Project Structure

Visual Structure

Research Groups

Research done in the project is organized in four research groups, each consisting of up to six scholars from the region/or born in the region/, each focusing on a specific theme. It is significant all groups are interdisciplinary and have representatives from different South-East European countries (the region is defined to include all former Yugoslav countries, Albania, Bulgaria, Greece, Romania and Turkey). The themes of the four groups are

How the Politics of Social Inclusion is Possible in Southeast Europe?

This research group analyzes the uneasy process of "socialization" in the region. Who was included, when, and why? Risks for social cohesion. Which social and political groups will drive the social agenda? Gender, ethnic, and youth problems; access to education and the characteristics of the social agenda in the region; the role of NGOs and universities. What will be the social effects of "accelerated" or delayed EU integration?

Research Coordinator- Mihail Arandarenko, G17 Belgrade, Yugoslavia

How the Regional Economies can be Integrated in the Global Economy?

This research group focuses on the prospects of economic development of South East Europe. Researchers examine the prospects of establishing a regional free-trade area and the introduction of the Euro as a common currency; comparative advantages and disadvantages of the region; the institutional environment; factors of economic growth and foreign investments; and the role of the nation states in blocking or promoting competitive strategies.

Research Coordinator- Ilian Mihov, INSEAD, Paris.

What is the Future of the Nation States in Southeast Europe?

This research group focuses on internal dynamics of state-formation in the region; sustainability of existing states and statelets; existing constitutional regimes and their effect on the economy and society; risks of weak (and strong) states; prospects of introducing regional institutions; effects of EU enlargement on the functioning of nation states in the region; and prospects for ethnically "clean" or multi-ethnic states.

Research Coordinator: Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Romanian Academic Society, Bucharest, Romania

How to Think About the Balkans: Culture, Region, Identities?

This research group re-thinks the history, or rather histories, of the region - their diversity and their common base. Using anthropological, sociological, historical and hermeneutic methods, it focuses on everyday culture, intellectual and political debates, education, cultural, military and economic histories. The group attempts to reconstruct the controversial interaction of various identity patterns (local, national, regional, confessional, occidental, oriental, global, etc.) and tries to answer a crucial question for the future of the region: Is the Southeast European identity possible?

Research Coordinator: Alexander Kiossev, Centre for Advanced Study, Sofia, Bulgaria

Providing coherence and coordination

The research work is coordinated by the Bulgarian scholar Ivan Krastev, who originally envisioned the project. In order to secure sufficient coherence and coordination of the project Central European University's Center for Policy Studies, the resource center of the project, employs an administrative coordinator as well. Mihail Arandarenko worked in this position until December 2001. Andrea Krizsán has taken over the tasks of the administrative coordinator from January 2002. She works closely with the research coordinator of the project, Ivan Krastev, in coordinating the communication between the various research groups, gathering and circulating relevant information to the groups, organizing group gatherings and public events connected to the activities of the research groups, editing the internet site of the project and preparing publications.

Steering Committee

The Steering Committee is chaired by Yehuda Elkana, Rector and President of the Central European University.

List of Members