Аn independent non-partisan non-governmental organization striving to enhance and deepen security cooperation based on common Euro-Atlantic values.
Values. Security.
As an independent non-partisan and non-governmental organization, we aim to contribute to deepening and enhancing Trans-Atlantic and regional cooperation in the security sector based on common Euro-Atlantic values and understanding of individual and collective security.
Our mission is to contribute to individual and collective security in the Transatlantic space, to encourage and strengthen international and regional security cooperation. We want to see Euro-Atlantic values firmly embedded in the security architecture on both sides of the Atlantic and we aim to facilitate the Euro-Atlantic integration through sharing of experience and expertise to neighboring regions. Our goal is to spread the impact of Euro-Atlanticism and its values by offering concrete measures and policies for enhancing the strategic partnership both between the European Union and the United States of America and bilaterally.
Euro-Atlantic values of democracy, international law, trust to international organizations, respect for human rights, media freedom, rule of law and others are of fundamental importance for security in the Transatlantic space. Values should be at the heart of our common understanding and definition of security threats and challenges, as well as the corresponding counteracting measures. Values are the glue that historically and culturally has helped the Euro-Atlantic partners understand and jointly work for their respective common or individual strategic security interests. Security without values amounts to nothing more but unprincipled power projection both domestically and internationally.
We see security as a fundamental need and right both on the individual and collective level. Security is a multi-faceted concept that in the current days of emerging and dynamically evolving threats requires constant redefinition to correspond to the ever-changing security environment. Security is not only ‘hard’ and related to physical safety and defence. Apart from this traditional understanding of security, we support the view that security also has ‘softer’ dimensions of immense importance, such as counteracting ideological challenges, disinformation, and manipulation, and that it incorporates a number of new fields, such as ecology and climate change that have the potential to generate concrete security threats.
Striving for excellence, we rely on expert knowledge, meticulous analysis, and good planning to offer the best ideas at the right moment.
Research & Analysis
We offer well-calibrated research by asking the right questions and finding the best methodology corresponding to the case at hand. Collecting and analysis primary or secondary data, looking at the concrete research subject through a variety of theoretical lenses and approaches, we strive to provide the most accurate analysis for understanding the security environment and designing responses to the pressing security issues of our time.
Consultancy
We offer tailored research and analysis corresponding to your needs and concerns, to your plans and potential. Risk assessment, strategic analysis and counselling, policy design and implementation, theoretical and practical trainings in a variety of security related issues are provided by our experts to help you understand the security environment better and plan for the future.
Ideas & Policies
A think-tank at its core, we are eager to develop and promote ideas and policies in response to the ever-alternating security challenges at the national and international levels. Our major goal is to contribute to building a more inclusive security system in the Euro-Atlantic space based on common values, mutual understanding, trust and cooperation amoung NATO and EU states and their periphery.
Public Awareness & Expert Debates
Giving floor and hearing out different voices sometimes could be the best way to find the right solutions and coin the most fitting ideas. That is why we are committed not only to stirring and partaking in expert debates but also to making them accessible and understanadble to the public.
Our team combines a variety of experts, professionals, academics, politicians, and opinion-shapers of different generations and of diverse backgrounds in security-related fields. What brings us together is our committment to Euro-Atlantic security cooperation and values.
- For a more secure future -
Our project areas are carefully selected to reflect pressing security issues and produce added-value at the national, regional, and international level.
Fake news, disinformation, and hybrid warfare
Disinformation and hybrid warfare attack the most fundamental values of democratic societies and distort citizens’ understanding of the goals and intentions of the Transatlantic partners. Fake news erode the trust and plant negative sentiments in the public that not only influence concrete aspects of the political process in the short term, but also cause unpredictable damage to the Euro-Atlantic partnership in the long term by jeopardizing the effectiveness of security sector cooperation that requires mutual trust.
Cyber security and data protection
Cyber space reveals unknown horizons and unexpected challenges putting individual and collective security at risk. Guaranteeing cyber security has multiple aspects from data protection for each and every citizen to ensuring the security of critical infrastructure and information systems on the national and international level.
In the digital age, data protection is a new fundamental right of every individual with a digital footprint. It prevents the misuse of data for criminal ends. High data protection standards also contribute to a more effective cooperation among agencies in the security sector by increasing the overall security of systems and thus the level of trust at the national and international level.
Fighting terrorism, prevention of radicalization and de-radicalization
There are a number of definitions of the concept of terrorism but despite the impossibility for consensus, most of them have two basic elements in common: the use of fear or violence for attaining political goals. With the rise of radical Islamism the political aims become ever more unclear but the more clearly aimed at the “Western” model of private and public life. Ceasing financial flows to terrorism, prevention of radicalization and deradicalization are becoming increasingly important for ensuring the security of the Euro-Atlantic space.
Combatting human trafficking
Bulgaria continues to be among the main source countries for victims of human trafficking. Sharing of knowledge and experience on the regional and international level in respect to the legislative framework and the operational work of law enforcement agencies, as well as increasing social awareness about the scale and consequences of this modern form of slavery are the main instruments to combat it.
Energy security and ecology
Bulgaria is at the entry of the European Union energy market and due to its geostrategic position is a territory where a multitude of geopolitical and investment interests in the energy sector intertwine. Recent situations on the international stage show unequivocally that the energy sector is frequently used for political pressure from third countries. Energy security through diversification of sources and routes that guarantees energy independence is of key importance for the national and international security in the Euro-Atlantic region.
At the same time climate change imposes the necessity to evaluate energy sources also based on their ecological impact. Environmentally motivated migrant flows and natural disasters are only two examples of ecological challenges for security.
Counteracting money laundering
Money laundering is a grave problem, related to other forms of serious organized crime, such as trafficking in narcotics and people, as well as financing of terrorism. Constant sharing of knowledge, skills, approaches, and best practices among law enforcement agencies, the private sector, state institutions, academic circles, and non-governmental organizations committed to the topic is key for the constant adaptation of the measures for effective detection of money flows with criminal sources or aims.
Migration and migration policies
Migration processes cause a number of potential challenges related not only to physical security and the risk of terrorism and radicalization but also with the exploitation of the topic by populists for scare mongering the general public for concrete political goals. After the Arab Spring, too often we have become witness to negative narratives about migration with the approach of elections. Designing clear migration policies and increasing citizens’ awareness about the various aspects of migration are crucial tools for overcoming the challenges caused by this phenomenon.
Studying the communist past and the culture of remembrance
The historical truth about the period of the communist regime should be studied and accessible for the public, it should be taught at school and subjected to a wide public debate. Only in this way the period will stop being a taboo and a source of misleading allegations. Knowing one’s past and building a culture of remembrance are an indispensable part of the construction of a staunch value system not only in young people but in society as a whole.
Contact Us
Tel: +359 2 992 8057
1700 SOFIA, OSMI DEKEMVRI 13 STR., OFFICE 08
