The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue office in Brussels is commissioning a policy paper examining the relationship between good governance, democratic accountability, and the contribution of Western Balkan EU candidate countries to European security and defence initiatives. Applications should be submitted by Monday 22 June 2026.
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union | Global Dialogue office in Brussels is commissioning a policy paper examining the relationship between good governance, democratic accountability, and the contribution of Western Balkan EU candidate countries to European security and defence initiatives.
As Europe responds to a deteriorating security environment, governments across the Western Balkans are increasingly investing in military capabilities, defence industrial production, and security-related infrastructure. These developments create opportunities for the region to contribute more actively to European defence and resilience.
However, the expansion of defence and security-related investments also raises significant governance challenges in a region where concerns over corruption, weak institutional oversight, and democratic backsliding persist. Ensuring that security and defence cooperation reinforces democratic accountability and institutional resilience, rather than undermining it, will therefore be essential.
The Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union Office therefore seeks to commission a medium-length analytical report examining how governance frameworks, transparency mechanisms, parliamentary oversight, civil society engagement, and rule-of-law standards can strengthen the Western Balkans’ contribution to Europe’s defence and resilience.
Objective
The purpose of this project is to produce a policy-oriented report of approximately 12,000 words that provides policymakers and experts in Europe and the Western Balkans with a comprehensive assessment of the relationship between governance, democratic accountability, and defence and security cooperation in the region.
The report should identify practical policy recommendations and institutional safeguards that can strengthen both the Western Balkans’ contribution to European security and the resilience of democratic institutions in the region, and thereby also contribute to a European enlargement dynamic.
Timeline
The project is expected to begin in July/August 2026 and be finalised by November 2026.
Budget
The available budget for this project is up to 18.000 EUR (including VAT and all other costs, where applicable).
Eligibility and Expertise
Applications are invited from:
- Think tanks
- Research institutes and universities
- Consultancies
- Other relevant organisations with demonstrated expertise in EU affairs, foreign policy, geopolitics or geoeconomics
Applicants should demonstrate strong expertise in EU enlargement policy, democratic governance and oversight, security and defence policy, and the Western Balkans; experience in drafting analytical or policy-oriented publications; familiarity with debates on democratic resilience, state capture, defence industrial policy, and European security.
Applications
Applications should include the following elements in a concise proposal:
- Organisation profile
- Proposed analytical approach
- Preliminary outline or conceptual framing of the report
- Proposed expert authors and short biographies
- Indicative project timeline
- Budget
Applications do not need to follow a specific template.
Applications will be assessed based on relevance and quality of the proposed approach, demonstrated expertise and experience, quality of previous publications and work related to the issue, feasibility of the proposed timeline and budget.
Applications should be submitted by Monday 22 June 2026 with the subject line “Application: Western Balkans governance and security” to: info@eu.boell.org