Contract research, basic research & consultancy

Policy Research & Consultancy (PRAC) is a research-oriented consulting bureau specialised on spatial development issues in a broader context of economic policy


The major fields of engagement comprise:

  • Evaluation of regional development programmes financed by the European Structural Funds (ERDF regional policy interventions, cross-border and transnational co-operation, EAFRD Rural Development Programmes etc.);
  • accompanying regional policy research
  • economic policy advice in developing and transition countries (poverty-oriented regional and structural policy, employment policy, innovation policy).
  • Empirical research on EU cohesion policy in the context of market integration
  • Empirical research on spatial change (rural - peri-urban - urban) based on small scale grid data (notably nocturnal satellite imagery)

The underlying philosophy of Policy Research & Consultancy is the provision of high-quality policy advice based on utilisation of most recent international research and the application of appropriate empirical methods.

Since 1991 (occasionally since 1984) the bureau has been operated as a free-lance business with access to a broader partnership network of international advisers and researchers in corresponding fields of consultancy. In 2004 it was transformed into a registered partnership company.

Important clients are, among others:

 
  • German Agency for Technical Cooperation (GTZ) GmbH, Eschborn
  • European Commission, Brussels
  • European Parliament, Brusselsl
  • Hessisches Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr und Landesentwicklung (Hessen Ministry of Economy, Transport and Land Development)
  • Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Verkehr, Landwirtschaft und Weinbau des Landes Rheinland-Pfalz (Ministry of Economy Transport, Agriculture and Viticulture of Rhineland-Palatinate)
  • Ministerium für Wirtschaft, Energie, Industrie, Mittelstand und Handwerk, NRW (NRW Ministry of Economic Affairs, Energy, Industry, SME and Crafts)
  • Regierungspräsidium Tübingen (Regional Council Tübingen)
  • INTERACT-North Point, Turku
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Consumer Protection, Slovenia
  • Technical Secretariat Interreg IIIB-Programme Northwest Europe, Lille
  • Panteia, Zoetermeer
  • Research voor Beleid, Leiden
  • GOPA GmbH, Bad Homburg
  • West Midlands Enterprise (WMEB) Ltd., Birmingham
  • Montgomery Watson Ltd., High Wycombe
  • Ecotec Research & Consulting Ltd., Birmingham

Long-standing international work experiences in numerous European, Asian, Oriental and African countries, linked to the approach of research-based consultancy, has ensured a professional and reliable execution of our consultancy activities.

Partners are member of:

  • Verein für Socialpolitik,
  • Regional Studies Association, London
  • Regional Science Association International (German speaking section GfR)
© Planung & Forschung / Policy Research & Consultancy - Bergs und Issa Partnerschaftsgesellschaft, Bad Soden, 2021