EODS gathers EU EOM Observer Coordinators in Brussels to share experiences

Election Observation and Democracy Support (EODS) team in coordination with the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) and the European External Action Service (EEAS) organised a workshop for Observer Coordinators (OCs) in European Union Election Observation Missions (EU EOMS), on 12 and 13 October 2026. 

The two-day activity held in Brussels gathered 28 Observer Coordinators and Deputy Observer Coordinators deployed with EU Election Observation Missions over the past four years.

Irène Mingasson, Head of Unit at FPI Public Diplomacy, Global Alliances and Election Observation, and Plamena Halacheva, Head of Division at EEAS Democracy and Electoral Observation, welcomed the participants and emphasised their important role in the good functioning of the missions. They are responsible for coordinating the activities of both long-term and short-term observers and for ensuring the effective collection of data that serves as evidence for the findings in the EU EOMs’ statements and reports.

During the two-day workshop, Observer Coordinators and Deputy Observer Coordinators had the opportunity to connect with their peers and colleagues from FPI and the EEAS to openly exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, share approaches to overcome them, and put forward recommendations.

Their contributions will inform a set of lessons learned and recommendations for further improvement, helping strengthen the work and ensure the effectiveness of future EU Election Observation Missions.