Research data on EU’s external action put to the test by European decision-makers
Over the last few years, the ENGAGE research consortium has examined how the European Union can effectively and sustainably achieve its strategic objectives in external action.
“The coherence and effectiveness of the EU's external action depends on its ability to match the interests of its member states while using its various external and internal instruments in a systematic way,” says Hanna Ojanen, Research Director at Tampere University.
Ojanen represents Tampere University in the ENGAGE project, which involves 13 research institutes across Europe.
A series of stakeholder workshops in ten European capitals will play a key role in disseminating research knowledge across Europe. Discussions will take place in Bratislava, Madrid, Helsinki, Paris, Warsaw, Kiev, Ankara, London, Berlin and Brussels to render the proposals as operational and effective as possible.
The theme of the workshop that was organized in November in Helsinki was EU-NATO relations, particularly in the context of the Russian war in Ukraine. The event was attended by representatives of the Finnish parliament, ministries, and the Prime Minister's Office.
Read a description of the Helsinki meeting on the ENGAGE website
Recommendations provide practical benefits to policy-makers
During the workshops, researchers will be able to assess the information that decision-makers need to build the EU into a coherent and effective global actor.
“As a researcher, I am pleased with the way the research has consistently engaged with experts and decision-makers throughout the project. Now the project is culminating in a round of testing. ENGAGE's approach will undoubtedly increase the practical usefulness of the White Paper for policy makers," says researcher Henna Kakko.
ENGAGE research has analysed factors affecting the EU's foreign action, member state policies, diplomacy and international cooperation.
EU policy sectors affect external action
The study has approached the EU's structures and decision-making from the point of view of the potential for more effective action without changing the Union's treaties. It has also examined how the EU's role is perceived within the Union and what kind of changes are advocated.
“A major challenge is that it is difficult to distinguish between foreign and domestic policy, or the different policy sectors within the EU. You need to be able to analyse how trade, development, competition policy, climate or health policy, for example, affect external action. On the other hand, you need to be able to coordinate and use their potential to increase the EU's impact," says Ojanen.
The ENGAGE project (Envisioning a New Governance Architecture for a Global Europe) has received EU Horizon 2020 funding for the period 2021-2024 and is coordinated by Esade Business & Law School from Spain. Participants from Tampere University include Research Director Hanna Ojanen and researchers Arto Väisänen (2022) and Henna Kakko (2023).
Recent publications include a working paper on relations of the EU and its member states with strategically important international organisations (Working Paper 28). It was prepared by Monika Sus, Anna Fonts Picas, Henna Kakko, Hanna Ojanen and Marie Vandendriessche.
