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[Resources ](https://civis.eu/en/resources) 2. Trapped by Debt: How Economic Instability, Climate Costs, and Geopolitical Shocks Are Pushing Nations to the Brink Trapped by Debt: How Economic Instability, Climate Costs, and Geopolitical Shocks Are Pushing Nations to the Brink ================================================================================================================== - Polycrisis - Policy recommendations - Researchers Policy brief no. 12 \| January 2026 By Fatima-Ezzahra El Oirdani Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) are caught in a dangerous cycle where debt, climate shocks, and global tensions keep making each other worse. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many governments had to borrow heavily just to stay afloat, leaving them with little financial room to recover. Since then, rising U.S. interest rates, global inflation, and repeated climate disasters have made it even harder to pay back what they owe. On top of that, conflicts like the war in Ukraine have pushed up food and fuel prices, driving inflation and scaring away investors. All of this has created a “climate–debt trap” that threatens both economic stability and future development. - [ 12-el-oirdani-trapped-by-debt-economic-instability-climate-costs-geopolitical-shocks-jan-2026\_1.pdf (PDF, 380 KB) ](https://civis.eu/storage/files/12-el-oirdani-trapped-by-debt-economic-instability-climate-costs-geopolitical-shocks-jan-2026_1.pdf) Other resources --------------- - ### Member Universities in Europe Logos 1 October 2026 Logos of the 11 member universities in Europe. - Communication and Dissemination - Branding material - Academics - Administrators - Researchers - Students [ See more ](https://civis.eu/en/resources/member-universities-in-europe-logos "Member Universities in Europe Logos") - ### Equitable Partnerships as Governance Infrastructure in an Era of Polycrisis 30 September 2026 Policy brief no. 19 | September 2026 By Emmanuel Ojo - Polycrisis - Policy recommendations - Researchers [ See more ](https://civis.eu/en/resources/equitable-partnerships-as-governance-infrastructure-in-an-era-of-polycrisis "Equitable Partnerships as Governance Infrastructure in an Era of Polycrisis") ![CIVIS – Europe’s Civic University Alliance](https://civis.eu/build/assets/civis-CCpvK1nT.svg) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Europe’s Civic University Alliance ![Co-funded by the European Union](https://civis.eu/build/assets/co-funded-by-the-european-union-DSKLW1us.png)Views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). 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