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EU democracy support policies in the WB do not take place in a vacuum. The enlargement process has the potential to act as a catalyst for democratic improvements in candidate countries. Yet, decades of stalled integration and bilateral disputes with Member States have caused widespread frustration and created opportunity structure for external interference. The EU’s hesitant stance to prioritize democratic values in favor of geopolitical concerns has further allowed local elites to adjust their strategic objectives. Instead of implementing substantive reforms, governments have conducted box-ticking compliance with EU criteria. Rebuilding democratic resilience in the Western Balkans requires clear strategic choices. Based on the findings from the three case studies, this report suggests the following policy recommendations: Anchor enlargement decisions on merit-based conditionality: with the enlargement returning to the forefront of the Union’s political agenda, the EU should consistently apply merit-based conditionality. Sustained democratic improvements should be rewarded with clear benefits and incentives, while democratic backsliding must bear consequences. Durable governance improvements rather than geopolitical concerns should drive the process. Embed fight against disinformation and hybrid threat in EU democracy support: External interference, disinformation, and hybrid threats from external actors such as Russia are widespread in the region and negatively impact democratic resilience. The EU should integrate fighting disinformation and strengthening the countries’ resistance to hybrid threats as key components of its democracy support in the region. Deliver visible short-term integration benefits: after decades in the enlargement “waiting room”, WB governments and citizens alike have expressed frustration with the process. To ensure societal buy-in and encourage governments to implement substantive reforms, the EU should make certain accession benefits tangible already for citizens, not only after enlargement. Incentives could encompass youth mobility schemes or infrastructure connectivity. Strengthen support to civil society and independent media: the EU should expand flexible and long-term support to civil society and independent media to ensure deep-rooted democratic reforms, counter elite dominance and improve democratic resilience in WB countries. This support should go beyond the ‘usual suspects’ and reach grassroot organizations.