This background paper provides an overview of the institutions and actors involved in shaping the European Union’s external action related to peacebuilding and conflict prevention. It was prepared as a resource for participants seeking to understand how EU decision-making structures relate to peace and security policies.
The paper explains the roles and responsibilities of key EU institutions, including the European Council, the Council of the EU, the European Commission, the European External Action Service and the European Parliament. It describes how these institutions interact in defining political priorities, adopting policies and implementing external action instruments.
Several sections examine specific structures within these institutions that are involved in peacebuilding and conflict prevention. The document also highlights mechanisms through which policies are implemented, including EU delegations, specialised missions and different financial instruments supporting external action.
Through this overview, the paper outlines how the EU institutional framework operates in areas related to peace, security and conflict prevention.
