# Centre for East European and International Studies

> Study centre

**Wikidata**: [Q61781089](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q61781089)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/centre-for-east-european-and-international-studies

## Summary
The Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) is a non-profit research institute established in 2016 in Berlin, Germany, specializing in Eastern European studies and international relations. Funded by the Federal Foreign Office, it conducts interdisciplinary research and promotes dialogue between academia and policy-making. ZOiS is legally structured as a *gemeinnützige GmbH* (non-profit limited liability company) and operates tax-exempt under German law.

## Key Facts
- Founded in **2016** in Berlin, Germany.
- Legal form: *gemeinnützige GmbH* (non-profit LLC).
- Headquarters: Bezirk Mitte, Berlin, located at Q278802 (street address) number 60.
- Geographic coordinates: 52.512118° N, 13.385655° E.
- Director: Gwendolyn Sasse (since 2016).
- Primary sponsor: German Federal Foreign Office.
- Tax status: Exempt under the German Fiscal Code (recognized via Q10541491).
- Focus areas: Eastern European studies, international relations, and geopolitical analysis.
- Classified as a "research institute" and "nonprofit organization" in knowledge systems.
- Recognized as an "undesirable foreign organization" in Russia (as of 2023).
- Active on social media: Twitter (@ZOiS_Berlin), Facebook (@ZOiS.Berlin), LinkedIn, YouTube, Mastodon, and SoundCloud.
- Website: [https://www.zois-berlin.de/](https://www.zois-berlin.de/) (German-language content).
- YouTube channel (UCigPOnlMbw5Vz_H0b3X0xIQ) launched April 29, 2020.
- BluSky handle: **zois.bsky.social** (active since October 17, 2023).
- OpenStreetMap node ID: 12184994263.
- GePRIS organization ID: 382757644.
- VIAF ID: 4548150470094204330009.
- ROR ID: 00a0w0523.
- ISNI: 0000000480234156.
- EU VAT number: DE309833495.

## FAQs
### Q: What is ZOiS's primary mission?
A: ZOiS conducts research on Eastern Europe and international affairs, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to inform policy debates and foster academic dialogue.

### Q: How is ZOiS funded?
A: It is primarily sponsored by the German Federal Foreign Office and operates as a tax-exempt nonprofit organization.

### Q: Where is ZOiS located?
A: The institute is headquartered in Berlin’s Bezirk Mitte district at Q278802, number 60.

### Q: Why was ZOiS labeled "undesirable" in Russia?
A: In 2023, Russia included ZOiS in its list of "undesirable organizations" under legislation targeting foreign entities deemed threats to national security.

### Q: What makes ZOiS unique compared to other research institutes?
A: Its specialized focus on Eastern Europe, interdisciplinary methodology, and direct engagement with policymakers distinguish it from broader or more policy-centric think tanks.

## Why It Matters
ZOiS serves as a critical hub for understanding Eastern Europe’s political, social, and economic dynamics, particularly amid geopolitical tensions like the Russia-Ukraine conflict. By bridging academic research and practical policy analysis, it equips governments, NGOs, and international organizations with actionable insights. Its non-profit model ensures independence, while its interdisciplinary approach—combining political science, sociology, and history—provides nuanced perspectives often lacking in siloed research. In an era of rising authoritarianism and shifting alliances, ZOiS’s work supports democratic resilience and international cooperation, making it indispensable for navigating 21st-century global challenges.

## Notable For
- **Specialized Focus**: Concentrates on Eastern Europe and international studies, a niche often underrepresented in global research agendas.
- **Interdisciplinary Approach**: Integrates political science, sociology, economics, and history to address complex regional issues.
- **Policy-Relevant Research**: Directly engages with governments and international bodies to translate academic findings into actionable strategies.
- **Nonprofit Independence**: Maintains impartiality through its *gemeinnützige GmbH* structure, free from commercial or political pressures.
- **Global Recognition**: Featured in Russian law as an "undesirable organization" (2023), underscoring its influence and contentious role in geopolitical discourse.
- **Digital Outreach**: Active across 10+ platforms (Twitter, YouTube, Mastodon, etc.), promoting transparency and public engagement with research.

## Body
### Overview
The Centre for East European and International Studies (ZOiS) is a Berlin-based research institute founded in 2016 to address knowledge gaps in Eastern European studies and international relations. Registered as a nonprofit under German law (tax ID: DE309833495), it operates independently under the directorship of Gwendolyn Sasse, who has led the institute since its inception.

### Founding and Structure
- **Legal Form**: Organized as a *gemeinnützige GmbH*, ensuring nonprofit status and compliance with German charitable tax codes (verified via Q10541491).
- **Headquarters**: Based in Berlin’s Bezirk Mitte district at coordinates 52.512118° N, 13.385655° E, with a listed street address (Q278802, number 60).
- **Funding**: Primarily supported by the German Federal Foreign Office, with no corporate or individual donors disclosed in public filings.

### Research Focus
ZOiS prioritizes interdisciplinary analysis of Eastern Europe, emphasizing:
- **Geopolitical Trends**: Conflict resolution, EU-Russia relations, and security dynamics (e.g., Ukraine crisis).
- **Societal Transformations**: Demographic shifts, civil society development, and cultural identity politics.
- **Economic Integration**: Trade policies, energy dependencies, and regional economic disparities.

### Leadership and Governance
- **Director**: Gwendolyn Sasse, a political scientist specializing in Eastern Europe, has overseen ZOiS since 2016.
- **Legal Status**: Governed by German nonprofit regulations, with financial transparency maintained through public tax filings.

### Funding and Affiliations
- **Primary Sponsor**: The Federal Foreign Office provides core funding, enabling long-term research projects.
- **Partnerships**: Collaborates with universities, NGOs, and international organizations (e.g., EU institutions) but remains structurally independent.

### Digital Presence
ZOiS maintains active accounts across multiple platforms:
- **Twitter**: @ZOiS_Berlin (launched March 14, 2017).
- **YouTube**: Channel UCigPOnlMbw5Vz_H0b3X0xIQ (created April 29, 2020; 76 subscribers as of November 26, 2023).
- **Mastodon**: Joined December 19, 2022 (@ZOiS@wisskomm.social).
- **BluSky**: Active since October 17, 2023 (handle: zois.bsky.social).
- **SoundCloud**: Hosts podcasts and event recordings (@zois_berlin).

### International Status
- **Russian Designation**: Labeled an "undesirable foreign organization" in 2023 under Russian law, restricting collaboration with Russian entities.
- **Global Reach**: Research cited in EU policy papers, academic journals, and international media, despite geopolitical controversies.

### Infrastructure
- **Geographic Identifiers**: OpenStreetMap node ID 12184994263; Geonames feature code S.ITTR.
- **Knowledge Systems**: Classified under schema.org/ResearchOrganization and Wikidata item Q10541491.

## References

1. GRID Release 2020-03-15
2. GERiT