Our work

 

ESI is a non-profit association with an agenda: to fight for human rights, democracy and an open, tolerant and peaceful Europe. Our tools are arguments, our role is to develop, through serious research, concrete policy proposals that can be implemented. We believe in factfulness, rational argument and the value of intense debate. We believe that only ideas presented in a clear, honest and accessible style can convince majorities to support policies. 

At this moment - early 2020 - we advocate for the following concrete policy proposals on EU asylum policy, South East Europe and human rights: 

Orban cartoon

The EU's most dangerous leader

Why the EPP should expel Viktor Orban’s Fidesz party

A girl tries to protect herself from the rain at a makeshift camp for refugees and migrants next to the Moria camp during a rainfall, on the island of Lesbos

Evacuate the islands - EU-Turkey 2.0

How the EU and Turkey must cooperate in their mutual interest

Gerald Knaus (right) with the cabinet of North Rhine-Westphalia and Prime Minister Armin Laschet (left)

ESI latest on borders

Borders and rights under pressure

Foreign Ministry building Belgrade

No partition

Why Kosovo & Serbia must not discuss territory

Zbigniew Ziobro

How the rule of law dies in Poland

Support the CJEU to protect the rule of law in Poland

Hamster in wheel

Escaping the Hamster Wheel

For a reformed, merit-based EU accession process that offers a credible interim goal

New deal with Africa

Legal access and fast return

Start EU accession talks with North Macedonia

Keep your word. Strengthen reformers

The crisis of the Council of Europe - Caviar Diplomacy

Countries blatantly violating its rules should be expelled

Tel Apel

How to preserve the right to asylum

A new reception and asylum system: speed and quality

Ruin in Mostar

Abandon clichés about Bosnia

Push EU-related reforms instead of arbitrary conditions

Anti-Corruption Report for the West Balkans

Measure corruption in order to fight it

AKP rally Istanbul

Red Lines for Turkey

Define clear standards. Assess them strictly

Mostar.

How to teach war in the Balkans?

For a comprehensive analysis of 20th century history textbooks

Silly rankings don't help

The World Bank's Doing Business ranking is easy to trick and should be changed