Think Tank

The EU's Horizon Europe framework programme promotes European innovation. The current Horizon Europe programme uses 'Widening' measures to target Member States, support their capacity to innovate, close gaps between EU countries and move towards performance convergence. This study provides a framework and associated indicator options for establishing a systemic 'Widening 2.0' methodology which could prove instrumental in discussing post-Horizon Europe 'widening' support measures. It is based on assessment ...

The US military intervention in Venezuela, and the capture and extradition of Nicolás Maduro and his wife in January 2026, meant a window of opportunity had opened for the democratic transition of the South American country. However, almost half a year after that intervention, the domestic political, economic and social situation under acting President Delcy Rodríguez remains critical. Moreover, Rodríguez did not commit to a clear roadmap for free and fair elections, and the Amnesty Law has not resulted ...

Over a thousand women are killed in the EU each year in circumstances that often point to a gender-related motive, and the perpetrators are most commonly intimate partners or family members. Data collected by a number of EU Member States on female homicides show no consistent downward trend, despite a range of measures aimed at combating gender-based violence. Widely publicised cases of femicide have highlighted systemic failures in prevention and victim protection, and have driven legislative reforms ...

The Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF), established in 2021 as a response to the COVID-19 crisis under the temporary Next Generation EU recovery instrument, is entering its critical final phase. With over €405 billion already disbursed to Member States – out of the €577 billion available in grants and loans – the priority now is to ensure that all the outstanding milestones and targets (implementing steps) linked to investment and reform measures featured in the Member States' national recovery ...

Since the entry into force of the Lisbon Treaty in 2009, the European Union has been under a clear legal obligation to accede to the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). More than a decade later, that obligation remains unfulfilled. Consequently, while individuals may bring applications before the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) against EU Member States, when an EU Member State violates their human rights, they cannot bring applications directly against the EU itself. The EU's accession ...