ISIS Europe is an independent and neutral research and advisory organisation active in the field of European and international security and defence policy.

Its aims are:

-to provide timely and accurate recommendation-orientated research;

-to increase transparency;

-to stimulate parliamentary engagement and broaden participation in EU and NATO policy-making.

Through publications and events, ISIS Europe facilitates parliamentary and inter-institutional dialogue with all stakeholders and provides policy input to strengthen common approaches to conflict prevention, crisis management, peace building, arms control and disarmament.

A not-for-profit organisation registered in Belgium. ISIS Europe has been present in Brussels since 1995. The organisation's oversight is provided by its Governing Board.

Funding

ISIS Europe receives funding from foundations, trusts, official institutions and national governments. Current funders include the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, the Polden-Puckham Charitable Foundation, the Network for Social Change and project funding from the European Commission.

Programmes

Institutional reform and security governance: values, legitimacy and democracy

ISIS Europe works to ensure that EU and NATO security strategies, policies and institutions in the enlarged Europe are designed to meet contemporary security challenges while meeting the highest standards of transparency and democratic accountability. This programme area explores the institutional responses to contemporary security challenges. Particular attention is paid to promoting comprehensive responses, integrating the co-ordination of internal and external, civil and military, preventive and defensive instruments.

Responding to violent conflict: conflict prevention and crisis management

ISIS Europe provides policy input to Member States and EU institutions to help ensure that the development and implementation of conflict prevention policies are coherent and conflict-sensitive. Particular attention is paid to strengthening the EU's capacity to work with key partners and NGOs, and to strengthening the link between short-term crisis management interventions and longer-term peacebuilding activities. ISIS Europe also analyses trends in European defence transformation and provides policy advice on how such developments can be harnessed for crisis management operations in a timely, cost effective and responsible manner.

Gender and Security

ISIS Europe hosts Women in International Security (WIIS Brussels) - an informal international network of women and men working in international security across all sectors, dedicated to increasing the influence of women in foreign and defence policy by increasing their numbers and visibility, and enhancing dialogue on international security issues.

Publications and Events

Through its publications, the "European Security Review" and "CSDP Notes", ISIS Europe contributes to the debate on the future of CSDP. Regular "Parliamentary Updates" covering European Parliament meetings on security and defence improve the transparency and accountability of security organisations in Brussels.

ISIS Europe also aims to widen participation in the policy-making process through the organisation of public events in the European Parliament to promote dialogue between parliamentarians, officials from the institutions and governments and civil society representatives on issues related to the EU's common foreign and security policies.

These events include the European Security Contact Group - regular roundtables hosted by an MEP and held in the European Parliament; ISIS Conferences - longer events on ISIS programme areas with guest speakers and participants; and ISIS Seminars with ISIS partners. ISIS Europe's policy input is supported by its research activities.

In addition to the organisation of events for European parliamentarians, ISIS Europe provides support to them in their scrutiny of security and defence policy by responding to requests for information and advice relating to the formulation of parliamentary questions, resolutions and reports.

CSDP MAP

ISIS Europe established the Common Security and Defence Policy Mission Analysis Partnership project (CSDP MAP) in 2008 to fill a research gap by collating think tank, research institute, NGO, government and EU institutional work on CSDP into one online portal.

It is widely recognised that the monitoring and evaluation of CSDP missions is under-developed. It lacks both oversight and accountability. Therefore, the projects aims to ascertain the impact on the ground via monitoring and analysis of CSDP action by civil society, at the local level and within Europe. This process provides critical support for enhancing CSDP interventions.

CSDP MAP is a one-stop resource that compiles data and information on CSDP missions and the regions where missions are deployed. The project focuses on contributing to a better understanding of CSDP. The web portal enhances understanding of CSDP policy and mission planning and helps improve relations between the EU institutions, governments and local stakeholders, including civil society.

CSDP MAP is an independent, neutral and inclusive project. ISIS Europe acts as the project's secretariat and coordinator.

For more information, please visit the CSDP MAP website: www.csdpmap.eu