Vision
The European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed), founded in 1989, is a think and do tank specialised in Euro-Mediterranean relations. It provides policy-oriented and evidence-based research underpinned by a genuine Euromed multidimensional and inclusive approach.
The aim of the IEMed, in accordance with the principles of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership (EMP), the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Union for the Mediterranean (UfM), is to stimulate reflection and action that contribute to mutual understanding, exchange and cooperation between the different Mediterranean countries, societies and cultures, and to promote the progressive construction of a space of peace and stability, shared prosperity and dialogue between cultures and civilisations in the Mediterranean.
The IEMed is a consortium comprising the Catalan Government, the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, and the Barcelona City Council. It also incorporates civil society through its Board of Trustees and its Advisory Council.
IEMed Leaflet 2022
Mission
The IEMed’s mission is to foster effective cooperation and partnerships between the two shores of the Mediterranean, both at the institutional and civil society level. It does so in particular through leadership and boosting of regional networks of think tanks and civil society actors in the fields of security, migration, processes, socioeconomic development, political and socio-cultural processes, gender equality and intercultural dialogue.
The raison d’être of the IEMed is to achieve the following:
To act as a hub for Mediterranean studies and forecasts at the service of the public administrations, businesses, organisations and associations working in the Mediterranean area
To be an observatory of the Euro-Mediterranean process and to promote the active participation of civil society actors therein
To boost cooperation and sustainable and inclusive economic activity in the Mediterranean
To encourage cultural dialogue and promote understanding between Mediterranean societies
To organise initiatives involving students, graduates, professionals and leaders from Mediterranean countries
To award grants, aid and prizes for studies and work on Mediterranean-related matters and to support research and doctoral theses in these fields
To act as a documentation centre on Mediterranean subjects
2023
Contributing to a deeper EU-Mediterranean integration in a changing world
The IEMed fosters exchanges and research aimed at building a more resilient and sustainable region, with more integration and cooperation between the North and South of the Mediterranean.
2022
Fostering the debate on sustainable development issues in the Mediterranean region
The Med Dialogues +2030 seek to raise greater awareness and understanding of the critical sustainability challenges faced by Mediterranean countries.
2019
Contributing to creation of strategies and initiatives to prevent radicalisation and violent extremism
The consortium led by the IEMed launches the research project CONNEKT (Contexts of Violent Extremism in MENA and Balkan Societies), funded by the EU’s Horizon2020 program and which explores the factors driving radicalization and violent extremism among young people in eight Balkan countries and the Southern Neighborhood region.
2016
Providing output to the policy-making leadership of the Western Mediterranean Forum
Launch of the MedThink 5+5 network, coordinated by the IEMed and comprising over 30 institutions from the 10 countries of the Western Mediterranean Forum, commonly referred to as Dialogue 5+5, to foster intergovernmental cooperation in key areas for the socioeconomic development of the region.
2015
Helping to shape more inclusive European Neighbourhood Policy
The IEMed actively participates in the process of reform of the European Neighbourhood Policy implemented by the European Commission, contributing to the report Reviewing the European Neighbourhood Policy along with other Euro-Mediterranean research centres.
2014
Bringing gender equality to the Euro-Mediterranean agenda
Launch of the Euro-Mediterranean Women’s Foundation (FFEM), with secretariat and headquarters at the IEMed and endorsed by the Union for the Mediterranean. With over 500 members from 38 countries, the FFEM promotes the empowerment of women in the Euro-Mediterranean region and gender equality.
2011
Advancing policy-oriented Euro-Mediterranean research
The IEMed takes on the leadership of the EuroMeSCo network, the main network of research centres on Euro-Mediterranean relations, which now embraces 104 institutes in 29 European and southern Mediterranean countries.
2010
Creating platforms for dialogue on Euro-Mediterranean relations
The IEMed hosts the first Anna Lindh Forum attended by over 1,000 representatives from Euro-Mediterranean civil society and organises the 3rd World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies WOCMES Barcelona 2010, bringing together over 2,000 experts from more than 50 countries.
2008
Contributing to deepened and effective Euro-Med regional approach
The IEMed collaborates in the campaign designed for the institutionalisation of Euro-Mediterranean relations that in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Paris creates the Union for the Mediterranean and in the Euro-Mediterranean Conference in Marseilles designates Barcelona as the headquarters of its Secretariat General.
2005
Creating space for Spanish civil society
Launch of the Spanish Network of the Anna Lindh Foundation (ReFAL), the first to be established of the 43 that make up the Foundation. The IEMed has been the coordinating institution of the ReFAL since its creation.
2004
Fostering regional debate on migration
The holding of the Universal Forum of Cultures in Barcelona gives the IEMed the opportunity to organise the world congress “Human Movements and Immigration, A Challenge for the 21st Century” (HMI), bringing together over 1,500 participants.
2002
Expanding its outreach to European level
With the incorporation of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Barcelona City Council along with the Government of Catalonia, the Institute becomes the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed).
1995
Promoting Euro-Mediterranean civil society dialogue
The Institute organises the first Euromed Civil Forum on behalf of the Spanish Presidency of the EU with over 1,200 participants from both shores of the Mediterranean in the framework of the 1st Euro-Mediterranean Conference between the EU and the southern partner countries.
1989
Starting to work for inclusive and effective Mediterranean agenda
Launch of the Catalan Institute for Mediterranean Studies, which will later become the European Institute of the Mediterranean.
Annual Reports
Explore our activities, achievements and impacts from the past years and learn how we pursue our mission to encourage mutual understanding, exchanges and cooperation between countries, societies and cultures in the Euro-Mediterranean area.