The International Centre for Black Sea Studies (Greek: Διεθνές Κέντρο Μελετών Ευξείνου Πόντου, English Acronym: ICBSS, Greek Acronym: ΔΙΚΕΜΕΠ) is a think-tank based in Athens, Greece, committed to promoting multilateral cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region and with their international partners.
History and Identity
The ICBSS was established in 1998 as a private non-profit organisation under Greek law (art. 50 paragraph 2 of L. 2594/1998, Government Gazette 62-A’, as modified by Presidential Decrees No 137 & 138, Government Gazette No.119, 1st issue, April 2000). The centre is a de facto related body of the intergovernmental Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and forms part of the so-called “BSEC family” of institutions.
The ICBSS was created originally to contribute through policy-oriented research and advocacy work to the realisation of the goals of the BSEC and continues to act as the BSEC's acknowledged think-tank. Aside from the mandates received from the BSEC the centre also carries out a range of projects and activities on its own initiative, aiming to foster multilateral cooperation in and with the wider Black Sea region. A special focus lies on relations with the European Union.
Objectives
Through its activities, the ICBSS aims to foster multilateral cooperation among the BSEC member states as well as with their international partners.
As an independent research and training centre the ICBSS strives “to pursue applied, policy-oriented research, build capacity and promote knowledge on the Black Sea region both within and outside its boundaries”.
As a related body of the BSEC its goal is "to fulfil in the best possible way its institutional role and the assignments received by carrying out studies, offering policy advice and coordinating activities”.
In 2008, undergoing a review of its image on the occasion of its 10th anniversary, the Centre coined the motto: “Promoting Synergies Across Regions”.
Activities
To fulfil its mission the Centre carries out applied, policy-oriented research either independently or in its capacity as a related body of the BSEC. While it is not restricted in its thematic scope the ICBSS has so far focused on the following thematic areas:
BSEC-EU interaction
security/stability
energy
good governance and institutional renewal
comparative studies in regional cooperation
cooperation in science and technology
economic development
Research supporting on these topics is pursued in-house, through external experts and/or in collaboration with other institutions. It feeds into the centre's projects, publications, events, and advocacy activities.
Programmes
ICBSS Annual Conference: an international forum bringing together researchers and policy practitioners to discuss matters of high relevance affecting the state and future of the Black Sea region. ICBSS Annual Lecture: an event open to the general public featuring expert guest speakers who impart their perspective on topics pertinent to the Black Sea region. International Black Sea Symposium (IBSS): launched in 2008, the IBSS aims to provide a multicultural and interdisciplinary forum for study, dialogue and networking bringing together young professionals from the wider Black Sea region, EU member states, the US and Central Asia. Symposium participants follow a programme of interactive sessions and workshops on Black Sea related topics led by prominent speakers. Black Sea Research Network (BSRN): a network of policy-oriented research institutes focusing on the wider Black Sea region that aims to foster collaboration and concerted action through joint projects, pooling of resources as well as information and best practices exchange. Task Force on a Joint Black Sea Strategy: an international group of experts convening regularly in order to ultimately produce a joint strategy for the development of the Black Sea region with a special focus on its security and socio-economic components. ICBSS Outreach Programme: a series of open or closed roundtable and panel discussions engaging experts and local stakeholders in debates on regional policy issues.
Projects
Aside from its ongoing programmes, the centre is also undertaking a range of one-off projects of limited duration often carried out with the collaboration of international partners and usually receiving external funding. The centre has been in particular involved in a number of large-scale EU co-funded projects aiming to foster cooperation and policy coordination in the fields of Science and Technology: