Current and recent projects
Opening the Doors of Policy-Making in the South Caucasus and Central Asia
“Opening the Doors of Policy-Making in the South Caucasus and Central Asia” seeks to empower civil society organizations and to enhance public participation in public policy development. It aims to strengthen CSOs, foster regional networking, and promote sustained dialogue with policymakers. The project draws on PASOS’ experience of training think-tank personnel in transitional countries. The initiative is supported by a grant from the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF).
“Now – Interacting with the European Parliament!” communications campaign
On the 50th anniversary of the European Parliament, marked on 19 March 2008, the European institute, Bulgaria, together with the Center for Policy Modernization and Europe Gateway, and other partners, including PASOS, is launching a large-scale communications project to stimulate the inclusion of European citizens and NGOs from 20 EU member states in a common public European debate. The project will run until the European Parliament elections in May 2009.
The Project “Now – Interacting with the European Parliament!”, presented by the European Institute – Bulgaria, was approved for funding in the framework of the European Parliament Annual Grant Programme – 2008 through the Directorate-General for “Information” of the European Parliament. This project includes the implementation of various communications activities, corresponding to the annual priorities of the European Parliament. It also includes the development of an interactive information system.
The campaign aims to stimulate the inclusion of European citizens and NGOs from 20 EU member states in a common public European debate. This is an opportunity to look ahead to the new and bigger role evisaged for the European Parliament in the decision-making procedures of the EU upon ratification and subsequent implementation of The Lisbon Treaty. This necessitates the promotion of a better dialogue between the European Parliament and EU citizens, and improved functioning of EU institutions.
The campaign “Now – Interacting with the European is an internet project that includes the production and distribution of informational and analytical press materials on strategic issues releated to the activities of the European Parliament, as well as internet debates, and video chats with MEPs. In addition, radio programmes on the activities of the European Parliament will be prepared and broadcasat by Radio Bulgaria, RFI-Romania and radio Yvelines – France.
Through the project partners, the messages of the project will be distributed to the citizens of 20 different EU member states. The campaign will continue until the end of April 2009 when the final phrase of the preparations takes place for the next elections to the European Parliament.
Media partners of the campaign “NOW-Interacting with the European Parliament!” are Radio Bulgaria – BNR, RFI-Romania, and Radio Yvelines – France.
The European Institute‘s other partners on the project include the Poilcy Association for an Open Society (PASOS), Centre for European Political Studies (CEPS), Brussels, CHALLENGE Project network; and Balkan Communication Network (BCN) , and the Centre for Policy Modernization Foundation, Bulgaria.
PASOS members’ joint projects 2007-8
Projects on the new EU members’ contribution to shaping and implementing the eastern policy of the EU, on strengthening the policymaking environment in Kyrgyzstan, standards-setting in the governance and policy work of independent think-tanks, an evaluation of the democracy assistance policies of the Visegrad Four countries in Belarus, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Cuba, and Ukraine, and the challenge of EU development co-operation policy for new EU member-states.
The New EU Members‘ Contribution to Shaping and Implementing the Eastern Policy of the EU
Lead partner: Prague Security Studies Institute (PSSI), Czech Republic
PASOS partners: Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czech Republic, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic
This project aims to analyse during 2007-8 the role of the new EU member-states in shaping the policy of the EU towards its Eastern Neighbourhood. The research team will analyse the interests of the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Slovakia (in 2007), then Estonia, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Bulgaria (in 2008), as well as the institutional framework of EU relations towards target countries (Belarus, Ukraine, Moldova, Russia and Georgia).
This project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Czech Republic.
Strengthening the Policymaking Environment in Kyrgyzstan
Lead partner: PASOS Secretariat
PASOS partners: International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine, International Center for Human Development, Armenia, Strategia – St. Petersburg Center for Humanities and Political Studies, Russia
Other partners: Soros Foundation Kyrgyzstan
This project sets out to increase the policymaking skills of independent policy centres and policymakers in the public administration in Kyrgyzstan through joint training exercises and through fostering mutual dialogue between independent think-tanks and government policy units. Training will be conducted in writing policy papers, in advocacy, and in budget processes by experienced policy professionals from the PASOS network and partners.
This project is funded by LGI.
Standards-setting in the Governance and Policy Work of Independent Think-Tanks
Lead partner: PASOS Secretariat
This project sets out to create agreed standards and best practice in both the governance of independent policy centres, and in the quality of their policy outputs (including research methods, peer review procedures, and branding). Current practice will be assessed through a survey of PASOS members, and a core working group will be established to examine current practice, and to develop best practice in the work of policy centres.
This project is funded by LGI.
Evaluation of Democracy Assistance Policies and Priorities of the Visegrad Four countries in Belarus, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Cuba, and Ukraine
Lead partner: PASOS Secretariat
PASOS partners: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Center for Policy Studies at the Central European University, Hungary, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, Institute for Public Affairs, Slovakia
PASOS is conducting a democracy assistance evaluation project in Belarus, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Cuba and Ukraine with a view to making a series of recommendations to the foreign ministries and civil society organisations in the Visegrad Four countries (Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia) to improve the impact of policies in the area of democracy assistance and supporting democratic movements. The project will include the evaluation of a series
of case studies in the four target countries, followed by roundtables in the Visegrad countries with a view to improve the way support is targeted and to raise awareness in the target countries and Visegrad Four countries of the need to strengthen civil society and human rights organisations.
A critical evaluation will be conducted by PASOS experts to analyse how Visegrad countries, and the EU as a whole, support democracy and respect to human rights in other countries. This project is supported by the International Visegrad Fund, the Open Society Institute Think-Tank Fund, and LGI.
The Challenge of the EU Development Co-operation Policy for New Member-States
Lead partner: PASOS Secretariat
PASOS partners: European Institute, Bulgaria, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, PRAXIS Center for Policy Studies, Estonia, Center for Policy Studies at the Central European University, Hungary, Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, Institute for Public Policy, Romania, Institute for Public Affairs, Slovakia
Other partners: Institute of International Relations and Political Science, Vilnius University, Lithuania, SLOGA Slovenian NGDO platform, Slovenia
The goal of the study is to draw attention to how 10 new EU member-states incorporate the requirements of European Development Co-operation Policy into their national legislations, and to how they contribute to this policy. The output will be a briefing paper, submitted to the European Parliament Committee on Development.
This project is funded by the European Parliament.
PASOS members’ joint projects 2006
Projects evaluating local government reform in South-East Europe, on reciprocal understanding between the EU and the Western Balkans, on saving public assets in the administration of EU structural funds, a strategic overview of armed violence data analysis in South Eastern Europe, debates on the future of EU enlargement, EU accession prospects for Ukraine and Turkey, immigration policy implementation in Ukraine, a model for public oversight of healthcare spending in Central Asia and South-East Europe, study programme for young Russian public policy analysts, study programme for Moldovan public policy analysts, sharing experience of the EU Accession Process between the Czech Republic and the western Balkans, and monitoring of EU visa policies.
Evaluation of Progress on Commitments to Local Government Reform in South East Europe
Lead partner: PASOS Secretariat
PASOS partners: Institute for Contemporary Studies, Albania, Center for Economic Development, Bulgaria, Center for Research and Policy Making, Macedonia, Institute for Development and Social Initiatives (IDIS) “Viitorul“, Moldova, Institute for Public Policy, Romania
Other partners: Center for Policy Studies, Bosnia-and-Herzegovina, Institute for Public
Finance, Croatia, Union of Municipalities, Montenegro, Public Administration and Local Government Center, Serbia
Publication: Effective Democratic Governance at Local and Regional Level – Proceedings of the Second South-Eastern Europe Regional Ministerial Conference
The project, conducted under the auspices of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and the Council of Europe, set out to analyse and evaluate progress made in implementing local
government reform programmes in South-East Europe. Local research teams critically assessed the commitments made by national authorities in the areas of fiscal decentralisation and local government reform. The research results were presented to the Stability Pact and the Council of Europe at a conference of the region‘s ministers responsible for local government, held in Skopje, Macedonia, in November 2006. The reports serve as tools to encourage the ministers to continue and accelerate the reform process, and to adhere to and, in some cases, modify the National Work Programmes adopted at the earlier ministerial meeting in Zagreb, Croatia, in 2004.
The project was funded by the Local Government and Public Service Reform Initiative (LGI) of the Open Society Institute.
Support to Promotion of Reciprocal Understanding of Relations and Dialogue between the European Union and the Western Balkans
Lead partner: European Institute, Bulgaria
PASOS partner: Institute for Contemporary Studies, Albania
Research was undertaken into two areas: (a) Albanian points of view on the European perspectives of the Balkans; (b) Visa policies in Albania. Subsequently, on 15 December 2006, roundtable discussions were held on the research findings at a conference, “European Perspective of the Western Balkans”, held in Tirana, Albania. The project was supported by the European Commission.
Save Public Assets
Lead partner: Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia
PASOS partners: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
Other partners: Transparency International Lithuania, researcher in Hungary
Contact: Lolita Cigane, lolita@providus.lv
The project, conducted from June 2006 until March 2007, examined the propensity of various aspects of policymaking in the new EU member-states to present opportunities for corruption in the allocation of EU structural funds. The researchers examined the project selection criteria, issues around the publicising of information about recipients of the funds, and the rights of applicants to appeal and raise complaints. To tackle the funds‘ susceptibility to corruption, the project developed a systematic assessment of the initial phase of structural funds allocation in the new member-states. Partners identified corruption risks, conducted six-month monitoring, prepared recommendations, and carried out advocacy campaigns. Country case studies were compiled and incorporated into a final report that will serve as a manual for NGOs in other states interested in undertaking similar efforts. PROVIDUS also organised discussions about the next EU funds programming period (2007-2013).
The project outputs include guidelines for an anti-corruption strategy in structural funds management on the national level, and EU-wide policy recommendations for reducing the risk of corruption. This project was co-financed by the European Commission.
Strategic Overview of Armed Violence Data Collection and Analysis Mechanisms (South Eastern Europe)
Lead partner: Jefferson Institute, Serbia
PASOS partner: iDEMO Institute for Democracy, Croatia
Contact: Aaron Presnall, apresnall@jeffersoninst.org
There is a growing recognition that armed violence should not be addressed solely through conventional law enforcement approaches. Violence prevention can be specifically addressed through targeted development assistance, human-centred security sector initiatives (such as community-based policing), local peace-building and conflict management, access to basic entitlements, and a range of other interventions. Despite relatively developed governmental structures in South Eastern Europe, due to the lack of data collection and analysis mechanisms, successive research projects have revealed there to be very few reliable and comparable indications of the level of armed violence within the region’s countries and territories. This report offers an insight into current data-gathering practices, and analyses the practicalities of improving the availability of operationally useful information, with reference to international best practices in this field.
The project was funded by UNDP-SEESAC (United Nations Development Programme – South Eastern and Eastern Europe Clearinghouse for the Control of Small Arms and Light Weapons).
Analysing and Debating the Future of EU Enlargement – Enlargement Roadshows in the Czech Republic, Latvia and
Poland
Lead partner: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic
PASOS partners: Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia, Center for Research and Policy Making, Macedonia, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
Other partner: Centre for Economics and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), Turkey
Publications: Bulgaria, Romania, and Who Next? Perspectives of Further EU
Enlargement as seen from the New Member States and EU Hopefuls, EUROPEUM Institute
for European Policy; The Future of EU Enlargement: On Track or Derailed? Debates in New
Member States, Candidates and Neighbours, Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS
Contact: David Král, dkral@europeum.org
This project set out between March 2006 and February 2007 to raise the profile of policy debate on the implications and challenges of further EU enlargement in three new member-states of the EU – the Czech Republic, Poland and Latvia. It stimulated debate by organising roundtables and conferences in these countries, raised the profile of the issue in the major national media, and raised the awareness of the issue among key policymakers in the respective states. The roadshow in each new member-state focused on examining the enlargement policy towards one particular candidate or potential candidate country in the following pairs: Czech Republic-Ukraine, Poland-Macedonia (and Western Balkans generally), and Latvia-Turkey.
The project was funded by the European Integration Subprogramme of the Open Society Institute‘s East-East Partnership Beyond Borders Programme, and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, Prague.
Linking Latvia to Turkey
Lead partner: Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia
Other partner: Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), Turkey
Through the PASOS Policy Centres Development Fund, supported by LGI, PASOS was able to fund the costs of meetings in Riga and Istanbul between the Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia, and the Centre for Economic and Foreign Policy Studies (EDAM), Turkey, as part of the project “Analysing and Debating the Future of EU Enlargement – Enlargement Roadshow in the Czech Republic, Poland and Latvia”.
EDAM and PROVIDUS examined possibilities for future co-operation in the field of EU accession, drawing on the experience of Latvia as a new EU member-state in the Turkish accession negotiations and accompanying public debate in Turkey.
European Prospects of Ukraine and Turkey
Lead partner: Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
PASOS partners: Centre for Policy Studies at the Central European University, Hungary, EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Peace Institute, Slovenia
Publications:Accession Prospects for Turkey and Ukraine. Debates in New Member States; Turkey and Ukraine: Wanted or Not? Central European Reflections of Their EU Membership Perspectives
Contact: Justyna Frelak, justyna.frelak@isp.org.pl
The project, undertaken from April 2005 – April 2006, analysed and compared the debates in four new EU member-states on the EU accession prospects of Ukraine and Turkey. After the preparation of initial analyses and a series of roundtables, conferences were held in Warsaw and Brussels. The project was funded by LGI.
Improving the Procedure of Immigration Policy Implementation in Ukraine. The EU Experience in Executing Readmission Agreements
Lead partner: Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
PASOS partner: International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
Publications:Recommendations on the Implementation of the Negotiated Agreement on Readmission
(white and green book) Based on the Polish Experience
The aim of this project was to improve migration management in Ukraine via dissemination of knowledge and experience regarding readmission agreements. The project, from September 2005 – September 2006, involved a series of seminars in Poland and Ukraine, an international conference, a training seminar/study visit for Ukrainian officials in Poland, and visits to deportation centres. The project was funded by the British Embassy in Kiev, LGI, and the Stefan Batory Foundation, Poland.
Model for Public Oversight of Healthcare Spending
Lead partner: International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
PASOS partners: International Centre for European Culture Euro Balkan Institute, Macedonia, Public Policy Research Center, Kazakhstan
Publication:Budget Oversight Model
Contact: Oksana Remiga, oremiga@icps.kiev.ua
This project set out to enhance public awareness and participation at the local level by developing effective mechanisms of public oversight of healthcare spending for use in South-Eastern Europe, Central and Eastern Europe, and Central Asia. Outputs included a practical, subnational budget oversight model that includes: (a) requirements of legislative and institutional framework, (b) requirements for information dissemination, and (c) examples of independent analysis of budget spending on healthcare. The project was funded by LGI.
Study Programme for Young Russian Public Policy Analysts
Lead partner: Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
PASOS partner: Strategia – St. Petersburg Center for Humanities and Political Studies, Russia
This project aimed to enhance the analytical skills of future Russian opinion-leaders, and to disseminate knowledge about the changes in Poland after 1989. The project involved a series of training seminars and study visits in Poland from February to October 2006. The project was funded by the National Endowment for Democracy.
Study Programme for Moldovan Public Policy Analysts
Lead partner: Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
PASOS partner: Institute for Public Policy, Moldova
This project involved the organisation from September to December 2006 of a series of seminars and study visits to Poland for Moldovan public policy analysts, followed up by a seminar in Moldova. It aimed to enhance the analytical skills of future Moldovan opinion-leaders and disseminate knowledge about the changes in Poland after 1989. This project was funded by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Sharing Experience of NGOs and Journalists as Important Stakeholders in the EU Accession Process
Lead partner: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic
PASOS partner: Center for Research and Policy Making, Macedonia
Contact: Vladimír Bartovic, vbartovic@europeum.org
This pilot project was designed to transfer to the countries of the Western Balkans know-how generated during the EU accession process of the Czech Republic. In the first stage, the project focused on two different target groups of civil society: representatives of NGOs (think-tanks), and journalists. This first stage was conducted with Macedonia from June-December 2006. Plans are underway to launch the project in other countries in the Western Balkans, initially with those most advanced in the process of accession to the EU.
The project was funded by the European Integration Subprogramme of the Open Society Institute‘s East-East Partnership Beyond Borders Programme.
Friendly EU Border
Lead partner: Stefan Batory Foundation, Poland
PASOS partners: Association for International Affairs (AMO), Czech Republic, Institute for Public Policy, Moldova
Other partners: Centre for Peace, Conversion and Foreign Policy of Ukraine, Ukraine, Centre for Social Innovations, Belarus, Collegium Civitas, Poland, Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights, Poland, Moscow Bureau for Human Rights, Russia
Publication:Visa Policies of the European Union Member States – Monitoring Report
Contact: Grzegorz Gromadzki, ggromadzki@batory.org.pl
This module evaluated the visa policies and the consular practices of eight EU countries – Belgium, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Lithuania and Poland – in four countries of Eastern Europe: Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and Moldova. The monitoring comprised in-depth interviews with 1,300 people requesting visas at 31 consulates in Chisinau, Kiev, Minsk and Moscow, conducted in November-December 2005. Analysis of the interviews and information on EU visa policies were presented in the resulting publication, along with a policy paper including recommendations by experts, lawyers and human-rights activists on the most desirable, friendly and consistent model of EU visa policy.
The project was funded by the Open Society Institute‘s East-East Partnership Beyond Borders Programme.
PASOS members’ joint projects 2005
Projects on Visegrad consular and visa co-operation, on accountability of political parties in South-Eastern Europe, and on the development of public policy centres in Russia
Feasibility Study for Consular and Visa Co-operation among Visegrad States for Residents of Ukraine and Moldova
Lead partner: Institute of Public Affairs, Poland
PASOS partners: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Center for Policy Studies at the Central European University, Hungary, Institute for Public Policy, Moldova, International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
Other partner: Slovak Foreign Policy Association
The primary purpose of the feasibility study was to explore ways in which the practice of issuing visas could be improved and whether co-operation among the Visegrad consulates in issuing visas was possible. The key conclusions were that political will was necessary for any co-operation, and that the EU exerted a considerable impact upon the way consulates conducted the visa-issuing process. Other barriers to co-operation included incompatibility of procedures and insufficient technology. Among the countries concerned, Poland and Hungary were more liberal in their visa practices, while the Czech Republic and Slovakia were more cautious.
Specific recommendations were made based on an in-depth examination of the legal and institutional framework of current policies, and the study included interviews with ministry officials and consuls, and on-site assessments by visa applicants. Two publications, The Visegrad States Between Schengen and Neighbourhood, published by the Institute of Public Affairs, and The Visegrad States on the EU‘s Eastern Frontier, published by the Center for Policy Studies at the Central European University, resulted from the project, which was funded by LGI.
Strengthening Democracy in South-Eastern Europe through Accountable Control of Political Parties
Lead partner: Institute for Public Policy, Romania
PASOS partners: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Institute of Public Affairs, Poland, International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
The purpose of the project was to provide a tool for comparing legislative frameworks and control practices for monitoring party finances. It brought together experts from policy centres and public officials from the countries involved. The conclusions included a set of recommendations to strengthen efficient control in the area of political party funding, in particular through a statutory independent oversight institution supervising the whole electoral process, a clear set of statutory sanctions to be used in the event of infringement of rules, and guaranteed public access to data on political party funding to strengthen transparency and public accountability.
Recommendations were made to increase the knowledge and institutional capacity of each of the four states‘ Audit Courts in dealing with the control of party finances. The conclusions have been published in Romanian and English (Legislation and Control Mechanisms of Political Parties‘ Funding – Czech Republic, Poland, Romania, Ukraine).
The project was funded by LGI and the Open Society Institute‘s East-East: Partnership Beyond Borders Programme.
Development of Public Policy and Centres for Public Policy in Russia
Lead partner: Strategia – St. Petersburg Center for Humanities and Political Studies, Russia
PASOS partners: EUROPEUM Institute for European Policy, Czech Republic, Centre for Public Policy PROVIDUS, Latvia, International Centre for Policy Studies, Ukraine
The aim of the project was to examine the role of 30 policy centres in north-west Russia in policy formulation and to strengthen their capacity to work effectively to shape public policy reform, to engage with public authorities, to engage in international policy networks, and to further democratic participation in the policy process. Subsequent to the project, Strategia is publishing an almanac Public Policy 2005, as well as a directory of public policy centres in north-west Russia. The project was funded by LGI, the National Endowment for Democracy, and the Consulate General of Great Britain in St Petersburg.
