ICEG European Center is an independent economic research institute. Its main activity consists of analyzing and evaluating the economic trends of Central and Eastern Europe . Our economic research has five priority areas. One is conducting research on the information economy and society, with a special attention at the New Member States and South-Eastern Europe. The second priority area is the analysis of European wide economic trends with a particular focus on the macroeconomic developments of NMS and SEE. Another interest area of the Center is research regarding economic growth, competitiveness, and in connection with these the analysis of factors of growth and the Lisbon process. The fourth priority area is public economics; especially tax systems, healthcare and local government reform. Finally, an important research area for the Center is economic geography and regional politics.
ICEG EC regularly carries out research projects in various fields. An important strength of the institution is its ability to collect the experts of a given field both on the national and on the international level, to organise and channel their work for a given project, and to manage the research projects in a way that they fulfill high quality requirements and result in valuable reports and other outcomes.
The Center has been the Main Contractor for the research project carried out for IPTS titled "Factors and Impacts in the Information Society: A Prospective Analysis in the Candidate Countries". In the framework of the project, the ICEG EC has been responsible for the preparation of the Synthesis Report and 13 country monographs, prepared by the national partners.
ICEG European Center has prepared various other studies and projects regarding Information Society developments. The Center has participated in the formulation of the Hungarian National Broadband Strategy 2005, and in the eContent project "NENA" among others.
The Center is very active in policy advise: besides its involvement in the formulation of the National Broadband Strategy it participated in the preparation of the Competitiveness Strategy of the Hungarian Government (and within tat of the Ministry of Economy and Transport), of FDI promotion strategy of the Ministry of Economy and Transport, shift to program budgeting of the Hungarian State Audit. Besides that the Center is regularly invited to meetings and discussions with the National Bank of Hungary , Ministry of Finance and various international organisations.
Web: www.icegec.org
The Baltic International Centre for Economic Policy Studies (BICEPS) is an independent research centre, which became a legal entity in Latvia in May 2002. Its aim is to promote and undertake high quality policy-oriented research in economics and other social sciences and to provide informed advice and consultation for both government and business. She also publishes Baltic Economic Trends , which reports on the latest research in the Baltic States and offers commentary on economic developments.
Web: www.biceps.org
Joint stock company EEIP a.s. is one of the most important Czech companies active since May 1991 in the field of consulting services. EEIP also carries out various research projects on several topics. EEIP often cooperates in its research projects with the Institute of Economic Studies . IES was founded in May 1993 as a result of reorganisation of the Faculty of Social Sciences at the Charles University from the Department of Economics and the Institute of Economic Sciences .
EEIP has participated in the research project carried out for IPTS, "Factors and Impacts in the Information Society - A Prospective Analysis in the Candidate Countries", being responsible for the Czech national monograph.
EEIP was the financial advisor during acquisition of shareholdings in Czech monopoly gas importer and transporter Transgas and the eight gas distributing companies within the framework of the tender announced by the National Property Fund (NPF, the Czech state privatisation agency).
The bid of EEIP's client, RWE Gas, was the winning one, in December 2001 and the contract between the parties, NPF and RWE Gas was signed in January 2002. The contract price amounted to EUR 4.1 billion, which corresponds to the highest price achieved in tenders and acquisitions in Central Europe and the largest gas industry transaction all over the Europe .
Post-acquisition research dealt with the impacts of European Union gas market liberalization on local market, adequate business plans and necessary institutional changes within Czech gas sector.
EEIP regularly analysed the Czech power sector, especially future energy market, regulation, environmental issues and influences of European Union energy market liberalization on local market and related investment opportunities.
EEIP regularly analysed the Slovak power sector and related investment opportunities. Special focus was devoted to the future method of power sector regulation and progress of privatisation in Slovakia .
EEIP regularly analyses the Czech power sector, especially future energy market, regulation, environmental issues and influences of European Union energy market liberalization on local market and related investment opportunities.
Web: www.eeip.cz
The work of the Institute of Macroeconomic Analysis and Development (IMAD) covers three main areas of activity:
Monitoring, analysing and forecasting economic developments . Analyses of current economic developments and their level of agreement with forecasts are published in the Slovenian Economic Mirror. Detailed analyses and forecasts are presented in the Spring and Autumn Reports. Attention is also given to structural changes, social and human development, and economic aspects of environmental development. In-depth analyses are published in Working Papers and books.
Participating in preparations of the main strategic documents and the formulation of government policies. The IMAD was in charge of drawing up the Strategy for the Economic Development of Slovenia and the Strategy of the Republic of Slovenia for Accession to the European Union, while a new Strategy of Slovenia's Development is in preparation. The IMAD is also responsible for co-ordinating activities related to implementation of the European Union's Lisbon Strategy and is in charge of the Report on Structural Reforms. The quality of development is monitored by the Development Report, which is based on the current strategy and uses the IMAD's own system of indicators, and the Human Development Report, which is prepared in co-operation with the United Nations Development Programme
Research and international co-operation . Research includes developing methodological tools and analysing issues relevant to economic and development policies. The IB revija publishes research and methodological studies. International co-operation consists of the exchange of information, project-based collaboration with similar institutions, and work in the Economic Policy Committee of the Council of the European Union. The IMAD organises an International conference each year, focusing on selected issues of economic policy and European integration processes, and publishes an international magazine called the Journal of Institutional Innovation, Development and Transition.
The IMAD is formally a government service, while its Director is directly responsible to the Prime Minister. The IMAD is independent as regards the methodology selected to make analyses and forecasts and to interpret the results.
Web: www.gov.si/zmar/
Lithuanian Free Market Instiute
LFMI pursues its mission by exploring key issues of economic policy, developing conceptual reform packages, drafting and evaluating legislation, submitting policy recommendations at the legislative and executive levels, and launching educational campaigns. To gain passage for policy proposals, LFMI's policy analysts participate in non-governmental forums, TV debates, ministerial task forces and parliamentary committee sittings. LFMI's activities also include sociological surveys, publications, conferences, workshops, lectures and briefings. LFMI is active in a variety of public policy issues, including privatisation, business deregulation, monetary systems, capital markets, tax and budget policy, social security privatisation, international trade and EU integration.
In the fifteen years of existence LFMI has addressed a variety of core issues confronting the economic reform process, enriching public debates, making a profound impact on the legislative outcome, and strengthening the democratic process. LFMI promoted the idea of a currency board and provided decisive input to the Law on Litas Credibility. LFMI led the creation of the legal and institutional framework for the securities market and contributed significantly to the privatisation legislation. LFMI initiated and participated in the policy-making process on private pension insurance through pension funds. LFMI's recommendations have adopted in legislation on commercial banks, the Bank of Lithuania, credit unions, insurance, and foreign investment. LFMI have influenced significantly the improvement of company, bankruptcy and competition law. LFMI have developed a conceptual proposal for tax and budget reform. Proposals from LFMI have been adopted in policy debates on income taxation, real estate tax, inheritance and gift taxes, and others. In recent years LFMI has been closely working on business deregulation, a process, initiated by the institute.
IST/ICT research is one of the priority issues for the institute under its approved 2005-2007 activity plan. LFMI has been continuously conducting studies in this field and has an expert who is assigned to it. The institute has conducted a number of studies and participated in projects related to e-Signature, e-Government, e-Business and others.
The expansion of LFMI's areas of expertise and its ever-increasing involvement in the economic policy process is a result of a systematic activity and LFMI's timely response to Lithuania 's changing needs. LFMI is well positioned to promptly and effectively advocate progressive change by virtue of its commitment, experience, and reputation.
LFMI has gained a reputation of one of the leading thinks tanks in the region and has been an active participant in international debates and projects on many issues of international and regional dimension. We have regularly contributed to Fraser Institute's Index of Economic Freedom and Freedom House's Nations in Transit .
PRAXIS Center for Policy Studies is an independent not-for-profit think tank based in Tallinn , Estonia .
Founded in 2000, the mission of PRAXIS is to improve and contribute to the policy-making process in Estonia by conducting independent research, providing strategic counsel to policy makers and fostering public debate.
The term "PRAXIS" originates from the social thought of the Ancient Greece and signifies a practical kind of knowledge that not only consists of expertise and capacity, but also involves the setting of right goals, to which the expertise is applied. Such a knowledge is important for all kinds of endeavors, but particularly for good governance.
PRAXIS aims to develop this kind of practical knowledge as well as to offer its know-how and expertise to identify and tackle key problems in the society, and provide practical recommendations to policy makers.
Web: www.praxis.ee
Slovak Governance Institute is an independent civic association established in 2001 in Bratislava , Slovakia with a team of economists involved with public sector projects of the Institute for Economic and Social Reforms (INEKO).
SGI's mission is to initiate and promote the search for solutions to improve the process of making and implementing decisions on the allocation of public resources to meet the society's needs to ensure good, accessible, transparent and effective public services for the citizens of the Slovak Republic.
In the four years of functioning the institute has been closely involved in analytical and advocacy work related particularly to the field of knowledge economy, education policy, science and technology policy, as well as general public sector efficiency issues.
The institute draws on a wide roster of experts from the academia, as well as from the public sector. The institute communicates with the public through the media and through more than 15 publications on a variety of public sector issues.
Principal funders of SGI's work have been the Open Society Institute, World Bank , UK Department of Foreign and International Development, US Embassy in Bratislava , UK Embassy in Bratislava , United Nations Development Programme.
The key activity in the area of IST research has been the preparation of the Slovak monograph Factors and Impacts in the Information Society released in 2004. In 2004 SGI published the Slovak translation of the European Institute of Public Administration publication Egovernment in Europe : The State of Affairs and presented it to expert public and Slovak policymakers. In 2002 the Institute published the National Report on Science and Technology Policy, which also covered issues related to IST and ICT research and public support for IST development. Further related activities have involved work on issues of Subnational Statistical Capacity Building in a World Bank/OECD funded study.
Web: www.governance.sk
TIGER - Transformation, Integration and Globalization Economic Research Centre affiliated to Kozminski Academy of Entrepreneurship and Management.
TIGER is a policy-oriented research institute affiliated to a leading non-public university in Poland - Kozminski Academy. TIGER institute is based on sound theoretical reasoning and advocates development strategies that improve the standard of living and quality of life in society. TIGER aims to strengthen human capital by imparting the results of its research to current and future leaders in government and business. Thereby, enabling them to build democratic and market institutions with policy reforms that spur equitable growth, sustainable development, technological advancement and competitiveness. Special research interests include the impact glo balisation, regional integration and technological progress, such as introduction of Information and Communication Technologies on the economic, social and political reforms and ‘New Economy' development in Poland and other transition economies.
TIGER accomplishes its mission by conducting individual research and coordinating international research projects. The results are disseminated to economists, government officials, business managers, media, and students throughout the world via the World Wide Web, seminars, international scientific conferences, WSPiZ and TIGER Distinguished Lectures , the students Science Club "Little Tigers", and the publication of books, articles, and the TIGER Working Paper Series . The outcome of the above mentioned events have resulted in the following several publications edited by TIGER's staff: M.Piatkowski, " Information Society in Poland. A Prospective Analysis", Leon Kozminski Academy of Management and Entrepreneurship Press, Warsaw 2005; "'Nowa gospodarka' i stare problemy. Perspektywy szybkiego wzrostu w krajach posocjalistycznych", G.W. Kolodko (edit.), WSPIZ, Warszawa 2002; "Nowa gospodarka' i jej implikacje dla dlugofalowego wzrostu w krajach posocjalistycznych"(edit. G.W.Kolodko), Wydawnictwo WSPiZ , Warszawa 2001; The above publications present the current state of the information society development and "new economy" in Poland, other EU countries and the world as well as its economic, institutional, political and social dimensions. The thematic has also analyzed and provides a scenario of future of ICT development and applicability in public and private sectors.
Web: www.tiger.edu.pl
University of Cyprus , Computer Science Department
The University of Cyprus is the only one Higher Education Institution in Cyprus and consists of five faculties: The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences with four departments, the Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences with four departments, the Faculty of Economics and Management with two departments and the Economics Research Centre, the Faculty of Letters with three departments and the Archaeological Research Unit, and the Faculty of Engineering with three departments.
The University aspires to establish itself as a research-oriented institution that combines research with teaching in order to promote knowledge and educate highly qualified specialists and professionals. The academic staff of the University of Cyprus participates in a wide variety of international research projects which involve partners and peers from many different countries, universities and research institutions. Research programmes are supported by both state and international funding agencies. Research in the University is profitable at many different levels and teaching at the University is continually enriched by its ongoing research. This process of cross-fertilization between teaching and research has intensified with the development of postgraduate studies at the University of Cyprus and will stay steadily on course, in order to contribute to the establishment of Cyprus as an international centre of excellence in science, education, and culture.
The Department of Computer Science is a research-oriented department active in several areas of Information Society Technologies . The research interests of the Department vary from purely theoretical and foundational topics to applied development where, to the extent possible, this applied research is aimed to be directly useful to the local community of Cyprus . Over the last years, the Department has been continuing and strengthening its many collaborations with other universities and research institutions all over the world, expanding its research into new areas. The general research areas of the Department include: eGovernment, Medical Informatics and Telemedicine, eHealth, Parallel and Distributed Systems and Computation, High-Speed Communication Networks, Internet Technologies, Concurrent Systems, Mobile Computing, Computer Architecture, Intelligent Systems, eLearning, Multimedia Systems, Formal Methods for Specification, Artificial and Computational Intelligence and Software Engineering. Furthermore, the Computer Science Department of the University of Cyprus is in very close collaboration with the Cyprus Department of Information Technology and the Ministry of Health for the definition of related IST strategies and their implementation.
The Department has been actively participating in a number of European Union projects and regional development studies under the IST including the projects in the eHealth, eGovernment and eLearning areas like: HealthService24 addresses eHealth and eInclusion and aims at launching of an innovative mobile health care service supporting patients' and health professionals' mobility, increasing patients' quality of life and lowering health care costs, LinkCare linking Health Professionals in Emerging Care Environments. The project addresses the provision of services that facilitate ubiquitous and mobile new working practices for healthcare professionals supporting personalization and multi-channel issues and interoperability with existing information resources, DITIS project dealing with the provision of home-based health care service supported by a collaborative Virtual Health Care Team, funded by the Cyprus Research Promotion Foundation and since 2001 successfully in use. The project was ranked among the best 20 European Health Projects in the 'European Health Conference 2003' , eUser Evidence-based support for the design and delivery of user-centred online public services, PRISMA setting goals for new e-Government initiatives, BEEP dealing with the definition of best e-Services Practices, MEMO having the aim to overcome technological barriers and support rapid uptake of mobile devices in HealthCare, INTELCITIES addressing the EU policy objective of developing the intelligent city - an integrated citywide ICT information system continuously accessible to all that will enable more inclusive decision-making and support more sustainable life-styles, ENLARGE promoting a broad adoption of eCommerce and eWork in regional and sectoral settings of Eastern Europe and Balkan countries and SeLeNe dealing with eLearning.
Web: www.cs.ucy.ac.cy/