Civilian CSDP Summer Forum 2025 – Developing a Common Narrative for Civilian CSDP
On 12-13 May, the CoE held its annual Civilian CSDP Summer Forum in Warsaw, under the auspices of the Polish EU Council Presidency.
Focusing on the topic 'Developing a Common Narrative for Civilian CSDP', the Summer Forum brought together participants from 23 EU Member States and the EEAS to discuss the need for a common narrative for civilian CSDP, and the key messages to include in such a narrative.
As EU Members respond to growing security threats with a heightened focus on military defence, there is a risk that the significance of civilian CSDP is minimised. To keep civilian CSDP firmly on the agenda and ensure it is valued as a central tool within EU security and foreign policy, it is increasingly important for Member States to effectively and strategically communicate what civilian CSDP is and why it matters. Only by shaping a strong, shared narrative can civilian CSDP play its crucial role in safeguarding peace, stability, and European values. Given this context, the CoE’s Civilian CSDP Summer Forum on the topic of ‘Developing a Common Narrative for Civilian CSDP’ offered a pertinent platform for strategic reflection. Designed to bring Member States together for informal dialogue and exchange, the Summer Forum encouraged them to begin to lay the groundwork for the development of a civilian CSDP narrative.
DAY ONE
The Summer Forum opened with welcoming remarks from Johanna Sumuvuori, CoE Director, and Mr. Tomasz Lekarski, Deputy Director in the Security Policy Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland.
While their remarks set a thoughtful tone for the day, it was the keynote speeches that truly articulated the Forum’s core message. Ms Karin Limdal, Head of Mission at EUPOL COPPS, emphasised that “the narrative should not only focus on what Civilian CSDP is and does or how, but why we cannot do without it”.
Mr Fredrik Wesslau, Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS), also highlighted:
“The EU’s civilian crisis management mission can be a powerful tool and, in the critical geopolitical moment we are in, their relevance is greater than ever. But to realise that potential, we need a new narrative that makes the case to the European public and political leaders across the Union.“
Dialogue then continued with a panel discussion and Q&A with the following experts:
Mr. Steven De Mey, First Superintendent at the Belgian Federal Police
Dr. Fidelis Etah Ewane, Political Advisor to the EU Special Representative Sahel
Ms. Anne Palm, Executive Director of the WISE - Wider Security Network
H.E. Ambassador Marek Szczygieł, Director of the Office of the OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities
Mr. Fredrik Wesslau, Distinguished Policy Fellow at the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS).
Key takeaways from the panel discussion included:
Clear communication: There is a real need to communicate clearly about what CSDP is, what missions do, and how these missions contribute to security and stability both abroad and at home. The relevance of civilian CSDP to an ordinary European citizen is real, but this information does not reach past the ‘bubble’.
Show the impact: Missions must demonstrate measurable results. Without clear evidence of success, it's hard to build wider support or political will.
How we communicate is as important as what we say: To connect with the general public, as well as political stakeholders, we need to be bolder and more creative about how missions and Member States showcase the work and the value of civilian CSDP to stakeholders.
CSDP is essential, not optional: It must be seen as a core part of EU foreign policy, crucial for a unified and effective European response to global security challenges.
DAY TWO
While day one of the forum focused on the need for a common narrative for civilian CSDP – particularly in the context of shifting global security priorities – day two provided an opportunity to translate this into action.
Participants worked in smaller groups to begin developing key messages for the main target audiences for a civilian CSDP narrative - national parliaments, ministries, and seconding agencies and (potential) secondees.
Some key messages and highlights were discussed in a conversation moderated by Mr.Tobias Pietz, Senior Researcher at the German Centre for International Peace Operations. A summary of these key messages will be provided in the upcoming Summer Forum 2025 report, to be published on our Knowledge Hub.
WHAT’S NEXT?
The 2025 Summer Forum was an integral first step in establishing a common narrative for civilian CSDP at the national level. While there is significant work to come in this space, it will be a fruitful process to ensure the relevance and significance of the CSDP are accurately and effectively portrayed both to specific target audiences, as well as to the public.
The outcomes of the Forum will be synthesised into a report, which will inform the next steps for formulating a tangible CSDP narrative to inform messaging at the Member State level. The CoE supports this work both through the Clusters and by working directly with individual members.