European Policy Centre

ABOUT US WHO WE ARE The European Policy Centre (EPC) is an independent, not-for-profit think tank dedicated to fostering European integration through analysis and debate, supporting and challenging decision-makers at all levels to make informed decisions based on evidence and analysis, and providing a platform for engaging partners, stakeholders and citizens in EU policy-making and in the debate about the future of Europe. The EPC was launched as a think tank in 1996. In 2003, the EPC was established as an international not-for-profit organisation under Belgian law. The EPC’s articles of association and subsequent amendments are available online here. Herman Van Rompuy, President Emeritus of the European Council and former Prime Minister of Belgium, is President of the EPC. He is also President of the Strategic Council. STRATEGIC COUNCIL The Strategic Council brings together thought leaders and experts from diverse background and nationalities. They bring fresh insights and forward-looking perspectives on the major challenges facing the European Union. Once a year, they meet with our analysts to reflect on the strategic priorities of the Union and their implications for the work and strategic direction of the European Policy Centre. GOVERNANCE The Governing Board is responsible for the managerial oversight of the European Policy Centre with all the associated powers. Day-to-day management is delegated to the Chief Executive, who acts as the EPC’s Legal Representative and is accountable to the Board. The General Assembly meets once a year to formally approve the annual accounts and adopt the budget for the year ahead, in line with Belgian law. PARTNERS The EPC works with partners throughout Europe and beyond which share similar objectives. We engage with other think tanks and policy institutes in the member states, exchanging ideas and producing joint policy recommendations. The EPC also has strong links to foundations that share the principles, values and basic objectives of the EPC and has a long-standing strategic partnership with the King Baudouin Foundation. MEMBERS Our membership is drawn from a broad spectrum of organisations, representing the main stakeholders concerned with EU affairs at the local, regional national and international level. Members actively contribute to our events, workshops, task forces and roundtables. They bring a multi-stakeholder dimension to our activities and lend legitimacy to our recommendations. FINANCING The European Policy Centre (EPC) is committed to sound financial management and to transparency in respect of its funding sources. In line with its mission statement, the EPC is an independent think tank and none of the financing it receives affects its independence in any way. WHAT WE DO PUBLICATIONS Our publications address the major challenges facing the European Union and look at the long-term trends underpinning EU policymaking. They include recommendations that contribute to the debate, help to inform the policy agenda and take European integration forward. EVENTS The EPC organises stimulating and timely policy debates on the issues that matter, with the people who matter. By connecting our research programmes to these multi-stakeholder events, we help to raise awareness, ensure policy relevance and foster innovative thinking. RESEARCH Our analysts connect policy agendas through a multi-disciplinary approach. Each of our programmes builds on solid expertise and forward-thinking to provide insight into EU politics and develop practical policy proposals. Each year, the Governing Board adopts an annual work programme for the coming year, based on a proposal from the management team following discussions in the Strategic Council. The EPC works on the basis of a three-year strategic plan. WHAT WE STAND FOR INDEPENDENCE The EPC is independent of the EU and national institutions and of all vested interests. It is non-partisan, focussing on policy solutions without political affiliation. EXCELLENCE, RELEVANCE AND INNOVATION The EPC works at the centre of European and global policy-making providing its members and the wider public with rapid, high-quality information and flexible analysis on the EU and global policy agenda. It focuses on providing implementable, timely, flexible and relevant policy recommendations, taking a critical but constructive approach. It champions new ideas and solutions, as well as new ways of engaging with and involving stakeholders and citizens. CROSS-CUTTING AND LONG-TERM SOLUTIONS The EPC aims to promote coherent, holistic and strategic policymaking by making links between and across different policy areas and policymakers, connecting policies across silos in a multi-disciplinary way. It focuses on long-term sustainable solutions, especially in areas of critical importance for the future of European integration, Europe's role in the world and people's well-being. It does this by analysing emerging trends and developments that can inform and improve current and future policies and strategies, taking account of the global environment which is impacting on the EU and its member states. MULTI-CONSTITUENCY AND INCLUSIVE The EPC aims to promote a balanced dialogue between the different constituencies of its membership, spanning all areas of economic and social life, including companies, professional and business federations, trade unions, diplomatic missions, regional and local bodies, as well as NGOs representing different civil society interests, foundations and religious organisations. The EPC recognises that the European integration process requires effective multi-level governance at international, European, national and regional/local level and aims to reach citizens and national/regional stakeholders who are not regularly engaged with the EU. PARTNERSHIP & OUTREACH The EPC is committed to building partnerships to ensure a broad-based, balanced approach. It works with think tanks and policy institutes in the member states, exchanging ideas and producing joint policy recommendations. By reaching out to experts beyond Brussels the EPC is helping to bridge the gap between policy- and decision-makers at EU level and civil society on the ground.