How can the European Union better support multilateral cooperation in a world marked by geopolitical rivalry? This question brought together researchers from the Horizon Europe projects NAVIGATOR and ENSURED for a two-day academic workshop in Brussels on 18-19 November.

Hosted at the Maastricht University Brussels Hub, the event convened 19 scholars to collaboratively refine 14 academic papers examining the EU’s role in global governance. The initiative aims to culminate in a joint publication. The workshop was chaired by Hylke Dijkstra and Clara Weinhardt (Maastricht University) alongside NAVIGATOR’s PI, John Karlsrud (Norwegian Institute of International Affairs). Paper authors represented partner institutions in Europe and beyond, showcasing the strong collaborative ties underpinning both projects.

Discussions flagged several dilemmas for EU policymaking. Should the Union continue pursuing broad support for multilateralism or adopt a narrower, more strategically focused approach? And how should it balance engagement with established international organisations versus emerging, flexible institutional formats that increasingly shape cooperation?

Further information about the special issue and its publication will follow in due course!