Since its creation in 2014, the Institute has operated in more than ten countries in the Middle East, Central Asia, Africa, Latin America and Europe providing policy advice on conflict resolution.

The Board comprises eight members (Belgium, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain and Sweden) and may be expanded to a maximum of fifteen.

[9] The process for the establishment of the Institute was steered by a Core Group of States, which explored the best alternatives to make it fit with European efforts and realities.

On 12 May 2014, the Institute was launched by foreign ministers of the founding member states (Belgium, Finland, Hungary, Italy, Luxembourg, Poland, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland).

[14] Martin Griffiths served as the Institute’s first Executive Director between 2014 and March 2018 before being nominated as the United Nations Special Envoy for Yemen.