiversity | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy support a reduction in excessive extraction and unsustainable use of biodiversity and ecosystem services in the majority world – without severely impacting the livelihoods of local communities? (#23035) | Natural resources | Biodiversity | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the main global policy and legal trends affecting industrial development in majority world countries, and what are their implications? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23036) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Industry | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU support the creation of mechanism to increase area coverage of ecologically representative, networked and effectively-managed protected areas and other effective conservation measures in the majority world, with special emphasis on technical, administrative and financial aspects? (#23037) | Natural resources | Biodiversity | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the key issues and impediments in relation to the EU's emission rights transfer policies with a particular focus on the implications for majority world countries? (#23038) | Climate change; Just transition | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| Do EU policies on Equality and human rights empower poor and vulnerable sections of society in the majority world, or do they intensify further marginalisation? (#23039) | Gender, equality and human rights | Equality; Human rights | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are EU policies on women and gender in the majority world, and what are the challenges to their implementation? (#23040) | Gender, equality and human rights | Equality; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policies on localisation contribute to people-owned energy development in majority world countries? (#23041) | Localisation; Just transition | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What is the status of water policy and the development and enforcement of related law in the majority world? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23042) | Natural resources | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What are the root causes, drivers and effects of biodiversity degradation and loss in the majority world linked to EU policies? (#23043) | Natural resources | Biodiversity; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU support innovative wetland management policy and laws in majority world countries? (#23044) | Natural resources | Biodiversity; EU policy | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU promote the development of payments for ecosystem services policies and legal frameworks in the majority world? (#23045) | Natural resources; Just transition | Climate adaptation; Biodiversity | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What practical, science-based, and simple methodologies can be used to generate knowledge and innovation related to biodiversity values, ecosystem functioning, status and trends, and the consequences of its loss? How can the EU support the better dissemination of this information to societies and policymakers in the majority world? (#23046) | Natural resources; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What mechanisms can be devised to mitigate the issue of invasive alien species, including actions to regulate the introduction of new ones? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23047) | Natural resources | Environment; Farmers | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What elements of EU projects do stakeholders think lead to the greatest local impact? Is it the implementer? Partners? Government or community engagement? Volume of funding? Or something else? (#23048) | Just transition; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Partnership | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on natural resources support the mapping and strengthening of public institutions in environmental law, development, and enforcement in the majority world? (#23049) | Natural resources | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What are the most significant trends in the EU wildlife policy and law development, and how do they impact on the majority world? (#23050) | Governance | EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the concept of "just resilience" that is set out in the EU Adaptation Strategy be defined and operationalised? (#23051) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation; Resilience | Strategy analysis | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How do EU policies incorporate the concept of partnerships within societies in majority world countries, for example partnerships between church and state, partnerships between the state and communities, and the role of civil society in community partnerships? (#23052) | Localisation; Gender, equality and human rights | EU policy; Partnership | Strategy analysis | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What strategies should the EU employ to ensure that policy and projects related to the majority world include consideration of the climate-biodiversity-society nexus, and the tensions and synergies related to it?’ (#23053) | Natural resources; Climate change | EU policy | Strategy analysis | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How do European trade policies impact environmental integrity in the majority world? (#23054) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Trade; EU policy | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on food systems research and address the effect of climate change on food security among smallholder farmers? (#23055) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy; Farmers | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU assess and address the effects of climate change on migration and mobility patterns in the majority world? (#23056) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the likely impacts of urbanisation on the health and wellbeing of majority world citizens? How should this information influence future EU policies and action? (#23057) | Urban development | Human rights | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policymakers research and address the impact of rising water levels in lakes and oceans and their likely impact on livelihoods and settlement patterns in the majority world? (#23058) | Urban development; Climate change | EU policy; Resilience | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy use sports to achieve climate change targets and commitments in the majority world? (#23059) | Climate change | Industry | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How relevant are European climate change policies to mitigation and adaptation in the majority world? (#23060) | Climate change; Just transition | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What action can the EU take to improve earth and scientific data (eg salinity impact, sea-level rise, groundwater levels, irrigation, etc) to support policy and decision making in climate-vulnerable countries? (#23061) | Climate change; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Resilience; Climate adaptation | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can the EU support the majority world in harnessing green energy to power their key production sectors? (#23062) | Climate change; Just transition | Energy | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on food systems support the role of infrastructure expansion in addressing food security and market accessibility in the majority world? (#23063) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What are the key determinants of embracing agricultural sector insurance among smallholders and farming communities in the majority world, and in particular in least developed countries (LDCs)? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23064) | Food systems; Climate change | Farmers; Resilience | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the factors influencing food security of rural households in majority world countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23065) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What are the synergies and trade-offs between EU policies and development and environmental and social wellbeing in the majority world? (#23066) | Just transition | EU policy; Environment | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| Is the EU adopting decolonisation frameworks, and if so, how are EU decolonisation frameworks shaping the conservation of natural landscapes, including Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices (KAP), in the majority world? (#23067) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Environment | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policies support and facilitate the transition to a circular economy and the reuse of waste as a resource in majority world countries? (#23068) | Natural resources; Just transition | Economics | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy support the integration and inclusion of political parties and political groups in the majority world? And how can EU policy support the role of civil society in the majority world? (#23069) | Governance | Inclusion | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU promote a better understanding of the partnership mechanisms and support actions that allow local communities in the majority world to maximise the benefits? (#23070) | Localisation; Gender, equality and human rights | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| What are best practice examples of EU aid and support promoting successful climate mitigation and adaptation action (including renewable energy) in the majority world? (#23071) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Energy; Climate adaptation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on food systems support the introduction and scaling up of climate-smart agriculture in the majority world? (#23072) | Food systems; Climate change | Agriculture | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy identify potential adaptation options for agro-pastoral communities living in semi-arid regions? (#23073) | Food systems; Climate change | Climate adaptation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How does EU policy on food systems address the role and importance of the livestock sector in poverty reduction and economic growth in the majority world? (#23074) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Farmers; Economics | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can EU policy on food systems support the transformation and digitalisation of agriculture in the majority world? (#23075) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Agriculture | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are the possible outcomes of poverty in majority world countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23076) | Gender, equality and human rights; Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa | |
| How can EU policies support the empowerment of rural women and young people in majority world countries? (#23077) | Gender, equality and human rights; Localisation | Equality | Impact | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| How can the EU support identification and addressing the priorities, barriers, enablers and opportunities for transformational climate adaptation in the majority world? (#23078) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Support | West, Central and Eastern Africa |
| What are locally feasible actions to better manage wastes from households and industries in majority world countries? (#23079) | Natural resources; Localisation | Strategy analysis | East Asia | |
| What impacts do free trade agreements, tariffs and economic and development partnerships promoted or participated in by the EU have on the majority world (eg in terms of agricultural production, jobs, trade deficits, environmental degradation, drugs, green crime, etc), and how can the benefits for the majority world be maximised? (#23080) | Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy; Trade | Impact | East Asia |
| How can global climate adaptation and mitigation strategies be designed in ways that do not result in increased socio-environmental injustices in the majority world? (#23081) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation; Equality | Impact | East Asia |
| How can EU policy on food systems support local institutions in the majority world, such as producer/farmer organisations, to provide the necessary production services to its members? (#23082) | Food systems; Localisation | Farmers | Impact | East Asia |
| What frameworks for regular exchanges between EU policymakers and majority world stakeholders should/can be used throughout interventions/policy processes to ensure quality information? (#23083) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Partnership | Support | European Union |
| How can EU policy support the introduction of sustainability criteria in different activities in the majority world - such as sustainability in construction, for example? (#23084) | Urban development; Just transition | EU policy | Support | European Union |
| What criteria should EU policy and decision makers prioritise to ensure human activities’ sustainability at the planetary scale? (#23085) | Just transition; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU ensure equity of participation and decision making on projects between developed countries and the majority world? (#23086) | Just transition; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Partnership; Equality | Support | European Union |
| How can the EU convince majority world countries with fossil fuel reserves to leave them in the ground? (#23087) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation; Fossil fuels | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| How should the EU reform the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the European Investment Bank so they better meet ambitions for global green transition, in particular in the majority world? (#23088) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Strategy analysis | European Union | |
| How can EU policy on food systems support behavioural change in food consumption in the majority world - especially a dietary shift towards plant-based proteins? (#23089) | Food systems; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Support | European Union |
| What are the challenges and opportunities of EU policy in relation to climate finance policy and laws, and their impacts on the majority world? (#23090) | Climate change; Just transition | Finance; EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU use public finance to leverage private finance for climate and development activities in the majority world? (#23091) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Private sector; Climate adaptation | Impact | European Union |
| Are EU policies on natural resources protecting or damaging the access rights and entitlements of those in the majority world who protect biodiversity, such as Indigenous Peoples and local communities? (#23092) | Natural resources; Gender, equality and human rights | Indigenous Peoples; Biodiversity | Impact | European Union |
| How can EU policy on localisation protect community land tenure in the majority world? (#23093) | Localisation | Support | European Union | |
| How can EU policy promote rainwater harvesting as a water crisis mitigator and climate change adaptation measure in rain-intensive majority world countries (eg India, Bangladesh, Philippines, etc)? (#23094) | Natural resources; Just transition | Climate adaptation; EU policy | Support | European Union |
| Are EU policies helping prices set by private corporations to absorb the externalities their products create? (#23095) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Private sector | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU support wider use of microcredit programmes for climate change adaptation activities in the majority world? (#23096) | Climate change; Localisation | Climate adaptation | Support | European Union |
| What EU policies are in place to protect Indigenous Peoples' food systems - the oldest food systems in the world with proven resilience and sustainability? (#23097) | Food systems; Localisation | Impact | European Union | |
| What are the policies and normative work used by the EU to support Indigenous Peoples´ food systems? (#23098) | Food systems; Localisation | Indigenous Peoples | Support | European Union |
| How can the EU use microcredit to promote rainwater harvesting as a tool to empower women in majority world countries? (#23099) | Gender, equality and human rights; Economics, finance, business and trade | Finance; Equality | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| How can EU policies support the mainstreaming of free prior and informed consent (FPIC) protocols across donors, implementing partners and national governments? (#23100) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Localisation | Support | European Union | |
| Are people-centred knowledge and oral knowledge systems considered by EU development policies? (#23101) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Localisation | Support | European Union | |
| What hierarchies of evidence of knowledge are EU policies observing? (#23102) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can the expansion of protected areas in the majority world take place without displacing Indigenous Peoples from their lands, as has been the case in many countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and action? (#23103) | Natural resources; Gender, equality and human rights | Indigenous Peoples | Impact | European Union |
| How can EU policy support better cooperative governance of international rivers in the majority world, particularly in relation to sustainable water management in the face of climate change? (#23104) | Natural resources; Climate change | Environment | Support | European Union |
| How does the EU measure the negative environmental impacts of mega development projects it funds, and what actions should be taken in future to reduce these impacts? (#23105) | Natural resources; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Impact | European Union | |
| What biocentric policies on restoration, food systems, and territorial management can be put in place to favour collective rights and mobile and nomadic livelihoods in the majority world? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23106) | Natural resources; Localisation | Policy; Agriculture | Impact | European Union |
| What are the potential feasibility and costs for achieving transformative urban development that incorporates resilience in the majority world? And what are the implications for future EU policies and practice? (#23107) | Urban development; Just transition | Impact | European Union | |
| How can the EU and majority world countries act together to ensure that majority world citizens can access the jobs made available by the transition to a green and climate smart economy (green jobs), including in the renewable energy sector? (#23108) | Gender, equality and human rights; Just transition | Economics | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| How should the EU identify, analyse and mitigate the unintended effects of its policies and interventions in majority world countries? (#23109) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Policy | Impact | European Union |
| Urban deficits (widespread instances of lower-than-average wellbeing and higher than average deprivation in urban centres) in the majority world suggest rethinking the EU approach to international development, including finance. What transformative strategies are appropriate for international finance and development systems, and what could be the role of the EU in promoting such strategies? (#23110) | Urban development; Economics, finance, business and trade | Finance; EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| What should be the priorities for climate change adaptation promoted by the EU in urban areas in the majority world? (#23111) | Urban development; Climate change | Climate adaptation; Urban | Support | European Union |
| What models are appropriate to address urban challenges in the majority world? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23112) | Urban development; Economics, finance, business and trade | Urban; EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU promote system strengthening to ensure increased access to (social) services in the majority world in a sustainable way? (#23113) | Gender, equality and human rights | Inclusion; EU policy | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| How do EU green industrial policies impact the energy transition in the majority world? (#23114) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Industry; EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| Does system strengthening in the majority world contribute to reduced fragility through an enhanced social contract? (#23115) | Localisation | Investment | Support | European Union |
| What arrangements can be made to support developing country researchers to participate in international research, design and development (RD&D) projects on an equal footing? (#23116) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Equality; Participation | Support | European Union |
| How will the main policies and programmes that shape the EU's interactions with the majority world change as a result of the impacts of climate change? (#23117) | Climate change; Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can EU policy support majority world countries in meeting their capacity needs for the green transition? (#23118) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Support | European Union |
| How can EU policies help to avoid possible negative effects of increased development in the majority world (for example, preventing the 'brain drain', climate deterioration, increased inequality and migration)? (#23119) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | European Union | |
| How can the EU support the most effective mechanisms for implementing voluntary carbon market projects and programmes with suitable environmental and social safeguards? (#23120) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Climate adaptation; Environment | Support | European Union |
| How can the EU support the improvement of entrepreneurial ecosystems in the majority world, so that entrepreneurs have better access to resources (including financial) for climate solution deployment and diffusion? (#23121) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Technology change; Climate adaptation | Support | European Union |
| What is and should be the EU’s role in ensuring that international trade systems (including fossil fuels) work to achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets in the majority world? (#23122) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Fossil fuels | SDG achievement | European Union |
| How can EU policy identify viable mechanisms for private-public cooperation to mitigate investment risks for climate solutions/technologies in the majority world? (#23123) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Technology change | Impact | European Union |
| Could the positive results of (some) of the EU cash-based approaches in humanitarian aid also be applied to development assistance in general? (#23124) | Gender, equality and human rights | Strategy analysis | European Union | |
| What are the determinants of positive outcomes from inclusive peace and reconciliation processes in majority world countries, and how can the EU contribute? (#23125) | Governance | Human rights | Support | European Union |
| Which energy access policies work most effectively for the poorest in society? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23126) | Just transition | Impact | European Union | |
| Can power shifting (localisation) for equitable partnerships be stimulated in the majority world without compromising current monitoring and control frameworks? (#23127) | Localisation; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Support | European Union | |
| How can EU policy identify what monitoring and control framework (modus, instruments) would optimally support the localisation agenda? (#23128) | Localisation; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Strategy analysis | European Union | |
| What are the risks and opportunities for the majority world of the growth in demand for lithium and other electric battery materials? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23129) | Natural resources; Just transition | EU policy; Industry | Impact | European Union |
| How can cities in the majority world strengthen their connectedness to deliver increased economic vibrancy while also minimising the risks from climate change of social and economic harm? (#23130) | Urban development; Climate change | Support | European Union | |
| How can the EU help majority world cities to identify, prioritise and finance climate actions? (#23131) | Urban development; Climate change | Climate adaptation; Finance | Support | European Union |
| How can the EU contribute to ensuring that urban infrastructure gaps in the majority world are closed – particularly in relation to the role of off-grid, hybrid, heterogeneous infrastructure, and appropriate business models for micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to service vulnerable low-income communities? (#23132) | Urban development; Just transition | Industry; Urban | Support | European Union |
| What are the critical policy areas that EU policy should support in the majority world to ensure the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? (#23133) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | European Union |
| How does EU climate emergency policy (green deal, fitfor55, Net Zero, CBAM, etc) affect development in majority world countries? (#23134) | Climate change; Just transition | Impact | European Union | |
| How can the EU support a balance between the energy security and climate agendas, addressing both the socio-economic benefits for the majority world and the risks of not acting? (#23135) | Gender, equality and human rights; Just transition | Energy; Policy | Support | European Union |
| What are the mechanisms used by the EU to define its development policy priorities? (#23136) | Just transition; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Impact | European Union | |
| Team Europe is not materialising and competing interests among EU member states are hindering progress. How can the EU implement a true Team Europe and improve cooperation with non-EU stakeholders? (#23137) | Just transition; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | EU policy; Partnership | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU support green transition solutions by rewarding early adopters and innovators in the majority world while penalising laggards (for example through policy instruments, aid for trade and green diplomacy)? (#23138) | Climate change; Just transition | Strategy analysis | European Union | |
| Sustainable finance, green finance, climate finance and impact investing should be shifting investments towards the majority world. This is not happening for a series of reasons, including perceived risks, poor data, lower ranking, etc. How can the EU overcome these obstacles so that increased and predictable sustainable finance reaches all majority world regions and in particular least developed countries (LDCs)? (#23139) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Finance | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| How can the EU increase much needed and currently insufficient public and private finance to the majority world for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), development and climate action under the Paris Agreement and Agenda 2030? And ensure that there is institutional capacity to make use of it? (#23140) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Finance | Finance | European Union |
| How can EU policy on deforestation-linked products and value chains ensure that the exports of products linked to deforestation are not directed to countries with less demanding policies? (#23141) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Trade | Strategy analysis | European Union |
| What role could Green Bonds play outside the EU? Would the European green bond standard (EUGBS) be the standard? How could this be implemented? (#23142) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Finance | Impact | European Union |
| How can EU policy instruments and funding promote a green and just transition in majority world countries - actively addressing endemic difficulties such as institutional fragmentation, corruption, lack of local capacities and intersectoral conflict? (#23143) | Localisation; Just transition | Support | European Union | |
| How does the EU measure and quantify policy coherence for (sustainable) development? (#23144) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Economics, finance, business and trade | Policy | Impact | European Union |
| How can the EU support transformative urban development planning, and what are the governance, policy and financing options that should be considered? (#23145) | Urban development; Economics, finance, business and trade | Finance; Urban | Support | European Union |
| What business models for micro-, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have potential to enable vulnerable low-income communities to be integrated into the urban economy with possible linkages with EU and global value chains? (#23146) | Urban development; Economics, finance, business and trade | Economics; Trade | Support | European Union |
| Can the EU identify applicable best practices in building climate finance infrastructure from other regions that can be replicated in the eleven nations that make up the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS)? (#23147) | Climate change; Economics, finance, business and trade | Finance; Climate adaptation | Strategy analysis | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can EU policy combine climate change interventions with action to achieve Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, zero hunger, in the majority world? (#23148) | Climate change; Food systems | Climate adaptation | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can EU policies on business and trade leverage the critical and ubiquitous tourism sector to catalyse a successful green transition in the majority world? (#23149) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Trade | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can EU policy on food systems identify and address the actions required for building climate resilient and sustainable agriculture in the majority world? (#23150) | Food systems; Climate change | EU policy; Climate adaptation | Support | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| What will be the economic impacts of climate change on those working primarily in the agricultural sector? What are the implications for EU policy in those countries? (#23151) | Food systems; Climate change | Climate adaptation; Agriculture | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can we estimate the contribution made by vegetation (cultivated, trees and natural pastures, etc) in majority world countries (eg Latin America, Borneo, etc.) to atmospheric carbon fixation? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23152) | Food systems; Climate change | Biodiversity | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can EU policies on Equality and human rights leverage the work of grassroots environmental defenders, end the violence they face and efficiently bridge the gaps between grassroots communities, the private sector and decision makers to reach socio-environmental justice? (#23153) | Gender, equality and human rights; Localisation | Equality; Human rights | Support | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can the EU ensure involvement of civil society actors, including private sector professionals, in ushering in a successful transition to long-term sustainability through green and blue economy principles in the majority world? (#23154) | Just transition; Gender, equality and human rights | Private sector; Participation | Support | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| What issues and limitations impinge on the EU's ability to act in a consistent manner towards the majority world in terms of prioritising human rights and international law over self-interest? (#23155) | Just transition; Gender, equality and human rights | Human rights | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| What mutually beneficial ('win-win') mechanisms can the EU use to help local, national, regional development in the majority world? (#23156) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| Development assistance from the EU to the majority world has been in place for many years. What is the evidence of positive impacts from these financial transfers, given the current state of development in many majority world countries? (#23157) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy; Finance | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How do EU-supported land policies in majority world countries contribute towards sustainability, peace, prosperity and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23158) | Natural resources | EU policy | SDG achievement | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How can the EU support watershed restoration in majority world countries, and what should be the priorities for action? (#23159) | Natural resources | Environment | Support | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| What are the impacts of EU policies on movements of citizens between rural and urban contexts in the majority world? (#23160) | Urban development | Urban; EU policy | Impact | Non-attributable (mixed source) |
| How well is European technical and financial support aligned with the priorities identified in majority world countries' National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) and other national adaptation plans and policies? (#23161) | Climate change; Just transition | EU policy; Investment | Impact | North America |
| How is EU support for climate change adaptation in the majority world promoting gender-responsive and socially-inclusive approaches? (#23162) | Gender, equality and human rights; Climate change | Climate adaptation; Equality | Strategy analysis | North America |
| How is the EU supporting monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL) related to adaptation in the majority world in order to track progress at the national and global levels? (#23163) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Climate change | EU policy | Impact | North America |
| What are the best ways to engage and convince EU policymakers and donors about the need to invest in the triple nexus (water-food-energy) approach in the majority world? (#23164) | Natural resources | Energy; Climate adaptation | Impact | North America |
| What are examples of effective scientific cooperation between the EU and majority world countries, and is it possible to distinguish key features? (#23165) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Partnership | Support | North America |
| How can the EU support the diffusion of good practices and lessons learned on moving from climate mitigation and adaptation planning to implementation? (#23166) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Support | North America |
| How can the EU empower local actors in the majority world and help to create a Team Africa/Asia/Asia-Pacific/Latin America approach? (#23167) | Just transition; Localisation | Partnership; Inclusion | Support | North America |
| What experience can the EU share about how to minimise the impacts of agricultural, municipal, and industrial waste and pollution on human health and biodiversity in the majority world? (#23168) | Gender, equality and human rights; Natural resources | Support | North America | |
| What are the priorities for soil restoration in the majority world? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23169) | Natural resources | Climate adaptation | Impact | North America |
| What has been the impact of the EU's biofuel policies on food security, tropical deforestation, and Indigenous and local community land rights? (Note that bioenergy is 60% of Europe’s renewable energy, and most of the rest is hydro, not wind and solar.) (#23170) | Food systems; Climate change | Energy; EU policy | Impact | North America |
| How can existing EU policies support climate migrants in the context of climate-resilient development? (#23171) | Climate change | Inclusion; EU policy | Impact | North America |
| How can the EU assess and address the need for climate models to be more useful for climate change adaptation and mitigation at local, regional and national levels in the majority world? (#23172) | Climate change; Just transition | Climate adaptation | Other Europe | |
| How can European net zero policies incentivise private finance investments from companies (including European companies) for green transitions in the majority world? (#23173) | Climate change; Economics, finance, business and trade | Private sector | Other Europe | |
| How can European policies incentivise decarbonisation public-private partnerships in the majority world through the Carbon Trading System? (#23174) | Climate change; Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | Other Europe | |
| What is the impact of EU policies on institution-building and strengthening – are they contributing to building solid and effective institutions in the majority world? (#23175) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Governance | EU policy | Impact | Other Europe |
| What are the impacts in the majority world of EU policies in support of service delivery to citizens? (#23176) | Gender, equality and human rights; Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy | Impact | Other Europe |
| How is EU policy support building regional cohesion and alignment across majority world countries? (#23177) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | Other Europe |
| How can EU policies on localisation support the design of land governance systems that encourage investment without negatively impacting local communities? (#23178) | Localisation; Natural resources | Strategy analysis | Other Europe | |
| What practical, concrete (not theoretical) on-the-ground steps can the EU support to address governance and organisational challenges in implementing sustainable development policies in majority world countries, including policies such as national biodiversity plans and national development plans? (#23179) | Natural resources; Governance | Support | Other Europe | |
| How can EU business and trade policies address the need to procure commodities from majority world countries in sustainable ways? (#23180) | Economics, finance, business and trade | South America | ||
| How can the EU identify and develop early warning and relief and recovery systems to deal with extreme situations in the majority world (including floods, droughts, heat waves and intense storms with wind, hail, lightning, snow etc)? (#23181) | Climate change; Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Climate adaptation | Support | South America |
| How can EU policy support people without electricity in the majority world to access simple and efficient electricity generation systems (such as solar kits etc) at low cost? (#23182) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Energy | Support | South America |
| What support do industries (metalworking, electronics etc) in the majority world require so they are prepared and can rapidly adapt their production systems to critical situations (pandemics, natural disasters etc)? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23183) | Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy | South America | |
| How does EU policy on food systems address the impact of different climate change scenarios on the preservation of food and medicines without cold storage systems? (#23184) | Food systems; Climate change | Climate adaptation | Support | South America |
| How can the EU support the implementation of the One Health agenda (the goal of achieving optimal health outcomes while recognising the interconnection between people, animals, plants, and their shared environment) in the majority world to achieve a better quality of life? (#23185) | Health | Human rights | Support | South America |
| How can EU policy contribute towards the prevention of new pandemics? (#23186) | Health | EU policy | Support | South America |
| How is it possible to ensure that the new topics of artificial intelligence, augmented reality, big data, data mining etc, can be incorporated into majority world educational systems at different levels (from primary to university) to prepare teachers and students in these issues of importance? (#23187) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Technology change; Industry | Support | South America |
| How do EU private sector business activities (especially extractives) impact the majority world, and what measures and sanctions have been established by the EU to compensate countries? (#23188) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Private sector; Policy | Impact | South America |
| What is the potential for the EU to support the development of a circular economy in majority world urban systems, and what entrepreneurial skills are needed and appropriate to enable product and service development for the connectedness of cities globally? (#23189) | Urban development; Just transition | Economics; Technology change | Support | European Union |
| What actions can be taken by the EU to ensure safe return to their home countries for refugees who fled to neighbouring countries and now wish to go back? (For example, supporting the Rohingya population currently in Bangladesh to return safely to Myanmar.) (#23190) | Gender, equality and human rights | Human rights | Strategy analysis | South Asia |
| How should EU policymakers identify the most vulnerable people in majority world countries, and what indicators are most useful? (#23191) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Localisation | Strategy analysis | South Asia | |
| How and why should the EU identify and help address the threat posed by environmental degradation to progress on sustainable development in majority world countries? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23192) | Natural resources | Environment | Impact | South Asia |
| How can EU policies and actions provide support and mechanisms from addressing loss and damage from climate change to majority world countries (and avoid hindering them)? (#23193) | Climate change; Just transition | Impact | South Asia | |
| How are EU policy failures linked with social problems in the majority world such as displacement and violence? (#23194) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Policy | Impact | South Asia |
| Why is food quality a major threat to human security in many majority world countries (eg Bangladesh etc)? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23195) | Food systems | Policy; Agriculture | Impact | South Asia |
| What are the major limitations in understanding and integrating majority world vulnerability considerations into the EU’s policymaking and decision making processes? (#23196) | Gender, equality and human rights | Climate adaptation; Resilience | Impact | South Asia |
| What could be the role of European policymakers in ensuring fair and free elections in majority world countries (for example, in the coming national election in Bangladesh)? (#23197) | Governance | Support | South Asia | |
| How can the EU support the revival of democratic institutions in majority world countries (Bangladesh etc)? (#23198) | Governance | Support | South Asia | |
| How can EU policy support and enhance capacity-building in the majority world through university linkages and collaboration? (#23199) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | EU policy; Partnership | Support | South Asia |
| How can the EU support technology development and transfer to the majority world? (#23200) | Just transition; Economics, finance, business and trade | Technology change | Support | South Asia |
| How can EU business and trade policies support and strengthen small and medium enterprises in the majority world and enhance their links to their counterparts in the developed world? (#23201) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Trade | Impact | South Asia |
| What are the barriers to majority world countries making ambitious, timebound and measurable commitments on climate change? What are the implications for future EU policies and actions? (#23202) | Climate change; Just transition | Impact | South Asia | |
| How can the EU ensure justice, equity and human rights for all citizens in the majority world? (#23203) | Gender, equality and human rights | Human rights | Strategy analysis | South Asia |
| How do EU policies on Equality and human rights impact environmental justice and Indigenous rights in the majority world? (#23204) | Gender, equality and human rights; Localisation | Indigenous Peoples; Human rights | Impact | South Asia |
| How can the EU cooperate with majority world countries on research and innovation?’ (#23205) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Support | South Asia | |
| How do corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds invested by EU private companies in the majority world contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)? (#23206) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Private sector | SDG achievement | South Asia |
| How can the concept of incubators and accelerators be utilised to support climate technology deployment in the majority world? (#23207) | Climate change; Just transition | Technology change | South Asia | |
| How can EU border adjustment mechanisms (such as the carbon border adjustment mechanism, or CBAM) maximise benefits for the majority world? (#23208) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Impact | South Asia | |
| How does the EU contribute to the debate on global governance? (#23209) | Just transition; Governance | Support | South Asia | |
| How can the EU support the development of grassroots-level and participatory democracy institutions in the majority world? (#23210) | Localisation | Support | South Asia | |
| How can the EU support the development of alternative knowledge systems incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK)? (#23211) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management; Localisation | Indigenous Peoples | Support | South Asia |
| How can EU policy support control of groundwater depletion in majority countries and help identify and support other mechanisms to conserve groundwater? (#23212) | Natural resources | Support | South Asia | |
| What environmentally beneficial EU policies have the potential (according to stakeholders) to be modified for implementation in majority world countries with limited resources? (#23213) | Just transition | EU policy | Impact | South Asia |
| How are EU economic sanctions on countries in the majority world affecting people in the majority world? (eg Myanmar etc) (#23214) | Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy | Impact | South Asia |
| How can EU policy on food systems support farmers and producers to join farmer organisations? (#23215) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Farmers | Support | South Asia |
| How are EU public finance management policies addressing the natural resources crisis in the majority world? (#23216) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Natural resources | Finance; EU policy | Impact | South Asia |
| How can the EU leverage global and national value chains to ensure that they support climate change adaptation and mitigation in majority world countries? (#23217) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Trade; Climate adaptation | Impact | South Asia |
| How is the EU's Global Gateway perceived among Asian policymakers, one year after its launch? (#23218) | Economics, finance, business and trade | Trade | Impact | South Asia |
| How can EU policies on food systems support farmers in the majority world to achieve an agroecological transition? (#23219) | Food systems; Just transition | Support | South Asia | |
| How can EU policy on food systems help to develop an entrepreneurial mind-set among smallholder farmers in the majority world? (#23220) | Food systems; Economics, finance, business and trade | Impact | South Asia | |
| Has EU direct budget support to majority world governments improved the management of natural resources? (#23221) | Natural resources | Finance | Impact | South Asia |
| How do EU policies on forestry and reducing deforestation-linked imports affect people in the majority world (eg tropical basins), their forest management practices and the development of sustainable value chains? (#23222) | Just transition; Economics, finance, business and trade | Biodiversity; Trade | Impact | South Asia |
| What is the net flow of money between the EU and the majority world in each sector of economic activities, and compared to the aid flows for development and finance for climate action? (#23223) | Economics, finance, business and trade; Just transition | Investment | Impact | Southern Africa |
| How can the EU support the development of collaborative and inclusive platforms that bring together stakeholders who may hold conflicting priorities? (#23224) | Gender, equality and human rights | Inclusion | Support | Southern Africa |
| How does the European Green Deal impact the energy transition in the majority world? (#23225) | Climate change; Just transition | Energy | Impact | Southern Africa |
| Most journals are EU-based. To what extent are journals based in the majority world used to inform global policy direction? (#23226) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Inclusion | Support | Southern Africa |
| What can EU-funded research do to help majority world municipalities deliver effective climate change action? (#23227) | Urban development; Localisation | Climate adaptation; Investment | Support | Southern Africa |
| How can EU policy support the informal economy in the majority world - how can it enhance, grow and promote the informal economy to integrate many urban dwellers whose life skills are not marketable in the formal urban labour market? (#23228) | Urban development; Economics, finance, business and trade | EU policy; Informal economy | Support | Southern Africa |
| How does the gender digital divide impact women who are Informal cross border traders in majority world, and in particular in least developed countries (LDCs)? What are the implications for future EU policies and action? (#23229) | Gender, equality and human rights | Technology change | Strategy analysis | Southern Africa |
| How can EU policy identify what actions are needed to build the capacity of informal economy organisations in policy engagements in the majority world? (#23230) | Monitoring, reporting, evaluation and learning (MREL), evidence, data and knowledge management | Informal economy; EU policy | Support | Southern Africa |
Aims and methodology
The tracker is a key tool to support the exploration into sustainable development funding areas for European actors, including policymakers, researchers, institutions and private sector to focus on in the future.
Corrado Topi, senior policy advisor for IIED Europe, said: “This ground-breaking exercise proved successful at highlighting gaps between the current approach of European institutions and the needs of Majority World countries. It opens an important new avenue for identifying research priorities to support policy and decision-making.”
The aims and methodology of IIED Europe’s horizon scanning project can be found in a working paper that also presents the findings and indicates next steps.
The research will be carried out again in two years when the tracker will be updated, and analysis also carried out to chart the changes in priorities over that time.
- Register to be alerted about further developments with IIED Europe and the global research priority tracker
Share your results and views
What do you think of the priorities? What patterns can you see, and how can they be used to shape EU policy?
You can get in touch with IIED Europe via director@IIED-Europe.org, or share your views on social media using #EuropePriorities. Alternatively, click the 'tweet' button to share an editable message already containing a link to the page and the hashtag.
