Jean Monnet Chair

Project title: Building capacities for inclusiveness and ownership in the EU accession process (OwnEU)

The aim of this project is to increase the knowledge and capacities of Albanian academia and other stakeholders necessary for effectively supporting the EU accession process of Albania. Albania is about to embark upon the long and transformative journey of accession negotiations, which will require major efforts and inputs from all actors and stakeholders of Albanian society, not just government institutions. Although this process is perceived as built as a top- down exercise at national level, managed by central institutions, implications and impact is considerable at all levels and sectors of society. Hence, the role of academia and all groups is vital to ensuring best results in terms of benefits and positive impact for its citizens.

In this respect, the project contributes as a facilitator for building and disseminating theoretical and practical knowledge regarding the EU accession process. The overall objective is to build capacities and bridges of communication and dialogue among different groups of society (academia in primis, policy-makers and negotiating team members, civil society, interest groups, etc.), by increasing their capacities and knowledge of the process, and raising awareness on the main components of the process and some of the best practices on how to move forward together.

By redesigning and adapting Masters courses curricula and organising several thematic workshop seminars, with the participation of students, members of the negotiating team, prominent experts and researchers, and other stakeholders, the project aims at achieving a more effective involvement and an increased ownership of the process by local stakeholders. This approach will contribute in informing Albanian society on the process and the importance of the EU values, increasing the EU visibility and communication in the country. Team members of the project include: Dr. Gentian Elezi (Chair holder, Institute of European Studies), Dr. Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic (Former Chief Negotiator of Montenegro), Ms. Ruzica Gelo (Former Negotiator of Croatia), Professor Adam Lazowksi (University of Westminster and College of Europe), Dr. Dorian Jano (University of Graz), and others

Anëtarët e ekipit të projektit përfshijnë: Dr. Gentian Elezi (Koordinator, Instituti i Studimeve Evropiane), Dr. Aleksandar Andrija Pejovic (ish Kryenegociator i Malit të Zi), znj. Ruzica Gelo (ish-negociatore e Kroacisë), Profesor Adam Lazowksi (Universiteti i Westminster dhe Kolegjit të Evropës), Dr. Dorian Jano (Universiteti i Graz-it) dhe të tjerë.

For more information on the project and its activities, visit the project's website:

www.jmc-ise.al