‘Europe is a global forward-looking partner’
Michal Minčev heads the Czech Development Agency. In our interview he talks about new geopolitical realities, the need to pool resources and Europe’s position in the world.
How do you assess Europe’s role as a global development partner in light of the current geopolitical shifts?
In an era of geopolitical fragmentation and escalating global crises, Europe has a renewed responsibility to serve as a stable, value-driven development partner. Europe’s strength lies in its collective action: building strategic alliances, pooling resources efficiently and aligning around shared principles.
To maximise the long-term impact of our investments, we must move towards deeper coordination between all development actors. Fortunately, Europe is not starting from scratch. It benefits from a rich and diverse ecosystem: national agencies, development finance institutions and a dynamic private sector. European companies are among the largest investors in developing economies, and the EU remains a leading global donor of official development assistance.
Where do you see the strength of European development agencies?
At its best, European development cooperation offers integrated, long-term solutions. Development agencies provide technical assistance, capacity building, and targeted grant funding – helping to de-risk projects and pave the way for private sector engagement. For this value chain to function effectively, close coordination among all actors is essential.
And does it function effectively?
Coordination remains one of our persistent challenges. We often work in silos, which limits Europe’s impact. So this must change. Development agencies, financiers, policy-makers and private actors must collaborate – not just for the benefit of our partner countries, but to reinforce the EU’s global credibility and our shared prosperity. Initiatives like Global Gateway signal a welcome shift in this direction. From the Czech perspective, we see Europe not merely as a donor bloc, but as a forward-looking global partner.
Michal Minčev has served as the Director of the Czech Development Agency (CZDA) since October 2021. Prior to this role, he held various positions in the Czech diplomatic service, including Head of the Economic Section at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nairobi. He also worked in a directorial position at the Ministry of Industry and Trade and held executive positions in the private sector. Minčev holds a Master’s degree from the Czech Technical University in Prague and an MBA from the University of Westminster.
One focus of Czech development cooperation is on emergency humanitarian aid for Ukraine. How important is this for your country?
Ukraine is more than a neighbour to us – it is a frontline of our shared European future. For the Czech Republic, supporting Ukraine is not just a matter of solidarity, it is a strategic imperative. Since the beginning of the war, the Czech Development Agency has been actively engaged in providing development support ranging from medical equipment to technical assistance – all in close cooperation with Ukrainian partners and EU institutions. Our focus is not only on emergency relief but on long-term resilience and enabling Ukraine to progress on its European path despite the enormous challenges.
Ukraine’s reconstruction is a moral responsibility but also a strategic investment in the stability and security of the entire continent.
What role does the Practitioners’ Network play in bringing Ukraine closer to the EU?
The Practitioners’ Network plays a vital role in aligning efforts across European development institutions. It fosters knowledge exchange and strategic coordination – particularly valuable for smaller agencies like CZDA. The platform enables us to contribute to Ukraine’s institutional reform and EU integration process.
What opportunities does European cooperation within frameworks like Team Europe or Global Gateway offer you as director of a newer development agency?
Initiatives like Team Europe and Global Gateway open the door to more strategic, visible, and joined-up development efforts. These platforms allow national development agencies to contribute within a broader European framework. Global Gateway, in particular, offers a crucial model for delivering sustainable infrastructure and development outcomes. It promotes a full-cycle approach, from early concept and preparation all the way through to scale-up and long-term sustainability. It brings together public institutions, private investors and implementing partners to create future-proof initiatives.
The Czech Development Agency (CZDA) is the official implementing body of the Czech Republic’s bilateral development cooperation. Operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agency was established in 2008 and is responsible for managing and delivering development projects in priority partner countries. CZDA’s core partner countries include Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and Zambia. The Czech Republic is a member of the OECD Development Assistance Committee and the Practitioners’ Network for European Development Cooperation.
Where do you see particularly successful examples of cooperation with GIZ?
GIZ has been a long-standing and trusted partner of CZDA. These experiences have demonstrated how practical, well-coordinated cooperation can lead to measurable improvements on the ground. The newly conceptualised Global Gateway presents an exciting platform for closer cooperation. It reflects a more strategic, partner-oriented European approach – one that places greater emphasis on long-term partnerships and mobilisation of private capital. These are precisely the areas where GIZ and CZDA can combine forces to deliver credible, sustainable solutions.
What role do private enterprises play here?
The Czech-German private sector relationship has long been a model of productive economic and development cooperation. By bringing together the strengths of our business communities and anchoring them in well-prepared projects, we can jointly contribute to more effective development outcomes in partner countries.
To make this a reality, early-stage collaboration is key. When development agencies and implementing partners like GIZ engage from the beginning – co-creating project designs, aligning planning cycles and coordinating resources – we are far more likely to achieve lasting impact. CZDA is committed to deepening this level of partnership with GIZ in the years ahead.