The Lithuanian Free Market Institute (LFMI) organized a training school for think-tanks from Eastern and Central Europe “Strengthening think tanks in Eastern and Central Europe: Exchanging good practices” which took place on 11-14 November 2004 in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania.

 

The goal of this project was to strengthen professional skills of thinks tanks from Central and Eastern European (CEE) countries by providing them with an opportunity to exchange examples of good practice. The training covered a broad scope of topics crucial in every-day life of think tanks: methods of research and analysis, project management, fundraising, and government and public relations.

The project is expected to strengthen the capacities of NGOs from CEE and to give a fresh start for future coalitions and networks in making reforms.

 

The project was funded by the Open Society Fund Lithuania.

 

Why exchange?

 

Currently, CEE countries are facing similar problems of transition – shifting from a planned to a free-market economy and creating civil society. In pursuing these reforms, NGOs play an indisputably important role. However, there are differences in the development in individual CEE countries and in the capacities of the third sector of these countries. Such countries as Poland, the Czech Republic and the Baltic States can boast of quite strong NGOs.

 

On the other hand, NGOs from such countries as Ukraine, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, etc. are conducting their work in more difficult conditions; more than that, these countries have only recently started developing their non-government sector. Some attempts have been made to share the good practices among NGOs, however, they are more occasional rather than traditional.

 

Think tanks from former Soviet countries also lack skills in drawing up reform proposals efficiently and in delivering them to the government and the general public. Also, the problem is with resources needed to sustain their activities and, more importantly, which would strengthen these NGOs and ensure more financial freedom.

 

"How the Methodology of Austrian Economics is Applicable in the Research of Policy Advocacy Oriented Think Tanks" Jaroslav Romanchuk, Scientific Research Mises Center (Belarus)

"The Role of Sociological Surveys, Statistics, Comparative Analysis and other Popular Methods in the Research of Policy Oriented Think Tanks" Ostaf Serghei, Resource Center of Moldavian Human Rights NGOs

"Managing and Coordinating the Work of Think Tanks" (Word) "Managing and Coordinating the Work of Think Tanks" (Presentation) Ugnius Trumpa, President of LFMI

"Theory and Practice of Managing and Coordinating the Projects (management of big budget projects, managing networks)" Ostaf Serghei, Resource Center of Moldavian Human Rights NGOs

"Networks of Think Tanks in Europe: overview, perspectives, strategies" Barbara Lamprechter, F.A. v. Hayek Institute

"Support of think tanks from the perspective of a think tank and business" Linas Pucinskas, BALTPARK

"Strategies of direct fundraising for think tanks" Ugnius Trumpa, President of LFMI

"Think tank relations with the media and methods to reach the media" Jaroslav Romanchuk, Scientific Research Mises Center (Belarus)