The Bulgarian Institute for International Politics (BIIP) is an independent think-tank dedicated to civic analysis, political reflection, and international dialogue.
Founded in July 2025 and based in the Black Sea city of Varna, Bulgaria, the Institute provides a platform for early-career analysts, underrepresented thinkers, and established experts to contribute meaningfully to public discourse.
BIIP is legally registered under Bulgarian law.
We aim to foster inclusive, balanced, and critical thinking on political developments across Bulgaria, Europe, and the world.
“Regions” is the main publication of the BIIP. ISSN: 3033-2516.
Contribute to BIIP
Have a sharp analysis or commentary to share? We welcome submissions in English and Bulgarian on politics in Bulgaria, Europe, and beyond.
Our Experts
Multilingual Identity
The Institute’s full name appears in multiple languages to reflect its international and pluralistic outlook:
Bulgarian: Български институт за международна политика
English: Bulgarian Institute for International Politics
German: Bulgarisches Institut für Internationale Politik
Afrikaans: Bulgaarse Instituut vir Internasionale Politiek
Hungarian: Bolgár Nemzetközi Politikai Intézet
Romanian: Institutul Bulgar pentru Politică Internațională
Dutch: Bulgaars Instituut voor Internationale Politiek
French: Institut Bulgare de Politique Internationale
Spanish, Portuguese, Galician: Instituto Búlgaro de Política Internacional
Croatian: Bugarski institut za međunarodnu politiku
Italian: Istituto Bulgaro di Politica Internazionale
Arabic: المعهد البلغاري للسياسة الدولية
Ukrainian: Болгарський інститут міжнародної політики
Albanian: Instituti bullgar për politikë ndërkombëtare
Slovak: Bulharský inštitút pre medzinárodnú politiku
Czech: Bulharský institut pro mezinárodní politiku
Sesotho: Setsi sa Bulgaria sa Lipolotiki tsa Machaba
Our Logo
Our Motto
“Each person has a duty to do what is possible.” – Vasil Aprilov
Vasil Aprilov (1789–1847) was a Bulgarian educator, public intellectual, and one of the founders of secular education in Bulgaria. His words reflect the belief that personal responsibility begins with doing what one can — no matter how modest — in the service of knowledge and society.
This quote is from the book 500 мисли на бележити българи (500 Reflections from Famous Bulgarians), published by Bulgarian History.
BIIP Projects
In addition to analytical articles, BIIP develops its own initiatives and projects for regional dialogue.
From Research to Practice
Career workshop · Prishtina · 23 November 2026
A half-day workshop for students and graduates on careers in policy and international affairs, with the University of Prishtina and the Embassy of Kosovo in Sofia.
Politică internațională simplu
A BIIP project in Romanian
Reflections on the world and the global balance of power – in clear and accessible Romanian.
Ten Countries South
A BIIP project in English and Bulgarian
Politics and languages of southern Africa — explained.
BIIP Political Quiz
A BIIP quiz — curated by BIIP experts
Timed questions on capitals, leaders, regime types, and historical turning points across the Balkans, CEE, Southern Africa, and the Caucasus.
Discover South Africa
A BIIP interactive educational game
Test your knowledge of Africa's most complex democracy — history, apartheid, state capture, politics, and South Africa's place in the world.
Democracy Defender
A BIIP arcade game with a message
You are Democracy. Corruption falls from above — relentlessly. Reforms appear rarely. Catch them. Survive as long as you can.
Political Capital
A BIIP endless streak geography game
One wrong answer. Game over. Test your knowledge of capitals, treaties, and international institutions across Europe, the post-Soviet space, and Southern Africa. How long can your streak last?
Why Don't They Recognize Kosovo?
A BIIP geopolitical analysis game
BIIP's analytical assessment of why 25 countries do not recognize Kosovo — from Spain's domestic politics to China's Taiwan concerns.
Support Independent Analysis
BIIP is entirely independent and non-commercial. We rely on voluntary contributions and civic engagement.
If you wish to support our mission, you can:
- Share our articles and analysis
- Contribute an article or commentary
- Join our expert network
📩 Contact us at biip@mailfence.com to get involved.
🔒 Book a Secure Meeting
Schedule a confidential, end-to-end encrypted video consultation with BIIP. No account required.
📅 Book a Secure MeetingJoin Our Expert Network
BIIP brings together researchers, analysts, and specialists to contribute to independent, rigorous political analysis. Our experts publish articles, provide media commentary, and collaborate on research projects.
How to apply
- Send your CV or academic profile to biip@mailfence.com
- Include a brief statement of your area of expertise and research interests (max 300 words)
- Attach a writing sample or published work (optional but strongly recommended)
- Applications are reviewed by the Managing Board and editorial team on a rolling basis
Use the subject line: Expert Network Application – [Your Name]
📩 Apply to JoinBIIP in the Media
A selection of press coverage, invited talks, and institutional partnerships through which BIIP and its Managing Board have engaged audiences and partners across Europe and beyond.
Press & Media Coverage
24tv.ua — Ukraine, Ukrainian
“Чорногорія та Україна на шляху до ЄС” (“Montenegro and Ukraine on the Path to the EU”) — analysis piece drawing on BIIP's Dr. Dimitar Keranov to compare Montenegro's accession prospects with Bulgaria's own EU accession experience.
Moldpres / Ziarul Național — Moldova, Romanian
“Presa din Letonia reflectă provocările de securitate ale R. Moldova” (“Latvian press reflects on Moldova's security challenges amid Russian drone incursions”) — quotes BIIP's Dimitar Keranov on the need for anti-drone defences and protecting Moldova–Romania–Ukraine border infrastructure.
Karadeniz Press — Romania, English
“In security terms, the war in Ukraine has made the Black Sea central to European security planning, and Bulgaria is more involved in this discussion than before” — interview with BIIP's Dimitar Keranov.
Casa Mării Negre / The Bridge of Friendship — Romania, Romanian & English
“Marea Neagră: România și Bulgaria trebuie să acționeze împreună” / “The Black Sea: Romania and Bulgaria must move together” — commentary by BIIP's Dimitar Keranov.
Next TV Moldova — “Фактите от деня” — Moldova, Russian (TV)
BIIP's Dr. Dimitar Keranov on Moldova's EU integration path, Russian hybrid warfare, and Bulgaria–Moldova relations.
German Marshall Fund of the United States — USA, English
“Bulgaria, Albania and Kosovo: A Partnership Whose Time Has Come” — analysis authored by BIIP's Dimitar Keranov.
Transitions (tol.org) — Czechia, English
“Opinion: A Partnership Whose Time Has Come” — op-ed by BIIP's Dimitar Keranov.
Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf) — South Africa, English
Invited webinar, “Captured States: Bulgaria, South(ern) Africa, and the Limits of Formal Democracy,” with BIIP's Dimitar Keranov.
Dukagjini / Korrekt Press — Kosovo, Albanian
“Instituti ‘Octopus’ dhe Instituti Bullgar për Politikë Ndërkombëtare nënshkruajnë memorandum bashkëpunimi” (“OCTOPUS Institute and BIIP sign a Memorandum of Cooperation”).
Lectures & Institutional Engagements
Faculty of Law, University "Haxhi Zeka" — Peja, Republic of Kosovo · July 2026
Lecture on external influence and hybrid interference in Southeast Europe, delivered alongside the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between BIIP and the Faculty of Law.
National University of Lesotho — Department of Political and Administrative Studies · 26 August 2026
"Democratic Resilience and External Influence: Perspectives from Bulgaria, and Bilateral Relations Between Bulgaria and Lesotho" — online lecture by BIIP's Dr. Dimitar Keranov.
Forum of German-Speaking Namibians — Online-Stammtisch · September 2026
"Wenn Wahlen nicht reichen: Wie Demokratien von innen ausgehöhlt werden" ("When Elections Aren't Enough: How Democracies Are Hollowed Out from Within").
University of Shkodra "Luigj Gurakuqi" — Albania · April 2026
"Divergent Communisms: Albania–Bulgaria Relations, 1961–1990" — guest lecture.
AAB College — Faculty of Public Administration, Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo
Guest lecture for students of the Faculty of Public Administration.
UBT — University for Business and Technology — Republic of Kosovo
"Kosovo's European Future: What Bulgaria's Experience Can Offer" — lecture to the Security Studies programme.
Octopus Institute — Prishtina, Republic of Kosovo · 23 September 2026
Memorandum of Cooperation signed between BIIP and the Institute for Hybrid Warfare Studies "OCTOPUS".
Partnerships
BIIP partners with organizations in Bulgaria and abroad that share our values of quality and professionalism.
BIIP respects your privacy. This website does not use cookies and does not collect personal data.
BIIP is registered under the Registry Agency of the Republic of Bulgaria,
Unified Identification Code: 208390337.