Forus has been selected to represent civil society on the Global Gateway Civil Society and Local Authorities Dialogue Platform. This position offers us a unique opportunity to influence, collaborate, and amplify the voice, concerns, needs, and priorities of our members on a global scale. For Forus, active participation in the Global Gateway initiative involves monitoring the allocation of resources and assessing the effectiveness of projects. Through the Dialogue Platform, we aim to gather feedback from our partners and members on the outcomes, quality, and impact of various initiatives, allowing us to provide valuable input on their progress. This effort aligns with our overarching mission of supporting the implementation of the Agenda 2030 and the Financing for Sustainable Development (FFD) framework.  

The dialogue platform will: 

• Discuss cross-cutting policy issues such as addressing inequalities, transparency, and sustainability within the Global Gateway strategy, with a focus on the interests of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Local Authorities (LAs).
• Solicit feedback from global, European, and local civil society on the implementation of the Global Gateway Strategy, ensuring adherence to the key principles outlined in the Joint Communication on the Global Gateway, across various investment priorities and specific geographic contexts. 
• Exploring potential partnerships between CSOs and LAs in the context of Global Gateway flagship projects, by identifying opportunities for their involvement at the country level. 
• Providing a dedicated space for regular updates from all participants involved in the Global Gateway initiative. 

Introducing the Global Gateway Initiative   

The Global Gateway Initiative is the European Union's ambitious global infrastructure strategy aiming to mobilize €300 billion in investments between 2021 and 2027. This initiative targets sectors including digital, climate, energy, transport, health, and research worldwide. Its primary goal is to promote sustainable development projects in partner countries, emphasizing sustainability, good governance, and international partnerships.  

Forus members will contribute to the Global Gateway initiative with their on-the-ground insights and feedback on projects operating in their respective countries. This input is used to advocate for project alignment with local community needs, facilitating effective communication with the EU. Forus members will also develop joint messages prior to Dialogue Platform meetings and engage with EU delegations at national level.