InCLUDE ep. 1 - The Theory of Change: What Method can bring the Western Balkans into the EU?

InCLUDE is a podcast by the Istituto Affari Internazionali (IAI), supported by the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans. The series explores how to advance the integration of Western Balkan countries into the European Union, bringing together experts, policymakers, and civil society voices to discuss the political, economic, and strategic dimensions of EU enlargement. The podcast is created by Matteo Bonomi and Dušan Reljić, hosted by Dušan Reljić, with editing and graphics by Lorenzo Ascione.

In this opening episode, Dušan Reljić speaks with Lura Limani, team leader in the Open Society Foundations Western Balkans, and Matteo Bonomi, Senior Fellow at IAI, about what it will take to move EU enlargement forward. The discussion focuses on the “theory of change” behind accession, highlighting the need for strong political will within the EU and credible reforms in the Western Balkans. The episode examines current challenges, from geopolitical pressures to internal EU debates, and outlines practical steps to make enlargement a realistic and achievable goal.