The European Politics and Institutions Programme covers the EU’s institutional architecture, governance and policymaking to ensure that it can move forward and respond to the challenges of the 21st century democratically and effectively. It also monitors and analyses political developments at the EU level and in the member states, discussing the key questions of how to involve European citizens in the discussions over the Union’s future and how to win their support for European integration. The Programme has a special focus on enlargement policy towards the Western Balkans, questions of EU institutional reform and illiberal trends in European democracies.

The Europe in the World (EiW) Programme scrutinises the impact of a changing international system on Europe and probes how the EU and its member states can advance their interests and values on a regional and global level. It examines the EU’s relations with both major and middle powers around the world, and how Europe can continue to contribute to a rules-based global order. Secondly, the Programme focuses on the role of the EU in fostering reform, resilience and stability in neighbouring regions and looks closely at developments in Turkey and Ukraine, among other countries. Thirdly, the Programme examines and seeks to advance the development of Europe’s security and defence policy.