1.3.1. Increased European Coordination
Overall, Team Europe fosters a more functional architecture for international cooperation with stronger political steer, better coordination and joint endeavours, improving alignment between internal and external policies, providing better access to tools, funding and expertise to support major initiatives (such as investment packages). It also reinforces networks that bring relevant actors together (e.g., Joint European Financiers for International Cooperation (JEFIC), the European Development Finance Institutions (EDFI) and the Practitioner’s Network (PN). It also promotes the participation of all Member States in the work of international partnerships in an inclusive manner and a united EU presence, including through the increasing number of high-level/ political joint Team Europe missions.
It is important that open discussions are maintained between actors following a Team Europe approach and that concrete solutions are jointly sought on how to best respond to such expectations, in order to make the TEI processes relevant to all participants. Keeping this in mind, rapid feedback-loops and informal brainstorming between the EU and capitals are facilitated by meetings at technical-level, such as through the “Team Europe Focal Points” network. This network offers as space for Team Europe to address various aspects of Global Gateway implementation and to contribute to better coordination and cooperation within the European Financial Architecture for Development (EFAD) at a technical -level, beyond formal strategic/political discussions covered by the Council working groups and the meetings of EU Directors-General. Commission expert groups, such as on “Enhanced Coordination of External Financial Tools also feed into Team Europe work.
The processes involved in the Team Europe approach must also be flexible. For example, due to their specific modus operandi and organisational mandates, some actors following a Team Europe approach, such as some Member States’ DFIs, may not be able to participate in all meetings, outreach events, joint policy or political messages that emerge from these processes. However, they may still engage in other aspects.
It is also important to actively ensure that the Team Europe approach remains inclusive and open to the participation of all Member States, considering their differences. Some of the key factors for ensuring such inclusiveness are: (i) timely and clear communication from the EU; (ii) the willingness and capacities of actors following a Team Europe approach, reducing the administrative burden associated with the design and implementation of joint programming and the TEIs; (iii) the availability of practical support for involvement in joint programming and the TEIs; (iv) the identification of areas where there is a particular need for the Member States’ available skills and expertise.