CESIE ENTE DEL TERZO SETTORE

Their core work

CESIE is a Sicilian non-profit organization (third-sector entity) specializing in social inclusion, migration, and community development through applied research and participatory methods. They design and test integration strategies for vulnerable populations — particularly migrant children and forcibly displaced people — combining education, digital tools, and community-based approaches. Their work spans energy behavior change, rural innovation, and counter-radicalization, always with a strong focus on engaging local communities and translating research into practical social interventions.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In their early H2020 period (2015–2018), CESIE worked across broader themes — energy saving behavior, responsible research innovation systems, and rural development — without a sharp thematic focus. From 2019 onward, they concentrated heavily on migration, social inclusion, and vulnerability, with projects explicitly targeting migrant children, displaced populations, and radicalization prevention. The shift shows a clear move from general community engagement toward specialized expertise in vulnerable populations and social cohesion.

CESIE is consolidating around migration, social inclusion, and extremism prevention — expect future work at the intersection of digital tools and vulnerable community support.

How they like to work

CESIE operates exclusively as a consortium partner, never as coordinator, which is typical for NGOs contributing applied community expertise rather than leading large research programs. With 70 unique partners across 27 countries from just 6 projects, they work in large, diverse consortia and do not appear to repeatedly pair with the same organizations. This makes them an accessible and experienced partner who integrates smoothly into multinational teams.

Despite only 6 projects, CESIE has built a remarkably wide network of 70 partners across 27 countries, reflecting their participation in large pan-European consortia. Their base in Sicily positions them as a Southern European hub with strong Mediterranean and cross-continental reach.

What sets them apart

CESIE brings a rare combination: a non-profit rooted in a Mediterranean migration-frontline region (Sicily) with genuine community access and participatory research expertise. While many organizations study migration from a policy or academic distance, CESIE operates at the community level with direct engagement methodologies like action research units and living labs. For any consortium needing real-world testing and community validation of social interventions, particularly around migration and inclusion, CESIE is a credible implementation partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• RAISD
  Largest single grant (EUR 496,950) and deepest methodological work — developed action research units and personalized inclusion strategies for forcibly displaced people.
• MiCREATE
  Focused specifically on migrant children with a child-centered research approach, addressing one of Europe's most sensitive social challenges.
• PARTICIPATION
  Their most recent project, bridging extremism prevention with digital technologies — signals a new capability area combining security and social inclusion.