EGMONT - INSTITUT ROYAL DES RELATIONS INTERNATIONALES

Their core work

The Egmont Institute is Belgium's premier foreign policy think tank, producing independent research and policy analysis on international relations, European integration, and security. Their work focuses on geopolitical dynamics in the EU's neighbourhood — particularly the Middle East and North Africa — as well as EU institutional reform, trade policy, and defence. They contribute expert policy analysis to large research consortia, translating academic inquiry into actionable insights for policymakers and international affairs professionals.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Egmont's early H2020 work (2016-2017) concentrated on the EU's southern neighbourhood — mapping conflicts, refugee flows, religious dynamics, and non-state actors across the Middle East and North Africa. By 2019, their focus shifted inward toward EU institutional architecture itself: differentiation vs. integration, Brexit implications, EMU reform, and the single market. This trajectory reflects a move from analysing external geopolitical challenges to examining how the EU must reform internally to remain effective.

Egmont is increasingly focused on the future architecture of the EU itself — making them a strong partner for projects examining multi-speed Europe, democratic accountability, or post-Brexit governance models.

How they like to work

Egmont participates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator in H2020, suggesting they contribute specialised policy expertise rather than managing large research programmes. With 60 unique partners across 19 countries from just 3 projects, they operate within large, diverse consortia — typical of major policy research initiatives. This means they are well-practised at contributing focused analytical work within complex multi-partner frameworks.

Despite only 3 projects, Egmont has built connections with 60 unique partners across 19 countries, reflecting involvement in large pan-European policy research consortia. Their Brussels location places them at the centre of EU policy networks.

What sets them apart

Egmont combines deep foreign policy expertise with a privileged Brussels location at the heart of EU decision-making. Unlike university departments that produce primarily academic output, Egmont bridges research and policy — their analyses are designed to inform real governance decisions. For consortium builders, they offer credible, policy-relevant input on EU integration, security, and external relations that carries weight with European institutions.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EUTIP
  Largest funded project (EUR 250,560) and an MSCA training network, indicating Egmont's role in training the next generation of EU trade policy researchers.
• MENARA
  Ambitious geopolitical mapping of the entire MENA regional order — conflicts, refugees, natural resources, and non-state actors — with direct EU policy relevance.
• EU IDEA
  Directly addressed the existential question of EU differentiation vs. integration post-Brexit, covering EMU, single market, AFSJ, and foreign policy dimensions.