A European alliance of six universities and two think tanks

The Institute of Security and Global Affairs (ISGA) is a part of the Faculty of Governance and Global Affairs at Leiden University. ISGA was founded in 2016 to advance multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary research and education in the broad fields of security and global affairs.
ISGA’s ambition is to continue on its path of becoming one of the leading institutes for the study of core issues of security and global affairs that combines internationally leading research and innovative high-quality student-centred education, with strong societal impact and policy advice. The Institute’s strategic focus emphasizes both its European and international ambitions combined with its strategic position in the city of The Hague, the centre of government and the third largest city in the Netherlands, but also the International City of Peace and Justice Given the prominent position of The Hague, ISGA’s ambition is to serve as a highly policy-relevant hub that facilities closer interaction between the Institute and other knowledge institutions, ministries, national and international organisations, the private sector, and NGOs. At the national and European levels, ISGA seeks to impact in significant ways the scholarly and policy-oriented debate and become an internationally “go-to place” for studying and researching the most pressing issues of security and global affairs.  

Central European University is an undergraduate - and graduate-level “crossroads” university where faculty and students from more than 100 countries come to engage in interdisciplinary education, pursue advanced scholarship, and address some of society’s most vexing problems. 
CEU is accredited in the United States and Austria, and offers English-language bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs in the social sciences, the humanities, law, management and public policy. Located in Vienna, the heart of Europe, CEU has a distinct academic and intellectual focus, combining the comparative study of the region's historical, cultural, and social diversity with a global perspective on good governance, sustainable development and social transformation. 
Founded in 1991 at a time when revolutionary changes were throwing off the rigid orthodoxies imposed on Central and Eastern Europe, CEU is based on the premise that human fallibility can be counterbalanced by the critical discussion of ideas and that this critical spirit can be sustained best in societies where citizens have the freedom to scrutinize competing theories and openly evaluate and change government policies.
CEU is one of the most densely international universities in the world. Its rare mix of nationalities, ethnicities, and cultures creates an ideal environment for examining such “open society” subjects as emerging democracies, transitional economies, media freedom, nationalism, human rights, and the rule of law. It also brings multifaceted perspectives to all aspects of community life. 
CEU is known for excellence in teaching and research—with purpose. At the core of its mission lies a set of principles: the pursuit of truth wherever it leads, respect for the diversity of cultures and peoples, and commitment to resolve differences through debate not denial.

Universität Hamburg - University of Excellence is one of the strongest research educational institutions in Germany.

Our work in research, teaching, educational and knowledge exchange activities is fostering the next generation of responsible global citizens ready to tackle the global challenges facing us. Our guiding principle “Innovating and Cooperating for a Sustainable Future in a Digital Age” drives collaboration with academic and nonacademic partner institutions in the Hamburg Metropolitan Region and around the world.

The University of Trento, located in the heart of the Italian Alps and in proximity of the Dolomites UNESCO World Heritage Site, is an internationally recognized institution of excellence: it stands out for its innovation in research and the high quality of its teaching. As of the 2022-2023 academic year, the University of Trento had approximately 16.500 enrolled students and employed around 600 professors within 11 departments. It engages in an articulated international network, being member of the European University Association (EUA) and of the Top Industrial Managers for Europe (T.I.M.E.) network; over 10 percent of faculty are foreign tenured scholars, and UniTrento maintains bilateral agreements across Asia, the Americas, Africa, and Oceania. The University of Trento is consistently placed among the nation’s top 5 universities by the national evaluation of CENSIS; in 2024/25, its IT and ICT programs ranked first nationwide among public institutions.
In 2023 the University of Trento had 27,893,842 euro in revenue from competitively funded research. Since 2007 it has been involved in 35 ERC projects (10 through Horizon Europe, 11 through Horizon 2020 and 14 through FP7). In addition, the university was the host institution in 8 ERC Proof of Concept projects (1 through Horizon Europe, 5 through H2020 and 2 through FP7). Within the Horizon Europe programme, the University of Trento is involved in 103 projects (in 42 of which as coordinator) + 9 projects as associated partner.
Moreover, with a vibrant and multicultural academic community, it offers a stimulating and inclusive environment that fosters the personal and professional development of students. Close collaboration with businesses, research institutes and international organizations guarantees students internship opportunities and research projects that enrich their educational path.

Masaryk University (MU) is one of the leading higher education institutions in Central Europe and the second-largest university in the Czech Republic. Known for its strong democratic values and commitment to academic excellence, MU supports interdisciplinary study and inclusive education across its ten faculties. The Faculty of Law, one of MU’s founding faculties, is a dynamic centre for legal education and research, with a strong focus on the interconnection between national and European legal frameworks. The Judicial Studies Institute at MU is a research centre that studies domestic courts, international tribunals, and various bodies involved in judicial governance. It currently focuses primarily on the role of information institutions in the process of democratic backsliding.

The University of Rennes is one of France’s leading public research universities, renowned for its interdisciplinary approach and strong engagement with social, political, and economic transformations. It brings together expertise across law, political science, economics, and data science to address contemporary societal challenges. The university is particularly recognized for its work on governance, public policy, and institutional performance — often focusing on how structures of power, networks, and norms shape outcomes in both democratic and administrative systems. With a vibrant academic community and a long-standing tradition of international collaboration, the University of Rennes is a key hub for critical research on institutions and their impact on society.

The European Policy Institute - Skopje is a think tank from North Macedonia that focuses on advancing policy-driven research and fostering democratic governance. It engages in a wide range of activities including policy analysis, advocacy, and capacity building, particularly in the areas of rule of law, public administration reform, and EU accession processes. EPI’s mission is, through high-quality research and proposals on European policy, to provide a sound base for debate and solutions, targeting decision-makers and the wider public.

The Institute of Public Affairs  is a leading Polish think tank (IPA)  providing research-based policy recommendations since 1995. It focuses on democracy, public institutions, and social policy, shaping debates on Poland’s future in Europe and beyond. Its analyses and reports inform decision-makers, media, and civil society, turning knowledge into action.
IPA promotes fact-based public debate on key Polish, European, and global issues. It strengthens democratic standards, enhances institutional resilience, and counters disinformation. Through strategic insights, IPA helps improve governance, public safety, and responses to emerging challenges.