Think Tank

Violence against women is a violation of human rights and a serious form of discrimination against women. It takes many forms and, according to survey data, affects one third of women in the EU. Such violence has a major impact on victims and imposes a significant cost burden on society. International documents adopted by the United Nations and Council of Europe, including the latter's 'Istanbul Convention', to which the EU acceded in 2023, set the normative framework for combating violence against ...

Transnational repression arises when foreign governments reach across national borders to coerce, control and silence individuals in other countries using a broad range of methods, ranging from digital surveillance to extraterritorial killings. Amongst the primary targets of transnational repression are human rights defenders, whose advocacy is perceived by repressive regimes as a threat to their interests and power. As a result, human rights defenders fleeing persecution or other forms of repression ...

This study explores the design of future Framework Programmes for Research and Innovation (R&I) in the European Union. Employing a foresight methodology – comprising a literature review, case studies, scenarios and foresight workshops with stakeholders – the study examines prevailing discourses on Framework Programme structures, identifies key R&I trends, and analyses the challenges posed by current developments. It presents a set of hypothetical programme structures alongside policy recommendations ...

In this paper, we analyse potential impacts that dollar-denominated stablecoins could have on monetary policy. We also consider related questions about the introduction of the digital euro. Based on our findings, the adoption of stablecoins in Europe is unlikely to be large-scale without state support. The development of the digital euro with full state and central bank backing is more likely to succeed. To be a viable alternative to private payment options, the digital euro needs to be carefully ...

The current US administration promotes dollar-backed stablecoins—privately issued and supported by US debt—to reinforce dollar dominance worldwide, a strategy we dub “cryptomercantilism.” This report studies the EU’s 2024 Markets in Crypto Assets Regulation (MiCAR) and its safeguards for the EU’s monetary sovereignty. It also compares MiCAR to the proposed GENIUS Act in the US. Under existing policies, USD stablecoins create severe risks for third countries, indirectly also affecting the EU. The ...