On 29 July 2026, Greens/EFA MEP Cristina Guarda filed a parliamentary question pressing the European Commission on transparency, human rights safeguards, and public oversight of Global Gateway projects in Colombia. Guarda's question targets the lack of accessible information about planned and ongoing projects, and demands concrete mechanisms for impact assessment, free, prior and informed consultation, and public access to project data. The question affects local communities, civil society organisations, and EU institutions, as well as businesses involved in the projects.
The question, addressed to the Commission, follows mounting concerns from civil society about the opacity of Global Gateway initiatives in a country where over 70% of the territory is affected by non-state armed actors. Guarda specifically asks how the Commission measures and evaluates project impacts on employment, participation, environmental protection, gender equality, and human rights. She also queries how the Commission ensures transparent consultation processes in line with international standards, and how civil society can access information and oversee these processes.
she requests that the Commission publish on its website all necessary information for public oversight, including technical and financial details, contact points, and data on projects even in their initial phase. This reflects a push for greater transparency and accountability in EU investment strategies, particularly in contexts with significant human rights and environmental risks.
Guarda's initiative signals a broader concern among some MEPs about the balance between promoting EU investment abroad and ensuring that such investments do not inadvertently harm local communities. The Commission is expected to reply within six weeks, and its response will indicate whether it is willing to increase transparency and strengthen safeguards for Global Gateway projects in Colombia and beyond.
The question highlights a cleavage between the EU's drive to expand its global infrastructure footprint and the need to protect human rights and environmental standards. While Global Gateway aims to boost sustainable investment, critics argue that without robust oversight, projects could exacerbate existing risks in fragile regions. The Commission's answer will be closely watched by civil society and businesses alike, as it will signal the direction of EU policy on investment transparency and human rights due diligence.