This meeting report summarises discussions from a Civil Society Dialogue Network (CSDN) Member State Meeting organised by EPLO in cooperation with the European External Action Service (EEAS), the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI), and the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. The meeting took place on 6 October in Rome and gathered 28 participants, including policymakers, mediation experts and practitioners, to exchange views on strengthening partnerships in peace mediation.
Participants discussed how changing geopolitical dynamics and an increasingly fragmented conflict environment are affecting mediation efforts. The conversation examined the growing preference for short-term negotiated deals and the implications for actors traditionally engaged in long-term peace processes.
The meeting explored how partnerships with governments, civil society, academia and other actors can support mediation efforts. Discussions also addressed cooperation with Gulf countries, coordination among EU institutions and Member States, and the role of long-term engagement, technical expertise and regional cooperation in mediation initiatives.
