The BiEPAG Coordination Team is comprised of four members: the European Fund for the Balkans is represented by EFB's Executive Director and Samir Beharić, BiEPAG Programme Manager. The Centre for Southeast European Studies, University of Graz is represented by Florian Bieber, Director and Marko Kmezić, Senior Researcher.

The European Fund for the Balkans (EFB) envisions and facilitates initiatives strengthening democracy, fostering European integration and affirming the role of the Western Balkans in addressing Europe’s challenges. Its strategy is focused on three overarching areas – fostering democratisation, enhancing regional cooperation and boosting EU integration. EFB supports the process of affirming the efficacy of EU enlargement policy across the Western Balkans, improving regional cooperation amongst civil society organisations based on solidarity and demand-driven dialogue. It provides means and platforms for informed and empowered citizens to take action demanding accountable institutions and democracy. The focus is on continuous reforms of Western Balkans countries’ policies and practices on their way to EU accession.

 

The Centre for Southeast European Studies (CSEES) was set up in November2008 following the establishment of Southeast Europe as a strategicpriority at the University of Graz in 2000. The Centre is an interdisciplinary and cross-faculty institution for research and education, with the goalto provide space for the rich teaching and research activities at theuniversity on and with Southeast Europe and to promote interdisciplinary collaboration. The Centre also aims to provide information anddocumentation and to be a point of contact for media and public interested in Southeast Europe, in terms of political, legal, economic and cultural developments. An interdisciplinary team of lawyers, historians, andpolitical scientists has contributed to research on Southeast Europe, through articles, monographs and other publications. The centreregularly organizes international conferences and workshops to promote cutting edge research on Southeast Europe.