The EU is dealing with several challenges close to home, while simultaneously seeking to play a more significant global role. The implications of the EU’s growing geopolitical focus are central in our work. We examine EU cooperation with Africa and international institutions, and the collaboration and coordination between EU member states – particularly within the ‘Team Europe’ approach. We focus on gender, green transition and digitalisation aspects in EU foreign and development policy, as well as the EU’s financial resources for development and international cooperation – particularly the NDICI-Global Europe instrument.