Revamping of the Aid for Trade Website

The Project at A Glance

The European Union’s Aid for Trade (AfT) Strategy helps partner countries integrate into the global trading system and benefit from the poverty-reducing effects of open, efficient trade. To amplify the impact and visibility of EU’s AfT efforts, International Economics worked with the European Commission to revamp its AfT web page to improve access to relevant data and enrich it with data-driven narratives that effectively showcase the key features and impact of the EU’s AfT initiatives.

The project was implemented under the TPSDE Facility II, funded by the European Commission.

What We Found

The EU AfT initiative supports developing and least developed countries in overcoming trade barriers and integrating into the global economy. As the world’s largest AfT contributor, the EU and its Member States have steadily expanded their support to include infrastructure, private sector development, digital connectivity, and sustainable value chains – aligning with broader EU priorities such as the Green Deal and Global Gateway.

However, despite its significance and impact, the EU AfT Progress Report has received feedback highlighting the need to improve its visibility, accessibility, and overall usability. To address this, International Economics supported a full redesign of the EU AfT website. The Team created a dynamic, data-driven platform that enhances transparency, improves access to time-series and sector-specific data, and offers engaging visual and narrative insights into EU-funded trade initiatives. The revamped site will serve as a central hub for stakeholders, featuring interactive dashboards, downloadable datasets, and thematic materials that better communicate the scope and strategic direction of the EU’s AfT efforts.

Our Strategy and Impact

International Economics’ Team revamped the EU AfT website to improve access to data and provide clear, data-driven stories about EU trade efforts. Key datasets from sources like the OECD Creditor Reporting System and the European Commission portal were collected, verified, and processed through automated and manual methods. The data was organised into downloadable Excel files with visuals and detailed metadata. The final datasets and visuals will be published on the updated website to make information more accessible, transparent, and tailored to stakeholder needs.

Our Core Solutions

The cross-cutting nature of trade is such that it requires a comprehensive, integrated, and inclusive framework. While well-designed trade policies are vital to delivering long-term benefits for economies, so is the need for effective implementation.

At International Economics, we support the public and private sectors in navigating the policy and negotiation landscape regarding international trade. This includes establishing robust monitoring and evaluation framework through sophisticated real-time dashboards and reporting systems to ensure the best outcomes. We provide advocacy services to empower delegations and negotiators to participate effectively in trade negotiations and deliberations and advocate for their countries’ interests and positions.