Website: Gallup Balkan Monitor: Insights and Perceptions: Voices of the Balkans

The Western Balkans is constantly in the spotlight: Kosovo independence, minority disputes, EU integration prospects - hardly a day goes by without Balkan issues hitting the headlines or a Balkan policy initiative being discussed.

Sound policies are vital, but they cannot be formulated without a well-founded knowledge of the perceptions and attitudes of the Balkan people. Something is lacking: reliable information about what those people are thinking.

Filling this crucial gap is the Gallup Balkan Monitor: based on pioneering surveys throughout the Western Balkans, it is the one-stop shop that delivers strategic insights based on evidence-based social research.

Covering Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia, the Gallup Balkan Monitor explores a series of key issues including:

+ Ethnic & cultural identities and perceptions of other ethnic groups
+ Religion & spirituality
+ Social & economic conditions, employment prospects
+ Business conditions
+ Political activity in the region
+ Attitudes and perceptions about the EU and major
international organisations
+ Good governance, corruption, crime & safety
+ Well-being & life satisfaction
+ Migration
+ The future: outlook and aspirations.

The research is conducted annually, providing an up-to-date assessment on the socio-political, socio-economic, and multi-cultural dimensions of the Balkan region. Based on the data of the Monitor, Gallup can help:

+ Understand the complex dynamics behind current Balkan
issues
+ Shape your policies and strategies based on the realities
on the ground
+ Track attitudes and assess the stability of the region
+ Customise the data to meet your needs via a sophisticated
dashboard
+ Identify emerging trends at an early stage
+ Make effective business decisions based on increased
understanding of potential customers.

Methodology
In collecting and analysing data for the Gallup Balkan Monitor, Gallup applies the strictest quality, methodology and accountability standards. The survey consists of at least 1,000 interviews per country and uses stand-alone samples of ethnic minorities and other entities. This allows for a differentiated analysis of the citizens' perceptions in the region.

Partnership
Gallup is pleased to carry out the Gallup Balkan Monitor in close partnership with the European Fund for the Balkans (EFB), a multi-year joint initiative of European foundations. The partnership is currently scheduled to be for three years, effective from the survey undertaken in October 2008.

Website: Gallup Europe http://www.gallup.com/topic/europe.aspx

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