Centre for European Reform

The Centre for European Reform is an award-winning, independent think-tank that seeks to achieve an open, outward-looking, influential and prosperous European Union, with close ties to its neighbours and allies. The CER’s work in pursuit of those aims is guided by the same principles that have served us well since our foundation in 1998: sober, rigorous and realistic analysis, combined with constructive proposals for reform.

The CER’s reputation as a trusted source of intelligence and timely analysis of European affairs is based on its two strongest assets: experienced and respected experts, plus an unparalleled level of contacts with senior figures in governments across Europe and in the EU’s institutions. Since the UK’s referendum on EU membership we have reinforced our networks in Europe by opening offices in Brussels in January 2017 and Berlin in October 2018. The diverse perspectives and specialisations of our researchers, half of whom are from EU-27 countries, enhance the quality and breadth of our analysis of European politics, economics and foreign policy.

The CER is pro-European but not uncritical. We regard European integration as largely beneficial but recognise that in many respects the Union under-performs, at home and beyond its borders. We look for ways to make it work better and then promote our ideas through publications, the media and various forms of direct engagement.

The CER’s audience ranges from European politicians and officials, to journalists and the wider public who want to know more about the EU and its activities. The CER believes it is in the long-term interests of the EU and the UK to have the closest economic and political relationship that the political realities will allow.

We follow closely the trials and tribulations of the eurozone and the European economies, as well as the EU’s single market and its energy and trade policies. We also study the Union’s foreign, defence and security policies – including its relations with its neighbours, and with Russia and China; its approach to refugees and migration; co-operation on law-enforcement and counter-terrorism; the functioning of the EU’s institutions; and the state of democracy in Europe. Since the British referendum, the CER has played an active part in developing viable and practicable proposals on the UK’s future links with the EU.

The CER won the Prospect prize for best Foreign Affairs think-tank in 2020 and was named ‘Think Tank of the year’ in 2018 and 2013. Previously we had won the Prospect prize for the best UK international affairs think-tank in 2017 and 2015.


Latest reports

EU climate and energy policy after the energy crunch

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform argues that the EU should focus on long-term reforms needed to reduce Europe’s dependence on fossil fuels. European energy markets are in a very different situation from a year ago. Today, Europe is not fearing electricity blackouts or gas shortages, and the European economy...

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Ukraine fatigue

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform warns that Ukraine is going to need both short- and long-term military aid. The war in the Middle East is pushing Ukraine off the front pages, and some Western leaders, particularly in the US, are turning their attention away from Russia’s continuing war of...

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Has the IMF’s lending become too expensive for its own good?

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at the case for an IMF lending cap rate. The International Monetary Fund (IMF/Fund) risks losing traction as the multilateral provider of bailouts to countries in debt distress and needs urgent reform to manage the current financial and geopolitical reality. In a new...

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A European strategy for Labour

This report by UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at a European strategy for Labour. Britain needs a better deal with the EU than that negotiated by Boris Johnson’s government: the economy is taking a hit, opinion polls show that most Britons want a closer relationship and the tense geopolitical situation highlights...

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How Europe can make the most of AI

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at the low take-up of AI technology in Europe. As it finalises the AI Act, many EU politicians are fretting about the risks and dangers of AI. But the EU faces a bigger problem: low take-up of the technology. China and the US,...

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Building UK-EU bridges: Convergent China policies?

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at whether the EU and UK can co-operate more closely in their policy towards China. No country poses bigger policy challenges to both the EU and the UK than China. Both are struggling to exploit the economic opportunities that China offers while managing...

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Europe can withstand American and Chinese subsidies for green tech

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at how the EU can be competitive in green goods and should use subsidies to producers with caution. European policy-makers are worried about losing out to subsidised production in the US and China in the booming global market for green technologies. A new...

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EU-UK co-operation in defence capabilities after the war in Ukraine

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at EU-UK defence co-operation and argues that a closer relationship is both necessary and possible. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has reminded the EU and the UK of their shared security interests and brought them closer together. The UK and the EU have co-ordinated...

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Can the European Political Community be a bridge between the UK and the EU?

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at the European Political Community (EPC) and Europe’s newest political forum. The European Political Community (EPC) is Europe’s newest political forum. The first EPC summit in Prague in October 2022 showcased its potential as a platform for dialogue between a large and diverse...

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Protecting Europe’s critical infrastructure from Russian hybrid threats

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at how Europe’s critical infrastructure could be better protected from the hybrid Russian threat. After Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, European policy-makers have become increasingly concerned about Moscow’s use of hybrid attacks and the threat these pose to critical infrastructure. Suspicious...

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Five proposals for enforceable EU fiscal rules

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at the need for reform of the EU's fiscal rules.  The EU’s fiscal rules, which constrain member-states’ budget policies, are in desperate need of reform. They are too complicated, impose unrealistic demands on some countries, and lead to government overspending in economic booms...

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The EU and Turkey after the elections

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at the prospects for the EU-Turkey relationship after the Turkish elections. Turkey’s presidential and parliamentary elections, scheduled for May 14th, will determine whether President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan remains in power and will profoundly influence the relationship between the EU and Turkey, which has...

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Europe needs fiscal and energy solidarity

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at how European countries – and the EU – have responded to high energy prices. A new Centre for European Reform policy brief, ‘Europe needs fiscal and energy solidarity’, evaluates how European countries – and the EU – have responded to high energy...

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A year of war in Europe

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at how the war in Ukraine has unfolded and gains and losses.  When Vladimir Putin sent Russian forces across the Ukrainian border on February 24th 2022, he clearly expected a quick victory with limited if any negative consequences for Russia. He probably believed...

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UK science and technology after Brexit: how to fix it

This report from UK think tank the Centre for European Reform looks at how Brexit has hampered UK science and innovation. Britain’s spat with the EU over participation in the €95 billion Horizon Europe research programme remains one of the biggest issues in the fractious post-Brexit UK-EU relationship. The EU will not allow Britain to...

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