OstWest

OstWest is a non-profit international platform that promotes East-West dialogue, exchange, and cooperation across political, economic, and cultural domains. It aims to strengthen shared understanding and collaborative problem solving between eastern and western regions, with a focus on Europe and Asia, through research, policy dialogue, and cultural programs.

The organization was founded in 2012 in Berlin by a coalition of scholars, policymakers, and civil society representatives who sought to institutionalize sustained East-West engagement beyond episodic diplomacy. Since then, OstWest has grown a network of partner institutes, academic departments, cultural organizations, and think tanks in more than a dozen countries.

OstWest's activities include a long-running research program that commissions comparative studies on topics such as regional integration, energy transition, migration, and digital governance; an annual OstWest Forum that convenes policymakers, business leaders, and researchers; and a publication program that includes the OstWest Review, policy briefs, and data dashboards. The organization also maintains an online platform with project databases, event archives, and multilingual resources to facilitate collaboration.

Governance rests with a board of directors, a rotating presidency, and a program council that sets thematic priorities. The international network is coordinated through regional offices and partner institutions. Revenue comes from research grants, membership dues, event sponsorship, and philanthropic contributions, with a stated commitment to transparent reporting and independent review.

OstWest is frequently cited as a conduit for East-West cooperation in academic and policy circles, though critics highlight challenges in ensuring neutrality and broad representation across diverse stakeholders.