The REDEMOS project has made significant strides in analysing democracy support across the EU’s eastern neighbourhood through research, publications, conferences, and expert discussions. Its work informs and engages key audiences, strengthening EU democracy initiatives. The project has released numerous publications and a blog series that provide timely analyses of democratic developments, contributing to informed decision-making.
In-depth analysis: REDEMOS working papers, policy papers, and ideas papers
REDEMOS has also produced a series of working, policy, and ideas papers that examine domestic political developments and EU democracy support strategies in the eastern neighbourhood. The working papers assess, inter alia, EU member states’ democracy support action, the interplay of security and stability and EU democracy support, how to conceptualise EU democracy funding, the state of democratic development in Eastern Europe, how to diagnose political regimes and their development, and the role of Russia and China in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. The three policy papers published so far offer a comprehensive overview and analysis of data on democracy funding by the EU, EU member states and other international donors, as well as critical inquiries into the role played by Russia and China in the domestic affairs of EU eastern neighbours. REDEMOS has also published two ideas papers which discuss Putin’s misinterpretations of Russia’s leverage over Eastern Europe, and the problematic outcome of the recent parliamentary elections in Georgia. These resources equip policymakers, civil society, and researchers with findings about key developments and trends, shaping evidence-based policies.
Engaging stakeholders through public conferences
In 2024 and 2025, REDEMOS hosted a series of Public Stakeholders Conferences, bringing together policymakers, academics, and civil society representatives to discuss democratic developments in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood and the support provided by the EU and its Member States. Held in Tallinn, Tbilisi, Chişinău, Yerevan, and Dresden, the conferences explored a range of timely and critical topics. These included the impact of great power competition on democracy in the region, the challenges and opportunities ahead of Georgia’s parliamentary elections, EU democracy support amid ongoing conflicts, reflections on past EU support and its future role in the South Caucasus, and the German perspective on EU democracy assistance in the eastern neighbourhood. Notable speakers included, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya (President-elect of Belarus), Dorin Recean (Prime Minister of Moldova), Paruyr Hovhannisyan (Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia), Sergi Kapanadze (Former Deputy Foreign Minister of Georgia), Dr. Anna Lührmann (Minister of State for Europe at the Federal Foreign Office of Germany), Luc Adrian Balutel (Chief of Staff of the President of Moldova), Dirk Schuebel (Head of Division Russia at the European External Action Service (EEAS) and Pierre Devigne (Deputy Managing Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia at the EEAS). These events featured expert interviews on democracy support and stability, electoral integrity, judicial reforms, and the effectiveness of EU and international support, available on the REDEMOS YouTube channel and website.
Webinars addressing timely and topical issues
REDEMOS has also organised webinars addressing crucial democracy-related issues in the EU’s eastern neighbourhood. Topics covered include democracy and resistance to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Moldova’s democratic progress amid Russian threats, Georgia’s parliamentary elections, Azerbaijan’s shift from authoritarian to dictatorial rule and Belarus’s continued authoritarianism following another sham election and signals to reengage with the West. Recordings of these discussions are also available online.
Future plans
Looking ahead, REDEMOS remains committed to assessing democracy-building efforts, identifying success factors, and analysing the role of global actors in fostering democratisation or entrenching authoritarianism. A key initiative is the development of a comprehensive Policy Toolkit to enhance the effectiveness and sustainability of EU democracy support. In the coming months, REDEMOS will continue producing high-quality research and engaging stakeholders through additional conferences in St. Gallen, and Brussels, reinforcing its role in strengthening democratic resilience across the region.
