The Philippines is an archipelago country of around 7 000 islands located in South-East Asia. The Philippines is a lower middle-income country with a fast-growing economy and a population of over 112 million.
The Philippines is the world’s most-disaster-prone country. It also has examples of over 70% of the world’s plant and animal species. The Philippines’ policy priorities include a focus on the green and digital transition, with a view to becoming a digital hub in Asia.
Our partnership
The EU partnership with the Philippines builds on two key priorities: supporting the twin green and digital transition, and continuing the long-standing cooperation on good governance and the peace process in Mindanao. Both priorities are in line with the Philippines Development Plan, and the Global Gateway and Indo-Pacific Strategies.
Team Europe in the Philippines brings together the EU, Germany, France, Spain and Finland. The European Investment Bank is also engaged in the country as are Member States’ development banks.
Under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI-Global Europe), the EU allocated €147 million in funding to the partnership with the Philippines over 2021-24. Investments will also be mobilised through the European Fund for Sustainable Development Plus (EFSD+), Global Gateway’s financial tool.
At the EU-ASEAN summit in December 2022, the EU announced an expected investment from Team Europe of around €10 billion for South-East Asia. As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Philippines and the EU also cooperate at region-to-region level, notably through two Global Gateway flagships: the regional Team Europe Initiatives on Green and Sustainable Connectivity with ASEAN.
Our flagship initiatives
Team Europe in the Philippines focuses on several key sectors:
- Green and digital - to support the twin transition in the Philippines and contribute to climate action and sustainable development
- Green economy - assisting the Philippines in transitioning towards a circular economy, through the Green Economy Team Europe Initiative, to improve waste management and target the plastic crisis in the country, while promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy deployment to address climate change. Key counterparts for this green transition are local governments and the private sector both in the Philippines and the EU
- Copernicus - launching the first Copernicus programme on earth observation in South-East Asia for disaster risk management and developing a data centre hub (mirror site)
- Digital Economy Package - supporting the Philippines to become a digital hub, with the Team Europe Initiative on Digital Connectivity, to enhance secure and reliable connections, both domestically and internationally. It will help to expand Copernicus in ASEAN, strengthen cybersecurity, and support the roll out of 5G networks
- Peaceful and just society - continue the long-term partnership built between the EU and the government of the Philippines, notably through:
- Peace - consolidating the peace process in Mindanao through an integrated approach
- Good governance and rule of law- strengthening access to justice in the Philippines, including focused support to address corruption, and ensure respect of human rights and gender equality
- Seafarers - providing support to further improve seafarers' education, training and the certification system