Centre on European Political Economy (CEPE)

In October 1997 the University of Sussex created the Centre on European Political Economy, a self-contained research unit within the Sussex European Institute, to study the implications of the enlargement of the European Union and the implementation of economic and monetary union (EMU). The Centre's overarching research agenda has subsequently evolved to encompass a broad set of issues related to economic governance in the EU and its member states; the interaction between EU economic governance and international economic governance, especially in the regulatory field; and the external economic relations of the EU, with specific focus on trade policy. This agenda is pursued through six interrelated research themes:

1 whether and how the 'rule-based' EU system can become sufficiently flexible to accommodate an enlarged membership;

2 the impact of European integration on economic convergence and the scope for promoting cohesion in an enlarged EU;

3 the extension of the European model of economic integration via the EU Neighbourhood Policy and Free trade Areas with developing counties in the ACP and in east and South Asia;

4 the interaction between EU regulatory frameworks and national regulatory frameworks;

5 the interaction between the EU model of integration and others in the development of international regulatory regimes; and

6 the implications of such issues for reconfiguring the institutions of governance within the EU and in its member states.

During the past ten years the Centre has submitted over 60 research and training proposals addressing these themes to a diverse array of funding bodies and 30 of these projects have eventually been funded. This activity has helped to engage additional faculty and research students in the research activities of the SEI and has developed ties with other units of the University. The proposals and projects have also enhanced research links with universities in the UK and abroad, as well as with the private sector. A number of projects involve consultancy or training for international organisations or governments and have enhanced our links with practitioners. These activities have been complemented by a series of seminars and workshops.

The following projects give a flavour of our activities. The Centre, with the Civil Service College, trained Polish officials for the accession negotiations with the EU for the Know-How Fund's Accession Skills Project: Poland. This work led to Accession Skills Training in Lithuania under an EU funded project. The Rives Manche Regional Economic Observatory, funded by INTERREG, was based on a partnership between the Centre, Rouen Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Picardy Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry. It aims to enhance cross-border understanding and awareness through developing and disseminating economic information about the region. The Centre is also involved in two major Economic and Social Research Council projects - Regional Economic Performance, Governance and Cohesion in an Enlarged Europe and The Emerging Industrial Architecture in the Wider Europe: The Coevolution of Industrial and Political Structures. The World Bank funded a study by the Centre and South Bank University on The EU and Local Finance on the potential impact of EU Structural Funds on intergovernmental transfer systems in the CEECs. The Centre, SPRU, the Instituto Superior de Gestão and the National University of Ireland are conducting a Pilot Audit of ESPRIT's Contribution to Regional Cohesion. DFID funded training on trade policy through the Centre as well as a project on evaluation of membership of free trade areas for developing countries. The EU has funded Centre based research projects on Wider Europe (Jean Monnet), Trade and Sustainable Development (5th Framework), Global Norms (DG Trade).

The Centre is also home to the Chevening Fellowships in European Political Economy scheme funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office which brings 12 Fellows from new member states and candidates to Sussex each spring term for a programme on EU Economic policy.

The Centre is committed to foster interdisciplinary research, bringing together economists, political scientists, geographers, sociologists and lawyers.

Centre on European Political Economy,
The Sussex European Institute
University of Sussex,
Falmer,
Brighton BN1 9SH, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1273 678578; Fax: +44 (0)1273 878571;
Director: Professor Jim Rollo (j.rollo@sussex.ac.uk)