University of Peloponnese, Greece
The University of the Peloponnese is one of the most recently established Higher Education Institutions in Greece. Today, with 140 permanent teaching staff and more than 8,000 students, the University consists of five academic faculties divided into ten different departments, each located in a different town of the Peloponnese region in southern Greece.
The Department of Political Science and International Relations has established a reputation for excellence and this is also indicated in the external assessment reports. In addition, the Department hosts a Jean Monnet Chair. A program of internships provides students with the opportunity to work for think-tanks, NGOs, international organizations and private and public institutions both in Greece and abroad. The Department focuses, among others, on Civil Society in general and Greek NGOs in particular. It has led various research programs focusing on issues of the Greek NGO ecosystem, has run the first Panhellenic Evaluation of Greek NGOs and has conducted numerous capacity building seminars directed to NGOs members.
Law and Internet Foundation (LIF/NetLaw), Bulgaria
Law and Internet Foundation is a Bulgarian NGO & Research Center which supports and performs applied studies, scientific studies, programs and projects in the field of legal, technological, economic and social issues related to the fast penetration of information and communication technologies both in public and private sectors. Recently the activities of the organization have been focused on transferring knowledge, expertise and best practices for smart, sustainable and inclusive growth with a special focus on:
– legal analyses and ethical reviews in the process of development and implementation of policies regarding the overall national legislative framework and practice of the judiciary, state offices, local authorities and local administration;
– Increasing competitiveness through technology innovations, boosting both entrepreneurship and social entrepreneurship initiatives;
– Fostering innovation through development of research and training networks to grow a new generation of highly qualified experts able to cope with all aspects of the current global challenges;
– Achievement of gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls;
– Promotion of just, peaceful and inclusive societies.
Higher Incubator Giving Growth & Sustainability (HIGGS), Greece
HIGGS is an initiative which aims to reinforce non-profit organizations, through educational and supportive programs and activities that are carried out at its premises. Its philosophy and the way it plans and implements their initiatives and programs are driven by the principles of philanthropy, solidarity, cooperation, and trust. Since its establishment, in 2012, HIGGS contributes to the development of the Greek NGO sector by providing counseling, training, co-working space, etc.
South East European Research Centre (SEERC), Greece
SEERC is an overseas research center of the University of Sheffield, established as a non-profit legal entity in Thessaloniki, Greece. It is conducting multidisciplinary research in the fields of Enterprise, Innovation & Development, Information & Communication Technologies, and Society & Human Development. SEERC’s mission is to support the stable and peaceful development of South-East Europe by conducting pure and applied research
in and for the region. To accomplish this, SEERC will employ the existing research capacities of the University of Sheffield and CITY College by facilitating collaborations between their research staff and by developing multi-disciplinary networks of researchers from across South-East Europe. Within each of its research areas, SEERC has developed multiple research groups focusing their expertise on specific sets of questions. In line with the international vision established for the center, each research group is composed at its base of researchers from the University of Sheffield and from CITY College, and is open to additional members coming from universities, research centers, and think tanks throughout Europe.
SEERC has recently been awarded as the BEST THINK TANK in South East Europe for its efforts in promoting knowledge exchange among societal associations and entrepreneurial support.
Fundacja Wspierania Organizacji Pozarzadowych «UMBRELLA», Poland
Foundation for Support of Non-Profit Organizations “Umbrella” is a non-profit organization registered in 2007. The team of Foundation consists of specialists in different fields related to the non-profit sector, with many years of experience in conducting activities for local communities. The Foundation’s activities are supported by volunteers, apprentices, and trainees involved in the implementation of various projects. The “Umbrella” Foundation is an infrastructure organization, which aims to encourage the creation and development of new organizations. This goal is achieved through training, advisory, information, and animation. Thanks to funding from the Municipality of Wrocław Foundation for over 7 years implements the project Wroclaw Non-Profit Organisations’ Support Centre “Sektor3” whose beneficiaries are organizations and activists who plan to take action in the non-profit sector.
National School of Political Studies and Public Administration, Romania
SNSPA – The National University of Political Studies and Public Administration, established in 1991 as a school of governance and training of professionals for essential social areas, is a landmark in the Romanian academic setting. SNSPA trains and develops professional competencies in Political Science, Sociology, Administrative Studies, International Relations, Diplomacy, European Studies, Communication Sciences, Psychology, Management and Human Resources.
Key local partners are Government of Romania, different public administration authorities (ministries and agencies), other local universities (University Babes-Bolyai from Cluj, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, University of Bucharest etc.), private companies, and NGOs.
In ATSIV, SNSPA is represented by the Faculty of Management. It is youngest and most dynamic structure of SNSPA. The institutional vision of the Faculty of Management consists of bridging the gap between the academic process and the national and international business environments. The research center of the faculty comprises a Laboratory of Research for the Management of Nonprofit Organizations and Social Entrepreneurship.