East and Southeast Europe
The Regional Office FNF ESEE covers 23 countries in East and Southeast Europe. The Regional Office in Sofia coordinates the following Project Offices in the region: Bulgaria and North Macedonia, Greece, Romania and Moldova, Western Balkans, Russia and Central Asia, Ukraine and Belarus, South Caucasus and Turkey.
News
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Call for Submission: Poems of Liberty: Human Rights in Inhumane War
Deadline has been extended until the 26th November 2023: Through poetry, we seek voices to amplify Ukraine's resilience and human rights commitment. Categories: envisioning peace, daily life in conflict, and heritage. Submit original poems in English (or Ukraine with English translation) with background info. European residents only. Selected poems receive €250. Click to find out more.
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Reshape Europe – The Future of Ukraine: SPRINTS Creative Bootcamp for Artists
15 Artists, 10 Countries, 2 Days, 1 Goal - Let‘s Reshape Europe and The Future of Ukraine Together! Learn more about the creative bootcamp for artists, SPRINTS, in cooperation with Fine Acts, a global nonprofit creative studio for social impact. Download for free hope-based communications and artwork for causes.Amplify your visual language and messaging/advocacy/campaign/educational work with these socially engaged artworks. Discover the Collection on TheGreats.co.
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Europe must unite in the face of global challenges
The Reshape Europe Conference of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom on 10 October 2023 set a milestone in the global dialogue on the question: How can Europe become more resilient and sovereign to stand up to autocratic governments? Together with international experts, the Foundation discussed the challenges of the new era in terms of economy, security, energy and the liberal values of democracy.
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FNF supported short film “Istina” nominated for student Oscars
The short film “Istina”, which was supported by Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, has been nominated for the 50th Student Academy Awards/Student Oscars®. The film tells the story of a photojournalist from Belgrade who is threatened by right-wing extremist thugs and flees to Germany with her daughter. For the young film team around director Tamara Denić and producer Christian Siée, this is a dream come true.
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Ukrainian Youth's Vision for EU-Ukraine Relations
From August 23rd to 26th, FNF Ukraine held the Ideation Workshop "Reshape Europe: You(th) Vision of the EU-Ukraine Relations". For four days, 17 young Ukrainians from diverse backgrounds came together in a scenic location of Zakarpattia Oblast to discuss Ukraine's journey towards the European Union. They explored topics like EU integration, political reforms and economic changes, all while building their skills and having fun.
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Strategic Decoupling: Phasing out russian economic influence in Germany
The study by the Center for the Study of Democracy (CSD) examines the continuing entanglement between the German and Russian despite Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine. The Russian corporate presence in Germany is highly concentrated in around 40 larger firms, which specialize in oil refining, natural gas supply and distribution, metal and plastic products manufacturing, glass production, and transport. Russia’s war upended European peace and security and intensified global power competition. The study shows that the Kremlin's long arm extends far beyond Germany's misguided Ostpolitik.
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Rory Sutherland on Behavior Science and Creativity
Don't miss a dose of inspiration from the last “The Liberal Communications Network”. Get an insight into the Marketing Strategies of non-profits with Rory Sutherland´s top 5 theories on behavior science and creativity.
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20 years from Georgia’s Rose Revolution
November 23rd marks twenty years since Georgia’s Rose Revolution, a seminal event in Georgia’s modern history. On the 20th anniversary of the Rose Revolution, its legacy remains controversial due to its importance for current Georgian politics and, in the broader picture, the implication of "color revolutions" for what Russia calls its "near abroad." On the one hand, Georgia made a phenomenal leap forward during 2004-2012. On the other, many avoidable mistakes made by the young leaders of the Rose Revolution continue to haunt the country to date.
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Integration and Democratisation of the Western Balkans: The Challenges Ahead
The analysis identifies and discusses the key negative trends present in the region that all pose a principal challenge to democracy in the Western Balkans. The overview departs from domestic democratic deficits within political institutions, civil society, and media. Second, it discusses two problems of regional scope: unresolved disputes within and between states, and massive Westward migration. The analysis concludes with the broader geopolitical aspects and foreign influences that negatively affect the quality of democracy in the region, including Russian destabilizing influence, Chinese geoeconomics ambitions, and the EU’s loss of credibility.
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Unravelling Georgia's Political Fractures
The Wagner Group's mutiny against the Kremlin sent shockwaves across the geopolitical landscape, especially in Georgia. The response revealed Georgia's fragmented security structure, with the ruling party, the Georgian Dream, using political spin to use the mutiny for their own political gains, while the President, experts and opposition advocated for tighter security measures.
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Can the pro-Europeans form a government?
The parliamentary election in Montenegro ended with a low turnout and no clear majority for any party: the "Europe Now!" movement and the long-time ruling DPS achieved strong results, while the pro-Serbian alliance "For the Future of Montenegro" emerged as the third strongest force. But the formation of a new government is proving difficult due to personal conflicts and allegations of corruption. Will the pro-European forces unite to put the country on the path to EU accession?
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Renewable Energy: Powering the Future
Kostantsa Rangelova, Senior Analyst at the Center for the Study of Democracy, reports on her remarkable journey focused on renewable energy solutions to the United States. She has been a participant in the study tour, organized by the World Order and Globalization Hub of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom.
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How does Climate Change Reshape Security Policy?
In cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, the Economic Policy Institute - Sofia has produced a policy paper that focuses on the, so far rather neglected nexus, between climate change and security policy using the example of the region Southeast Europe. The findings indicate that there has to be a fundamental change of the very essence of how armed forces operate.
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Freedom Team Interview: Katharina Steegmans in Focus
Meet our intern Katharina Steegmans, a Berlin native with a passion for exploring the world.
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Change in Montenegro: Long-term president voted out of office
The newcomer Jakov Milatović, only 36 years old, beats Milo Djukanović, the "permanent president" of Montenegro who had dominated for decades, with an outstanding result. Six weeks earlier, his victory was still considered almost impossible. Since Djukanović dissolved parliament shortly before the presidential election, the future course of the country will only become clear after the parliamentary election on 11 June and the formation of a new government.
