European Network on Learning, Assessing, and Researching Governance in Enlargement

ongoing

The European Network ENLARGE critically evaluates the EU’s enlargement policy twenty years after the 2004-2007 “Big Bang” accession and explores new prospects. Coordinated by the University of Bologna, it unites diverse scholars from top European institutions. Through historical, political, and socio-economic inquiries, ENLARGE addresses key questions: Has enlargement fatigue undermined integration? Did extended accession criteria strain new Member States? How do changing geopolitics, economic shifts, and migration flows influence public opinion on EU expansion? Comparing past enlargements, the project probes democratic conditionality and Cold War legacies to understand evolving Euroscepticism and how enlargement shapes identity, governance, and sovereignty. Its methodology spans archival research, surveys, policy analysis, and stakeholder engagement. ENLARGE’s WP include academic conferences in Munich, Athens, and Krakow, plus summer schools in Oradea, Nantes, and Lisbon. Surveys will capture experiences and expectations of two generations. Teacher training, school visits, and an online course broaden outreach, while a final publication disseminates findings. Civil society engagement is integral: online events promote debate, and the project’s Policy Paper will offer actionable recommendations to the Commission, Parliament, and Council, informed by seasoned policymakers and emerging voices. In doing so, ENLARGE leverages a robust consortium featuring 23 universities and additional individual experts. All participants collaborate on designing surveys, delivering training, and developing policy tools. ENLARGE aims to optimise enlargement for peace, democracy, and prosperity. The network supports evidence-based policy that upholds European unity by integrating lessons from past expansions and amplifying youth perspectives. Its holistic approach fosters inclusive dialogue, ensuring the EU remains a dynamic global actor with the capacity to adapt, integrate, and thrive.