European Union

The European Union, founded in 1957, is a union of 27 member states that has significantly evolved since the end of the East-West conflict in 1990. It plays a significant role in global politics and the economy. The Heinrich Böll Foundation is deeply committed to the future of the European project and the role of the European Union in the world. You can find more about the work of our EU & North America department and our country offices on this page.

Here you will find current articles, publications, and thematic focuses on the European Union.

Recent Articles on the European Union

Executive board of the Heinrich Böll Foundation Jan Philipp Albrecht and Imme Scholz on a green background with the words “Get Involved - Presidents' Column”

A Shared Green Future: Why the EU and China Need Each Other in the Energy Transition

Analysis

Diversification strategies in green technology must be technology-specific rather than uniformly applied. Balancing openness with resilience will allow the EU to mitigate supply risks while leveraging China’s scale and innovation capacity.

Belinda Schäpe

Aerial view of a curved building under construction with solar panels and a grid-like roof structure.

China and the EU: Partnering and Competing in the Global Net Zero Transition

Analysis

To strenghten their joint leadership in global decarbonization, the EU and China should counter growing fragmentation by aligning clean tech supply chains, harmonizing standards, and advancing triangular cooperation with the Global South.

Prof. Yu Hongyuan

All Articles on the European Union

Thematic Focuses on the European Union

Selbstverständlich Europäisch - Blaue Ballons mit EU Sternchen

Actually European: Long-term study on Germany's role in the EU

Mehrere Icons sind in einem Kreis angeordnet, um der EU Flagge ähnlich zu sehen

European Union: How Can Reform and Enlargement Succeed?

Boell.Thema 1/2024: Europe – a Promise

All Thematic Focuses on the European Union

Publications on the European Union

itelseite einer Publikation mit Logos von Carnegie Europe und Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung, Titel auf Englisch: Rules or Deals? The EU’s Challenge in Regulating Corrosive Capital in the Western Balkans

Rules or Deals? The EU’s Challenge in Regulating Corrosive Capital in the Western Balkans

Policy Paper

The United Arab Emirates has become a major investor in the Western Balkans. With enlargement back on the agenda, the EU must ensure that foreign capital meets rather than undermines its governance standards.

Iliriana Gjoni, Iva Čukić, Alba Cela, Aleksandër Trajçe

Green Priorities for a Better EU Budget

Policy Paper

The European Commission’s proposal for the 2028–2034 MFF opens a chance to raise ambition on climate, social, economic and security goals. This framing paper outlines key budget needs, priority areas and governance reforms.

Georg McCutcheon, Anton Möller, Taube Van Melkebeke

The Missing Middle

Policy Paper

The next MFF proposes centralised National and Regional Partnership Plans, shifting power to national governments and the European Commission. While promising coherence, this risks weaker regional involvement and oversight.

Tsvetelina Kuzmanova

All Publications on the European Union

European Union

Recent Articles on the European Union

A New Free Trade for a New Era

Montenegro’s Choice Between Multiplying Deals or Setting Regional Standards

From Brussels to Belém: Can the EU Demand Ambition While Retreating at Home?

A Shared Green Future: Why the EU and China Need Each Other in the Energy Transition

China and the EU: Partnering and Competing in the Global Net Zero Transition

Thematic Focuses on the European Union

Actually European: Long-term study on Germany's role in the EU

European Union: How Can Reform and Enlargement Succeed?

Boell.Thema 1/2024: Europe – a Promise

Publications on the European Union

Rules or Deals? The EU’s Challenge in Regulating Corrosive Capital in the Western Balkans

Green Priorities for a Better EU Budget

The Missing Middle

Successfully added to cart!