4th Steering Committee Meeting

The 4th Steering Committee Meeting of Inter Pares, Parliaments in Partnership, part of the European Union’s Women and Youth in Democracy Initiative (WYDE), was held on 23–24 April 2026 at the European Parliament in Brussels. Co-chaired by the European Commission and International IDEA, the meeting brought together representatives from EU Member State parliaments, the European Parliament, the European External Action Service, and the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Over two days, participants reviewed progress achieved during Phase II and engaged in forward-looking discussions to shape the priorities of Phase III (2026–2029).

Day 1 focused on presenting key results from Inter Pares partnerships, including progress in countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Benin, Sierra Leone, South Africa, and Ukraine. A major highlight was the launch of the Handbook on Parliamentary Oversight of Large-Scale Infrastructure Projects, which provides practical tools for strengthening transparency, accountability, and effective scrutiny of public investments.

Sessions also explored parliamentary support in politically complex environments, emphasizing approaches to democracy support in hybrid and transitional contexts. Discussions further addressed WYDE thematic priorities, particularly youth engagement and gender equality, highlighting resources and experiences from ongoing parliamentary cooperation.

Day 2 shifted attention to the future of the programme. Participants discussed the Phase III outlook, including the selection of priority partner countries and strategic priorities for the coming years. The Guidelines on Parliamentary Strategic Planning, co-developed with the National Assembly of Zambia, were officially launched as a key knowledge product supporting institutional development and performance.

The meeting concluded with a session on strengthening parliamentary resilience in EU accession and neighbouring countries, focusing on the role of parliaments in promoting democratic governance amid evolving geopolitical challenges.

Overall, the Steering Committee Meeting reaffirmed the importance of sustained peer-to-peer parliamentary cooperation in advancing transparency, inclusiveness, and democratic resilience, while setting a clear path forward for the next phase of the Inter Pares programme.