The EU enlargement environment is generally unfavorable. Political message that there is no enlargement for the next five years is not encouraging. There is a different negotiation technique required in comparison with the earlier times (more chapters, interim benchmarks, equilibrium clause and additional emphasis on economic criteria). The region itself is facing continuous domestic obstacles on its way to the EU integration: internal disagreements and accession fatigue; reforms which have to be accelerated and consolidated; democratic foundations in some of the countries remain fragile; lack of good governance, in particular in the economic field; frequent ethnic turmoil. Better communication and advocacy strategy could help both the EU and WB to highlight key successes and laggings in the enlargement process and provide synergy in supporting higher motivation of the pro-European forces in the WB societies and better perception of the region in the EU.

• Research

• Public events

The final document - advocacy strategy - will be widely promoted in the countries of origin of the project partners, but also in the other WB countries and in Brussels with participation of 2-3 members of the project team at each event. Promotional events will be organized with particular efforts to involve media and think tanks in commenting and assessing the final result of this project and its usefulness for further enlargement. Electronic and/or printed versions of the advocacy strategy will be disseminated to the target groups/beneficiaries.