About us

Our mission

The Centre for European Security Studies (CESS) is an independent institute for research and training, based in Groningen, the Netherlands. CESS seeks to advance political development, democracy, human rights and in particular security, by helping governments and civil society face their respective challenges.

CESS is an international, multidisciplinary and inclusive institute. Its work is part of the European quest for stability and prosperity, both within and outside Europe. CESS encourages informed debate, empowers individuals, fosters mutual understanding on matters of governance, and promotes democratic structures and processes.

CESS is fully dependent on external project-funding. From 1993 onwards CESS has been funded by a broad variety of foundations, international organisations and governments. From 2015 onwards most project funding was received through the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Open Society Foundations.

Merijn Hartog
Merijn HartogDirector
Contact me for more information.

Our mission

The Centre for European Security Studies (CESS) is an independent institute for research and training, based in Groningen, the Netherlands. CESS seeks to advance political development, democracy, human rights and in particular security, by helping governments and civil society face their respective challenges.

CESS is an international, multidisciplinary and inclusive institute. Its work is part of the European quest for stability and prosperity, both within and outside Europe. CESS encourages informed debate, empowers individuals, fosters mutual understanding on matters of governance, and promotes democratic structures and processes.

CESS is fully dependent on external project-funding. From 1993 onwards CESS has been funded by a broad variety of foundations, international organisations and governments. From 2015 onwards most project funding was received through the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Open Society Foundations.

Merijn Hartog
Merijn HartogDirector
Contact me for more information.

Staff

Merijn Hartog
Merijn HartogDirector
Merijn Hartog has worked at CESS since 2003. He has implemented a variety of good governance and security sector reform projects in the Western Balkans, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. Merijn is an experienced trainer and enthusiastic motivator of staff, fellows, interns and trainees. His primary research interest lies in Western Balkans developments.
Jos Boonstra
Jos BoonstraSenior Researcher / EUCAM coordinator
Before joining CESS in 2016, Jos Boonstra worked as head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia programme at FRIDE, a think tank with offices in Madrid and Brussels. At CESS, his research focuses on democratization, security and development policies in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. Jos is member of several international research networks and regularly comments on European and Central Asian affairs in opinion articles and media.
Erik Sportel
Erik SportelSenior Programme Manager
Erik Sportel has worked at CESS since 2006. Next to implementation of a variety of projects at CESS, he also oversees fundraising efforts and finance at CESS. Erik has broad training and research experience in regions where CESS works. His primary research interest, however, lies in Moldova. Erik also teaches part-time at the International Relations Department of the University of Groningen.
Brigitte Stekelenburg
Brigitte StekelenburgOffice manager
Brigitte joined CESS in 2016. As CESS’s Office Manager she is responsible for daily financial management of the organisation as well as budget development and financial reporting to donors.

Associates


Bauke Snoep – CESS Associate

Bauke Snoep is a seasoned trainer who has helped CESS out since 2006 with training on democratic governance in the security sector, integrity building, corruption fighting and fundamental rights of military personnel. Before his engagement with CESS he was President of EUROMIL, a European umbrella organization for organizations of military personnel.

Sami Faltas – CESS Associate

Sami Faltas is a former Director of CESS and an experienced trainer. He holds a doctorate in economics and published widely on international affairs, disarmament and security. At CESS he stood at the basis of several training modules, for instance the praised role play on the fictitious country of Croania.

Board

Nienke de Deugd
Senior Policy Advisor Research at the University of Groningen

Peter Vanhoutte
High Level Mediator, Parliamentary and Political Party Empowerment Expert, and former Member of Belgian Parliament

Suzanne Nollen
Resident Twinning Advisor at the Parliament of Georgia

Carel Hofstra
Country Representative at the International Centre for Migration Policy Development and former Deputy Head of Office in Armenia at OSCE

Honorary Board Member

Wim van Eekelen
Former Dutch Minister of Defense and Secretary General of the WEU


CESS
Centre for European Security Studies
Lutkenieuwstraat 31a
9712 AW Groningen
The Netherlands

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