Research for the EU and Other Brussels-Based Organisations

People are pictured outside the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium June 14, 2017.

EU Should Renew Current Action Plan on Drugs
15 Mar 2017

To ensure that the objectives of the EU Drugs Strategy are achieved by 2020, the European Commission should renew its EU Action Plan on Drugs for the period 2017–2020 and continue to translate the current plan's high-level objectives into concrete action.
Defence and Security after Brexit
06 Mar 2017

Brexit may pose more immediate challenges to UK and European security rather than to defence. However, both are likely to be subject to long-term uncertainty.
Developing a Protocol for the Evaluation of ECDC Disease Programmes
01 Feb 2017

The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is planning a future evaluation of its seven ECDC Disease Programmes and has asked RAND Europe to establish a common protocol for the evaluation.
Identifying Successful Innovations in European Higher Education
23 Dec 2016

More students than ever are attending higher education, and its provision is becoming more fluid, global and competitive. Higher education institutions need to have a strategy to incorporate innovative modes of teaching and learning, as well as the management and governance of higher education.
Evaluating the EC Action Plan Against Antimicrobial Resistance
03 Nov 2016

From research on new antimicrobials to surveillance and monitoring of AMR-related issues across the EU, an evaluation of the 2011 European Commission Action Plan against AMR assessed both the impacts of the plan and how effectively it was implemented.
Ending the Schengen Agreement Would Cost €2–3 Billion Annually
13 Oct 2016

The economic costs of European countries ending the Schengen Agreement and reintroducing border controls range in the billions of euros, with further political and social costs.
Alice-Rap Reframes European Approach to Addiction
14 Sep 2016

The Addictions and Lifestyles in Contemporary Europe – Reframing Addictions Project was a 5-year EU effort to help policymakers rethink approaches to the human and economic costs of addictions by weaving the work of over 100 scientists in 25 countries into an integrated evidence base. RAND Europe analysed a variety of sources, including interviews with convicted drug offenders, to provide a better understanding of public sector corruption, market size, supply chains, and sales strategies.
Alternatives to Coercive Sanctions Show Promise for Drug Law Offences and Drug-Related Crime
12 Sep 2016

Alternatives to coercive sanctions (ACS) seems reduce drug use and reoffending, but the evidence is equivocal and some features could make ACS more effective. Also, several common barriers prevent the use of ACS in a number of EU member states.
Alice-Rap reframes European approach to addiction
24 May 2016

RAND Europe led a research area within the Addictions and Lifestyles in Contemporary Europe – Reframing Addictions Project, a 5-year EU project to help policymakers rethink approaches to the human and economic costs of addictions by weaving the work of over 150 scientists in 25 countries into an integrated evidence base.
Evaluating Social Innovation Pilot Projects
22 Apr 2016

A series of social innovation pilot projects across Europe aim to support the growth of European social finance markets and the development of capacities within social business and young entrepreneurship. RAND Europe and Ecorys evaluated the pilots and hosted a series of interactive workshops to encourage an exchange of experiences.
Evaluating the Impact of the European Programme for Integration and Migration
06 Apr 2016

The European Programme for Integration and Migration (EPIM) is a €3 million collaborative initiative of 12 major foundations to improve integration of and outcomes for migrants in Europe through advocacy, capacity-building and policy change. EPIM had RAND Europe evaluate the achievements and impacts of their work in 2012-2015, to ensure accountability and enable learning that can be acted on during the course of the programme.
Estimating the True Cost of Corruption in Europe
22 Mar 2016

Corruption—from paying bribes to exercising power, to giving privileged access to public services, goods or contracts—costs the EU up to €990bn annually in GDP, according to a study across all 28 EU member states.
Exploring Threats and Policy Responses to Cybersecurity in the European Union and Beyond
18 Nov 2015

A study of cybersecurity threats in the EU identified and assessed key threats and the challenges associated with their identification; cybersecurity capabilities in the EU and US; the current state of transnational cooperation; and perceptions of the effectiveness of the current EU response.
Foresight and Optimisation in Horizon 2020
12 Jan 2015

As digital technology becomes more relevant in diverse aspects of our economy and society, it is important to anticipate changes in technology and how we use it. This understanding is particularly important for Horizon 2020, the EU’s 7-year research and innovation funding programme.
Understanding How Labels Inform Consumers about Dangers of Alcohol Consumption
25 Nov 2014

To better understand the extent to which alcoholic beverage labelling is implemented in practice, and to assess the effectiveness of health-related information conveyed and presented on products, RAND Europe worked with partners at GfK to conduct fieldwork across EU Member States to examine beverage packaging and inform how labelling could be improved.
Examining Issues of Gender Equality in the EU
29 Oct 2014

Although equality between women and men is one of the founding values of the European Union, there are still considerable differences between men and women, both in the work force and at home, according to research conducted for the EC Directorate-General for Justice.
Grand Challenges in International Research Cooperation
21 Oct 2014

Horizon 2020, the EU’s biggest research funding programme, allows the EU to play a central role in solving some of the world’s grand societal challenges. To best meet these challenges, the EU should agree on strategic research agendas with partner countries including the US, India, and China, and to establish further links with other intergovernmental initiatives.
How Much Does Lack of Full EU Integration Cost?
25 Sep 2014

An analysis of the current state of play in the European free movement of goods allowed researchers to quantify costs due to a lack of full integration, drawing special attention to two sectors of the European economy: the construction materials sector and the medical devices sectors.
Mapping Smart Cities in the EU
25 Mar 2014

The European Parliament asked RAND Europe to provide background information and advice to their members on the role of Smart Cities initiatives and to explain how existing mechanisms perform. The researchers established a working definition of a Smart City and mapped the cities fitting this definition across the member states.
Understanding Intolerance in Western Europe
27 Jan 2014

Intolerance based on ethnic, national, racial and religious grounds is an area of high public concern, but there is relatively little empirical research that provides an overview of how apparently rising hate crime and growing support for some populist parties relate to wider public attitudes. The Open Society Foundation asked RAND Europe to assess existing evidence and map reported intolerance over time and across western European countries. With support of the RAND Europe Council of Advisors, researchers are expanding the geographical scope of the original project to include non-EU15 countries.