"This research builds on the results of the initial Marie Curie project on the origins of the environmental policy of the European Communities, and extends its scope significantly up to the Maastricht Treaty. In the MC project I was able to demonstrate that – contrary to the assumptions of the traditional state-centric historiography of European integration – informal networks of actors coalesced to shape and institutionalise the new policy agenda. These networks comprised supranational and member state actors as well as non-governmental actors like the environmental movement, and scientific experts.The goal of the new project is to inquire into the longer-term role of these networks. Historical institutionalist theories suggest that the early establishment of policy networks encouraged closure and institutionalisation, leading to a path dependent development of the network and policy. The project seeks to test this hypothesis, by inquiring into factors of continuity and change affecting the policy network. External factors of change such as the impact of enlargements and institutional reforms will be examined. Factors internal to the network such as changes in composition and in attitudes will also be explored. Most importantly, the ability of the environmental policy networks to “learn” will be explored.This contemporary historical project will trace the networks initially found in three case studies – nature protection, water policy, and at the generic level of the Action Programmes. Conceptually informed by social science network analysis, for the empirical research the project relies on a variety of sources from institutional, national, and NGO archives, published materials and oral history interviews. Its dual impact will consist of its contribution to conceptual and empirical innovation in EU historiography and its provision of empirical temporal insights for the social science analysis of how path dependence and policy learning shape European governance."