CERISS - KENTRO PERIFEREIAKON KAI DIETHNON MELETON KAI YPOSTIRIXIS MONOPROSOPI IKE

Their core work

CERISS is a Greek private consultancy specializing in international science, technology, and innovation (STI) diplomacy and cooperation policy between the EU and its neighboring regions. They design and manage frameworks for research collaboration across geopolitical boundaries — specifically the Eastern Partnership countries, the Black Sea region, and the Middle East. Their practical work includes facilitating policy dialogue, organizing networking grants for researchers, and helping non-EU countries participate in Horizon 2020 calls.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

CERISS began with broader geographic scope, working simultaneously on Middle East science diplomacy (MERID) and Black Sea regional cooperation (BLACK SEA HORIZON) in 2015. By 2016, they narrowed their focus to the Eastern Partnership countries, taking on a coordinator role in EaP PLUS — their largest and most operationally complex project. This progression suggests a deliberate shift from participating in multi-region dialogue initiatives toward leading targeted cooperation programmes in the EU's eastern neighbourhood.

CERISS appears to be concentrating on the EU's eastern neighbourhood as their core geographic niche, moving from broad multi-region participation to focused coordination roles.

How they like to work

CERISS operates in large consortia — 36 unique partners across 28 countries from just 3 projects, meaning an average consortium size of roughly 12+ organizations. They transitioned from participant to coordinator by their third project, suggesting growing confidence and recognition in the field. Their wide geographic partner spread indicates they function as a connector node rather than a repeat-partner hub, which is typical for international cooperation support organizations.

With 36 unique partners across 28 countries from only 3 projects, CERISS has an exceptionally broad network relative to its size — spanning EU member states and associated countries in the Eastern Partnership, Black Sea, and Middle East regions. Their network is designed for geographic breadth rather than depth, reflecting the international cooperation mandate of their projects.

What sets them apart

CERISS occupies a very specific niche: they are a small Greek SME that specializes in the policy and operational mechanics of EU–neighbourhood science cooperation. For consortium builders working on Widening, international cooperation, or Twinning-type actions, CERISS brings hands-on experience in managing cross-border researcher networks and navigating the political dimensions of STI cooperation with non-EU countries. Their Athens-area base and Greek perspective add value for projects targeting the Mediterranean–Black Sea corridor.

Highlights from their portfolio

• EaP PLUS
  Their only coordinator role, largest budget (EUR 219K), and most operationally ambitious — managing networking grants and researcher interaction across Eastern Partnership countries.
• BLACK SEA HORIZON
  A significant bi-regional cooperation initiative (EUR 123K) targeting the strategically important Black Sea region, bridging EU and non-EU research ecosystems.