Leader
University of Geneva (UNIGE), Switzerland
http://www.unige.ch/en

Participants
University of Geneva, Jacques Delors Institute, University of Groningen

Objectives
EU IDEA defines differentiation as any modality of integration or cooperation that allows States (members and non-members) and sub-State entities to work together in non-homogeneous, flexible ways. On the basis of this definition this WP elaborates a multi-dimensional and innovative approach that accounts for different models (integration, cooperation), different dimensions (horizontal/vertical, internal/external), and different actors (EU Member States, non-EU countries, local actors) of differentiation. This conceptualization of differentiated governance serves as the theoretical and analytical framework guiding the empirical case studies in WPs 4,5,6 and to develop scenarios and recommendations on the future of EU governance (WP 9).

This WP will have 3 specific objectives:

  1. To elaborate a theoretical and conceptual framework allowing for a fine-grained and differentiated analysis of the legal and organizational dimensions of differentiated integration across policy-areas across policy sectors and levels of governance;
  2. To elaborate a theoretical and conceptual framework allowing for a fine-grained and differentiated analysis of the mechanisms generating and ensuring the accountability of the different legal/organizational patterns of differentiated integration;
  3. To define the relevant empirical indicators for assessing, evaluating and projecting efficient and accountable differentiated integration of EU and non-EU Member States and at the sub-national level.