PROGRAMMES

The EPC's Europe’s Political Economy Programme (EPE) is dedicated to covering topics related to EU economic governance, the single market, industrial and digital policies, and strategic autonomy in a context of deep geo-economic and technological shifts. The Programme has contributed actively to these debates over past years, leveraging its convening power, analysis and multistakeholder taskforce model. EPE analysts pioneered the concept of a ‘wartime economy’ following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the Programme is currently running projects focusing on the EU’s ambitions and the private sector’s capacity to deliver on the “triple” green, digital and economic security transitions. As fast-advancing components of ‘economic security’, digital and emerging technologies, such as quantum, are priority areas of focus. Linked to the changing international context, the Programme also focuses on trade policy, the transatlantic agenda, notably the EU-US Trade and Technology Council, China, and the EU’s close economic partnerships (UK, EEA, Switzerland). The EPE Programme consists of a young and dynamic team, with recent recruitments bolstering analytical capacities linked to economic growth and crises, resilience and recovery, emerging tech and cybersecurity.

The Sustainable Prosperity for Europe (SPfE) Programme explores the foundations and drivers for achieving an environmentally sustainable and competitive European economy. 

While the climate crisis is a complex challenge to be addressed, non-action is not an option. Prospering within the planetary boundaries requires rethinking the existing ‘take-make-dispose’ economic model, reducing pollution and being smarter with the resources we have. 

The Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Agenda provide the direction, and the SPfE Programme engages in a debate on the needed measures to achieve a fair transition to an environmentally sustainable economy and society. It focuses on areas where working together across the EU can bring significant benefits to the member states, citizens and businesses, and ensure sustainable prosperity within the limits of this planet.