The proposed research project is aimed at an in-depth understanding of the ways in which the modern European identities and regional cultures are formed and inter-communicated in the Eastern part of the European continent. The project is an inter-disciplinary effort (sociology, political science, history, ethnography). Its methodological thrust is empirical and comparative; new data complementing prioritiess will be generated. On top of that, the project pursues the objective to verify and advance existing theoretical and methodological frameworks for ethnic studies as well studies of identities and nationalism. In order to account for the diversity encountered in the field and to adequately identify the main factors in the identity formation process, ethnic groups, which are part of larger titular nations and are divided by the new European frontier toward the New Independent States are studied. Altogether, 8-10 million people have been affected by politically set boundaries. The project clusters based on major themes such as “Formation and interplay of identities and ethnic cultures in Europe”, “Nations between states”, “Self-governance, representation and citizenship”, “Historical memory and dynamic trajectories of the development of ethnic minorities in Eastern Europe”. Project assumes a detailed study of a sample of 10 ethnic minorities in EE by the means of a series of quantitative and qualitative surveys focusing on the identities and values issues. Four regional workshops and a final conference will conclude the project.