Practitioners’ Network General Assembly marks the end of a successful Enabel and Sida co-Presidency

Antwerp, 19 May 2026 – Enabel, together with Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, officially handed over the co-Presidency of the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation (PN) to the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) and the Czech Development Agency (CzDA). 

The Practitioners’ Network*  is a platform bringing together European agencies and organisations implementing European Union and Member States’ international cooperation programmes. The Network promotes knowledge exchange, coordination, joint action and strategic dialogue among its members and with EU institutions, with the aim of strengthening the European contribution to sustainable development worldwide.
The handover took place during the PN Annual Members’ General Assembly (AMGA), hosted this year at the iconic Port House (Havenhuis) in Antwerp – one of Belgium’s most emblematic architectural landmarks and a symbol of openness, innovation and international connectivity.

During their co-Presidency, Enabel and Sida focused on consolidating the Network internally, strengthening its strategic role in the European architecture for international cooperation, and enhancing its visibility and partnerships across EU institutions and beyond.

“Never has our world been so interconnected and never have global crises – from pandemics to the energy crisis, including rising geopolitical tensions – so clearly demonstrated the need for collective action. In this context, the co‑presidency of Enabel and SIDA has strengthened the strategic role of development cooperation agencies for the European Union to assert its influence and strategic position on the global stage,” said Jean Van Wetter, Managing Director of Enabel.

Over the past year, the PN strengthened its internal governance and operational structures, including more strategic CEO engagement, reinforced Steering Committee and Working Group processes, and a consolidated Secretariat.

The Network also increased its contribution to European and international policy discussions, notably through operational input into debates around the future Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF), the Global Europe Instrument, the Global Gateway strategy, and the 4th Conference on Financing for Development.

A key milestone was the PN work mission to the Lobito Corridor in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zambia, bringing field-based operational perspectives into discussions at the Global Gateway Forum in October 2025. The PN also reinforced Team Europe coordination and joint implementation efforts, with a strong focus on Ukraine recovery and engagement in partner countries such as Uganda, Senegal and Moldova.

Institutional partnerships were significantly strengthened during the co-Presidency, particularly with the European Commission, EDFI and JEFIC, while dialogue was expanded to organisations including AUDA-NEPAD, CONCORD and UN agencies.

In light of the Global Gateway strategy, the PN initiated dialogue with the private sector on the potential of cooperation agencies to facilitate investments through events and participation in EU business forums.
The Network continued to grow, welcoming four new members: Solidarity Fund Poland, Hungary Helps, HAUS and DAAD.

“These achievements place the Practitioners’ Network in a stronger position for the years ahead. We are particularly pleased to see strong continuity ensured through the upcoming co-Presidencies,” Enabel and Sida stated.

The outgoing co-Presidency expressed its confidence in GIZ and CzechAid as they take over leadership of the Network and continue advancing collaboration, operational expertise and Team Europe approaches in support of sustainable development and international partnerships.

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* The Practitioners’ Network brings together 28 European international cooperation actors, including ADA, AECID, AICS, BC, Camoes, CFCA, CPMA, CzechAid, DAAD, DANIDA/MFA, Enabel, ESTDEV, European Commission, Expertise France, FCDO, FIAP, GIZ, Goethe-Institut, HAUS, Hungary Helps, LuxDev, MFA Finland, MFA NL, RVO, RoAid, Sida, SlovakAid, Solidarity Fund Poland and SNV.