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Provisions for Establishment, Organization and Functioning

Article 1

The South East Europe and Balkans Observatory (hereinafter the SEE Observatory or the Observatory) is established at the Fondazione Luigi Einaudi ETS (hereinafter also FLE), on the initiative of FLE in partnership with MIB Trieste School of Management (hereinafter also MIB). The Observatory is located in Trieste at Palazzo Ferdinandeo, the premises of MIB Trieste School of Management, and carries out its activities making use of the structures relevant to its institutional purposes.

The partnership between FLE and MIB, which underpins the establishment of the Observatory, has a duration of five years and is renewable.

Article 2

The purpose of the Observatory is to meet the growing demand for geopolitical studies and analyses to assess economic, political, social and cultural risks at the international level. In a complex geopolitical context, with Europe facing challenges such as new nationalisms, economic recessions and pressures from East Asia, the Observatory becomes an authoritative source for studying dynamics in the Balkans and South East Europe. The initiative aligns with the actions of the European Union, which promotes integration and stabilization of the area through reforms, regional cooperation and rapprochement with the European single market.

The Observatory intends to provide a range of analytical and evaluative information of interest to economic operators, companies, cultural operators, public and private institutions in order to foster the consolidation of economic, political, cultural and social relations and to prepare a new era of cooperation among countries, within a logic of peace and development.

To achieve the purposes referred to in the preceding paragraph, within the SEE area under consideration, the Observatory aims to:

  1. develop and disseminate liberal economic culture and thought and democratic values, also establishing itself as an authoritative source of information on Italy;
  2. promote research and analysis activities of an economic, political and social nature concerning the countries of South East Europe and provide consultancy on trends and developments in the various countries to institutions and economic operators in Italy and in the area concerned;
  3. create networks of collaboration and strengthen Italy’s proactive cooperative role in the area to promote the region’s integration into the European Union, facilitate reconciliation and cooperation among the countries of the region, and also with Italy and European institutions, consolidating intercultural dialogue;
  4. promote the publication of the results of studies carried out by organizing events (seminars, conferences, debates, meetings) including international events at its headquarters in Trieste and in the area concerned;
  5. promote the drafting and presentation of position papers and/or periodic and thematic reports that collect the contributions of experts collaborating with the Observatory: analyses, commentaries and interpretations that provide a balanced understanding of developments in the area under consideration;
  6. promote updating and training activities through the Luigi Einaudi Foundation’s School of Liberalism, study and research projects, internships and scholarships;
  7. support the launch of the geopolitics Summer School designed by MIB;
  8. promote cooperation and cultural exchange among new generations, using edutainment as a dissemination and dialogue strategy: from organizing events to communication via social media, conferences, thematic meetings, concerts, cultural or sporting events, etc.;
  9. promote agreements and collaboration conventions with Italian and non‑Italian institutions, bodies and enterprises.

Article 3

The organs of the Observatory are:

  1. the Board of Directors;
  2. the Director;
  3. the Scientific Committee.

Article 4

The Board of Directors is composed of a maximum of five members appointed by Fondazione Luigi Einaudi ETS and by MIB Trieste School of Management by mutual agreement and they remain in office for five years.

For the first five years, Ambassador Luigi Mattiolo is appointed President of the Board of Directors in an honorary capacity; the remaining four members are appointed equally by FLE and MIB; for the first term the following are appointed respectively: Enrico Samer (who will assume the role of Vice‑President), Eva Ciuk, Vladimir Nanut and Andrea Tracogna.

The appointed Directors elect among themselves a Vice‑President with operational functions and may confer specific delegations to each member.

The Board of Directors is responsible for:

  1. overseeing the functioning of the Observatory by defining the guidelines of activities and the objectives to be pursued;
  2. arranging the use of the Observatory’s financial resources in compliance with general administrative and accounting rules;
  3. appointing the members of the Scientific Committee, after determining their number;
  4. approving the Observatory’s work programme proposed by the Director, authorizing the planned expenditure;
  5. annually submitting to FLE and to MIB an explanatory report of the activities carried out together with the final financial statement.
  6. Meetings of the Board of Directors may also be held by tele‑videoconference and must be minuted by the secretariat of FLE.

Article 5

The Director of the Observatory is appointed by Fondazione Luigi Einaudi ETS and is the Secretary General pro tempore of the Foundation. This role is currently held by Andrea Cangini.

The Director:

  1. convenes the Board of Directors and chairs it in the event of the unavailability of the President or the Vice‑President;
  2. proposes to the Board of Directors the Observatory’s work programme, also on the basis of indications and proposals prepared by the Scientific Committee;
  3. implements the guidelines defined by the Board of Directors and coordinates the Observatory’s activities;
  4. proposes any amendments to the Observatory’s statute to the Board of Directors;
  5. prepares an annual report illustrating the activities carried out.

Article 6

The Scientific Committee is composed of six members appointed by the Board of Directors from among experts operating in the sectors relevant to the Observatory’s activities and serves for five years. The Board of Directors may vary the number of members according to the needs of the Observatory, without predefined conditions. The Scientific Committee’s function is to contribute to the Observatory’s activities by providing the specific expertise of its members with respect to the projects and initiatives indicated in Article 2, performing, if requested by the Director or the Board of Directors, technical‑consultative activities for them.

The Coordinator of the Scientific Committee is appointed by the Board of Directors and has the task of:

  1. convening the Committee and presiding over its meetings;
  2. assisting the Director in coordinating the Observatory’s operational activities, in particular in relations with the entities responsible for the initiatives undertaken;
  3. proposing to the Director and to the Board potential new collaborators chosen from among experts operating in the relevant field.
    For the first term the role of Coordinator of the Scientific Committee is entrusted to Eva Ciuk.
  4. The Scientific Committee must be convened at least once a year.
  5. Meetings of the Scientific Committee may also be held by tele‑videoconference if specifically provided for in the notice of convocation.
  6. Minutes of the Scientific Committee meetings will be prepared by the secretariat of FLE.

Article 7

The Observatory ensures economic and financial balance through:

  1. proceeds from commissions, contracts or agreements with bodies, enterprises, associations, institutions, public and private;
  2. contributions from public or private bodies and institutions;
  3. any contributions charged to the budgets of FLE and MIB.

Article 8

The management of the Observatory’s administrative activities is entrusted to the administrative structures and offices of FLE, which will ensure compliance with general administrative and accounting rules and will collaborate in drafting the financial plan and the final financial statement.

Article 9

Each person involved in the activities of the Observatory undertakes to maintain the utmost confidentiality regarding all sensitive information and data to which they will have access in the course of their functions and responsibilities, in accordance with current privacy and data protection regulations.

Article 10

For matters not expressly provided for in this statute, the provisions of the statute and regulations of FLE shall apply.