As the German government prepares to make a decision on its federal budget on Tuesday, a coalition of 30 non-governmental organizations has issued a joint appeal to the black-red coalition, urging it not to cut back on development aid in the face of an international trend.
The organizations, including Brot für die Welt, Care Deutschland, Caritas international and others, argue that Germany should instead set an example by increasing its investment in a more just world. Radical cuts, like those being observed in some donor countries, would undermine the achievements of development policy and erode trust in international cooperation, making it nearly impossible to reach the UN’s sustainability goals by 2030.
The NGOs emphasize that there are no national solutions for global challenges and that either the world loses together or wins together. They warn that a “me-first” approach will only lead to failure, as global problems require a collective response.
The coalition’s appeal comes as the Union and SPD have agreed to reduce development aid in their coalition talks, with Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil set to present the concrete figures this week. The cabinet will make a decision on the federal budget, the so-called Eckwerte for 2026 and the medium-term financial plan on Tuesday.