Center for the Study of Democracy
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csdbuildbridges.bsky.social
Center for the Study of Democracy
@csdbuildbridges.bsky.social
The Center for the Study of Democracy is a European public policy institute fostering the reform process in Europe through impact on policy and civil society.
💣 Russia’s war has intensified a hybrid offensive that weaponises organised crime, illicit trade, and sanctions evasion.

CSD, @globsec.bsky.social & ICCT will meet in Sofia to discuss how Europe can counter this state criminal convergence.

📅 11 Dec | 🕘 9:30
#CSDimpact #Security#Sofia

Register 👇
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 AM
🛡️ As systemic rivalry deepens, democracies face aggression, corruption, and digital coercion.

At the Defense & Democracy Dialogue, Claire Craanen, Deputy Spokesperson of NATO, stressed why resilience, transatlantic unity, and collective defense matter more than ever.

#CSD#FortifyingFreedom#NATO
November 24, 2025 at 12:02 PM
CSD joins global experts in London 🇬🇧 for "The Price of War" symposium by @cerge-ei.bsky.social

CSD’s Martin Vladimirov will contribute to the discussion.

Discussions focus on boosting Europe’s economic security framework.

#CSDimpact#EuropeanSecurity#Resilience
November 20, 2025 at 1:49 PM
💸 Illicit financial flows remain a major threat. CSD’s latest study shows how they shape vulnerabilities across 10 countries.

#ShadowEconomies reveals links to:

• Sanctions evasion
• Strategic corruption
• Conflict financing
• Economic instability

Read the full report 👇

csd.eu/publications...
Shadow Economies
This working paper examines illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions, shedding light on their scale, drivers, and consequences. Covering ten countries – Albania, Mon...
csd.eu
November 20, 2025 at 7:39 AM
🔎 At #SIIF2025 in Sofia, CSD hosted a panel on strengthening Bulgaria’s information integrity amid rising disinformation risks.

Experts examined AI-driven manipulation,gendered narratives, platform accountability, and the path to real resilience.
#CSDimpact#InformationIntegrity#DemocraticResilience
November 17, 2025 at 8:35 AM
🇪🇺 The European Democracy Shield strengthens the EU’s ability to counter foreign information manipulation and protect democratic institutions. But stronger tools are needed.

CSD’s brief "Forging the European Democracy Shield"outlines the next steps.

#CSDimpact #DemocracyShield #EUPolicy #Governance
November 14, 2025 at 9:00 AM
🇪🇺 The #DefenseDemocracyDialogue brought diverse voices together around a shared agenda for a stronger, more secure, and more democratic Europe.

CSD looks forward to continuing this work and strengthening partnerships across the transatlantic community.

#CSDimpact#Democracy#Resilience#Transatlantic
November 13, 2025 at 8:11 AM
🇪🇺 Fortifying Freedom: "Defending Democracy in an Age of Disruption." Defending democracy is key to Europe’s future.

CSD gathered leaders and experts to confront how Europe can safeguard democracy amid war, disinformation, and coercion.

#CSDimpact#EU#Resilience#Democracy#RuleOfLaw #Transatlantic
November 12, 2025 at 8:23 AM
🛡️ Fortifying Freedom through Integrity: SELDI.net and the Rule of Law in Enlargement.

Southeast Europe Leadership for Development and Integrity (SELDI), pioneered by CSD, highlights good governance and anti-corruption in Europe's new growth and security plan.

👉Join us
#CSDimpact#Democracy#Security
November 7, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Reposted by Center for the Study of Democracy
New #GIACE research by @csdbuildbridges.bsky.social (Tihomira Kostova & Martin Vladimirov) exposes how illicit financial flows (IFFs) and sanctions-evasion networks have surged across the Western Balkans and Black Sea region, reshaping global integrity and governance.

🔗 Read: bit.ly/CSDPublicati...
Shadow Economies: The Rise of Illicit Networks and Alternative Markets in Sanctions Circumvention - Governance & Integrity Anti-Corruption Evidence
This paper examines how illicit financial flows (IFFs) in the Western Balkans and Black Sea regions have surged in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Using trade and econometric analysis, it es...
bit.ly
November 3, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Europe faces a long war and a new race for resilience and technology.

CSD hosts Defense & Democracy Dialogue: Fortifying Freedom to debate security, connectivity and rights on the Eastern flank.

📅 11 Nov | 📍 Sofia Balkan Palace

Registration/details👇
#DefenseDemocracyDialogue#Security#Geopolitics
November 6, 2025 at 7:24 AM
🇺🇸 New OFAC sanctions on Lukoil could disrupt Bulgaria’s fuel supply and shake a key Southeast European energy hub.

CSD’s latest analysis outlines how Bulgaria can safeguard its energy security through state oversight and a temporary OFAC exemption.

Read more 👇
#CSDimpact#EnergySecurity#Sanctions
Managing Assets Under OFAC Sanctions
On 22 October 2025, the United States Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) imposed sanctions on the Russian company...
csd.eu
November 4, 2025 at 8:20 AM
In October, CSD addressed sanctions, clean energy, corruption & democratic stability across Europe.

🇨🇿 Prague; Forum 2000.
🇧🇪 Brussels; Energy & Security Dialogue.
🇧🇬 Sofia; Korea–Bulgaria Energy Forum & Urban Waste Wars.
🇧🇦 Sarajevo; Good Governance Forum.

#CSDimpact #Resilience #Democracy
November 3, 2025 at 8:50 AM
🛡️ Defense and Democracy Dialogue: Fortifying Freedom will bring together leaders & experts in Sofia to discuss how democracies can protect their values amid war, hybrid threats & global disruption.

📅 11 Nov📍 Sofia Balkan Palace

#CSDimpact#DefenseAndDemocracyDialogue#FortifyingFreedom

Register👇
November 3, 2025 at 8:20 AM
Europe’s energy future relies on innovation and partnerships.

At the Korea–Bulgaria Energy Forum; CSD, the Embassy of Korea and KOTRA highlighted how nuclear, renewables and storage can power a clean, secure transition.

CSD’s study maps Bulgaria’s energy path.👇
#EnergySecurity #CleanEnergy
October 31, 2025 at 9:58 AM
🌐 Building digital integrity is one of Europe’s key challenges in the age of disinformation.

🔎 As co-organizer of #SIIF2025, CSD will bring together experts in Sofia to strengthen resilience against disinformation and malign influence.

#CSDimpact #InformationIntegrity #DigitalGovernance
Join us 👇
October 29, 2025 at 8:32 AM
💡 Clean, secure, and competitive energy is key to Europe’s autonomy and climate goals.

Join CSD, KOTRA, and the Embassy of Korea for the Korea–Bulgaria Energy Forum on 30-10-2025 in Sofia, focused on nuclear, renewables, and hydrogen cooperation.

#CSDimpact #EnergySecurity #CleanEnergy

Register 👇
October 28, 2025 at 8:07 AM
How are illicit networks reshaping Europe’s economic and security landscape?

Join CSD and @giace.bsky.social ; experts Liz David-Barrett & Tihomira Kostova to discuss the findings and policy responses.

✒️ Register here: bit.ly/CSDWPLaunch
🔗 Read more: giace.org/projects/ill...
#CSDimpact#Sanctions
Shadow Economies: IFFs & Sanctions Evasion in the Balkans & Black Sea
bit.ly
October 23, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Europe’s energy transition is now strategic.

At CSD & @irsem.bsky.social ’s Brussels event, experts warned that energy weaponisation links decarbonisation, competitiveness & security.

CSD’s ECSRI shows EU energy risk tripled since 2022.

#CSDimpact#EnergySecurity#Decarbonisation
October 22, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Despite sanctions, Russia’s war economy still draws on European energy revenues.

📖 CSD’s latest blog by Martin Vladimirov explains how stronger coordination can cut the Kremlin’s financial lifelines.

Read more 👇

#CSDimpact #Russia #Ukraine #Sanctions #EnergySecurity
The Imperative to Weaken the Kremlin’s War Economy
The article first appeared in Just Security.Cover photo: CanvaU.S. President Donald Trump declared that Europe must stop buying Russian...
csd.eu
October 21, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Led by Rositsa Dzhekova, CSD works with RAN and the EU Knowledge Hub to counter radicalisation and violent extremism across Europe.

In the latest EUKH Newsletter, she highlights how digital manipulation fuels extremism, and how collaboration builds resilience.

Find out more 👇

#EUKnowledgeHub
October 20, 2025 at 8:08 AM
🛢️ The UK’s new sanctions strike at the heart of Russia’s shadow oil fleet.

CSD & @CREACleanAir show how closing loopholes can cut Moscow’s wartime revenues.

1️⃣ End derogations
2️⃣ Target facilitators
3️⃣ Enforce together

#CSDimpact #Sanctions #Russia

Read more 👇
csd.eu/publications...
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 AM
🌍 Europe’s sanctions are powerful only if enforced.

At Forum 2000 in Prague, CSD’s panel “Sanctions Enforcement for Strategic Decoupling from Russia” brought together European leaders & experts to close loopholes & strengthen coordination.

#CSDimpact #Forum2000
October 16, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Korea – Bulgaria Energy Forum 2025

📅 30 Oct | 📍 Grand Hotel Millennium Sofia

CSD, the Embassy of Korea & KOTRA unite policymakers & experts to advance clean, resilient energy cooperation.

Register here 👇

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

#CSDimpact #EnergySecurity #CleanEnergy
October 15, 2025 at 8:18 AM
In his TVP interview, CSD’s Program Director Ruslan Stefanov analyzed Russia’s stagnant economy & the limits of Western sanctions.

He argues only full energy export restrictions & sustained unity can pressure the Kremlin.

Watch in link👇

www.youtube.com/watch?v=32bf...

#CSDimpact #EnergySecurity
Russian consumers pay military bill | Eastern Express
YouTube video by TVP WORLD
www.youtube.com
October 14, 2025 at 7:45 AM