Running a think tank in a changing Europe: The evolution of think tanks in Southeast Europe

Every think tank has a unique journey—shaped by its context, mission, and the people driving its vision. But how do think tanks emerge and establish themselves in regions undergoing political and economic transitions? What role do they play in fostering evidence-based policymaking?

In this episode, we speak with Simonida Kacarska, Director of the European Policy Institute (EPI) in North Macedonia. As a leading expert on European integration and governance, Simonida shares the story of EPI’s development and its impact on policymaking in her native Macedonia and the Western Balkans.

We discuss the evolution of think tanks in the region, the challenges of funding and sustainability, and how young researchers are shaping policy debates. Simonida also reflects on the significance of the term ‘think tank’—a concept that does not always translate directly across languages and cultures.

Join us as we explore the power of policy research, the resilience required to build a think tank, and the strategies that can strengthen the sector in a changing Europe.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

To learn more about the European Policy Institute (EPI), please visit https://epi.org.mk

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OTT Talks is a platform to share learning among think tanks, funders and other policy actors on a range of topics from think tank governance to communicating research.

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/

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On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions; and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all.

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