What does it take to maintain independence while navigating the turbulence of national crisis and European transformation? In this episode, we speak with Loukas Tsoukalis, President of the Board at ELIAMEP, Greece’s most prominent think tank on European and foreign policy.

Drawing on over two decades of leadership, Loukas reflects on what it meant to lead a think tank during one of the most difficult periods in recent Greek history—from the financial crisis to growing political polarisation. He shares how ELIAMEP positioned itself as both a national and European actor, often acting as a bridge between Athens and Brussels, sometimes uncomfortably so.

We discuss the importance of “speaking truth to power” in environments where conforming to the official line is often rewarded, and how true independence requires strategic funding decisions, credibility, and a willingness to be unpopular. Loukas also highlights the risks of self-censorship, the value of internal self-criticism, and the need for think tanks to move beyond technocratic neutrality.

From institutional survival to long-term influence, this conversation is a masterclass in navigating the responsibilities and risks of public policy work in a rapidly changing Europe.

This episode is part of a series, Think tanks in a changing Europe, supported by the Open Society Foundations. To listen to the whole series, visit: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/podcast-series-think-tanks-in-a-changing-europe/

To learn more about ELIAMEP, please visit: https://www.eliamep.gr/en

------

OTT Talks is a platform for sharing learning among think tanks, funders, and other policy actors on a range of topics, from think tank governance to communicating research. 

Learn more: https://onthinktanks.org/podcast/ 

----

About On Think Tanks: 

On Think Tanks focuses on a range of issues of relevance and interest to think tanks as well as their staff and supporters. We hope that our initiatives and the articles and resources we publish will support think tanks to be more strategic in the ways they make short and long-term decisions, and that this will result in better policy advice and policy outcomes for all. 

Read more: 

https://onthinktanks.org/initiative/evidence-generation-and-communication/on-think-tanks-programme/ 

Support us: 

https://onthinktanks.org/support/