Beyond Declarations: Examining the Mismatch in the EU’s Democracy Promotion Efforts in Eastern Europe

This paper investigates the mismatch between the European Union's programmatic declarations and financial allocations in promoting democracy within its eastern neighborhood (e.g. Moldova, Ukraine, Georgia). While the EU has repeatedly emphasized its commitment to supporting democracy in these countries, anecdotic evidence suggests discrepancies between its rhetoric and the actual distribution of resources. By examining both institutional and substantive dimensions of democracy—such as the development of rule of law, political pluralism, and social peace—this study identifies areas where EU funding may fall short of its ambitious democratic objectives, and where this is not the case. Through this analysis, the paper problematizes whether the EU’s financial commitments genuinely align with its democracy promotion rhetoric or if strategic and pragmatic considerations dictate the scope of its support. This research contributes to a nuanced understanding of the EU’s role in democracy promotion, raising questions about the coherence of its policy actions and the long-term implications for democratization in its eastern neighborhood.