Enlargement Policy Through the Post-2027 EU Budget: Reshaping Pre-Accession Assistance

The renewed geopolitical imperative of EU enlargement has prompted a broader reflection on how the accession process can become more credible, effective and responsive to the EU’s evolving strategic priorities. Against this backdrop, the workshop explored how the proposed post-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) and the new Global Europe Instrument (GEI) may reshape pre-accession assistance, with particular attention to the Western Balkans.

Bringing together policymakers, practitioners and experts, the discussion focused on how the future EU financial architecture can better support economic convergence, incentivise reforms and strengthen the institutional and investment frameworks needed to advance the enlargement process.

The workshop was organised by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI) with the support of Open Society Foundations – Western Balkans, as part of the InCLUDE initiative. The discussion was held under the Chatham House Rule.