BIP | EU Enlargement: Regionalism, Autonomy, and Supranational Governance

This Blended Intensive Programme explores the relationship between sovereignty, regional autonomy and supranational governance within the context of the European Union enlargement process. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining:

• International law and EU law
• Political science and comparative politics
• Political economy of integration
• Regional and multi-level governance studies

Please be aware that your home university may set a different application deadline depending on their internal selection process.

Registration dates 10 April 2026 15 April 2026

Course dates 08 June 2026 12 June 2026

Registration is open

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Course Outline

This BIP explores the relationship between sovereignty, regional autonomy and supranational governance within the context of the European Union enlargement process. The programme adopts a multidisciplinary approach, combining:

International law and EU law
Political science and comparative politics
Political economy of integration
Regional and multi -level governance studies

Enlargement is examined not merely as territorial expansion but as a transformation of sovereignty and governance structures within a complex multi -level constitutional order. The programme is structured around three core analytical pillars:

1. Sovereignty under international and EU law
2. Acquisition of membership in international organisations and in the EU
3. Enlargement as political, economic and geopolitical transformat

Course Content

Main topics addressed:

Sovereignty in international law and EU law
Accession procedures and conditionality
EU enlargement as a tool of democratization
Regionalism and autonomy in multi-level governance
Political parties, public opinion and enlargement
Political economy of integration
Nationalism and sovereignty in times of geopolitical crisis
Enlargement and the war in Ukraine

Special focus:

Comparative institutional developments in Central Eastern Europe
The role of civil society and citizen engagement

Learning Outcomes

Following this course, students will be able to:

Critically assess the legal and political foundations of EU enlargement;
Analyse the interaction between local autonomy and supranational governance in multi-level systems;
Evaluate enlargement as a tool for democratization and regional stabilization;
Compare institutional and political developments across Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans;
Understand the geopolitical implications of enlargement in the context of the war in Ukraine;
Develop and present a policy-oriented analytical brief in a transnational working group;
Demonstrate enhanced intercultural and multilingual collaboration skills.

Requirements

Study level: Bachelor (3rd year), Master, PhD
Background in Political Science, Law, International Relations, European Studies or related field
English level: minimum B2
Strong motivation to engage in interdisciplinary and intercultural teamwork

Virtual Component

Dates: 15–31 May 2026
Format: Online seminars (Teams), asynchronous materials, group work.

The virtual phase prepares participants conceptually and methodologically for the physical mobility. It includes:

Introductory webinars on EU enlargement law and policy;
Assigned readings and guided discussions;
Formation of transnational working groups;
Preparation of a short policy brief (group assignment). Students will collaborate in international teams and prepare a preliminary analytical framework that will be further developed during the physical mobility.

Proposed structure (TBC):

Webinar 1: Legal Foundations of EU Enlargement
Webinar 2: Enlargement and Democratization
Seminar: Ukraine, Moldova and the Eastern Partnership
Methodological Session: Writing a Policy Brief

Physical Mobility

Dates: 8–12 June 2026

Locations:

University of Genoa (Genoa, Italy) from 8 to 10 June 2026
Valsavarenche (Aosta Valley, Italy) from 10 to 12 June 2026

We recommend the participants to organize the trip arriving in Genoa while the return trip could be planned from the Turin or Milan Train Stations or Airports. A transfer from Genoa to Valsavaranche will be granted to BIP participants free of charge.

Agenda

Day 1: 8 June 2026 (Genoa)

09:00 – 11:00 Sovereignty under international law and under EU law –
Laura Carpaneto (University of Genoa, Italy) & Stefano Dominelli (University of Genoa, Italy)
11:00 – 13:00 Acquisition of membership under international law and under EU law – Laura Carpaneto (University of Genoa, Italy) & Stefano Dominelli (University of Genoa, Italy)
14:00 – 16:00 Political Economy of European Integration – TBA (University of Genoa, Italy or other Ulysseus Partner)
16:00 – 18:00 Visit to the Museum of Emigration (MEI) in Genoa

Day 2: 9 June 2026 (Genoa)

09:00 – 11:00 Historical background of EU enlargement – Lara Piccardo (University of Genoa, Italy)
11:00 – 13:00 Political perspectives of EU enlargement – Mara Morini (University of Genoa, Italy)
14:00 – 16:00 Ulysseus Partner lecture on the BIP topic (TBA)
16:00 – 18:00 Transfer to Valsavarenche

Day 3: 10 June 2026 (Valsavarenche)

09:00 – 11:00 Federalisms and Autonomy in Border Regions
1. The Belgian Federalism – Étienne Deschamps (Archives historique Parlement Européen Luxembourg)
2. Ireland – Francesco Massardo (University of Genoa, Italy)
11:00 – 13:00 Regionalisms in Italy
1. The experience of Tuscany – Andrea Bacherucci (Historical Archives of European union, Florence)
2. The experience of Liguria – Guido Levi (University of Genoa, Italy)
3. The experience of Italian North-Eastern regions – Claudio Cressati (University of Udine, Italy)
15:00 – 16:30 Workshops sessions
1. Workshop on the acquisition of membership in the EU – Laura Carpaneto (University of Genoa, Italy)
2. Workshop on the revival of nationalism, regionalism, and sovereignty in times of political tensions – Mara Morini (University of Genoa, Italy)
16:30 – 19:00 Comunalisms and trasnational proposals
1. Gasser and communalism – Fabio Zucca, (Insubria University, Italy)
2. The Charter of Chivasso – Daniela Preda (University of Genoa, Italy) Other presentations TBA

Day 4: 11 June 2026 (Valsavarenche)

9:00-11:00 Ulysseus Partner lecture on the BIP topic (TBA)
11:00-13:00 Ulysseus Partner lecture on the BIP topic (TBA)
14:00-18:00 Visit to the “Emile Chanoux” Documentation Centre

Day 5: 12 June 2026 (Valsavarenche)

9:00-14:00 PhD and Advanced Research Workshop Group presentations
14:00 Conclusion of the BIP

Professors

Andrea Bacherucci – Historical Archives of European Union in Florence, Italy
• Laura Carpaneto – University of Genoa, Italy
• Claudio Cressati – University of Udine, Italy
• Étienne Deschamps – Archives historique Parlement Européen, Luxembourg
• Enrico di Bella – University of Genoa, Italy
• Stefano Dominelli – University of Genoa, Italy
• Guido Levi – University of Genoa
• Francesco Massardo – University of Genoa
• Mara Morini – University of Genoa, Italy
• Lara Piccardo – University of Genoa, Italy
• Daniela Preda – University of Genoa, Italy
• Fabio Zucca – Insubria University, Italy
• Representatives – Partner University/ies