Enlargement is once again a priority in the European Union’s political conversation. This is good news. But if we want the next wave of enlargement to succeed, we must do more than open negotiations or draft new roadmaps. We need to bring people into the process from the very beginning.

That was the goal of the Enlargement High-level Forum recently hosted by the European Economic and Social Committee. It brought together civil society representatives, youth leaders, social partners and political actors from across the candidate countries. What made this gathering unique was not just the substance of the discussions. It was the shared understanding that the process of joining the EU must be open, participatory and fair.

Too often, enlargement has been treated as a technical exercise. But democratic reform cannot happen behind closed doors. Civil society and social partners are not just observers. They are essential drivers of change. They build trust in public institutions, speak up for the most vulnerable, and ensure that reforms actually work for people.

Throughout my presidency at the EESC, I have worked to put participation at the heart of our approach to enlargement. We launched the Enlargement Candidate Members initiative in 2023 to give civil society a real voice in our work. We strengthened our Joint Consultative Committees and Civil Society Platforms and held regular exchanges with partners on the ground. The High-level Forum was a natural continuation of that effort.

It gave us a chance to look closely at what needs to happen next. First, we must create long term structures that allow civil dialogue and social dialogue to grow. These are not just buzzwords. They are tools that help societies become more resilient, more democratic and more ready for membership.

Second, we need to give young people a seat at the table. They are often the first to feel the impact of stalled reforms or shrinking civic space. But they are also the most committed to a better and more inclusive future. Employment, education and mobility policies must be built with them, not for them.

What gives me real hope is that this Forum was not just a one-off moment. I am proud to say that with the support of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, we have secured the continuation of the ECM initiative at least until 2027. This means the dialogue we have started will grow. It will deepen. Concretely, that means more ECMs involved and more opinions. It will continue to shape the enlargement process in a way that reflects the values we say we stand for.

Enlargement is not simply a geopolitical strategy. It is a promise to uphold democracy, rights and dignity for all. If we want to keep that promise, then civil society must be more than a box to tick. It must be part of the foundation we build on.

The EESC will remain a strong partner in this work. We believe that enlargement must succeed and that success depends on making people part of the process. Not after the fact. From the start.