Young Generation Policy Briefs Archives - VALEUS https://valeus.eu/category/student-policy-briefs/ Research & Education Network on Contestations to EU Foreign Policy Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:55:59 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.8.1 https://valeus.eu/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/valeus-logo-primary-version.pdf-Logo-150x150.jpg Young Generation Policy Briefs Archives - VALEUS https://valeus.eu/category/student-policy-briefs/ 32 32 Young Generation Policy Brief no.11: Bridging the Gap – A New EU Visa Path for Turkish University Students https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-11-bridging-the-gap-a-new-eu-visa-path-for-turkish-university-students/ Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:50:13 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=7596   Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this eleventh issue of the series, Enes İçen and Dilara Korkmaz discuss the New EU Visa Path for Turkish University Students.  Executive Summary: Despite the EU’s commitment to youth mobility ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this eleventh issue of the series, Enes İçen and Dilara Korkmaz discuss the New EU Visa Path for Turkish University Students. 

Executive Summary:

Despite the EU’s commitment to youth mobility and people-to-people engagement, Turkish university students continue to face substantial barriers when seeking short-term access to the Schengen area. Turkish students are processed within a broader short-stay system shaped by concerns over irregular migration, overstaying, asylum claims, and informal entry into labour markets. Documentary burdens, financial costs, uncertainty over appointments, and limited predictability in outcomes make mobility difficult to plan and weaken the EU’s mobility agenda at the point where many young people experience it most directly.

This policy brief argues that the status quo is increasingly difficult to defend, while broader exemption-based reforms remain politically and legally unrealistic under current conditions. It evaluates three policy options and recommends an Ultra-Facilitated Student Visa Pilot led by willing member states. The proposed pilot would create a limited, monitorable, and reversible visa track for students enrolled in accredited Turkish universities. By reducing documentary burdens, improving appointment access, and making visa procedures more predictable within the existing Schengen framework, this option offers the most credible route to more credibility of the EU in one of its core normative agendas.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 11:

About the authors:

ENES İÇEN

undergraduate student in Political Science and Public Administration, Istanbul Bilgi University

Enes İçen is an undergraduate student in Political Science and Public Administration at Istanbul Bilgi University in Türkiye. He has worked as a research intern at the European Institute of Istanbul Bilgi University, contributing to academic research, project-related activities, and institutional event coordination. He also supported the organisation of the ValEUs Global Summer School on Multiple Crises and Contestation of EU Values. His academic interests include EU–Türkiye relations, youth mobility, public policy analysis, securitization, critical geopolitics, and qualitative approaches to international politics. His submitted bachelor thesis focuses on geopolitical framing, securitization, and the political conditions under which military force becomes thinkable in foreign policy.

DİLARA KORKMAZ

final-semester International Relations student, Istanbul Bilgi University

Dilara Korkmaz is a final-semester International Relations student at Istanbul Bilgi University in Türkiye. She previously studied at Alice Salomon Hochschule Berlin as an Erasmus exchange student, focusing on diversity studies, migration, and social policy. She has interned at the Turkish National Commission for UNESCO and the Istanbul Bilgi University European Institute, where she gained experience in international cooperation and European affairs. Her academic interests include migration and diaspora studies, European integration, misinformation and disinformation studies, and right-wing populism in contemporary Europe. She is fluent in Turkish and English and is currently developing her German language skills.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.10: Revitalizing the EU-LAC Partnership – Towards a Strategic Trade Policy https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-10-revitalizing-the-eu-lac-partnership-towards-a-strategic-trade-policy/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:01:30 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=6584 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this tenth issue of the series, Febe Peña García analyses the evolving EU–Latin America and Caribbean partnership and outlines policy pathways to strengthen bi-regional cooperation through trade, investment, and regulatory alignment ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this tenth issue of the series, Febe Peña García analyses the evolving EU–Latin America and Caribbean partnership and outlines policy pathways to strengthen bi-regional cooperation through trade, investment, and regulatory alignment based on shared democratic values.

Executive Summary:

In a geopolitical context marked by renewed great-power competition and pressure on the multilateral system, the European Union and Latin America and the Caribbean have a strategic opportunity to revitalize their partnership on the basis of shared values and converging interests. EU-LAC trade relations are not purely economic, but are embedded in common commitments to democracy, human rights, the rule of law, environmental protection and social rights.

Recent developments signal a willingness to overcome institutional stagnation and trade fragmentation. They include the reactivation of EU-CELAC political dialogue, the Global Gateway investment agenda, the modernization of the agreements with Mexico and Chile, and a renewed momentum towards the EU-Mercosur Agreement.

To translate this momentum into a durable partnership, the bi-regional agenda should focus on three complementary policy elements:

(1) strengthening political dialogue,
(2) supporting Latin American intraregional integration,
(3) and promoting regulatory convergence.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 10:

About the author:

FEBE PEÑA GARCÍA

student of International Relations at Universidad del Norte

Febe Peña García is a distinguished, scholarship-awarded final-semester student of International Relations at Universidad del Norte. She serves as the program’s representative to CERUN and is an active member of CERI, where she contributes to the editorial committee. Her academic interests focus on human and environmental rights, international cooperation, sustainable development, peace and conflict studies, and gender and diversity issues from an intersectional perspective. Her native language is Spanish, and she has advanced proficiency in English and intermediate proficiency in German and Italian.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no.10: Revitalizing the EU-LAC Partnership – Towards a Strategic Trade Policy appeared first on VALEUS.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.9: Trump’s USAID cuts to Ukraine – Should the EU step in to fill the gap? https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-9-trumps-usaid-cuts-to-ukraine-should-the-eu-step-in-to-fill-the-gap/ Fri, 09 Jan 2026 18:11:57 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=6036 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this ninth issue, Daniel Sinani examines the consequences of the United States’ decision to dismantle USAID for Ukraine and explores whether—and how—the European Union should step in to fill the resulting ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this ninth issue, Daniel Sinani examines the consequences of the United States’ decision to dismantle USAID for Ukraine and explores whether—and how—the European Union should step in to fill the resulting funding gap.

Executive Summary:

In March 2025, the US government under Trump decided to terminate around 83% of programmes run by USAID, a cornerstone of US foreign aid for over six decades. The agency was formally dissolved in July 2025, with remaining projects transferred to the State Department. This hit Ukraine particularly hard, as it had been the largest recipient of USAID funds since 2022. The cuts have left a significant funding gap at a time when the world is facing major crises.

While the EU is providing comprehensive support to Ukraine, particularly through the Ukraine Facility, it must ensure the new measures are feasible, impactful and aligned with its values. The policy brief discusses three options:

(1) Maintaining the status quo
(2) Fully replacing the lost USAID funds
(3) Providing targeted and prioritised assistance in cooperation with international partners

The brief comes to the conclusion that the latter offers the best compromise between providing rapid assistance, political feasibility and ensuring value coherence.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 9:

About the author:

DANIEL SINANI

MA Student in European Studies, European University Viadrina

Daniel Sinani is an MA student in European Studies at the European University Viadrina, specialising in politics with a focus on EU foreign policy and Eastern Europe. He completed his undergraduate degree at the German Federal University of Applied Administrative Sciences and has gained practical experience through his professional work within Germany’s federal public administration.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no.9: Trump’s USAID cuts to Ukraine – Should the EU step in to fill the gap? appeared first on VALEUS.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.8: Ukraine’s EU accession process – EU credibility at risk https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-8-ukraines-eu-accession-process/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 14:49:05 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=5839 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this eighth issue, Matthias Vollmer analyses the political dynamics of Ukraine’s EU accession process and evaluates policy options to counter the threat that Hungary’s veto power poses to the credibility of ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this eighth issue, Matthias Vollmer analyses the political dynamics of Ukraine’s EU accession process and evaluates policy options to counter the threat that Hungary’s veto power poses to the credibility of the negotiations.

Executive Summary: The EU could lose credibility in the accession process with Ukraine, as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is threatening to repeatedly veto the opening of chapter negotiations. This means that the EU cannot guarantee that accession will take place, even if Ukraine fulfills all the reform requirements. The brief assesses three options that could solve the credibility problem:

(1) Withdrawing Hungary’s voting rights
(2) Reforming the unanimity principle
(3) Making systematic use of the chapter structure to intertwine Hungary’s cultural and economic interests with Ukraine

The brief identifies the third option as most suitable, since it would increase Viktor Orbán’s interest in Ukraine’s accession and ensure predictable progress in the negotiations for Ukraine.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 8:

About the author:

Matthias Vollmer

MA Student in European Studies, European University Viadrina

Matthias Vollmer is a master’s student in European Studies at the European University Viadrina. Having grown up bilingual, his academic interests lie in cross-border issues at the intersection of economics, politics, and law. During his bachelor’s degree in business administration at the Free University Berlin, he focused on corporate governance, social responsibility, and law. In addition to his studies, he has already gained work experience in the fields of anti-corruption, data protection, and environmental, social, and governance issues, and works as a student assistant at a law firm.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. 

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.7: Balancing Enlargement and Cohesion https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-7-balancing-enlargement-and-cohesion-partial-integration-of-ukraines-agriculture-into-the-eu/ Fri, 12 Sep 2025 16:03:53 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=5250   Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this seventh issue of the series, Léo Christophe, Domenico Morelli and Noé Collomb discuss the Balancing Enlargement and Cohesion. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here! Ukraine’s integration into the ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this seventh issue of the series, Léo Christophe, Domenico Morelli and Noé Collomb discuss the Balancing Enlargement and Cohesion. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Ukraine’s integration into the EU agricultural market raises a critical tension between solidarity with Kyiv and the need to uphold cohesion and equality between Ukrainian and European farmers. While vital for economic and geopolitical reasons, unregulated liberalisation risks distorting EU markets and fuelling political backlash. This brief sets out three proposals: (1) dynamic safeguard mechanisms and a subsidy fund to cushion competition distortions, (2) a reformed CAP with a seven-year transition, capped direct payments, and green compliance funds, and (3) a ‘Made in EU’ label to protect farmers and guide consumers.

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 7:

About the author:

NOÉ COLLOMB

DOMENICO MORELLI

Domenico Morelli is a master’s student in International Relations at Sapienza University of Rome, specializing in supranational institutions. Academic interests focus on food security, environmental sustainability, and their connection to global governance. The research path builds on a solid background in Political Science and International Relations, with particular attention to the role of international organizations in addressing transnational challenges such as climate change, sustainable resource management, and equal access to food.

Léo Christophe

Léo Christophe is pursuing a Franco-German double master´s degree in European Studies at the European University Viadrina and Sciences Po Strasbourg. He previously earned a Franco-German double bachelor of Political Sciences at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg and the IEP of Fontainebleau. He is fluent in English and German and a native French speaker. He has interned with the French Senate and National Assembly for members of Parliament and worked as a parliamentary assistant in the State Parliament of Brandenburg. Additionally, he has served as a student representative at various universities he attended and is a young ambassador for the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW), where he is responsible for trilateral programmes. His main interests include Franco-German friendship, European cohesion and European integration (B.A. thesis on EU-Armenia interdependencies, which received the highest grade).

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.6: Amazon Deforestation Crisis – Fighting for Climate Action and Sustainability https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-6-amazon-deforestation-crisis-fighting-for-climate-action-and-sustainability/ Thu, 07 Aug 2025 05:06:08 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=5132 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this sixth issue of the series, María Gabriela Barraza and Nicole Quijano discuss the Amazon Deforestation Crisis. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here! The Amazon rainforest is a vital global ecosystem that is currently dealing with ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this sixth issue of the series, María Gabriela Barraza and Nicole Quijano discuss the Amazon Deforestation CrisisExplore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

The Amazon rainforest is a vital global ecosystem that is currently dealing with serious threats as a consequence of various activities including deforestation, illegal mining, and unsustainable agriculture. This crisis puts biodiversity, indigenous communities, and climate stability at a crossroad, running counter to certain values propagated by the European Union (EU), in particular human dignity and the rule of law. Although the EU implements regulations to curb deforestation, its consumption patterns also contribute to the crisis. A focus on international cooperation, sustainable trade policies, and local initiatives is essential to address the crisis, balance development with environmental preservation and ensure the Amazon’s survival.

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 6:

About the authors:

María Gabriela Barraza

Sixth-semester International Relations student at Universidad del Norte. Currently serving as Head of Logistics for the student group FEMINUN, former Head of Infographics at CERI, and current Career Representative at Universidad del Norte. Twice selected as a Leadership Ambassador at the university.

Nicole Quijano Quesada

Sixth-semester International Relations student at Universidad del Norte. Winner of the Roble Amarillo Scholarship. Current member of the executive board of the student group CERI. Active member of student groups FEMINUN and Comité Jurídico at Universidad del Norte.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no.5: Discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people in the EU https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-5-discrimination-against-gypsy-roma-and-traveller-grt-people-in-the-eu/ Fri, 27 Jun 2025 07:37:41 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=4864 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this fifth issue of the series, Verena Post, Miriam Wilke and Madita Hardegen discuss discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the EU. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here! Despite the ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this fifth issue of the series, Verena Post, Miriam Wilke and Madita Hardegen discuss discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people in the EU.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Despite the EU’s formal commitment to equality, Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) communities across Europe continue to face systematic antigypsyism and exclusion in key areas such as education, employment and healthcare. Many current initiatives remain symbolic and have limited impact due to weak enforcement and accountability. This policy brief assesses four strategic approaches to promoting inclusion against the criteria of relevance, effectiveness, coherence and EU added value. The findings suggest that only a comprehensive, long-term strategy combining structural reforms, participatory governance and robust monitoring can bridge the gap between EU values and the reality of the lives of GRT people.

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 5:

About the authors:

Verena Post

master’s student in European Studies

Verena Post is a master’s student in European Studies at the Europa-Universität Viadrina. She previously completed a bachelor’s degree in music business and then worked for several years in project management at a cultural institution and as a freelancer in the music scene. She is deeply committed to social justice, advocating for an inclusive and equitable society while focusing on the structural challenges faced by marginalized groups.

Miriam Wilke

master’s student in European Studies

Miriam Wilke is pursuing a Double-Master’s degree in European Studies at the European University Viadrina and Sciences Po Strasbourg, specializing in political science. She holds a double bachelor’s degree in French culture, language and literature, and political science. In addition to her studies, she works freelance in the social sector, where she is involved in association-based projects on social inclusion and minority rights. Miriam’s research interests lie at the intersection of EU policymaking and civic engagement. Her interdisciplinary background in cultural studies, social policy, and political science enables her to combine theoretical analyses with practical insights into structural inequalities and the empowerment of marginalized communities in the EU context.

MADITA HARDEGEN

master’s student in European Studies

Madita Hardegen is a master’s student in European Studies at Europa-Universität Viadrina. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Human Geography and Urban Planning. She has experience working on education and empowerment projects focused on combating anti-Black racism, as well as in community work, project administration, and refugee support initiatives in Germany. Additionally, she has been involved in humanitarian aid efforts in Greece. Her research interests are EU-ECOWAS international relations and EU securitization policies regarding Islamic terrorism in Western Africa within a postcolonial framework.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no.5: Discrimination against Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) people in the EU appeared first on VALEUS.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no. 4: Enforcement of the Rule of Law in Serbia – A Policy Proposal https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-4-enforcement-of-the-rule-of-law-in-serbia-a-policy-proposal/ Mon, 09 Jun 2025 09:02:58 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=4739 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series!  This fourth issue of the series addresses the persistent gap between Serbia’s formal commitments to the rule of law and its political practices, which undermine domestic democratic development and the credibility of the ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series

This fourth issue of the series addresses the persistent gap between Serbia’s formal commitments to the rule of law and its political practices, which undermine domestic democratic development and the credibility of the EU enlargement process. Drawing on the Copenhagen Criteria and liberal democratic theory, we evaluate three policy options: a transactional funding mechanism, a legally binding EU-Serbia rule of law agreement, and the suspension of accession negotiations. The policy brief recommends a dual-track approach that combines positive conditionality with civil society empowerment. This strategy presents a feasible, sustainable, and politically balanced solution to strengthen the rule of law and reinforce the EU’s transformative role in the Western Balkans.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here! 

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 4:

About the authors:

Léo Christophe

Léo Christophe is pursuing a Franco-German double Master´s degree in European Studies at the European University Viadrina and Sciences Po Strasbourg. He previously earned a Franco-German Double Bachelor of Political Sciences at the Leuphana University of Lüneburg and the IEP of Fontainebleau. He is fluent in English and German and a native French speaker. He has interned with the French Senate and National Assembly for members of Parliament and is currently working as a parliamentary assistant in the State Parliament of Brandenburg. Additionally, he has served as a student representative at various universities he attended for many years, is the vice president of the student parliament at European University Viadrina and is a young ambassador for the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ/DFJW), where he is responsible for trilateral programmes. His main interests include Franco-German friendship and European integration, particularly in the South Caucasus (B.A. thesis on EU-Armenia interdependencies, which received the highest grade), as well as public services.

Sonia Kougioni

Sonia Kougioni holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in European Studies at the European University Viadrina in a bilingual programme (German/English). Professionally, she worked for over two years as an EU Project Assistant at the Hellenic Hoteliers Federation, where she contributed to EU programmes such as INTERREG and the European Partnership Agreement. She is fluent in English, German, and Serbian, and is a native speaker of Greek. Her academic and linguistic strengths were enhanced by a six-month internship at Transparency International Germany in Berlin, where she supported press monitoring and executive operations related to anti-corruption efforts. Her main areas of academic interest include the rule of law, corruption, the Balkans, and right-wing extremism and radical ideologies

Marija Momiroska

Marija Momiroska, born in Skopje, holds a bachelor’s degree in Law and Politics from the European University Viadrina and is currently pursuing a master's degree in European Studies, focusing on Politics. She has worked for almost a year as a student assistant at the European Studies Coordination Bureau, where she contributes to the creation of the newsletter, conducts interviews with professors, and engages with students on various topics related to the programme. In addition to preparing lessons and conducting research, she actively contributes to the development of communication and academic resources within the department. Marija also completed an internship at the Center for Research and Policy Making, where she worked on a research project focusing on gender equality in Serbia. Her main academic interests include migration, the Western Balkans, the Macedonian question, and EU enlargement politics.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no. 4: Enforcement of the Rule of Law in Serbia – A Policy Proposal appeared first on VALEUS.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no. 3: EU-Tunesia Migration Deal- A Threat to Core European Values https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-3-eu-tunesia-migration-deal/ Wed, 07 May 2025 12:14:21 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=4514 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this third issue, Paul-Hendrik Himmel, Charlotte Hölscher and Alan Khal state the EU-Tunisia migration agreement to expose contradiction between the EU’s migration policy and its core values of human rights and ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this third issue, Paul-Hendrik Himmel, Charlotte Hölscher and Alan Khal state the EU-Tunisia migration agreement to expose contradiction between the EU’s migration policy and its core values of human rights and the rule of law. While aiming to curb irregular migration, the authors argue, EU cooperation enables human rights violations and supports a repressive security apparatus. This policy brief evaluates three options: EU withdrawal, which would weaken its credibility, a comprehensive migration policy reform, currently unfeasible, and a targeted revision of the agreement. The latter is the most viable, requiring strict human rights conditions, independent monitoring, and safe migration routes to align EU policy with its values and political interests.

Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 3:

About the authors:

Paul-Hendrick Himmel

Paul-Hendrik Himmel recently obtained a bachelor’s degree in the Viadrina’s “Law and Policy” programme. His interest in migration policy led him to the topic of his thesis, which dealt with the principle of non-refoulement in European law. In Frankfurt (Oder), Paul-Hendrik lives in an international, self-governed community.

Charlotte Hölscher

Charlotte Hölscher is an international master's student at the University of Padova on the Management of Sustainable Firms programme. As part of her studies, she completed an Erasmus semester at the European University Viadrina, where she dealt intensively with international economic and social issues. Having grown up in an international environment and been influenced by numerous experiences abroad, she developed a special interest in globalisation early on. For her, migration is not only a highly topical and socially relevant issue, but also one with far-reaching economic, social and political implications. Her academic background and personal experience enable her to migration and migration agreements from an interdisciplinary perspective.

Alaa Khal

Alaa Khal is a student at the European University Viadrina and a migrant himself. He has several years of experience in labour market integration and is intensively involved with migration policy at EU level, particularly in Germany. His focus is on the structural analysis of migration policy measures, which are often designed as short-term solutions without addressing the long-term causes. With two master's degrees and over three years of professional experience in labour market integration, he has written numerous academic papers on this topic. He criticises the fact that, despite a considerable shortage of skilled workers, Germany sees migration as a problem rather than a win-win situation, and sustainable integration policy solutions. In addition to his academic and professional activities, he is in close contact with the migrant community and contributes practical insights to political debates on migration and integration policy.

Young Generation Policy Briefs

The publication of policy briefs is an essential part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”, as it allows for an extended societal dialogue on project results. ValEUs aims to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy and to scrutinise attacks on its foundational values. The Young Generation Policy Briefs series introduces the perspective of university students and other young voices, identifying problems with self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no. 3: EU-Tunesia Migration Deal- A Threat to Core European Values appeared first on VALEUS.

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Young Generation Policy Brief no. 2: Meloni’s Albania model – New strategy or minefield? https://valeus.eu/news/young-generation-policy-brief-no-2-melonis-albania-model-new-strategy-or-minefield/ Fri, 02 May 2025 14:14:58 +0000 https://valeus.eu/?p=3733 Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this second issue of the series, Katrin Kehn examines Meloni’s Albania Model, interrogating whether it can be designated as a new strategy or a minefield. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs ... Read more

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Welcome to our Young Generation Policy Briefs series! In this second issue of the series, Katrin Kehn examines Meloni’s Albania Model, interrogating whether it can be designated as a new strategy or a minefield. Explore all Young Generation Policy Briefs here!

With Giorgia Meloni’s Albania model, the asylum procedure is to be outsourced to a non-EU country for the first time. So far, all three attempts have failed because of the Italian judiciary. Now a judgement by the ECJ is pending. Three options open up for the Meloni government: to close the camp due to the rule of law deficiencies (option 1), to wait until the EU has ruled on the legal hurdles of an asylum procedure in Albania (option 2), or to revisit the measures to ensure the rule of law and human rights (option 3). The paper argues that option 3 should be preferred in the interest of the EU and its member states in order to get irregular migration flows under control and to strengthen the rule of law approach in migration policy.

Young Generation Policy Brief no. 2:

About the author:

Katrin Kehn

master student in European Studies

Katrin Kehn completed her bachelor's degree in “Public Management ‒ Higher Administrative Service” at the University of Public Administration in Ludwigsburg (Baden-Württemberg) in February 2019. Then she worked in administration at the education authority and afterwards at the veterinary and food monitoring office. Her ambition is to work across borders, for example in Brussels or Strasbourg. She is currently studying at the University of Viadrina Frankfurt (Oder) to complete a master's degree in European Studies.

ValEUs Young Generation Policy Briefs

Policy briefs are regularly published as part of the Jean Monnet Policy Network “ValEUs”. The project, which is intended to provide a realistic account of EU foreign policy, thus aims to expand the societal dialogue on project results. The policy briefs are written from a student perspective, identifying problems with the self-proclaimed European values and suggesting possible solutions. This first issue presents a guide for students with practical tips on how to write a policy brief. Furthermore, it is an introduction to the following series summarising the central stakes in the proclamation and contestation of European values.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.

The post Young Generation Policy Brief no. 2: Meloni’s Albania model – New strategy or minefield? appeared first on VALEUS.

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