The European Union has been intensively examining the prevention of violence and management of conflict since the mid-1990s and set crisis prevention as an explicit goal of EU external relations through the Göteborg programme in 2001. The EU treaty forms the legal basis for EU conflict prevention. It is determined (Art.21 EUV) that EU foreign policies are targeted to “maintain peace, prevent conflicts, and strengthen international security”. The global strategy of EU foreign and security policy (2016) elucidates the integrated EU approach, which aims to tackle conflict dimensions on all levels and in all conflict phases on a multilateral basis. In accordance with Agenda 2030 and its 17 goals for sustainable development, the EU is further committed to strengthening its support for fragile and conflict-affected states as well as positioning itself as pioneer for the effectiveness of development policy and cooperation. The current financial framework 2021-2027 reinforced the EU’s capacity for action in the financing of development cooperation, humanitarian aid, and work in peace and human rights. The EU simultaneously strengthens its commitment to operative crisis management with its consistently growing Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) and expands its capacities in the civil and military sector. Nevertheless, there is no clear definition of EU crisis prevention and its goals until this day. The diverse reforms within the EU institutions also permanently change the framework conditions of peacebuilding in the field of development policy at national and local level.
Comprehending Complex Structures
Development and peace policy organisations face the challenge of following the complex EU structures and international processes, which are often perceived as intransparent, and identifying the options for action for their own work. The international debate about donor harmonization and effectiveness of humanitarian-development- and peace cooperation (HDP-Nexus) on UN and OECD level also affect the development policy peace work of governmental and civil society organisations in the EU.
Coherent EU-Policy for Peace, Development, and Security
Against this background, FriEnt provides an international exchange platform for cross-cutting departmental and policy questions: Which contribution is made by Germany for peace policy coherence in EU politics? What are the current peace policy developments within the European Union and what should they be? What are the perspectives and expectations of experts from countries, which are addressed by EU crisis prevention? How can the German and European peace commitment be regulated in international processes?
FriEnt actively accompanies and shapes relevant peace policy processes at EU level through informal consultations, events, studies, and blog posts. FriEnt therefore promotes the cross-cutting departmental and policy approach as well as the option to facilitate exchange with European, local, and international experts in science and practice.