At a moment when EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy are shaped by overlapping democratic, geopolitical, and security challenges, this webinar offers a timely opportunity to engage with comparative, evidence-based insights from Horizon Europe research.
The event is designed as a policy-relevant briefing, bringing together multiple Horizon Europe SSH projects to present findings that speak directly to the EU’s current and forthcoming enlargement package and broader neighbourhood debates.
The discussion addresses core democracy-related challenges, including:
- Transitional and hybrid regimes; respect for human rights, non-discrimination, and minority rights
- Corruption and organised crime
- Media freedom, pluralism, and freedom of expression
- Disinformation, foreign interference, and freedom of scientific research
- EU accession and the fundamentals, including the rule of law and the judiciary
Programme structure:
Opening Remarks
Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez, Director of the Directorate ‘People:Health and Society’, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
Session 1 (09:30–11:00) Geo-scope: Western Balkans (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia)
Moderated by Anne Haglund-Morrissey, Deputy Head of Unit ´Democracy, Equality and Culture´, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Sonja Grimm – Overview of the current accession process; comparative analysis of progress and setbacks among candidate states; examination of the strategic role of key candidates in the enlargement process [EMBRACE project]
- Anamarija Velinovska – Comparative case studies across accession and neighbouring contexts; analysis of how disinformation becomes politically effective when adopted by domestic elites; implications for democratic resilience and enlargement dynamics [GEO-POWER.EU project]
- Morten Bøås – Transitional and hybrid regimes; respect for human rights, non-discrimination, and minority rights [RE-ENGAGE project]
- Florian Bieber – Countering external influence through democracy promotion; restoring credibility through democratic conditionality; the geopolitical turn in enlargement policy; the role of the EU as a global promoter of democracy [REUNIR project]
Session 2 (11:00–12:30)
Geo-scope: Eastern Partnership countries and Türkiye (Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, Türkiye)
Moderated by Alberto Domini, Policy Officer, Unit ´Democracy, Equality and Culture´, DG Research and Innovation, European Commission
- Karina Shyrokykh – Diffusion of illiberal legislation as a pathway to autocratization in neighbouring and accession contexts; enlargement to the East between geopolitical pressures and a merit-based process [EMBRACE project]
- Maryna Rabinovych – Analysis of authoritarian influence through disinformation and propaganda; narratives undermining democracy and challenging Western normative power; evidence of democratic erosion driven by weakened rule of law and judicial independence; recommendations on investing in societal resilience, strengthening strategic communication, long-term technical assistance, support for local watchdogs, tailored conditionality, and regime-sensitive democracy support; overview of EU funding for rule of law, human rights, and good governance [REDEMOS project]
- Magdalena Góra – Narratives of democracy support within enlargement frameworks; shifts in national approaches following transitions from association to candidacy; key lines of contestation over democracy support among eastern candidate contexts [SHAPEDEM-EU project]
- Funda Tekin – Developments and prospects for rule of law and democracy in stalled enlargement contexts; implications of blocked accession processes; potential of alternative forms of association between the EU and candidate partners [INVIGORATE project]
Each session includes short presentations by Horizon Europe project representatives, followed by moderated discussion and audience Q&A.
Registration:
Democracy in the Neighbourhood and EU Enlargement: Horizon Europe Research Insights
Please note that registration is required and the Webex access link will be sent automatically after registration.
