The EU must use this moment of exceptional crisis to radically re-evaluate its neighbourhood policy and jump-start its stagnant enlargement process.
More interesting articles
29. September 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.
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.
2. August 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.
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.
21. July 2023
A missed opportunity? Civil society organisations in Greece and North Macedonia after the 2015 refugee crisis
By: Nikolaos Tzifakis, Anastasios Valvis
When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.
When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.
More interesting articles
29. September 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.
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.
2. August 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.
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.
21. July 2023
A missed opportunity? Civil society organisations in Greece and North Macedonia after the 2015 refugee crisis
By: Nikolaos Tzifakis, Anastasios Valvis
When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.
When the 2015 refugee crisis broke out, civil societies in Greece and North Macedonia were featuring similar structural weaknesses, such as a lack of professionalism and weak organisational capabilities. Since then they have benefitted from the availability of funding, among others from the European Union, and the interaction and collaboration with international non-profits and donors. Yet, so far they have failed to capitalise on these developments in order to substantially enhance their resilience and sustainability, argue the authors of this Policy Brief. Nevertheless, they consider that prospects for cooperation and joint endeavours do exist and should be investigated further in the future.