The Service Profile of Policy Research & Consultancy

Regional policy Economic policy Selected projects Publications Useful docs Links
 

Policy Research & Consultancy (PRAC) is a small consulting bureau specialised on regional development issues in a broader context of economic policy. The major fields of engagement comprise:

 

  • Conceptualisation and evaluation of regional development programmes financed by the European Structural Funds (Community Initiatives, Operational Programmes, Rural Development Programmes etc.);
  • the preparation of the New EU-Member Countries for the implementation of EU regional policy (training, studies, consultancy);
  • consultancy for communal and regional development strategies; 
  • consultancy on communal technology transfer (business incubation, science parks, university-SME co-operation);
  • accompanying policy research for regional infrastructure programmes in fields such as transport and logistics; and
  • economic policy advice in developing and transition countries (poverty-oriented regional and structural policy, employment policy, innovation policy).

 
(cf. the reference projects on regional development and economic policy as well as the list of publications.  Moreover material and links to material on communal issues and EU Structural Funds are available)  
 

The underlying philosophy of Policy Research & Consultancy is the provision of high-quality policy advice based on utilisation of most recent international research and the application of appropriate empirical methods. 

Since 1991 (occasionally since 1984) the bureau has been operated as a free-lance business with access to a broader partnership network of international advisers and researchers in corresponding fields of consultancy. In 2004 it was transformed into a registered partnership company.

 
Important clients are, among others:

 

  • Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit (GTZ) GmbH, Eschborn
  • The European Commission, Brussels
  • The European Parliament, Brussels
  • INTERACT North Point, Turku
  • Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Landesentwicklung
  • NRW Ministry of Economy, Energy, Industry, SME and Crafts
  • Ministry of Economy, Transport, Agriculture and viticulture, Rhineland-Palatinate
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Protection, Slovenia
  • Joint Technical Secretariat of the Interreg IIIB Programme North-West-Europe, Lille
  • Research voor Beleid, Leiden
  • Gesellschaft für Organisation, Planung und Ausbildung (GOPA) GmbH, Bad Homburg
  • West Midlands Enterprise Ltd., Birmingham
  • Montgomery Watson Ltd., High Wycombe
  • Ecotec Research & Consulting Ltd., Birmingham
Long-standing work experiences in numerous European, Asian, Oriental and African countries, linked to the approach of research-based consultancy, has ensured a professional and reliable execution of consultancy.
 

Policy Research & Consultancy is member of the

 

  • Verein für Socialpolitik; and
  • Regional Studies Association (London)