This thesis mainly analyses the change in the enlargement strategy of the European Union (EU) especially in the case of Turkey. Although the Union has always sought ways to enlarge, it has been rather reluctant as far as accepting Turkey as a full member into the EU is concerned. In 2004, the EU enlarged so as to include the Central and East European countries (CEECs), but Romania and Bulgaria were left behind since they did not fulfill the membership criteria at the time. However, these two countries became members on January 1, 2007 and Turkey is still waiting in the line to become a member. Therefore, the writer has chosen Turkey and Bulgaria in order to analyze the change in the enlargement strategy of the Union. The medium to arrive at conclusions as regards the strategy is mainly the environmental aid as the two countries display noticeable differences. Furthermore, the enlargement strategy papers prepared by the European Commission have also been analyzed in order to see the changing attitude of the EU especially by re-introducing the concept of absorption capacity. Even though the Union states it keeps its open door to new members, the new enlargement strategy proves that it will be rather difficult for the candidate states and especially Turkey to enter into the EU.

Swedish government aid is divided into three main themes: democracy and human rights, the environment and climate, and gender equality and women's role in development. These three themes in aid are considered by the government to be vital in order to fight poverty and create fair and sustainable development. This study will examine two of the four focus areas designated under the theme of "environment and climate". The study observes the relationship between projects in energy and water and how it promotes a sustainable lifestyle. A survey on environmental habits will be conducted. The purpose of the study is to see if international aid projects funded by the Swedish government are able to promote a sustainable lifestyle in the Swedish population. The study has revealed the following: there is a lack of knowledge among the respondents of how the government conducts its environmental efforts; there is an interest in the environment and environmental issues among the respondents; the respondents consider environmental issues important. The investigation has also revealed that water projects have a greater tendency to promote sustainable lifestyles among the respondents because it had the greatest degree of influence on individuals’ actions. However, the investigation also showed that the action readiness for environmental behavior is generally low but that development aid for water and electricity can promote a sustainable lifestyle in the donor country in conjunction with other factors. / Regeringen har tre prioriterade biståndsteman för att bekämpa fattigdomen och för en rättvis och hållbar utveckling, dessa är: demokrati och mänskliga rättigheter, miljö och klimat samt jämställdhet och kvinnors roll i utveckling. Jag undersöker två av fyra inriktningar under temat miljö och klimat. Inom denna studie kommer jag att undersöka hur relationen mellan satsningar på energi- och vattenprojekt och vår livsstil ter sig. En egen enkätundersökning har utförts om miljövanorna hos svenskar. Tanken är att se om internationella biståndsprojekt som Sverige bedriver främjar en hållbar livsstil genom att influera svenskarnas handlingsberedskap. Det som undersökningen har påvisat är följande: att det bland respondenterna saknas kunskap om hur regeringen bedriver sitt miljöarbete på ett internationellt plan, bland annat genom biståndsarbeten; att det hos de flesta respondenterna fanns ett miljöintresse och att miljöfrågan och miljöarbete ansågs vara viktiga; att vattenprojekt har en större benägenhet att främja en hållbar livsstil hos respondenterna eftersom det hade störst påverkan på deras handlingar; att det förekommer en svag handlingsbenägenhet för ett miljöbeteende hos respondenterna och att biståndsprojekt gällande vatten och el kan i samverkan med andra faktorer vara en faktor som främjar en hållbar livsstil inom givarlandet.