At What Cost? The EU’s Race for Critical Raw Materials in the Global South

In this new episode of EU Watchdog Radio, Isabela Franco, Advocacy and Communication Assistant, speaks with Lora Verheecke, Policy Officer, about the EU’s growing push for critical raw materials and how this agenda is reshaping Europe’s external action through initiatives like the Global Gateway and the Critical Raw Materials Act. 

The discussion highlights:

• The geopolitical, environmental and social implications of the EU’s raw materials strategy.
• How public funds are increasingly used to “de-risk” private investments.
• The expanding role of the defence sector in EU financing.
• The lack of meaningful participation of impacted communities and Indigenous People.
• The risk of reproducing green neocolonial patterns rather than enabling a just transition.

This episode provides a critical look at how Europe is securing its supply chains,  and at what cost to the Global South.

This podcast is produced by CEO and Counter Balance. Both NGOs raise awareness on the importance of good governance in the EU by researching issues like lobbying of large and powerful industries, corporate capture of decision making, corruption, fraud, human rights violations in areas like Big Tech, agro-business, biotech & chemical companies, the financial sector & public investment banks, trade, energy & climate, scientific research and much more…

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