Partners and international cooperation
International cooperation within the EUDA mandate
How do we cooperate internationally?
To effectively implement its international cooperation activities, the EUDA adopts a range of tailored cooperation modalities. These approaches are designed to match the specific needs of each partnership, ensuring flexibility, mutual benefit and alignment with its strategic objectives and priorities. Whether through formal agreements, technical projects or collaborative networks, each type of service supports the agency’s mission to anticipate, alert, respond and learn in the face of global drug challenges.
Working arrangements
These are formal cooperation frameworks established between the EUDA and international partners to define shared priorities, areas of collaboration and mechanisms for engagement. They provide a structured basis for long-term cooperation, enabling the exchange of information, joint activities and alignment with EU and international drug policy objectives. These arrangements help ensure transparency, mutual benefit and consistency in how the EUDA engages with key stakeholders across the globe.
Technical cooperation projects
These are targeted, often EU-funded, initiatives designed to build capacity in partner countries. Projects may focus on strengthening national drug observatories, early-warning systems or data collection and analytical capabilities. They are tailored to regional or bilateral needs and often support the implementation of broader EU strategies, such as the EU Drugs Strategy or foreign policy objectives. Currently, the EUDA is implementing the EU4MD II and IPA8 technical cooperation projects.
Collaboration through EU and international projects
The EUDA engages with a wide range of partners, both at European and international levels through collaborative projects. Within projects such as the Cooperation Programme between Latin America, the Caribbean and the European Union on Drug Policies (COPOLAD) and the Central Asia Drug Action Programme (CADAP), the EUDA contributes its expertise to support evidence-based drug policies, capacity building and regional cooperation. By working alongside institutions, agencies and stakeholders across different regions, these projects foster shared understanding and sustainable partnerships in addressing global drug-related challenges.
Collaboration with international research networks
The EUDA actively contributes to the EU’s research and innovation landscape by identifying key research themes, supporting Member States and engaging in relevant EU programmes and initiatives. The agency collaborates with international research networks to advance scientific knowledge, develop innovative tools and share findings that inform evidence-based drug policies. Through these partnerships, the EUDA ensures that research outcomes are accessible and aligned with its mandate.
Support to, and collaboration with, EU institutions and agencies
The EUDA works closely with other EU bodies to ensure coordinated action on drug-related issues, including data collection, monitoring of drug supply trends and emerging threats, like new psychoactive substances. This cooperation helps avoid duplication, enhances efficiency and supports EU and Member State efforts at both European and international levels.
Geostrategic analyses
The EUDA’s geostrategic analyses are crucial in monitoring, understanding and responding to emerging drug-related developments in third countries. The geostrategic analyses include different types of services. These include International Target Policy Analyses which offer insights into international drug phenomena and are strengthened by immersion and co-production with the relevant stakeholders in the countries of interest.
Our partners – with whom do we cooperate?
To achieve its strategic objectives and respond effectively to the evolving global drug phenomenon, the EUDA works in close collaboration with a wide range of international stakeholders. Whether engaging with EU institutions, international organisations, partner countries, civil society or the scientific community, the EUDA’s cooperation efforts are rooted in mutual learning, shared expertise and a commitment to evidence-based, human rights oriented responses. These collaborations are essential to strengthening global resilience, enhancing preparedness and promoting healthier, safer communities across borders.
Partner countries
The EUDA collaborates with a diverse group of partner countries, including EU candidates, European Neighbourhood Policy partners, and other third countries. For EU candidates and potential candidates, cooperation focuses on supporting their accession process and strengthening national capacities to align with EU standards — ultimately enabling integration of their data into EUDA outputs. With ENP partners, the aim is to foster mutual exchange and build capacity through knowledge sharing, with the potential for limited participation in the EUDA’s work. Beyond the EU’s immediate neighbourhood, the EUDA also engages with third countries — such as those in Latin America, Central Asia and North America — to better anticipate and respond to global drug challenges. These partnerships are shaped by EU strategic priorities and contribute to a more coordinated international response.
EU institutions, bodies and agencies
The EUDA plays a key role in supporting the EU’s external policy objectives by contributing to policy dialogues, technical discussions and expert meetings with third countries and international bodies, including at United Nations level. This support includes providing technical expertise, preparing briefing materials and offering follow-up assistance. The agency works closely with the European External Action Service and EU delegations in partner regions, while also ensuring strong coordination with other EU institutions and agencies to align international cooperation efforts under a unified framework.
International organisations and development agencies
The EUDA is committed to strengthening and expanding its collaboration with international organisations, development agencies and technical bodies, both within and beyond the EU. These partnerships are developed in line with the agency’s founding regulation and are carefully coordinated to ensure complementarity and avoid duplication of efforts, thereby enhancing the overall impact of our international cooperation.
Civil society organisations and scientific communities outside the EU
The EUDA actively engages with civil society organisations and academic institutions, active at national and international level, to foster inclusive, knowledge-driven cooperation. These partnerships support consultation, information exchange and the pooling of expertise, thereby enriching the agency’s analytical capacity on international drug-related developments. The EUDA also encourages partner countries to involve civil society in shaping and evaluating their drug policies, promoting more effective and participatory approaches.
EUDA International Cooperation Framework
The EUDA International Cooperation Framework highlights the agency’s dedication to tackling global drug issues using an evidence-based and human rights-focus approach that is balanced and multi-disciplinary. The framework supports the EUDA’s work on the international side of drug issues, helping ensure coordinated and effective action together with our partners.
Further reading