Diffusion of norms through EU funding instrument : A qualitative theory-consuming case study of the EU ́s ambition of being a Normative Power within the Instrument Pre-accession Assistance II in the Western Balkan

Abstract: The purpose of the study was to examine how the EU's ambition is to diffuse norms, as a normative power, within the instrument Pre-accession Assistance II during 2014-2020 in the region of the Western Balkans. The study was conducted with a qualitative theory-consuming case study together with a theoretical framework by Tuomas Forsberg (2011) which is based on the theory of Normative Power Europe. The results of the study showed that the EU has high ambitions to spread the Union's fundamental values through IPA II to the Western Balkans.