EU to establish economic research institutes network

The European Commission is launching a call for proposals to set up a European network of economic research institutes. The European forecasting network (EFN) will be formed by leading research institutes from European Union Member States. The purpose of the EFN is to improve...

The European Commission is launching a call for proposals to set up a European network of economic research institutes.

The European forecasting network (EFN) will be formed by leading research institutes from European Union Member States. The purpose of the EFN is to improve the understanding of euro zone economic developments and policies, to augment the analytical basis for economic policy decisions in the euro zone and to increase the visibility of economic and monetary union (EMU) in the Member States.

In order to achieve these objectives, the EFN will produce independent, rigorous and joint assessments of the economic situation, the aim being to identify key policy challenges in the euro zone. The creation and work of the EFN should be of benefit to policy makers, economic agents and the general public.

The combination of a single monetary policy with decentralised economic policies is giving rise to a new economic environment, with consequences for policy makers and economic agents. Essential economic relations ships need therefore to be reassessed, and reliable indicators must be developed.

The Commission believes that high quality, independent and authoritative analysis from the research community would provide a valuable, complementary contribution to euro zone policy makers and economic agents in their assessment of the economic situation and policy requirements.

The network will prepare two reports per year focused on an explicit euro zone wide approach. The reports should present rigorous analysis, robust conclusions and a consensus view on policy relevant topics. The reports will include the following parts:
- a detailed analysis of the economic situation and outlook, including quanlitative forecasts,
- an examination of policy issues in key areas,
- thematic analysis, focusing on euro zone economic characteristics.

The network will be selected for a period of three years, with the agreements being proposed annually by the Commission.

The maximum annual budget available for the programme is 300.000 euro.For further information, please consult the following web address:
URL: http://europa.eu.int/comm/economy_finance/tenders/call0105.htm

or alternatively contact:

European Commission
Directorate-General Economic and Financial Affairs
Unit C3
rue de la Loi/Wetstraat 200
B-1049 Brussels

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