European Union in Botswana

21/09/2026

When people picture the UN, they rarely picture the EU standing behind it. Here is why they should.

Together, the EU and its Member States are the largest collective contributors to the UN system, year after year. A support that is structural.

The EU Member States contribute over 21% of the UN peacekeeping budget. Since the UN Peacebuilding Fund was created, the EU and its Member States have contributed over €630 million, providing more than 60% of total funding.

Behind every figure is the same idea: Multilateralism only works when someone is willing to resource it. The EU keeps showing up.

European External Action Service - EEAS

17/09/2026

🎉10 years of EU-SADC Economic Partnership Agreement: What is in it for MSMEs?

The EU–SADC Economic Partnership Agreement offers important benefits to help Botswana Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) grow, scale, and integrate into international supply chains:

✅by improving access to the EU market, granting zero tariffs for goods originating in Botswana

✅reducing Botswana import duties for certain products, making easier for Botswana companies to diversify the source of their inputs for final products, based on their preferences of price or quality

✅allowing to source inputs in several countries in the region and beyond, still keeping zero duty access to the EU market, thanks to flexible “rules of origin”. This allows the creation of regional value chains

✅and very important, creating a predictable environment for investment, trade and growth: tariff preferences cannot be removed unilaterally by one party

This helps smaller businesses export more easily, lower their costs, and become more competitive.

🔗Do you want to know more about EPAs? Read here:👉 https://shorturl.at/G0A1R 🇪🇺 🇧🇼

SADC

16/09/2026

Connect & Create – Strengthening Cultural Ties Between Africa and Europe

A call is open under The Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture: Sub-Saharan Africa component: The Connect & Create Mentoring Scheme, supporting early-career professionals working in the performing arts and music industries across sub-Saharan Africa.

Running from January to December 2027, the programme will support 15 professionals with 2–5 years of experience in areas such as artist management, production, distribution, administration and communications.

Selected participants will be paired with experienced mentors from Africa or Europe and will take part in group workshops and an immersion trip.Their organisations will also receive a grant to support organisational development and capacity building.

For full details on the call, eligibility criteria and application process, please visit 👇:

Connect & Create is the Sub-Saharan Africa component of the Africa–Europe Partnerships for Culture program, funded by the European Union. This ambitious project, led by the Goethe-Institut and Expertise France, in partnership with the Institut français, aims to renew and strengthen cultural ties ...

16/09/2026

Ambassador-Designate Belen Calvo Uyarra Presents Copies of Letters of Credence to the Minister of International Relations, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale

The Minister of International Relations, Honourable Dr Phenyo Butale received the Copies of Letters of Credence of Ambassador-Designate of the European Union to Botswana and SADC, Belen Calvo Uyarra. Ambassador Designate Uyarra stated that she was honoured to serve the European Union in Botswana, a likeminded country to the EU, and to continue strengthening and deepening the EU Botswana partnership, building on a strong bond to deliver results.

Welcoming Ambassador-Designate Uyarra, Honourable Minister Butale noted the longstanding partnership that Botswana and the European Union have since many decades ago and expressed Botswana’s appreciation for European Union support. Highlighting that, he looks forward to building together for shared prosperity with the European Union on a very solid foundation marked by common interests and values.

Stay tuned for Ambassador-Designate Uyarra's presentation of Letters of Credence to His Excellency, Advocate Duma Gideon Boko. 🇪🇺 🇧🇼

Ministry of International Relations, Botswana

15/09/2026

Citizens who vote knowing their voice counts. Judges who deliver justice independently. Journalists who report despite intimidation. People who participate.

Democracy is stronger because of those who defend it every day.

Read the statement by HR/VP Kaja Kallas on International Democracy Day: https://link.europa.eu/nWFWKT

European External Action Service - EEAS

14/09/2026

Head of International Partnerships, Catalin Gherman opened the second Steering Committee Meeting of the European Union funded programme: Enhancing the Capability and Effectiveness of SADC’s Peace and Security Architecture (ECESPA) held in Mbabane, Kingdom of Eswatini from 11-12 September 2026.

The meeting provided an important opportunity to reaffirm EU’s commitment to strengthening regional peace, security and cooperation across the SADC region.

14/09/2026

09/09/2026

Security does not stop at borders.

Through the European Peace Facility, the EU helps partners strengthen their security and defence.

What does that mean in practice? Medical equipment, demining tools, vehicles, training, air defence and am******on, depending on what each partner needs.

Different partners face different challenges, but the goal is the same: helping them respond to crises, prevent conflict and protect their people.

Read more about the European Peace Facility 👉: https://www.eeas.europa.eu/eeas/european-peace-facility-epf_en

European External Action Service - EEAS

08/09/2026

Today, Ambassador-Designate Belén Calvo Uyarra joined colleagues in signing the Book of Condolences in honour of the late Ambassador Katrin Hagemann.

Ambassador Hagemann's dedication to diplomacy, her unwavering commitment to fostering international cooperation, and her impact on all who knew her will be deeply missed.

The book of condolences is available for signing at the EU Delegation to Botswana and SADC Office, Plot 758, Robinson Road, EXT 2, Gaborone from 08 September, 2026 to 09 September 2026, between 15:30 and 09:00.We would be honoured if you could join us in paying tribute to Katrin’s life and legacy.

08/09/2026

📣INDIVIDUAL ARTISTS AND CULTURE PROFESSIONALS

A great opportunity for you!

The CALL for MOBILITY GRANTS for individual artists and culture professionals is OPEN until 16 September 2026.

So if you missed it, there is still time!

Information about the Individual Mobility Grants, including the call guidelines, eligibility criteria and application requirements, is available on Goethe Institute website👉 https://www.goethe.de/prj/aep/en/cal.html

To prepare your application do not miss the upcoming Application Workshop for the WP1 Individual Mobility Grants – Round III, hosted by the Africa-Europe Partnerships for Culture: Sub-Saharan Africa component.

The session will provide practical guidance on the application process, including eligibility criteria, budget requirements and how to use the Goethe Application Portal (GAP) to submit your application.

🔗Please register in advance via the registration link to gain access to the session 👉: https://tinyurl.com/4w5xupt5

The workshop will take place on:
Date: Wednesday, 9 September 2026
Time: 14:00–15:00 (CAT)
Venue: Zoom (Online)