Since the colour revolutions in Eastern Europe and the Caucasus, and the Arab Spring in MENA, few countries in the European neighbourhood have made progress in democratisation. Instead, reverse trends towards de-democratisation and il-liberalisation can be observed. The EU-funded EMBRACE project will investigate obstacles to democratisation in the European neighbourhood and identify ways to overcome them. It will examine various types of blockages (behavioural, institutional, structural) and study the cultural, historical and geopolitical contexts in which they emerge. The project will engage partners from EU and non-EU countries. Its work will include the development of an innovative policy toolkit supporting the EU’s efforts in promoting democracy in its Eastern and Southern neighbourhood.