Call for Policy Papers on Connectivity in the Eastern Neighborhood of the EU

For the colloquium, we seek the involvement of mid-career professionals from think tanks in Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries and EU member states, who are engaged in research about the EU’s eastern neighborhood. We invite submissions of concise and relevant policy papers addressing the theme of the geopolitics of connectivity in the Eastern Neighborhood of the EU.

Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the geopolitics of infrastructure, energy security, trade, logistics routes, human connectivity, digital connectivity with an emphasis on analyzing the implications of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine on the interrelationship between connectivity, security, and geopolitics. Submissions should be oriented towards actionable policy recommendations.

The policy papers should reflect on some of the following questions:

• What are key trends on connectivity in the region? 
• How is Russia's large-scale war reshaping the geopolitical environment? 
• What strategic challenges does this pose for the EU and its EaP policy?

We plan to invite up to 8 individuals to prepare short papers (approximately 4-6 pages) and participate in the colloquium in Tbilisi. Selected participants will receive mentorship from think tank experts to enhance the quality of their papers. Selected think tank participants will also receive an honorarium of 500 euros and have all expenses covered for attending the Colloquium in Tbilisi. Some of the authors will be invited to speak at the colloquium.

Application process:

1. Please submit your CV and a brief description of your paper (approximately 200 words), outlining the central question you intend to analyze, by March 31 to Josef Mayr mayr@dgap.org.
2. Selected participants will be notified by mid-April.
3. The deadline for the submission of the first draft is mid-May.
4. After the colloquium, final papers will be consolidated into a single publication, forming the foundation for a high-level event in Brussels of the Eastern Partnership Think Tank Network in mid-November.

Eligibility Criteria:

1. You are affiliated with or working at a think tank based in one of the Eastern Partnership (EaP) countries or EU countries specializing in EU Eastern Neighborhood affairs, foreign policy, EU integration, or domestic politics within one or more EaP countries.
2. You possess a minimum of three years of professional experience but do not hold a managerial position within your think tank.
3. You have received a recommendation from your think tank endorsing your participation in the colloquium.
4. While there is no specific age restriction, we primarily seek to engage think tank professionals at a mid-career stage.

The call for policy papers and the colloquium are organized within the framework of DGAP’s Think Tank Network on the Eastern Partnership, supported by the European Commission. 

For any questions, please contact Anastasia Pociumban (pociumban@dgap.org).