This research project ran from December 2013 to September 2015.
The project aimed to bridge the widening gap in debates and political choices between Brussels and national capitals on EU enlargement, by investigating the ways in which EU member states, their governments, parliaments, and political constituencies respond to, and try to influence, EU enlargement policy towards the Balkans.
The project included case studies to be conducted by national experts in 17 different member states. The researchers undertook field work, including interviews with decision-makers, professionals and other relevant stakeholders in their respective case study, and provided an analytical chapter on their country of expertise.
The final results of the project were included in a comprehensive and multi-authored EPC publication, which was published in July 2015 and officially launched in September 2015.
Two brainstorming meetings were also held in March and October 2014.
Dissemination activities in member states and the Balkan region, and shorter EPC publications, are also planned in the context of the project, and will take place between late 2015 and early 2016.
The EU member states and enlargement towards the Balkans project is kindly supported by the King Baudouin Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.
This EPC project has been led by Rosa Balfour, EPC Senior Adviser for Europe in the World, and Corina Stratulat, Senior Policy Analyst, and it has been supported by Andrea Frontini, Policy Analyst.