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‘Enlargement-ready’ Multi Annual Financial Framework 2028-2034 Data-Driven Advocacy Strategy for an ‘Enlargement-by-design’ MFF with integrated WB membership perspective

Implementation period: November 2024 – November 2025

This project represents a foundational advocacy effort aimed at shaping EU decision-making on the Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) 2028-2034. Conceived as a catalyst initiative, the project seeks to generate new, evidence-based ideas and compelling policy arguments that place the Western Balkans’ EU membership perspective clearly and visibly at the centre of the next EU long-term budget.

The project’s overarching objective is to embed EU enlargement as a strategic political and budgetary priority within the MFF 2028–2034, ensuring that financial commitments match the EU’s geopolitical and policy ambitions in the Western Balkans.

Advocacy Focus & Results

The project developed a new set of evidence-based ideas and compelling policy arguments, which formed the backbone of an ambitious and inclusive advocacy campaign. This campaign successfully paved the way to integrate and embed the Western Balkans’ EU membership perspective in a clear and visible manner within the debate on the EU Multiannual Financial Framework 2028–2034.

Through data-driven analysis and a targeted EU-level advocacy campaign, the project engaged key EU institutions and mobilized a coalition of 46 civil society organizations from the Western Balkans, including also Ukraine and Moldova. The advocacy efforts culminated in a joint letter delivered to EU institutions (read here), initiated by Europe Plus (E+), calling for:

  • Increased and predictable pre-accession funding for the WB6, embedded directly in the MFF 2028-2034 and comparable in scale and structure to funding available to EU Member States.
  • The creation of a dedicated budget envelope for Enlargement.
  • The reinforcement of political momentum by keeping enlargement visible as a core EU priority.

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Majlinda Bregu, (E+) Strategic advisor, delivers an address at the Congress of Humanities, Social Sciences, and Arts organized by the University of Tetovo. 

46 Civil Society Organisations Call on the EU to Embed Enlargement in the Next

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Dr. Xhon Skënderi is a legal expert specialising in EU integration, rule of law and cross-border legal frameworks, with over a decade of experience in legal reform and EU acquis alignment. He holds a Doctor of Laws (Dr. iur.) from the University of Passau, Germany, with a focus on European Private International Law, comparative law and European legal systems. He has extensive experience advising public institutions and international organisations on the approximation, implementation and enforcement of EU legislation, including legislative drafting, compliance assessments and institutional coordination. His work spans EU-funded and regional assignments across the Western Balkans, with a particular focus on judicial cooperation in civil and commercial matters, regulatory alignment and evidence-based policy development. Dr. Skënderi is the author of numerous academic publications and policy studies in the fields of European law, cross-border dispute resolution and legal harmonisation, contributing to both scholarly debate and policy practice. Alongside his advisory work, he is an attorney and lecturer, combining academic excellence with practical legal expertise across civil and commercial law.
Ms. Donika Kamberi is a scholar of international law and global politics and currently serves as the Director of the Center for Peace and Transcultural Communication at the University of Tetova. She holds a Master’s degree in Global Politics and International Relations from the University of Macerata, Italy, and is pursuing a PhD in International Law at the South East European University. Her research focuses on peacebuilding, intercultural dialogue, international security, and the Western Balkans, with a strong emphasis on the EU’s role in regional stability and recent studies concerning the Russia–Ukraine war and the protection of civilians under international humanitarian law. Donika has published widely in international journals, participated in global conferences, and represents North Macedonia in international youth and leadership programs. She remains committed to advancing democratic values, conflict resolution, and meaningful cross-cultural cooperation. As Director of the Center since 2021, she has led initiatives promoting peace, dialogue, and cross-cultural understanding through research, conferences, and international cooperation. Kamberi has published widely in journals such as FREEDOM and JUSTICIA, contributed to translation projects, and participated in numerous international conferences and leadership programs, including the ACYPL Exchange Program sponsored by the U.S. Embassy. Her experience with NGOs and multicultural environments has strengthened her commitment to human rights and youth engagement, and she is recognized for her active involvement in academic, civic, and intercultural initiatives.
Dr. Enkeleida Tahiraj is an academic and consultant. She has taught Social Policy, Politics and Sociology at the University of Tirana; University of York; LSE, and UCL where she also directed a research program, was World Visiting Scholar at University of California San Diego and at Penn State University, USA, and Chevening Scholar at Sussex University, UK. She has presented at numerous academic conferences at Oxford, Harvard, UCL, LSE, Urbino-Italy, Petersburg State University-Russia, L-Università ta-Malta, and at policy impact events at FCO, ETF and Wilton Park.  Dr Tahiraj has advised international organizations including the European Commission, EUROFOUND, the UNDP, UNICEF, UN Women and the World Bank, the EU Mutual Information System on Social Protection (MISSOC), evaluated scientific programs for the Portuguese Foundation of Science and Technology, was special Adviser to IDS on WB Growth and Poverty Reduction as well as for national governments reforms. Dr Tahiraj's fields of research are EU Accession and Policy Transfer, Social Inclusion and Democratic Consolidation, Human Rights, Social protection rights-based policies Children, Gender & Family Policies, Social Security, Labour Markets and Employment, CSOs, Universal Basic Income and Policy Innovations.
Dr. Majlinda Bregu, is a policy leader, academic, and former politician with over two decades of experience in European integration, regional cooperation, and governance reform across South-East Europe. She currently serves as a Commissioner of the Pan- European Commission on Climate and Health (WHO).  From 2019 to 2024, Ms. Bregu served as Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council, where she led flagship regional initiatives such as the Common Regional Market, the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, and the SEE2030 Strategy – strengthening the region’s alignment with EU standards and advancing cooperation under the Berlin Process. Previously, she served as Minister of European Integration and Government Spokeswoman of Albania (2007–2013), and as a Member of the Albanian Parliament (2005–2017), where she chaired both the European Integration Committee and the National Council for European Integration. A sociologist by training, Ms. Bregu has lectured widely at international universities and authored numerous publications on EU integration, governance, gender equality, and social development. Her leadership and commitment to regional cooperation and European integration have been recognized with several distinctions, including the Prespa Dialogue Award (2023) and the European Western Balkans Award (2021).