Does the EU have the capacity and agency to set priorities and make decisions autonomously in its external action? What are the necessary political, institutional and material steps to get there? How can strategic autonomy help the EU to face the challenges within and beyond European borders?

To answer these questions, the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), in cooperation with the Brussels office of the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) and the Fondation-Jean-Jaurès, have launched “Strategic Autonomy – pathways to progressive action“, a new flagship research project aimed at investigating the concept of ‘European strategic autonomy’ (ESA).

Despite the concept getting more central in EU affairs circles every day, there is a persistent lack of clarity on what European strategic autonomy actually means. For this reason – and with the debate over ESA’s definition, content and implications in full swing – it’s time for progressive thinkers to provide an in-depth analysis of the concept and set an agenda on where to direct and how to operationalize the term.

High-level policy experts have provided actionable recommendations through a series of publications and roundtables around three areas:
• Security & Defense
• Economy & Trade
• Digital & Technology

Find all publications on Strategic Autonomy
Publications
18/04/2023

Strengthening the global role of the Euro

European Strategic Autonomy series - Economy & Trade
15/03/2023

A five-point agenda for how development cooperation can support EU’s strategic autonomy

European Strategic Autonomy series - Economy & Trade
28/02/2023

Progressive pathways to European strategic autonomy 

European Strategic Autonomy series
06/02/2023

Towards a sustainable and resilient future internet 

European Strategic Autonomy series - Digital & Technology
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Events
Past
03/03/2023
Warsaw, Poland

The future of EU Strategic Autonomy

Global Progressive Forum
07/11/2022
FEPS HQ, Brussels (Closed-door)

Prospects for global governance in an age of disruptions

Foresight series: The long-term implications of the war in Ukraine
07/07/2022
Online

Strategic Autonomy – Digital & Technology

Policy Breakfast Series
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Progressive Post
24/11/2022

Europe must project power without losing its soul

04/07/2022

A new direction for a more European NATO

28/06/2022

Enlarging, deepening, re-positioning – the European equation ahead

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News
31/05/2022

HRVP Josep Borrell participates in FEPS expert meeting on the war and the reconstruction of Ukraine

On May 23rd, FEPS organised a timely expert meeting on the war and the reconstruction […]
22/09/2021

FEPS leads a new flagship research project on EU Strategic Autonomy with top European experts

Does the EU have the capacity and agency to set priorities and make decisions autonomously […]
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Audiovisual

The future of EU Strategic Autonomy

Global Progressive Forum

Trade and global supply chains in 2030

#126 FEPS Talks ‘China and the EU: towards partnership or confrontation?’

Prospects for global governance in an age of disruptions

HRVP Josep Borrell at FEPS expert meeting on Ukraine war and reconstruction

Partners
Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung
Fondation Jean-Jaurès
Network and Team

David RINALDI

Director of Studies and Policy
David supervises and coordinates FEPS’ scientific quality and consultancy capacity, ensuring the policy-relevance and impact […]

Thainá LEITE

Project Officer
Thainá Leite works as Project Officer on Foreign Affairs and Economics at FEPS. She holds […]