Europe and Mobilities. PL Presidency Conference.

“To Open or to Lock Down? We Need to Talk About the EU’s Neighbourhood and Enlargement Policy!”

Essay Guidelines:

As part of the project “Europe and Mobilities: Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Transformations,” we invite students to participate in a contest for an essay or short film focused on the external policies of the European Union. The aim of the essay (max. 4,000 words) is to explore the EU’s neighbourhood and enlargement policy in the context of Russia’s armed aggression against Ukraine and its far-reaching consequences.

War, the strengthening of populist parties, the reorientation of U.S. foreign policy, demographic trends, and technological changes present new challenges and risks—but also opportunities. Shifting circumstances beyond easy control often lead to the temptation of closure and social self-isolation. While such measures may be intended to allow time for adaptation, they can also deepen crises and lead to stagnation. Russia’s aggression has demonstrated how strongly developments in the EU's immediate neighbourhood impact the Union itself. Submitted essays should critically discuss the rationale, benefits, costs, and risks of the EU’s enlargement process—or the lack thereof— supported by arguments and relevant data. Submissions should also present a vision for the future of the European Union: its identity, security, foundations for development, and relations with neighbouring regions, especially Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.

Suggested topics include:

• The impact of EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy on Europe’s security

• EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy and the rise of populist parties in EU member states

• EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy and the rise of populist parties in EU candidate countries

• EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy: a burden or an asset for building Euro-Atlantic partnership

• Alternatives to the EU’s enlargement and neighbourhood policy in shaping the regional order in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans

• EU enlargement and neighbourhood policy in the context of demographic changes in Europe

Short Film Guidelines:

Imagine a full-length film has been created to counter disinformation about the EU’s neighbourhood and enlargement policy. Contest participants are to produce a trailer (up to 3 minutes) promoting this fictional film. The trailer should be targeted at a broader audience and should clearly identify and contextualize the types of information most commonly subject to manipulation—in a compelling and accessible form.

Eligibility:

The contest is open to students of all higher education institutions enrolled in BA, MA, or PhD programs.

Language: Submissions may be in Polish or English.

Submission Email: Send your work to: cess@uw.edu.pl

Deadline: September 1, 2025

Announcement of Results: October 5, 2025

Prizes:

Essay Category:

• 1st prize – 1000 PLN

• 2nd prize – 700 PLN

• 3rd prize – 400 PLN

Film Category:

• 1st prize – 700 PLN

• 2nd prize – 500 PLN

• 3rd prize – 300 PLN

Winning films will be published, and the best essay will be officially published.

Important: Entries generated using artificial intelligence will be disqualified.

For further information, please contact: marta.jaroszewicz@uw.edu.pl