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Project

The relationship between international development cooperation and national security policy

This project examines how international development cooperation relates to national security interests in an era of shifting geopolitical tensions. By analyzing six strategic themes – including climate resilience, global health and supply chain diversification – the study identifies potential synergies and goal conflicts to provide a balanced knowledge base for integrated policymaking.

Active project

2026

The global security landscape is undergoing a rapid transformation where the traditional distinction between internal and external security is becoming increasingly blurred. This SEI study investigates the “nexus” between development and security, exploring how international aid acts as a tool to address modern challenges such as hybrid threats, climate-driven instability and global health crises.

The research is structured around three core pillars:

  1. Conceptual analysis: identifying which security interests are most relevant to international aid.
  2. Allocation mapping: evaluating how resources are currently distributed across security- and development-relevant sectors.
  3. International comparison: benchmarking how other nations integrate security objectives into their development frameworks.

Through a series of expert roundtables, the project provides a structured analysis of how aid can support both long-term poverty reduction and immediate societal resilience.

Partner

Project team

Laura Del Duca
Laura Del Duca

Policy Fellow

SEI Headquarters

Numi Ostlund
Númi Östlund

Senior Fellow

SEI Headquarters

Janet Vähämäki
Janet Vähämäki

Senior Research Fellow

SEI Headquarters