"EURO-BALKAN Institute (Institut “Evro-Balkan”) is an academic institution founded to support the European integration process and the ongoing reforms in Republic of Macedonia and the SEE region through policy oriented research and think-tank activities advocating the EU principles and values and promoting transatlantic cooperation and interdependence. The EURO-BALKAN Institute was established in 1999 and registered as a non-for profit public policy research and think-tank center. Due to its increased engagement and quality of its staff and academic activities, in 2005, it was promoted to an academic institution by the Ministry of Education enabling it to conduct scientific and research activities.Achievements One of the most significant projects of the Institute is the Ohrid Summer University (OSU 1999-present) an academic program aimed at postgraduates, researchers and professionals. OSU offers intensive, problem oriented and research based courses from the domain of social sciences and humanities hosting up to 100 participants from the countries of Central, Eastern, Southeastern Europe and NIS. Other widely recognized initiatives of the Institute include the publication of the semiannual, bilingual periodical Identities: Journal for Politics, Gender and Culture, the School of Gender and Politics (2002-present), the Regional Initiative: Strategies for Gender/Women’s Studies in South Eastern Europe (2003-present) and the establishment of the inter-institutional Centre for Curriculum Development in the area of gender studies with the State University “St. Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje (2003-present), projects implemented by the Research Centre in Gender Studies. The Centre for Public Administration and Public Policy Centre has provided training of 1200 civil servants until now, from the state and local administration, also for the employees of the State Civil Servants Agency supporting the process of strengthening of the new civil service system in Republic of Macedonia. Additionally it has provided technical assistance in drafting secondary legislation adopted by the Agency and prepared crucial strategic documents aimed to improve the governance of the City of Skopje. The Resource Centre for Democracy and Security implemented several projects aimed at sustainable cooperation for regional and bilateral confidence building with the neighbouring countries including Albania and Bulgaria. The Electronic News Archive (ENA) is the only concentrated electronic database of printed media in Macedonia, securing full coverage of printed media news and analyses of the current developments in the country (archived more than 152,000 articles by the end of 2006) and introducing a client-orientated press-clipping service. The Centre for Research and Analyses (CRA) offers three main products, “Daily Briefing”, “EU Briefing” and “Energy geopolitics”, which are consisted of geopolitical analysis and special reports, covering the world events and crisis situations that have significant impact on global and regional developments.Activity The EURO-BALKAN Institute develops and implements programs of higher education and innovative research, prepares policy impact analyses and recommendations targeting higher transparency of the decision making process and supports the Euro-Atlantic integration of the country through capacity building and institutional strengthening of the key local and national actors in the reform process. The Institute maintains a broad network of Macedonian and foreign experts and organizations which cooperate with the Institute on different areas of interest. The Institute publishes books, reviews, journals, briefings and periodical analysis on the current national, regional and global developments. It also organizes summer universities, courses, seminars and conferences. Currently, it provides for consultant services to the Macedonian Government for support of the process of EU integration of the country.Aims The EURO-BALKAN Institute aims to: - To contribute to sustainable development and EU integration of Republic of Macedonia - To advocate the democratic and contemporary public policy reforms in Republic of Macedonia - To transfer the good European and transatlantic practices - To initiate open debates and support effective dialogues - To foster the economic free market reforms in Republic of Macedonia - To advocate regional integration and emanation of an authentic European identity, culture and civic society on the Balkans"Source: Self-entry in July 2007.