Georgia’s European future: a strategic academic approach by Salome Kandelaki, Natolin Fellowship Programme alumna
At a time when the European Union’s enlargement process grows increasingly complex, and both external and internal factors begin to undermine the democratic foundations of aspiring member states, Salome Kandelaki, graduate of the Natolin Fellowship Programme, brings forward a bold academic contribution: ‘Orthodox Power and Politics: How Church-State Ties Undermine Georgia’s EU Path’.
Her research into the role of the Orthodox Church in shaping the political dynamics of EU candidate countries is more than a geopolitical argument – it is an exploration of an intricate equation, driven by hidden actors that shape the trajectory of a nation.
With a background in policy analysis, Salome Kandelaki applied to the Natolin Fellowship Programme seeking access to exceptional academic resources and the opportunity to engage directly with EU experts and policymakers.
“My motivation to apply for the Natolin Fellowship Programme was divided into two parts: first, it fully coincided with my professional interests, especially in connection with my PhD work and policy analysis that I am pursuing related to EU enlargement. It offered me a great chance to pursue deeper research by having access to a wide range of resources and reading materials. Secondly, it offered a unique opportunity for young researchers to network with EU policymakers and other practitioners with first-hand experience in the EU integration processes of current member states,” said Salome.
A bold academic research with strategic stakes for Georgia’s European aspirations
Salome’s research went beyond theoretical investigation – it was an act of intellectual courage. She examined how religious discourse, often rooted in conservative values, is constructed in direct opposition to the core values of the European Union: pluralism, minority rights, freedom of expression, gender equality, and the separation of church and state.
“The Orthodox church is the dominant religion in Georgia and other EU membership candidate states, and it has a tremendous impact on shaping public opinion. Therefore, it is a very important actor to analyse in relation to the EU integration path of Georgia and other candidate states,” Salome explained.
Brussels: a front-row seat for geopolitical realities
As part of her fellowship, Salome interned at the Centre for European Policy Studies (CEPS) in Brussels, where she worked as a Visiting Fellow within the Foreign Policy Unit. There, she engaged in two flagship projects: CATS, focused on EU-Turkey relations, and REUNIR, which analysed the resilience of EU candidate states in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.
She also contributed to the flagship CEPS event, Ideas Lab, which gathered over 700 global policy experts and practitioners for in-depth discussions on socio-economic, foreign policy, energy, and AI topics.
“Thanks to this opportunity, I deepened my knowledge about the enlargement perspectives of Eastern Europe and learned more about the prospects and challenges of the EU integration process in the Western Balkans, as well as the barriers in Turkey’s case. In addition, I learned how leading think tank organisations work internally, knowledge that I can bring back to my own institution,” said Salome.
During her time at CEPS, Salome published an article analysing the rise of authoritarianism and its effects on media independence in Georgia. This cemented her position as a young thought leader capable of producing nuanced, policy-relevant insights.
Even after completing her three-month internship, Salome continued collaborating with CEPS through the REUNIR project, and was invited to contribute to future publications, highlighting her growing recognition in the European policy community.
Back to Georgia – with new insights but facing political turbulence
Following the fellowship, Salome returned to her position at the Georgian Institute of Politics (GIP) as Project Manager and Policy Analyst. However, her work and the institution itself now face uncertainty amid a wave of controversial legislative changes in Georgia targeting civil society and academic freedom.
“I am offered to take part in new academic projects through my workplace. However, due to the political developments in Georgia – especially the new draconian laws on foreign grants and the labelling of organisations as foreign agents, along with other amendments to the criminal code – it is hard to foresee how long my workplace will continue to operate. My goal is to keep working in the analytical sphere, as long as the situation allows, and to continue managing academic projects related to EU enlargement,” she said.
A fellowship that expanded her personal and professional horizons
The academic journey at the College of Europe in Natolin was intense, and the Fellowship offered Salome the opportunity to understand better the complexity of aligning national policies with EU legislation and standards. It also helped her identify the need for diverse, highly trained professionals to advance the enlargement agenda.
“This Fellowship was an experience of a lifetime for me. It opened several new opportunities in terms of broadening my research scope, engaging with EU stakeholder dialogues in a closed setting, and networking with young professionals from both EU and non-EU candidate states,” said Salome.
The programme also enabled her to publish her second academic article in the European Journal of Transformation Studies, a key milestone in her PhD trajectory.
“If not for this Programme, I would not have been able to conduct field research for my PhD. I wouldn’t have become so familiar with the political contexts of Ukraine and Moldova. And I definitely wouldn’t have developed the kind of cultural resilience required in such a diverse international setting,” concluded Salome.
About the EU4Youth Phase III programme: Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship
The programme is funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, and implemented by the Central Project Management Agency (CPVA). It aims to support young people from Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine through access to quality education, internships, and development opportunities that empower them to become active change agents.
The Natolin Fellowship Programme is funded by the EU and by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Lithuania as part of and in the framework of the project EU4YOUTH – Phase III Youth Employment, and Entrepreneurship programme Scholarship Scheme for Eastern Partners at the College of Europe in Natolin (“EU4Youth-Natolin4EaP”).
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