SOTEU2023 - a critical view
On Monday 2 October 2023, various EU networks (Europe Direct West-Vlaanderen, EURES VDAB, Enterprise Europe Network, Building Europe with Local Councillors Network, European Documentation Centre) and...
European Resources for Mediation Support (ERMES) III is an EU project established by the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP) under its assistance for conflict prevention, peace-building and crisis preparedness (Art.4).
ERMES III enables the EU to provide assistance to conflict parties, third party mediators and groups participating in inclusive peace processes, in the context of local, national or international armed conflicts, or for preventive purposes. It does so through short-term operational support, technical assistance and capacity-building. ERMES complements the EU’s own diverse roles as a mediator, and political and financial supporter of mediation and dialogue efforts of others. ERMES is a global instrument.
The project is currently in its third phase, which started in August 2018 and will end in August 2024. The first two phases of ERMES (I and II) were executed from 2014-2016 and 2016-2018. These two phases were implemented by a different consortium of specialized organizations lead by Transtec.
The programme is funded and managed by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI). FPI closely cooperates with the European External Action Service (EEAS) and EU Delegations to ensure the political appropriateness of actions undertaken under ERMES.
ERMES can provide the following services:
ERMES can support and target the following actors:
Syria & Yemen: To enhance the role of women in peace processes ERMES organized several workshops and events to promote the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and enhance the role of women in peace processes. ERMES supported a workshop among Syrian women activists and networks to build cohesion and capacities on conflict analysis, negotiation skills and strategic communications. ERMES also organized a high-level dialogue between prominent Syrian and Yemeni female political representatives and representatives from civil society to share experience about the role of women in peace processes, mediation, peace building and conflict resolution.
Central African Republic: In support of the CAR Government and the African Initiative, the EU mobilised a senior expert in process design providing technical advice. The EU also organised several capacity building and strategy workshops on security arrangements, natural resources and process design. Recently, ERMES supported an analytical paper on the 2019 peace agreement.
Central Asia: ERMES supported field research on conflict risks and opportunities for dialogue in Central Asia with a focus on Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan.
Global exchange on mediation and dialogue: To enhance exchange on mediation and dialogue processes, ERMES supports biennial workshops, co-hosted by the United Nations (UN) Department of Political and Peacebuilding Affairs and the European External Action Service, which target intergovernmental organizations with existing mediation support capacities. The aim of these meetings is to promote engagement and the sharing of experiences for effective mediation support.
New project awarded — European Resources for Mediation Support (ERMES III), June 2018
Download the flyer on the project here.
Requests for ERMES support can be triggered by any EU foreign policy actor or mechanism, including EU Delegations, EEAS/DEVCO geographic and thematic divisions, EUSRs and Envoys, as well as Crisis Platforms. As ERMES is funded under the Instrument contributing to Stability and Peace (IcSP), the mobilisation of the service is subject to the principle of subsidiarity, i.e. ERMES shall not be used to respond to needs which could in principle be addressed under other, mainstream geographic or thematic cooperation instruments.
Requests will be treated on a first-come-first-served basis, assessing their cost effectiveness and potential impact. The management will be under the responsibility of the ERMES Programme Manager and the ERMES Key Expert Team. The execution will be in full coordination with the entity requesting the service.
To request the support please contact:
For more information please contact: ERMES Team (ermes3@coleurope.eu)
The consortium responsible for implementing the ERMES III facility comprises the College of Europe , as the Consortium leader, and five consortium members: the European Centre for Electoral Support( ECES), the Institute of Research and Education on Negotiation (ESSEC IRENE),Fondation Hirondelle, Interpeace, the European Forum for International Mediation and Dialogue (MediatEUr).
The consortium members have extensive experience in providing mediation and dialogue support in the framework of international projects in volatile and challenging contexts. The consortium members have direct and rapid access to highly skilled experts, who have provided and continue to provide advice and assistance in mediation and dialogue all over the world.
Overview of the Consortium members: