# CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation

> Finnish conflict resolution organization

**Wikidata**: [Q5185954](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5185954)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crisis_Management_Initiative)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/cmi-martti-ahtisaari-peace-foundation

## Summary
CMI – Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation is a Finnish conflict resolution organization and research institute founded in 2000 by Nobel laureate Martti Ahtisaari. Originally established as the Crisis Management Initiative (CMI), the organization operates as a non-governmental organization dedicated to advancing democracy, justice, and world peace through systematic investigation and peacebuilding.

## Key Facts
- **Founded:** 2000 by Martti Ahtisaari
- **Headquarters:** Eteläranta 12, Kaartinkaupunki, Helsinki, Finland
- **Legal Status:** Transitioned from a registered association (*ry*) to a foundation (*säätiö*) in February 2021
- **Field of Work:** Conflict resolution and research
- **Revenue:** €9,358,233 (2019)
- **Funding:** Received €194,000 from the Open Society Foundations in 2016 to support activities advancing democracy and world peace
- **Social Media:** Twitter handle @cmioffice with approximately 11,889 followers (as of February 2023)
- **Online Presence:** Websites available in English, Finnish, and Arabic
- **Classification:** Non-governmental organization (NGO), nonprofit organization, peace organization, and research institute
- **EU Transparency Register ID:** 445407934362-74
- **Wikipedia Coverage:** Articles exist in 3 languages (English, Finnish, and Armenian)

## FAQs
### Who founded CMI and when?
CMI was founded in 2000 by Martti Ahtisaari, the Nobel Peace Prize laureate and former President of Finland, for whom the foundation was subsequently named.

### What is the legal structure of the organization?
The organization legally operated as a registered association (*Crisis Management Initiative ry*) from August 2000 until January 2022. It formally changed its legal form to a foundation (*säätiö*) in February 2021, adopting the name *CMI - Martti Ahtisaari Peace Foundation sr*.

### Where is CMI based?
CMI is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, specifically in the Kaartinkaupunki district at Eteläranta 12.

### How is CMI funded?
The organization generates revenue through its operations, reporting €9.36 million in revenue for 2019. Notable grants include a €194,000 award from the Open Society Foundations in 2016 specifically designated for supporting activities that advance democracy, justice, and world peace.

### What type of organization is CMI?
CMI is classified as a non-governmental organization, a nonprofit, and a peace organization. It is also formally categorized as a research institute, meaning its primary purpose includes generating new knowledge through systematic investigation rather than just policy advocacy or teaching.

## Why It Matters
CMI serves as a critical infrastructure for peace and stability by functioning as an independent conflict resolution organization. As a research institute, it occupies a unique space in the landscape of knowledge-producing institutions; unlike universities that balance teaching with research, CMI concentrates resources purely on investigation and peacebuilding. This focus allows the organization to pursue long-term, complex solutions to global conflicts without the distractions of commercial or academic obligations. By transitioning to a foundation in 2021, the organization solidified its long-term capacity to address pressing international problems. Its work in advancing democracy and justice, supported by significant funding and global recognition, underscores its role as a dedicated engine for discovery and conflict resolution in an era where geopolitical stability is increasingly vital.

## Notable For
- **Founding by a Nobel Laureate:** Established by Martti Ahtisaari, linking the organization's legacy directly to one of the world's most recognized peace advocates.
- **Legal Evolution:** Successfully transitioned from a registered association to a foundation structure in 2021 to ensure long-term operational stability.
- **Multilingual Operations:** Maintains a distinct digital presence in English, Finnish, and Arabic, reflecting its international scope.
- **Financial Scale:** Operates with a significant revenue stream, exceeding €9.3 million in 2019, distinguishing it from smaller NGOs.
- **Research Institute Classification:** Recognized formally as a research institute, highlighting its commitment to systematic inquiry alongside practical peacebuilding.
- **Transparency:** Listed in the EU Transparency Register, providing public accountability for its operations and funding.

## Body

### History and Founding
CMI was established in 2000 by Martti Ahtisaari. Initially operating under the name *Crisis Management Initiative*, the organization was legally constituted as a registered association (*ry*) on August 24, 2000. The entity underwent a significant structural change in 2021, evolving into a foundation (*säätiö*) on February 4. This legal transition was completed with the end of the registered association status on January 11, 2022. The organization is named after its founder, Martti Ahtisaari, a designation formalized in 2021.

### Organizational Structure and Classification
CMI is categorized under multiple organizational classifications. It is recognized as a non-governmental organization (NGO), a nonprofit organization, and a peace organization. Furthermore, it holds the status of a research institute, a classification that distinguishes it from universities or think tanks by its dedication to generating new knowledge through systematic investigation. The organization operates within the research industry and is identified by various international authority systems, including the Library of Congress Authority ID (no2011019848) and the German National Library ID (GND: 1205296913).

### Headquarters and Operations
The organization's headquarters are located in Helsinki, Finland, specifically in the Kaartinkaupunki neighborhood. The physical address is Eteläranta 12, with geographic coordinates placing it at approximately 60.165904° N and 24.9523° E. CMI's field of work is explicitly defined as conflict resolution, where it applies its research institute capabilities to advance democracy and justice.

### Financials and Funding
Financial transparency and funding are central to CMI's operations. In 2019, the organization reported a total revenue of €9,358,233. During the same period, it recorded donations totaling €21,332. A major contributor to its mission has been the Open Society Foundations, which awarded a grant of €194,000 in 2016. This funding was explicitly allocated to support the Crisis Management Initiative's activities in advancing democracy, justice, and world peace.

### Digital Presence and Communication
CMI maintains a robust digital footprint to support its international mission. Its primary website (*cmi.fi*) is accessible in three languages: English, Finnish, and Arabic. The organization is active on social media platforms, including Facebook (CrisisManagementInitiative), Instagram (cmioffice), and LinkedIn (crisis-management-initiative). Its Twitter account, @cmioffice, has shown growth in followers, recording 8,936 followers in April 2020, 10,744 in January 2022, and reaching 11,889 by February 2023.

### Identification and External References
The entity is tracked across numerous global databases and registries:
- **EU Transparency Register:** ID 445407934362-74
- **ISNI:** 0000000115392666
- **VIAF:** 168436501
- **Ringgold ID:** 101313
- **Kanto ID:** 000021725
- **YLE Topic ID:** 18-201838
- **Finnish National Bibliography ID:** 137911A
- **UIA Open Yearbook ID:** 1100052212
- **Google Maps Customer ID:** 2990355126327932788

### Wikipedia and Global Recognition
CMI is documented on Wikipedia under the title "Crisis Management Initiative." While the concept of a research institute is covered in 41 languages on Wikipedia, CMI specifically has articles in three languages: English, Finnish, and Armenian. This coverage reflects the organization's specific origins in Finland and its relevance to international conflict resolution communities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.lobbyfacts.eu/datacard/cmi---martti-ahtisaari-peace-foundation?rid=445407934362-74)
2. [Business Information System](https://tietopalvelu.ytj.fi/yritys/1619587-7)
3. [Business Information System](https://tietopalvelu.ytj.fi/yritys/3187418-1)
4. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
5. [Source](https://cmi.fi/)
6. [Open Society Foundations - Awarded Grants, Scholarships, and Fellowships](https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/grants/past?grant_id=OR2016-31210)