Europeanisation meets democracy from below: The Western Balkans on the search for new European and democratic Momentum (WB2EU)

Erasmus+ Jean Monnet Networks Project (621247-EPP-1-2020-1-AT-EPPJMO-NETWORK)

The next few years will be decisive for the democratic and European future of the Western Balkans.
In addition to a credible enlargement perspective and a positive enlargement narrative, which needs to be reinvented and reinvigorated, it is vital to support rule of law, civil dialogue, pluralism and the fight against corruption as well as the social dimension. It is crucial to invest more in social inclusion, to support the broad vision of just and democratic societies, which needs to include various bottom-up initiatives and actors.

Our “WB2EU network” will activate / connect / research / disseminate and create joint output on the defined topics by bringing together academia, civil society and relevant stakeholders on national, regional and EU level.

Key points:

reform, consolidate and reenergise EU Enlargement until 2025 and beyond
mobilise, support and engage with progressive and emancipatory forces from below (movements, citizens, local initiatives) that are truly European and pro-democratic
enhance youth and alternative voices and forces in the society
strengthen social dimension, rule of law and justice in the region
connect young and senior researchers, scholars, representatives of civil society, national and EU institutions, stakeholders, policy-makers, and citizens engaged in pro-democratic initiatives (local/regional/national)

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PROJECT PARTNERS / WB2EU NETWORK

PROJECT INITIATORS

Austria
Austria

Austrian Society for European Politics (ÖGfE), Vienna (Coordinator & Project Leader)
Austrian Institute for International Affairs (oiip), Vienna

WESTERN BALKAN COUNTRIES

Albania
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Kosovo
Montenegro
North Macedonia
Serbia

Cooperation and Development Institute (CDI), Tirana
University of Sarajevo, Faculty of Political Sciences
Change Experts Group, Pristina
Politikon Network (PIN), Podgorica
EUROTHINK – Center for European Strategies, Skopje
Foundation BFPE for a Responsible Society (BFPE), Belgrade

EU MEMBER COUNTRIES

Bulgaria
Croatia
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Italy
Romania
Slovenia

New Bulgarian University, Centre for European Refugees, Migration and Ethnic Studies (CERMES), Sofia
Institute for Development and International Relations (IRMO), Zagreb
EuropaNova, Paris
Institut für Europäische Politik (IEP), Berlin
Department for Political Science & International Relations, University of the Peloponnese, Corinth
Andrássy University, Budapest
International Affairs Institute (IAI), Rome
GlobalFocus Center, Bucharest
Centre of International Relations (CIR) – University of Ljubljana

This project is co-funded by the European Commission under its Erasmus+ Jean Monnet programme.

Erasmus+ Platform

Project One Pager

Contact

Susan Milford-Faber

CONTACT

WB2EU

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Paul Schmidt: EU integration process is always the art of compromise (EWB Interview)

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Stellungnahmen | Okt 18, 2023

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Policy Briefs | Okt 13, 2023

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Stellungnahmen | Okt 9, 2023

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Policy Briefs | Okt 5, 2023

From EU ‘enlargement fatigue’ to ‘enlargement enthusiasm’?

By: Matteo Bonomi, Irene Rusconi
The long-term unfavourable Eurobarometer trends toward the admission of new EU members for now seem to have been reversed, with EU citizens generally in favour today being greater than those against. In the same fashion as the 2004 enlargement was framed through the identity argument for the purpose of reuniting Europe after the end of the Cold War, the war in Ukraine has changed the public’s perspective towards the Balkan and Eastern Neighbourhood countries. Keeping public opinion in mind is of utmost importance, since mass attitudes, through their influence on political behaviour, do play a crucial role in influencing EU enlargement policy. Against this background, the authors of this Policy Brief analyse attitudes and opinion trends towards enlargement, discuss how they are linked to Euroscepticism and overall trust in EU integration, and offer policy recommendations.

Europa Club Wien | Okt 3, 2023

Europa Club Spezial: Is EU enlargement back on track? Moving towards a democratic and united Europe, 9. Oktober 2023

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Policy Briefs | Sep 29, 2023

Convergence of the Western Balkans towards the EU: from enlargement to cohesion

By: Ardian Hackaj
On the one hand, there is a gap between the six countries of the Western Balkans and their partners in the European Union, and on the other hand, the speed of their convergence towards the EU defines the pace of enlargement progress. All Western Balkan countries are engaged in reforms that are transforming their institutions, developing their economies, and improving the quality of life of their citizens. The EU, through its enlargement mechanism, is supporting them. But on their way to membership, their economies must grow quickly to catch up with their EU peers, and local infrastructure must be upgraded and extended. Domestic institutions should complete the reforms and also deliver on the rule of law, justice reform, the fight against corruption and organised crime, as well as security and fundamental rights. The author of this Policy Brief creates a methodological framework that links the local infrastructure, domestic institutions, and people, allowing us to understand the dynamics and complexity of sustainable and resilient development paths as well as identify entry points for the Western Balkans and EU policy-makers.

Policy Briefs | Aug 2, 2023

Citizens vs. Elites: Symbolic Battles Over the Uses of Political Crises in Bulgaria

By: Anna Krasteva
In the short period of two years, from 4 April 2021 to 2 April 2023, Bulgaria’s citizens were sent to the polls to vote in six elections: five snap general elections and one presidential election. Citizens are overwhelmed and exhausted. The exceptional has become the most constant: crisis, argues the author of this Policy Brief. The Policy Brief analyses the symbolic battles between elites and citizens for framing and dominating political crises and offers policy recommendations.

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