European Policy Prize (EPP)

This idea, focused on the role of the European Union vis-à-vis the countries in the Global South, has emerged in recognition of the importance of partnerships and alliances in shaping Europe’s global standing in a changing geopolitical context, with new challenges and fault lines. 

In the face of a spiral of insecurity fueling coups in the Sahel, the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas, and Africa’s increasing global agency, one fundamental question arises: How will the relations between the EU and the Global South develop in the coming years?

With this in mind, the European Student Think Tank is delighted to open submissions to the European Policy Prize 2024, designed to give students a chance to envision real policy solutions and have conversations with those who decide and dictate European policy.

Our theme for this year is “The EU and the Global South: Exploring Partnerships and Alliances in Shifting Geopolitics”.

We are inviting students and recent graduates to produce a policy brief of 1,500–2,500 words in English answering one of the following questions:

  • International relations are heavily influenced by Western theorists. How does this impact the EU’s relations with the Global South today and what innovative policy change could mitigate that?

OR

  • The term “Global South” has been criticised for oversimplifying a group of heterogeneous countries. Considering that the concept of “Global South” does not highlight the significant differences at the political, economic, and geopolitical levels among the states, how effective is the EU’s development strategy in fostering sustainable economic development, social progress, and poverty reduction in these countries?

OR

  • How should the EU and its partners adapt their strategy to foster influence in the Sahel? 

All submissions will be assessed by our judges, with support from the EST Editorial Office. This year’s judges were selected based on their expertise  in the  current topic and we are delighted to introduce them here (click on their names for more information about them):

All policy briefs will be judged on originality, creativity, fluency of thought, and clarity of their arguments. One winner will be selected and will receive the prizes listed below:

  • Publication of the winning article in the EST’s peer-reviewed journal, the European Policy Review
  • Opportunity to speak about the article in one of the EST’s podcast episodes with one of the judges 
  • Invitation to participate in the EST’s innovative Spring School in Spring 2024

The deadline for submission is January 18th, 2024.

All essays should be: 

  • Original pieces and currently unpublished 
  • Written in English 
  • Submitted with an abstract of up to 200 words and 5 keywords 
  • Submitted as a Google doc
  • In APA 7 reference style 
  • Word count: 1,500–2,500 words

All entries need to be submitted through the following link here.

In case of any queries, please contact editorinchief@esthinktank.com.

We wish you the very best of luck, and look forward to reading your submissions!