Tbilisi, Georgia – 27 June 2025 – The second day of the REUNIR Midterm Conference in Tbilisi brought together researchers and policy experts for an intensive foresight workshop led by colleagues from GPPi (German Public Policy Institute) dedicated to anticipating future challenges and opportunities for EU foreign and security policy, enlargement, and the eastern neighbourhood.
Participants worked collaboratively to test assumptions, refine scenarios, and explore strategic options to support the EU’s capacity to respond effectively in an era of multipolar competition and regional instability.
The morning opened with a recap and revisiting of projections from previous foresight work, encouraging critical reflection on evolving geopolitical dynamics, internal EU debates, and the implications of possible turning points such as renewed transatlantic uncertainty.
During the session on developing and selecting scenario Frameworks, participants identified key drivers of change and crafted structured approaches to model divergent futures for the EU’s foreign and security policy. Discussions highlighted the need for adaptable strategies that balance enlargement commitments, defence cooperation, and partnerships with neighbourhood countries.
After a brief coffee break, the workshop continued with Images of the Future, where groups developed narrative snapshots of plausible geopolitical contexts facing the EU in the coming decade. This exercise highlighted the importance of preparing for both cooperative and competitive scenarios in Europe’s immediate neighbourhood.
The afternoon sessions included Histories of the Future, inviting participants to “backcast” from possible future outcomes to identify policy steps the EU would need to take today. This method encouraged practical, realistic thinking about sequencing reforms, building alliances, and managing internal tensions within the Union.
The event closed with a wrap-up discussion, summarising insights gained and identifying priorities for the next phase of the REUNIR project. Participants emphasised the value of collaborative foresight in strengthening EU policy resilience and ensuring that enlargement and neighbourhood strategies remain credible and effective under conditions of systemic crisis.
Funded under the European Commission’s Horizon Europe programme (Project ID No. 101132446), REUNIR continues to advance collaborative research and strategic dialogue to future-proof EU security, enlargement, and neighbourhood policies.
Photo©️ Zaza Nikolozishvili
