The Centre for European Democracy Studies in Brussels is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year. This research institution was founded in 2008 to study the most pressing issues of

democracy in Europe. This year has been quite challenging for the European continent; it has been a period of trials and raised questions about Europe's security amid the war in Georgia, which became Russia's first target in its foreign policy. The Centre for European Democracy Studies was established by a group of scholars actively engaged in researching issues related to the rights of national minorities, the development of independent media, lobbying rules and methods, European security systems, and terrorist threats.

Over the years, a large number of research programs have been implemented, scientific monographs, methodological developments, and recommendations for governments and local authorities have been published.

In the run-up to the European and several national elections in 2024, the Centre for European Democracy Studies (CEDS) faces important tasks, including countering the rise of far-right parties, combating anti-Semitism and racial hatred, and promoting the development of national and religious communities. As Vice President of the CEDS Dr. Oleg Kozerod, pointed out: "The 15th anniversary of this important scientific research institution for Europe, which is the Centre for European Democracy Studies in Brussels, allows us to summarize some results and outline the next important goals for its development.

European democracy needs strengthening and support for its key institutions, and this cannot be achieved without the development of research potential available in EU countries. Today, Europe is going through a difficult period, with a full-scale war underway, and some post-Soviet countries have put everything at stake for the sake of democracy's victory. Therefore, our support for European democracy as researchers is more important than ever before”.