Funding practices, variegated conceptions of funding categories, and implications on democracy support research

The European Union (EU) has been a central actor in promoting democracy in its Eastern Neighbourhood (EN) for more than two decades, yet recent geopolitical shifts—most notably Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine—have fundamentally reshaped the landscape in which these efforts unfold. This working paper examines EU democracy funding practices in the EN, compares them with those of other bilateral and multilateral donors, and reflects on how differing conceptions of democracy shape donor engagement. It also considers the relevance of the EU’s emerging focus on “democratic resilience” and “geopolitical actorness” for the future of its democracy support, as well as that, exercised by its member states and other bilateral and multilateral donors, engaged in promoting democracy in the EN region.