RESEARCH
Summaries Of Relevant Projects
SUMMER SCHOOL OF ECONOMIC POLICY – REGIONAL PROJECT
This project was initiated in 1998, triggered by the need to provide education about market economy and contemporary economic trends that were excluded in the formal system of education at the time. The SSEP’s curriculum includes macroeconomic policy, banking and tax systems, transition and privatization, international politics and globalization, and regional and European integrations. The SSEP is valued for prime quality lecturers (ministerial level policy-makers and distinguished professors from the country and abroad) and carefully selected participants. The School, of which there have been nine so far, has grown into one of the Institute’s regional and “trade-mark” projects, whose alumni are already young leaders and policy-makers.
THE ABC OF EUROPEAN UNION
This School, prepared in cooperation with the Government of Serbia Integration Office, aims to provide supplementary education in EU issues for various target groups so as to prepare them to tackle more effectively the challenges the country is faced with on its path to EU membership. The pilot project was designed for young officials from the State Union and Republic administrations. There are currently available several focused modules of the School (i.e. School for Members of Parliament, Administration, etc).
ESPI ECONOMIC REVIEW
ESPI Economic Review is a quarterly publication, published in Serbian and English, which presents the results of research conducted by the ESPI Institute. Each issue contains economic analyses and forecasts, articles on various topics in the Institute’s areas of expertise and presentations of other activities (round tables, public debates, seminars, lectures and conferences).
CFA® PROGRAMME
CFA® Programme is an internationally recognized standard for measuring competence and integrity in the fields of portfolio management and investment analysis. ESPI Institute cooperates with the CFA® Institute and has organized CFA® preparatory courses since October 2003.
COST OF DOING BUSINESS IN SERBIA – I, II and III (2002, 2003 and 2004)
The Study presents the costs to businesses in Serbia induced by the government and its regulations. As a result of longitudinal research conducted in three intervals, it is possible to analyze not only the current situation, but also changes in the conditions for doing business which took place since the last monitoring.
TEXTILE INDUSTRY IN SERBIA
The study is a result of a comprehensive research, which provides a thorough insight into the current situation and problems of the textile industry in Serbia. The Study also gives the policy recommendations, aiming to help tackle the problems in the most conducive manner, so as to make room for restructuring and growth of this industry.
STRATEGY FOR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF LOZNICA
Designing a strategy for economic development is one of the most important steps for growth and improvement of the living standards of a local community. The strategy for the Loznica Municipality is based on the analyses of the current conditions, anticipation of growth prospects and policy recommendations to the local authorities and relevant ministries.
ANALYSIS OF THE FACTORS OF COMPETITIVENESS OF THE ECONOMY OF SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO
This study analyzes the competitiveness of the economy of Serbia and Montenegro, focusing on the econometric analysis of determinants of competitiveness, the analysis of indices of comparative advantage, and the impact and importance of adequate corporate management. The study recommends that government policy measures should predominantly be based on modern rather than on traditional concepts of competitiveness.
TRANSITION REPORT FOR SERBIA AND MONTENEGRO – I and II (2004, 2006)
This multidisciplinary and comprehensive Report for Serbia and Montenegro, which has two updated editions, encompasses political, economic, legal and institutional aspects of reforms since 2001. It summarizes and assesses the course of reforms and achieved results. The Report establishes the causes and effects of reforms in Serbia and Montenegro and provides recommendations to decision-makers regarding further economic and legal policies.
COST OF INDEPENDENCE - Cost-Benefit Analysis of Investing in the Organization of Personal Assistant Service Network for Persons with Disabilities in Serbia
The research examines economic and social justification of investing in the organization of a PA service network for persons with disabilities in the Republic of Serbia. The results of the cost-benefit analysis prove this model to be highly cost-effective, but its sustainability requires further research, in particular in terms of the identification of a total number of users and the most appropriate model of financing.
EMPLOYMENT PROMOTION PROGRAMME – CARDS 2004-2006 – funded by the European Union, implemented by the European Agency for Reconstruction and ESPI Institute as a local partner
This Project is aimed at capacity building of the Ministry of Labour, Employment and Social Policy and the National Employment Service to create the labour market policy and to implement active labour market measures. These measures should increase employability level and job search motivation among unemployed persons based in Belgrade and the regions of Pirot and Bor.
VET REFORM - Capacity Building and Implementation Support
This paper examines a dynamic model of VET education financing in the Republic of Serbia and its budgeting at the level of schools. Topics analyzed in the context of the Republic of Serbia were state budgeting and public finance legislation. The issues of the dynamic model of financing at the level of schools include graduated pupils demanded in the labour market, school budget determined by demand, expanded activity of schools, training services and co-financing schemes. All elements at the level of selected schools were tested and analyzed.
COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF THE PROGRAMME FOR PREVENTION OF MOTHER TO CHILD TRANSMISSION OF HIV
The research seeks to examine cost-effectiveness of the programme for prevention of mother to child transmission of HIV, with the application of the routine (universal) and voluntary HIV testing of pregnant women by an “opt-out” model, by applying cost-benefit analysis and identifying measurable and immeasurable effects. The Cost-Benefit Analysis shows that the programme for prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission is Serbia is cost effective and that competent authorities should make a decision on its implementation.
ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTIVENESS OF ACTIVE LABOUR MARKET PROGRAMMES
Active labour market policy implies the inclusion of all relevant stakeholders -- government and its authorized agencies, local communities, employers and unemployed persons -- into the process of adjustment in the labour market. High unemployment may be overcome by creating active labour market programmes and measures. The study seeks to assess the effect of implemented ALMP on employment growth and to identify business environment impediments to the opening of new jobs.
ENTERPRISE POLICY PERFORMANCE ASSESSMENT
The study, conducted in 2005, seeks to assess the performance of the implementation of policies aimed at improving investment climate for SMEs. The basic result of the survey is the assessment of efficiency of policies, measures and activities, undertaken by the government, which target SMEs and entrepreneurs. Enterprise policy performance assessment is based on the establishing of priority actions for each of the dimensions of good practice in defined timeframes and the monitoring of their realization.
GREY ECONOMY IN SERBIA
This survey seeks to begin to identify the grey economy in Serbia in order to propose specific measures so as to transform the grey economy into legal economic flows. Since a transparent and well-regulated financial system prevents illicit activities, this survey is focused on the banking system.
- THE 2008 SUMMER SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS
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Vienna and Chicago: Two Schools of Free-Market Economics. July 14th – July 25th 2008. Application Deadline: June 20th 2008.