Collaborations

Achieving coordination among executive actors of territorial units is one of the key challenges of contemporary politics. The increasing interdependence of political actions beyond the boundaries of sovereign authority requires greater coordination between territorial units and across levels of government, in an increasingly complex context. The effectiveness and legitimacy of democratic governance depend crucially on this capacity. There remains a gap in knowledge regarding the organization and functioning of intergovernmental coordination, as well as a lack of connection between different research approaches, such as federalism, European governance, and local and regional governance.

European legal systems are facing increasing congestion. With the rise in judicial proceedings, it is becoming more difficult to ensure timely, high-quality decisions. This inefficiency generates high social costs, creating uncertainty for citizens, businesses, and governments, as well as delaying important decisions related to investment, well-being, and growth. This COST Action argues that the best way to address this challenge is to analyze the institutional, legal, and economic differences between EU countries in order to identify best practices.

The world is currently facing several significant challenges to peace and security. Violent conflicts and the number of associated victims have doubled over the past decade. Building peace, reducing insecurity, and preventing violent conflict requires us to fundamentally rethink the concept of peace. That is why this COST Action “PEACE” brings together a transnational, interdisciplinary European research community, expanding and strengthening a network of centres and researchers in the field of peace and conflict studies across Europe.

This project aims to address the evolving challenges and opportunities in the maritime domain while promoting cooperation among Atlantic nations. Leveraging a multidimensional approach encompassing policy frameworks, technological advancements, and diplomatic collaboration, this research is focused on researching sustainable solutions to maritime security threats and enhancing transatlantic partnerships. The project offers an in-depth analysis of the current state of maritime security in the Atlantic region, considering diverse factors such as piracy, illegal fishing, maritime terrorism, and illicit trafficking.

In the era of globalization after the 1990s, the states of Eastern Europe (EE) as well as the close European neighbours in the Near and Middle East (NME) underwent significant social changes and political developments, especially with regard to democratization. Political consensus on norms such as “women’s rights are human rights” and/or on measures against sexual discrimination appeared as a central component and symbol of democratization and democratic societies.