The Institute for the Study of Nationalism and Conflict (ISNC) was established in 2009. Its main spheres of interest are issues of nationalism, conflicts, and the study and promotion of reconciliation and peace-building processes including confidence building measures between divided societies. These include confidence building measures and professional and people-to-people dialogue processes. The ISNC also develops and advocates appropriate recommendations to policy makers.
Members of the ISNC have a unique experience of participation on both Georgian-Abkhaz and Georgian-South Ossetian civil dialogue processes, as well as dialogue organised with national and international organisations, including the UK government, the Council of Europe and USAID.
ISNC representatives regularly participate in the London Process bringing together representatives of Georgian and Abkhaz civil societies in an informal dialogue while at the same time members of ISNC participate and co-facilitate the Point of View process between Georgian and South Ossetian civil society.
ISNC members are key partners of Conciliation Resources on its Peacebuilding and reconciliation work in the region and have also been partners of George Mason University Center of Peacemaking for more than six years.
ISNC is a member of 18 non-profit organizations Network “Synergy” and serves as a coordination centre. The Synergy Network is a group of non-governmental organizations of people displaced from Abkhazia based in Tbilisi and Georgia's regions working on issues concerning Internally Displaced Persons including issues of political participation and peace-building.
One of the biggest advantages of Network Synergy is that member organisations are strongly connected to IDPs, especially in the regions, and it is very easy for the Network to organise mobilisation activities. One of its key aims is to help develop reconciliation policies.