For 30 years, TAIEX has turned European expertise into better institutions — and better institutions into better lives.
From historic enlargements to today’s partnerships, it shows what Europe can achieve when it works together.
How TAIEX Shapes Europe
For 30 years, TAIEX has been Europe’s bridge between experience and aspiration — connecting experts who share not only knowledge, but conviction: that Europe grows stronger when it grows together. Created in the wake of Europe’s reunification, TAIEX was built on a simple idea: when institutions are strong, societies are free to grow.
Since 1996, TAIEX has supported countries preparing for EU membership, accompanied new Member States through historic enlargement, and continues today to work with partners in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe, and beyond. By sharing practical experience between peers, it helps reforms take root where they matter most — in public administrations, justice systems, economies, and daily life.
Through TAIEX, Europe strengthened justice and security cooperation, built more efficient administrations, smarter economies, and stronger democracies. Because every nation that learns, reforms, and grows brings new strength to all of Europe.
TAIEX milestones
Since its creation in 1996, the scope and reach of TAIEX have expanded significantly. It was initially established to support the candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe in their preparations for EU accession. In the 2000s, TAIEX first expanded to include Cyprus and Malta, and soon after Türkiye and the Western Balkans.
Today, TAIEX is available to all countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy in both the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, as well as to countries and territories supported through the Partnership Instrument and EU development policies. EU Member States can also benefit from TAIEX peer-to-peer exchanges in areas such as cohesion policy, structural reforms, and environmental policy.
- 1996TAIEX is created
The Technical Assistance and Information Exchange instrument is established to help the then-candidate countries of Central and Eastern Europe align with the EU acquis and prepare for EU accession.
- 2004Supporting the historic enlargement
TAIEX played a key role in assisting the countries that joined the EU in 2004 and 2007, providing expertise to support administrative and institutional reforms in the run-up to and following accession.
- 2004Expansion to the Western Balkans and Türkiye
TAIEX assistance becomes fully available to the Western Balkans and Türkiye, supporting their reform efforts and alignment with EU standards.
- 2006Broader neighbourhood outreach
The instrument extends to the countries covered by the European Neighbourhood Policy, both in the Eastern and Southern neighbourhoods, reinforcing cooperation and administrative capacity building.
- 2015Peer-to-peer support for EU Member States
TAIEX opens up to EU Member States for targeted exchanges in cohesion policy, structural reforms, public administration reforms and environmental policy, enabling experts within the European Union to learn from one another.
- 2016Global reach
TAIEX expands beyond the EU’s immediate neighbourhood to promote EU standards worldwide, becoming a truly global instrument.
- 2020Digital adaptation
During the pandemic, TAIEX makes a rapid digital shift, ensuring continuity of exchanges.
- 2026TAIEX@30
After three decades, TAIEX has delivered over half a million exchanges and hundreds of thousands of expert missions, workshops, and study visits, helping partner countries and EU Member States strengthen their institutions and bring tangible benefits to their citizens.
Institution Building Days 2026
22–23 April 2026 | Brussels
The Institution Building Days (IBDs) are the annual flagship event of the Institution Building Community, bringing together public administrations, experts, and partners to exchange experience and shape the future of institution building across Europe and beyond.
In 2026, IBDs will mark a milestone moment, officially launching 30 years of TAIEX — three decades of strengthening institutions, supporting enlargement, and delivering tangible benefits for societies across Europe and partner countries.
This special edition will also be a moment of celebration, recognising the people and partnerships behind reform. The programme will feature a TAIEX 30th Anniversary Celebration and the TAIEX Champions Awards, honouring outstanding contributions to institution building and European cooperation.
👉For participating institutions and practitioners, further information and updates will be available on the Institution Building Days website.
