Experts Converge in Brussels to Enhance EU Stabilization Strategies

16 February 2023 - Brussels, Belgium

This February we join a policy meeting titled "Enhancing EU Stabilisation Practice" held at the EU Hotel in Brussels. Organized by the European Peacebuilding Liaison Office (EPLO), this event was a part of The Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) project. Among the notable attendees was Omar Abdulaziz Hallaj, a partner at LUGARIT, who participated in this crucial discussion.

The event saw the convergence of 40 participants, including 23 civil society experts from various global regions, alongside 10 officials from the European External Action Service (EEAS) and the European Commission (EC). The meeting's format was a facilitated round-table discussion, adhering to the Chatham House Rule, fostering an environment conducive to open and candid dialogues.

The background for this meeting was set against a landscape of evolving challenges in international stabilization efforts. Recent years have highlighted the need for a critical reassessment of the EU's approach to stabilization, particularly in addressing the gap between immediate crisis response and long-term recovery to prevent recurring violence. This reassessment coincides with significant EU developments like the NDICI-GE, the European Peace Facility (EPF), Team Europe Initiatives, and the adoption of the Strategic Compass.

The EU's definition of stabilization focuses on swift actions that support political processes, aid locally legitimate actors in reducing violence, and address the drivers and consequences of crises. This approach is informed by both national and sub-national contexts and aims to adapt to local socio-political-administrative practices.

The objective of the meeting was to strengthen EU stabilization practice, drawing on lessons learned and best practices from civil society experts. Discussions centered on transitioning from political and humanitarian crises to development agendas, transforming conflict, and enabling robust peace processes.

Key recommendations emerged from the meeting:

The EU's goals in 'stabilization' activities should be clear, transparent, and aligned with Member States' objectives.
Continuous partnership, engagement, and communication with diverse civil society actors are essential, ensuring that these engagements do not put the actors at risk.
Regular conflict analysis, sensitive to gender, discrimination, and climate issues, is vital for effective implementation.
EU stabilization practice should promote adaptiveness, learning, and accountability.
A human-centered approach, as opposed to a state-centered one, is crucial for ensuring human security in EU stabilization practice.
Understanding the 'legitimacy' of actors in complex conflict contexts is necessary.
EU funding in stabilization contexts should be conflict-sensitive and adhere to the "do no harm" principle.

This meeting marked a step in the EU's efforts to refine its stabilization strategies, with a clear focus on inclusive, adaptable, and responsive practices that address the complexities of modern conflict environments.

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