When development cooperation is transformed from a tool for poverty reduction into a reward – or punishment – programme for migration control. Officially, aid and partnerships should support shared objectives. Unofficially, cooperation is increasingly measured by how quickly a government agrees to take back deported nationals and militarise its borders.  

Features include: 

• Threats of cutting aid rebranded as “policy incentives”  
• Aid budgets repurposed persuasion tools to promote migration control  
• Partner countries free to choose their own policies, provided they choose the ones Europe wants 
• High risk of deportations and human rights violations  

Example: 

“The country was encouraged to strengthen cooperation on returns in order to deepen its partnership with the EU.” 

Translation: 

“Nice development programme you’ve got there. It would be a shame if something happened to it… but surely nothing will, so long as you reduce migration to the EU”

Materials that suddenly become “critical” when Europe discovers it needs them for its green and digital transitions. Officially, they are essential inputs for strategic industries and clean technologies. Unofficially, they are the reason development cooperation has taken a sudden and passionate interest in the mining sectors of partner countries.  

Features include: 

• Lithium, cobalt, nickel, copper, and rare earths upgraded from commodities to geopolitical priorities 
• Resource extraction disguised as a development partnership 
• Local value addition discussed enthusiastically, usually after the extraction contracts 
• Strategic autonomy for Europe, development opportunities for everyone else. 

Example: 

“The EU’s new partnership aims to support sustainable development while ensuring secure access to critical raw materials.” 

Translation: 

“We need your minerals, but this time we’ll call it a win-win”

In theory, a replacement of old-fashioned donor-recipient dynamics with an equal partnership where both the EU and partner countries pursue shared interests. In practice, it means a partnership carefully designed in Brussels where everyone wins, but some win more than others. For example, poverty reduction is important but securing lithium for Europe’s green transition and externalising migration controls are much more important. 

Features include: 

• Development projects not funded unless they generate strategic returns for Europe 
• Critical raw materials, green transition supply chains, and geopolitical influence conveniently redefined as development outcomes 
• Partner country priorities fully respected, provided they align with EU priorities 
• Cooperation on migration management as a compulsory ‘shared’ priority 

Example: 

“The country requested support for rural development. The EU proposed a mutually beneficial partnership focused on critical minerals, renewable energy exports, and border management.” 

Translation: 

“Aid doesn’t serve the EU enough. Now development cooperation needs a business case”