Research is a critical lever to economic growth and sustainable development, as well as a key means to promote knowledge exchange and strengthen international relations between the EU and its partners. Scientific collaborations between Europe and Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) in particular are key to developing appropriate answers to global challenges - such as climate change, biodiversity loss, the emergence of new pathogens as well as increasing social inequalities, to mention a few. Joint responses to these global challenges contribute directly to the overall competitiveness and resilience of the EU and its partners. The European Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (ERASuD) was founded in November 2024 to advance this cause and contribute to strengthening the EU’s engagement in this regard.
The Global Gateway strategy and the Global Approach in the field of Research & Innovation offer a renewed policy framework based on reciprocity, shared interests and targeted investments. Several initiatives have been launched to set up scientific partnerships while regional dialogues (e.g. EU-AU, EU-CELAC, etc.) are also pursued to define priority research themes of common interest.
The European Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (ERASuD) brings together 12 leading European research institutions from 8 countries, committed to long-term, co-created R&I partnerships with LMICs. ERASuD is unique in its explicit commitment to Sustainability Science, equitable partnerships, interdisciplinary research, and science diplomacy. Launched in the European Parliament in 2024, the Alliance engages globally across Africa, Latin America, Asia, the Indian Ocean and the Pacific. As future Global Europe (GE) instrument negotiations unfold, ERASuD stands ready to ensure that research partnerships with LMICs contributes to the Global Gateway strategy and to Europe’s competitiveness, geopolitical influence, and resilience.