Valentina Barbagallo

#EU consultant helping organisations to make change happen. Currently supporting @gatesfoundation @gavi @GlblCtzn. Views my own.

[Philippe Douste-Blazy @pdousteblazy]

The Strait of Hormuz. The latest Ebola outbreak.

These are not abstract geopolitical events. They hit supply chains, food systems, and health budgets, reaching European households faster than European institutions can react.

That's why 30 of us (former Prime Ministers, Presidents, Commissioners, and Ministers) have signed an open letter to EU leaders ahead of the European Council on 18–19 June.

Our message is simple: the next EU budget must include a genuinely ambitious Global Europe envelope. Not out of generosity. Out of strategic logic.

Research shows that for every €1 invested in EU official development assistance, €1 in additional EU exports is generated. Stable partners mean stable markets, resilient supply chains, and a healthier workforce. The Sahel's instability is not a distant problem: it drives displacement and creates space for hostile actors at Europe's doorstep.

The European Commission has proposed €200 billion for Global Europe in the next MFF (2028–2034). That ambition needs to hold. Defense budgets alone won't deliver security. Long-term investment in human development and governance is part of the same equation.

The question isn't what Europe can afford to spend. It's whether Europe can afford to step back.

I don’t think it can.

https://t.co/JDPESmaHJm

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Renewable energy is key for security of supply and for reaching our climate goals.

And Africa has huge potential for it.

Together, we can help power Africa with clean energy, bringing immense opportunities for African people and the world.

Join us on 21 November for the pledging summit of our Scaling Up Renewables in Africa Campaign!

@CyrilRamaphosa @GlblCtzn

[Valentina Barbagallo @v_barbagallo]

Today was one of those pinch me moments we rarely get these days at work. At a time when others are retreating, this is a huge show of leadership from @EU_Commission - now over to @Europarl_EN & @EUCouncil to agree on a €200B budget for #GlobalEurope 💥

[Global Citizen Impact @GlblCtznImpact]

👏 The @EU_Commission’s €200B #GlobalEurope plan is potentially game-changing. Now, the European Parliament & Member States must ensure every Euro delivers impact with clear #ODA targets & safeguards.

📄 Read our joint statement with 29 other orgs: https://t.co/BaaltgTZeU

[Valentina Barbagallo @v_barbagallo]

@paolatamma @gregvanelsen Where is this from? Have not seen this leak

[Nikola Ivezaj @Nikola_Ivezaj]

These days, it feels like every time we look at our screens, there’s more conflict and less trust. But saving lives is still something we can all agree on. That’s why @GlblCtzn is proud to drive support for @gavi making sure they protect those in need!

[Gates Foundation @gatesfoundation]

Today, we announced a $1.6 billion pledge to support @Gavi.

If Gavi isn’t fully funded, too many children could be left without the vaccines they need. Now more than ever, we must stand together to support immunization #ForOurFuture. https://t.co/Q54wAESqHm

[Global Citizen Impact @GlblCtznImpact]

“@gavi is an example of the best that humanity has to offer.” 🇵🇹’s PM @LMontenegro_PT also popped in via video at #GCNOW NYC to announce a €2.5 million pledge over 2026-2030 to @gavi. @GlblCtzn’s everywhere thank you for supporting global health & vaccine access for all! 💉👏

[Global Citizen Impact @GlblCtznImpact]

Big update from #GCNOW NYC: via video, 🇭🇷’s PM @AndrejPlenkovic just announced a €1 million pledge to @gavi — its first donation to @gavi's core work EVER. This will help support its goal to vaccinate 500M kids and save +8M lives by 2030. Thank you for this historic pledge! 🙌

[ONEinEU @ONEinEU]

🧵[THREAD]🍽️ What’s on the menu for EU leaders at tomorrow’s #EUCO dinner?
👀 Take a look at our specials, highlighting what’s at stake in the next #MFF! ⬇️ @eucopresident @POLITICOEurope @Euroactive @euobs @EUReuters

[ONEinEU @ONEinEU]

📢 3 Key takeaways from the European Commission's communication on the Multiannual Financial Framework #MFF):
1⃣ To build resilience for the 🇪🇺and its partners, the MFF must scale up investment in development and climate action to at least €200 bn🧵👇
https://t.co/Ac8gdbhP2S

[Andrew Mitchell @AndrewmitchMP]

My question to the Prime Minister today…

Will he undertake to make a decisive pledge for the global child #vaccination fund, @Gavi, and continue the UK’s proud record on protecting children under 5 from deadly diseases?

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Africa has a huge potential for renewable energy.

Yet, 600 million African people lack access to electricity.

Now is the time to step up.

In Davos I’m inviting the private sector to invest in renewables in Africa.

Thank you @GlblCtzn for your support on this campaign.

[Michael Sheldrick @micksheldrick]

In response to @BorgeBrende’s question on how we can cooperate to solve global challenges, I explore 3 key areas for action at #WEF25: health security, Amazon protection, & renewable energy in Africa. Let's collaborate for lasting impact.
https://t.co/g9mIZ6F6xO

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Vaccines save lives.

@gavi makes them accessible to all.

And it empowers countries around the globe to produce their own.

The EU will be proud to co-host Gavi’s High-Level Pledging Summit in Brussels on 19-20 March.

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

The world committed to tripling renewables.

Now we must deliver.

We are calling on the world to join us and invest in Africa’s clean energy journey.

Happy to launch the campaign ‘Scaling up Renewables in Africa’ with @CyrilRamaphosa and @GlblCtzn↓ https://t.co/kKrYLLgQzh

[Valentina Barbagallo @v_barbagallo]

Today 40+ orgs send a clear message: the EU needs a bold, forward-looking external budget. Why?
1⃣Be a trusted partner
2⃣Prevention costs less
3⃣Build greater resilience
4⃣Stay united
5⃣Ensure predictability to allow flexibility
See joint #MFF paper: https://t.co/2pA414nmop

[Friederike Röder @FredRoder]

France is about to release its 2025 budget, which will include a terrible surprise change: the 2 solidarity taxes (on ✈️ & 💸transactions) won't be 'solidaire' any longer! After 2 decades of leadership on innovative development & climate funding, France doing a total u turn?

[Ursula von der Leyen @vonderleyen]

Where you live should not determine whether you live.

We must do more for food security and access to healthcare everywhere on the planet.

Glad to pledge €470 million for vaccination and humanitarian aid at @GlblCtzn Festival.

Together we can make the world a better place.

[Friederike Röder @FredRoder]

🚨New Report on the 🇫🇷 #FTT out: Every second, we lose out on 100€ - 3B€ (!) every year, which could have gone to international #development & #climate action. https://t.co/cmhKSONI5C How is that possible, what to do? Here you go! 🧵

[Global Citizen ⭕ @GlblCtzn]

As the G7 summit closes, leaders have just published their joint #communique.

The headline? The summit was not worth the trip.

There are no new commitments, but rather repackaged old commitments, while many G7 countries cut their aid budgets.

Here’s our take: https://t.co/30g8uUlly9