European Union

The European Union: A vital partner of UNFPA

The European Union (EU) is a key partner of UNFPA, working  with us to advance family planning and sexual and reproductive health and rights, to address gender-based violence, to support survivors and to combat harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. From 2018 to 2023, the EU contributed US$504.6 million to UNFPA's development and humanitarian efforts through various European Commission departments.

Humanitarian support

In 2023, the EU ranked as UNFPA's fourth-largest donor for humanitarian assistance. This partnership enables UNFPA and its collaborators to provide life-saving protection against gender-based violence and deliver essential reproductive health services to women and girls who continue to give birth and menstruate in emergencies. 

Development cooperation

The EU plays a transformative role in global initiatives such as the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, which enhances access to modern contraceptives, empowering women to choose the number and spacing of their children. In sub-Subsaharan Africa, the EU and its member states collaborate with UNFPA through the Global Gateway Team Europe Initiative on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, aiming to reduce maternal mortality.

Country-level partnerships

Through partnerships between UNFPA and EU Delegations in 14 low-income countries, the EU supports national authorities and local communities in achieving sustainable development goals with a human rights–based approach. Key initiatives include training midwives in rural areas, strengthening primary healthcare systems, promoting positive masculinity and providing technical assistance for censuses and data collection.

Strengthening resilience in the EU neighborhood

In 15 countries across the EU neighborhood region, the EU-UNFPA partnership invests in human capital and demographic resilience. Initiatives span a wide range of priorities, including combating gender-biased sex selection, enhancing health systems in response to reproductive cancers, promoting healthy ageing and delivering services to marginalized groups, including Roma women and persons with disabilities.

Together, the EU and UNFPA are making a significant impact in advancing health, gender equality and human rights, ensuring no one is left behind.