Evaluation Report – Pilot Phase

This evaluation report presents a comprehensive assessment of the pilot phase of the Enlargement Candidate Members(ECMs) initiative launched by the EESC in 2024.

The report analyses the implementation of the project, the feedback received from ECMs, EESC Members, and staff, as well as the political and practical impact of the initiative on candidate countries and EU institutions. It also outlines lessons learned and makes concrete recommendations for the continuation and consolidation of the project in the coming years.

Key findings include:

• Strong support from all stakeholders for the initiative’s continuation.
• Clear added value in involving civil society from candidate countries in EESC advisory work.
• Practical challenges identified regarding logistics, the selection process, and communication.
• Significant media coverage and political visibility across the EU and the candidate countries.
• Suggestions for future improvements, including earlier coordination, greater flexibility in matching expertise, and stronger community-building among ECMs.