EU proposes €530 million increase in funding for Greenland, Sermitsiaq reports

The European Commission is proposing to more than double its financial support to Greenland, allocating about €530 million (4 billion DKK) between 2028 and 2034, Sermitsiaq reported on Wednesday.

The proposed funding would mark a sharp increase compared to the current EU allocation of 1.7 billion DKK for 2021–2027. Greenland is the largest recipient among the EU’s overseas countries and territories (OCTs) and the new proposal comes as part of a broader EU plan to boost funding for these regions.

Danish EU Commissioner Dan Jørgensen welcomed the move, describing it as a sign of the EU taking global responsibility while strengthening its partnership with Greenland.

“We live in an unsettled world. This is the EU showing leadership—deepening ties and cooperation with Greenland,” he said in a written statement cited by Sermitsiaq.

According to the report, the money would be directed toward expanding cooperation in areas such as education, raw materials, digitalization and energy, including hydropower, wind and power-to-x projects.

“The support gives Greenland the opportunity to develop its economy, strengthen education and digitalization, create new jobs, and promote green energy and infrastructure—all on Greenland’s own terms,” Jørgensen said.

The Danish government is also planning to increase its own contributions. Over the next four years, Copenhagen has pledged a total of 1.6 billion DKK for initiatives in Greenland, Sermitsiaq noted.

The EU proposal is not yet final. It will form part of negotiations over the bloc’s next multiannual budget, which requires approval from both member states and the European Parliament. If adopted, the new funding framework would begin in 2028.