EU’s Global Gateway strategy creates opportunities for Finnish companies

22.10.2025

In recent years, an increasing number of Finnish companies have taken advantage of business partnership support to expand into developing markets. As part of these projects, companies often explore financing options to kick-start local business operations. Understanding these options and planning financing early on is key to success.

Many international development financiers operate in developing markets, including the World Bank and the United Nations, which procure solutions through competitive bidding. Familiarity with these programmes can open doors for Finnish expertise and solutions.

As part of exploring different financing options and opportunities, it may be worthwhile for companies to look into the regional and country-specific opportunities offered under the European Union’s Global Gateway strategy.

What is Global Gateway?

The Global Gateway strategy is a collaborative effort between the EU, its member states, European financial and development institutions, and the private sector. It aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in investments across various sectors between 2021 and 2027. These investments target developing markets and involve the European private sector, the European Investment Bank (EIB), the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), and European development financiers.

There is no single centralised service for Global Gateway; opportunities vary by region and country. The best way to obtain up-to-date, geographically specific information is to contact the EU Delegation in the target country. Country- or region-specific Team Europe Initiatives provide an overview of sectoral priorities in different markets. These initiatives also organise calls for proposals in which Finnish companies can participate.

Major flagship projects that may generate direct or indirect demand for Finnish solutions are listed on the European Commission’s website.

Business Partnership Support and Global Gateway

Although business partnership support does not cover participation in competitive tendering, it offers an opportunity to explore various funding sources and programmes. In recent years, companies have:

Investigated the roles and programmes of different financiers
Initiated discussions with potential funders
Familiarised themselves with Team Europe Initiatives and their structures

This work takes time, so it is advisable to allocate sufficient budget for it within the business partnership support project – with clear justification.

Where to start?

Global Gateway may initially seem like a vast and complex framework. We recommend that Finnish companies approach Global Gateway opportunities from a regional or country-specific perspective to identify concrete opportunities relevant to their sector.

We have listed Global Gateway opportunities where there is a particular demand for Finnish companies on our website. The latest additions are projects in the field of ICT and renewable energy in Bangladesh.