The quiet power of the EU decentralized agencies in the enlargement process

• Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies
• GGP: Global Governance Programme
• Eastern Europe as Laboratory of Change Working Group

This seminar examines how their cooperation with the ten EU candidates shapes the contemporary dynamics of EU enlargement.

EU decentralised agencies have become essential actors in EU governance with increased external engagement. Drawing on original survey data from 28 EU agencies, the presentation maps the scope, depth, and variation of their involvement – from occasional technical exchanges to structured partnerships grounded in formal agreements. It is confirmed that the EU agencies now function as crucial instruments for transferring the acquis, supporting regulatory alignment, and strengthening institutional capacities long before accession. In a context marked by geopolitical pressures and slow accession negotiations, these forms of early integration help sustain momentum. The seminar will discuss how agency-led cooperation can complement the often protracted process of EU accession negotiations, especially for the Western Balkans, offering a more practical pathway towards EU membership while reinforcing the EU’s influence in the candidate countries.

At the EUI and the Robert Schuman Centre, we are dedicated to removing barriers and providing equal opportunities for everyone. Please indicate in the registration form your accessibility needs, if any. Alternatively, you can contact the logistics organiser of the event.