Balkans Policy Research Group (Balkans Group) is a non-profit, non-governmental think tank researching and developing policy recommendations on peacebuilding and statebuilding issues in the Western Balkans. Balkans Group is built on the foundation laid down by the International Crisis Group’s years of work in the region. It is not a continuation of Crisis Group under another name, but a wholly ind
ependent organization with a distinct goal, carrying forward a valuable legacy. The founding staff are veterans of Crisis Group’s Balkans and Kosovo projects. They have been the force behind Crisis Group’s reporting and analysis with a strong record of picking the right topic at the right time, getting the key information, analyzing it objectively and devising the right solutions. While the threat of renewed war has receded, states in the region are still weak and marked by deep internal and external disputes. Balkans Group is dedicated to helping the region overcome the fragility that threatens its development and obstructs integration with Europe. We will target the sources of state fragility in Southeastern Europe – unresolved legacies of war, patronage-based politics, intolerance, a lack of accountability and local ownership – and offer specific, tested policy recommendations to resolve them. We will present our work through innovative outreach and advocacy in cooperation with like-minded organizations. All of our work is based on extensive, on the ground field research carried out by our own staff, coupled with interviews with national and international leaders. We provide reliable factual reporting on key developments. Building on this, we offer analysis that explains the long term implications of events and identifies the key points at which policy interventions can have greatest impact. We aim to help national decision makers and international actors craft the policies that lead to the resolution of outstanding internal and bilateral conflicts and to state consolidation. Our staff has developed an extensive network of contacts in the region of the Western Balkans
The Balkans Policy Research Group will work to develop a reputation for integrity, professionalism and independence in its publications and (public) advocacy. Our work is focused on Kosovo, Bosnia, North Macedonia, Serbia and Albania. Balkans Group is registered in Pristina, Kosovo.
