Centre for international peace operations (ZIF)
Through its training program, ZIF pursues two objectives: to screen and assess candidates for ZIF’s pool of German civilian professionals for deployment to international peace operations, and to provide field-oriented preparation for personnel in such operations. ZIF offers basic peacekeeping, specialization, and election observation courses. All courses focus on the practical preparation for work in a peace operation, based on mission experience and lessons learned.

Danish Institute for International Studies
Danish Institute for International Studies (DIIS) is an independent research institution for international studies, financed primarily by the Danish state. DIIS carries out research and analysis on a wide range of issues within the areas of globalisation, security and development. The Institute participates in national and international debates and academic networks, and publish in high-ranking academic journals, always striving to excel in academic scholarship.

Incompass International
Specialists in Security Sector Reform Programmes.

Instituto Affari Internazionali (IAI)
The Institute’s main objective is to promote an understanding of the problems of international politics through studies, research, meetings and publications, with the aim of increasing the opportunities of all countries to move in the direction of supranational organization, democratic freedom and social justice.

Norwegian Peacebuilding Centre (NOREF)
Noref – Norsk Ressurssenter for Fredsbygging – is a resource centre integrating knowledge and experience to strengthen peacebuilding policy and practice.

Bonn International Centre for Conversion
BICC is an independent, not-for-profit think tank promoting peace, security and development. BICC’s work includes applied research, training and capacity building in the program areas “Arms – global trends, exports and control”, “Security practices”, “Resources and conflict”, “Migration and security” and “Base conversion”.

Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forced – Geneva (DCAF)
DCAF is an international foundation under Swiss law, based in Geneva, Switzerland. DCAF is the world’s leading institution in the area of security sector reform (SSR) and security sector governance (SSG). DCAF’s core area of activities are 1) advisory field support, 2) policy-relevant research, 3) promotion of emerging norms and standards, and 4) advocacy and training in the areas of SSR/SSG.

Crisis Management Centre Finland (CMC)
The Crisis Management Centre Finland (CMC Finland), located in Kuopio, is a governmental institution and a centre of expertise in civilian crisis management. The main tasks of CMC Finland are to train and recruit experts for international civilian crisis management and peacebuilding missions as well as conduct research focusing on civilian crisis management. CMC Finland acts as a national head office for all seconded Finnish civilian crisis management professionals.

European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) is the first pan-European think-tank. Launched in October 2007, its objective is to conduct research and promote informed debate across Europe on the development of coherent and effective European values based foreign policy.

European Policy Centre (EPC)
The European Policy Centre (EPC) is an independent, not-for-profit think tank, committed to making European integration work. The EPC works at the “cutting edge” of European and global policy-making providing its members and the wider public with rapid, high-quality information and analysis on the EU and global policy agenda. It aims to promote a balanced dialogue between the different constituencies of its membership, spanning all aspects of economic and social life.

Fundación Alternativas’ Observatory of Spanish Foreign Policy (Opex)
The Fundación Alternativas’ Observatory of Spanish foreign policy (Opex) was established in response to the urgent need to refresh and provide impetus to Spain’s foreign policy on all fronts: politics, security, economics and culture. The Observatory seeks to act as a centre of study, debate and dissemination of Spanish foreign policy issues from a progressive perspective.

FUNDACIÓN PARA LAS RELACIONES INTERNACIONALES Y EL DIALOGO EXTERIOR (FRIDE)
FRIDE is a think tank based in Madrid that aims to provide the best and most innovative thinking on Europe’s role in the international arena. It strives to break new ground in its core research interests of peace and security, human rights, democracy promotion, and development and humanitarian aid, and mould debate in governmental and non-governmental bodies through rigorous analysis, rooted in the values of justice, equality and democracy.

German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP)
The German Institute for International and Security Affairs of the Stiftung Wissenschaft und Politik (SWP) is an independent scientific establishment that conducts practically oriented research on the basis of which it then advises the Bundestag (the German parliament) and the federal government on foreign and security policy issues.

Group for Research and Information on Peace and Security (GRIP)
GRIP’s main aims are research, information and training on peace, defence and disarmament issues in order to improve international security in Europe and throughout the world. GRIP focuses on how the arms proliferation operates and how security and defence needs are assessed. GRIP is independent and pluralist, conducting its scientific research scrupulously.

Institut de Relations Internationales et Strategiques (IRIS)
IRIS was created with three fundamental objectives in mind: to contribute to the research and debate on international and strategic matters by offering an original and innovative approach on national and international issues; to create a truly independent centre of expertise; to create a space for dialogue and reflection between the strategic actors and specialists from different professional and philosophical backgrounds : politicians, government officials, industry and military leaders, experts and academics.

Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael
The Netherlands Institute of International Relations Clingendael is a knowledge institute for international relations.

Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM)
The Polish Institute of International Affairs (PISM) is a foreign policy think tank based in Warsaw, Poland. PISM strives to provide unbiased research in international relations for policy makers, academics and the Polish public. In 2009 PISM was listed among top 50 non-US think tanks in the world and was dubbed a “policy maker”. The Research Office at PISM with 30 analysts from different academic backgrounds covers regional and global issues in both long-term and day-to-day analyses.

Real Instituto Elcano
Real Instituto Elcano was established in 2001 as a forum for analysis and debate on international affairs and particularly on Spain’s international relations. Its output aims to be of use to Spain’s decision-makers, both public and private, active on the international scene. Its work should similarly promote the knowledge of Spain in the strategic scenarios in which the country’s interests are at stake.

Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)
SIPRI is an independent international institute dedicated to research into conflict, armaments, arms control and disarmament. Established in 1966, SIPRI provides data, analysis and recommendations, based on open sources, to policymakers, researchers, media and the interested public.

The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy
The Institute for Peace Research and Security Policy (IFSH) is an independent research institute at the University of Hamburg focusing on security policy and conflict research; teaching, including a Master of Peace and Security Studies; and consulting. Through its consulting activities the IFSH aims to use its specialist knowledge and problem-solving expertise to strengthen the ability of politicians, opinion leaders and the general public to make effective decisions on questions relating to conflicts, peace and security policy.

Centre for International Cooperation and Security (CICS)
The Centre for International Cooperation and Security (CICS) is an internationally recognized centre of excellence for research, training and learning in ‘peace and security’ issues and concerns at the interface of: human security; violent conflict; sustainable development; and democratic governance. We specialize in applied policy- and programme-oriented research, complemented by extensive analytical experience and expertise.

Crisis Management Initiative (CMI)
CMI (Crisis Management Initiative) is a Finnish independent non-profit organisation that works to resolve conflict and to build sustainable peace. CMI was founded by President Martti Ahtisaari in 2000. Based in Helsinki and with operations spread across the globe, CMI has a team of almost 80 dedicated professionals, bringing their experience and expertise in conflict prevention, conflict resolution and peace mediation to many of the world’s regions most affected by conflict.

EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations
EGMONT – The Royal Institute for International Relations is an independent think-tank based in Brussels. Its interdisciplinary research is conducted in a spirit of total academic freedom.

Drawing on the expertise of its own research fellows, as well as that of external specialists, both Belgian and foreign, it provides analysis and suggests international policy options that are meant to be as operational as possible.

International Security Information Service Europe (ISIS Europe)
ISIS Europe is an independent research and advisory organisation that works to increase transparency, stimulate parliamentary engagement and broaden participation in EU and NATO policy-making. Through its publications and events, ISIS Europe facilitates parliamentary and inter-institutional dialogue and provides policy input to strengthen common approaches to conflict prevention, crisis management, peace building, arms control and disarmament.

The International Crisis Group (ICG)
The International Crisis Group is an independent, non-profit, non-governmental organisation committed to preventing and resolving deadly conflict.

The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNDIR)
The United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research is a voluntarily funded autonomous institute within the United Nations. An impartial actor, the Institute generates ideas and promotes action on disarmament and security. Based in Geneva, UNIDIR is centrally positioned to assist the international community in developing the practical, innovative thinking needed to find solutions to the challenges of today and tomorrow. 

if you want to know more about the 10 from 10, read here about Javier Solana.