Enabel strengthens global alliances at the World Economic Forum with three strategic partnerships

Brussels / Davos, January 2026 – At a moment of profound geopolitical, technological and societal transformation, the World Economic Forum in Davos gathers leaders from around 130 countries to shape solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

This year, Enabel asserts its leadership role by uniting partners from very different horizons and signing three landmark Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with SNV, with Global Citizen and with a large multinational company. Together, these partnerships embody a renewed model of international cooperation: inclusive, crosssectoral, pragmatic, and grounded in local realities.

“To build a future of solidarity, we must lead, not follow. We must be present where new alliances are formed,” says Jean Van Wetter, CEO of Enabel.

A shared vision: reinventing international cooperation through powerful alliances

The three MoUs formalized at Davos reflect Enabel’s ambition to redefine how public agencies, civil society, and the private sector work together. Across domains as diverse as sustainable value chains, global citizenship education, climate resilience, regenerative agriculture, and youth empowerment, these collaborations signal a practical and strategic shift: international cooperation must be done with others, not merely for others.

1. Enabel × SNV: A Benelux alliance for impact in fragile and conflict affected contexts

The MoU with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation anchors a longterm partnership between two likeminded European development actors committed to transforming agrifood systems, energy access, water management, and youth employment.

Together, Enabel and SNV will:

• Strengthen collaboration in Fragile, Conflict and Violence contexts, particularly in the Sahel.
• Promote joint influencing and thought leadership, including position papers shaping the future EU Multiannual Financial Framework (2028–2034).
• Codesign programmes on digitalisation, regenerative agriculture, climate finance, and inclusive growth.
• Align operations in partner countries where both organisations have a long-standing presence and trusted local partnerships, combining resources and avoiding duplication.
• Mobilise impactdriven finance by leveraging relationships with DFIs such as FMO, BIO and other European partners.

This partnership exemplifies Enabel’s leadership within Team Europe, reinforcing Belgium’s contribution to a more coherent, impactful European development ecosystem.

2. Enabel × Global Citizen: Elevating youth and global citizenship on the world stage

Together with Global Citizen, the world leading advocacy organisation for ending extreme poverty, Enabel will amplify the voices of youth, citizens, and changemakers in Belgium, Europe, Africa and beyond. The collaboration focuses on:

• Joint advocacy on education, global citizenship, youth empowerment, and policy influence.
• Shared communication initiatives to expand visibility and public awareness.
• Youth exchange, capacity building and leadership programmes, including synergies with Enabel’s Junior Programme.
• Codevelopment of initiatives tied to major events, such as the EU Regional Business Forum in Abidjan (March 2026).
• Coordinated efforts to grow the global community of engaged citizens, from 12 to 50 million Global Citizens.

This MoU strengthens Enabel’s long-standing commitment to education, civic engagement, and global solidarity as pillars of its 2030 strategy.

3. Sustainable value chains & climate smart development

Enabel joins forces with a large multinational company to accelerate sustainability across agricultural value chains, promote responsible sourcing, advance the circular economy, and strengthen water stewardship. The partnership builds on the multinational’s global supply chains and innovation capacity and Enabel’s deep expertise in international cooperation and country level implementation.

Key areas of collaboration include:

• Sustainable agriculture: strengthening farmer capacities, improving yields, and supporting local cooperatives (e.g., barley and sorghum in Uganda).
• Circular economy: boosting recycling systems, glass recovery, waste management, and regulatory frameworks (notably in Mozambique and Tanzania).
• Climate and energy: renewable energy, green logistics, and local resilience initiatives.
• Water stewardship: watershed protection, access to clean water, and communitybased resource management.

This partnership illustrates Enabel’s belief that deep and equitable collaboration with the private sector is essential to drive transformative development impact.

Enabel at Davos: Leading from the centre, connecting unlikely partners

By bringing together a European development organisation, a worldwide advocacy movement, and a large multinational, Enabel demonstrates the power of bridging sectors, geographies and expertise.

These agreements are more than symbolic commitments: they establish concrete frameworks for action and innovation on issues central to sustainable development, from climate resilience and value chain transformation to youth empowerment and global citizenship.

With these alliances, Enabel reaffirms its mission: to build partnerships that deliver real impact and help shape a more just, sustainable and resilient world.