Established in 2006, the Eastern Europe Studies Centre (EESC) is a think-tank that carries out research and analysis, as well as development co-operation projects mainly in the Eastern EU neighbourhood, as well as other countries facing democratic development problems.

Our mission is to promote human rights, democratic values and active civil society in the countries of our involvement. We work to improve social and civil environment through people-to-people contacts and better understanding of our Eastern neighbours. We also act as an independent advisor for Lithuanian foreign policymakers, as well as we are a source of information for Lithuania and international media.

Main areas of our activities include Belarus, Georgia, and Russia’s Kaliningrad Region; currently we are expanding our partners’ networks in Azerbaijan, Armenia, Moldova and the Ukraine. Since 2008 we have been engaged in Cuba, and since 2009 we work for democracy support in Burma. In 2009, also Afghanistan appeared on our map – we launched a capacity building project for non-governmental sector and administration in the Province of Ghor.

On on-going basis we monitor developments and publish analytical papers on the situation in the EU Eastern neighbourhood:

-         The Eastern Pulse, analytical texts on political and societal processes in the Eastern European countries;

-         The Readings, a publication on issues in Lithuania and the world topping and around the world;

-         The Reflections of the Eastern Neighbourhood, a bi-weekly overview of events in Eastern Europe;

-         The Bell, an electronic newsletter with contributions by Belarusian analysts on economic and social developments in Belarus;

-         Over the Hedge, a series of comparative studies of Belarus and other countries.

All publications are free and available on our website in Lithuanian, English or Russian.

Besides research and publications, the Centre is an established venue for public debates and high-profile meetings with policymakers, academic and civil society, press and media representatives on political, economic and security issues of Eastern Europe with both national and international debaters.

We are successful in filling in the gap of public debate on challenges and success stories of the East European countries. Making the Eastern EU neighbourhood a success story is our vision.