COLLEGIUM CIVITAS

Their core work

Collegium Civitas is a private Polish college in Warsaw specialising in social and political sciences. Their H2020 work covers two distinct but related domains: the international survival strategies of authoritarian regimes, and the social dynamics of radicalisation, counter-radicalisation, and dialogue around equality. In practice, they contribute qualitative political science and sociological expertise to European research consortia — analysing how political actors behave and how societies respond to extremism. As a host institution for a Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellow, they have also demonstrated capacity to support individual researcher mobility within EU frameworks.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their first project (DICTAPLOMACY, 2015–2018) was anchored in international relations and comparative political science — specifically how authoritarian governments extend their lifespan through diplomatic manoeuvring. The second project (DARE, 2017–2021) marks a pivot toward applied social science: radicalisation, counter-narratives, youth, and gender — topics with direct policy relevance in EU security and integration debates. The trajectory suggests a shift from macro-level regime analysis toward micro-level social dynamics and intervention-oriented research.

Collegium Civitas appears to be moving toward applied social research on extremism, social cohesion, and inequality — areas with sustained EU policy funding interest, suggesting future projects may sit at the intersection of security, education, and civil society.

How they like to work

They have experience on both sides of the consortium table: coordinating an MSCA fellowship (as host institution) and joining as a participant in a larger RIA. Their MSCA coordination role was institutional hosting rather than leading a multi-partner consortium, so their large-consortium leadership track record is limited. With 17 unique partners across 12 countries from just two projects, they appear comfortable in internationally diverse teams and are not restricted to a narrow national network.

Despite only two projects, Collegium Civitas has collaborated with 17 partners across 12 countries — a broad European footprint for their scale. No geographic concentration is evident from the available data, suggesting they engage with whatever consortia fit their thematic expertise rather than maintaining fixed regional partnerships.

What sets them apart

Collegium Civitas occupies an unusual niche as a small private Polish college with dual expertise in authoritarian politics and radicalisation research — a combination that is policy-relevant but uncommon among Central and Eastern European institutions. Their MSCA hosting credential signals functioning research administration for individual fellowship schemes, which may be attractive to researchers seeking a host in Poland. For consortia targeting Eastern European perspectives on political extremism or democratic resilience, they offer an academically credible, geographically relevant partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DARE
  A RIA project (the most substantive EU funding instrument) focused on dialogue about radicalisation and equality — directly aligned with EU security and social cohesion priorities, and the source of all of the organisation's substantive keyword profile.
• DICTAPLOMACY
  Demonstrates capacity as an MSCA Individual Fellowship host institution and covers the politically sensitive topic of authoritarian regime survival strategies — an unusual research focus for a Polish private college.