A bigger EU, but for whom? IDM event in Podgorica
The Institute for the Danube Region and Central Europe (IDM), together with the Centre for Civic Education (CCE) and the Centre for Monitoring and Research (CeMI), held a CitizEn side event in Podgorica. The discussion examined the societal preconditions for a successful enlargement policy, with particular attention to public perceptions in both EU Member States and candidate countries.
Around 40 representatives of public institutions, diplomatic missions, academia, civil society and the media took part in the discussion. The event formed part of the project Citizens for EU Enlargement: Building Societal Readiness for an Enlarged European Union (CitizEn), led by IDM and bringing together partners from EU Member States and candidate countries.
The panel was moderated by Zvezdana Kovač, Strategy and Outreach Director at CCE, and featured Luka Pavićević, Project Coordinator at CeMI, Sophia Beiter, Research Associate at IDM, and Sebastian Schäffer, Director of IDM.
The exchange addressed a central challenge for the future of enlargement: formal progress in accession negotiations must be matched by public understanding and political support. Participants discussed how citizens’ expectations and concerns – including questions related to economic opportunities, migration, security, public services and the EU’s institutional capacity – can be addressed through more open and inclusive communication.
In his contribution, Sebastian Schäffer argued that enlargement should be understood as a political project that strengthens the EU’s security, stability and transformative capacity, rather than as a narrow calculation of economic costs and benefits. He also pointed to the discrepancy between strong support for the European perspective in candidate countries and more hesitant attitudes towards further enlargement in parts of the EU. While support for EU membership in Montenegro stands at around 80%, support for enlargement is considerably lower in countries such as Austria and Germany.
Sophia Beiter presented the CitizEn project approach and research findings from her Charlemagne Prize Fellowship on a citizen-centred model of EU enlargement. Her presentation highlighted the need for a better-informed public debate, more opportunities for contact and exchange between citizens of Member States and candidate countries, and stronger democratic participation in the enlargement process.
Luka Pavićević underlined that citizens in Montenegro need clearer information about the practical implications of EU membership, while views in EU Member States, especially where scepticism is more pronounced, also require closer attention. Understanding the reasons behind scepticism, rather than merely seeking to counter it, is essential for building durable support for enlargement.
The debate also considered the outcome of the recent referendum in Iceland and its relevance for public communication on European integration.
A press release in Montenegrin is available here: https://cgo-cce.org/2026/09/03/odrzivo-prosirenje-eu-zahtijeva-podrsku-i-razumijevanje-gradjana/ and in English here: https://cgo-cce.org/en/2026/09/03/sustainable-eu-enlargement-requires-citizens-support-and-understanding/
It was shared by all major outlets in Montenegro as well as a few local ones:
Vijesti: https://www.vijesti.me/vijesti/politika/824945/cgo-cemi-i-idm-odrzivo-prosirenje-eu-zahtijeva-podrsku-i-razumijevanje-gradjana and in English as well: https://en.vijesti.me/news-b/politika/824945/cgo-cemi-i-idm-sustainable-eu-enlargement-requires-the-support-and-understanding-of-citizens
Radio Titograd: https://radiotitograd.me/titogradske-vijesti/cgo-cemi-i-idm-odrzivo-prosirenje-eu-zahtijeva-podrsku-i-razumijevanje-gradjana/
ETV: https://etv.me/drustvo/odrzivo-prosirenje-eu-zahtijeva-podrsku-i-razumijevanje-gradana/
Mina News Agency: https://mina.news/article/odr%C5%BEivo-pro%C5%A1irenje-eu-zahtijeva-podr%C5%A1ku-i-razumijevanje-gra%C4%91ana/
Pobjeda: https://www.pobjeda.me/clanak/cgo-odrzivo-prosirenje-eu-zahtijeva-podrsku-i-razumijevanje-gradana
