Europe Leads - Navigating Europeans’ expectations for leadership on development

Across our work, More in Common endeavours to elevate the perspectives of ordinary people into the heart of major national and international debates.

As Europe grapples with wars on its doorstep and in the Middle East, while adjusting to the impact of the second Trump presidency, More in Common was commissioned to explore how everyday Europeans view their continent's place in the world—and what they expect from EU and national leaders on the international stage.

This report analyzes polling of over 10,000 Europeans across Germany, France, Ireland, Denmark, and Spain, using development cooperation as a lens through which to examine broader attitudes toward European global leadership.

Read full report below 

Key Insights 

A European leadership vacuum

Europeans express widespread distrust in both national and EU institutions on foreign affairs. Few believe the EU has a clear plan for its international strategy, with many Europeans seeing the bloc as divided when it stands on the world stage. This concern about the leadership deficit is seen in the context of a clear perception of the rising influence of China as the EU and member state influence wanes.

A world in flux

Europeans have high levels of concern about both the Russia-Ukraine war, the war in Israel-Palestine and deteriorating EU-US relations during the second Trump presidency. World leaders - particularly Putin, Netanyahu and Trump - register strongly negative ratings among Europeans. Across these five countries, Europeans broadly think EU membership delivers for their country on security and climate, but fails to deliver on immigration and the cost of living.

Scepticism about value for money, but belief in aid as an influence enabler

Development aid reveals a split Europe: majorities in Spain (58%), Ireland (56%), and Denmark (46%) support it as good use of EU funds, while pluralities in France and Germany (both 41%) are more likely to oppose it. Yet even sceptics acknowledge the role aid plays in bolstering European influence in the world.

Practical priorities for aid in the EU budget negotiations

When asked about the types of projects that the EU should prioritize in ongoing budget negotiations, Europeans broadly opt for practical and tangible priorities - disaster relief, clean water programmes and security initiatives best meet the European public’s expectations.

The importance of European mutual interest on aid

Europeans want aid to do two things: deliver for those who need it and deliver benefits for those who are giving the aid. This is reflected in the top two objectives for EU aid in most countries - poverty reduction and addressing the root causes of migration. Both which the public see as having clear potential benefits for both donor and recipient.

The research was commissioned by the Strategic Communications and Advocacy Lab, run by Future Advocacy. The analysis and conclusions remain More in Common’s alone.

Banner photo by Antoine Schibler on Unsplash