Centre for European Reform

The Centre for European Reform (CER) is an independent policy research organisation headquartered in London and focused on questions surrounding European integration. Established in 1996, it operates in the field of European public policy rather than as a commercial consumer brand. Its work examines how European countries and institutions can respond to shared political, economic, security and regulatory challenges, with particular attention to the development of the European Union and the United Kingdom’s relationship with Europe. The organisation’s output is primarily research and analysis. A think tank such as CER typically communicates through reports, policy papers, briefings, commentary, events and media engagement; the available reference material identifies European integration as its central area of focus but does not provide a complete catalogue of all of its programmes or publications. CER is London-based while addressing issues with a wider European and international scope, making it relevant to policymakers, civil servants, journalists, academics, businesses and other institutions interested in European affairs. Charles Grant, formerly a journalist at The Economist, joined CER on a full-time basis in 1998 and has led the organisation since then. His long tenure is a significant part of CER’s institutional identity. The organisation is also described as receiving substantial corporate funding, including funding from APCO, a US public-relations company. This funding profile has attracted attention because of concerns about the influence that corporate sponsorship can have on the priorities or perceived independence of policy research. The available material does not establish that any particular CER publication was improperly influenced, so the funding issue is best treated as a transparency and perception matter rather than a confirmed scandal. CER has generally been characterised as favouring European cooperation and as taking positions that are sceptical of excessive regulation. That combination places it within the policy debate between advocates of deeper European integration and those concerned about the economic or institutional costs of additional rules. Its work is therefore relevant both to supporters of the European project and to policymakers assessing how European institutions should be designed or reformed. In 2021, CER was ranked 58th among non-US think tanks worldwide in the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report produced by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program. This recognition indicates international visibility within the think-tank sector, although it is not a measure of commercial sales, market share or financial performance. CER remains an active policy organisation, with its public identity grounded in research, analysis and debate about Europe rather than in the sale of branded physical products.

The Centre for European Reform was founded in 1996 in London as a think tank devoted to European integration and related public-policy questions. Its creation placed it within a broader network of European research institutions concerned with the operation, legitimacy and future direction of European cooperation. Unlike a political party or government body, CER’s role is to produce analysis, inform debate and bring policy questions to the attention of decision-makers and the public. A key stage in the organisation’s development came in 1998, when Charles Grant left his position as a journalist at The Economist to work at CER full time. He subsequently led the organisation, becoming its most clearly identified long-term executive figure. Grant’s background in journalism is consistent with CER’s public-facing model, which combines research with commentary and engagement in policy discussions. CER’s substantive focus is European integration. Its work addresses the political and institutional development of Europe and the policy choices confronting the European Union and its member states. Because the organisation is based in London, it also provides a UK-centred perspective on European affairs, including the relationship between Britain and continental Europe. The available reference material does not specify a complete chronological list of its research programmes, leadership changes, offices or publications, so those details are not added here. The organisation has significant corporate funding, with APCO identified as one of its funders. APCO is an American public-relations company known for work for Philip Morris. Corporate funding is relevant to CER’s institutional history because it raises questions about funding disclosure, perceived independence and the relationship between privately supported policy research and public debate. The available sources do not document a proven case of improper influence over CER’s work; accordingly, the funding issue is not classified as a confirmed scandal in this dossier. CER has been described as generally opposed to excessive regulation while remaining focused on European cooperation and integration. This positioning gives it a distinctive place in European policy debates: it supports analysis of common European solutions but may question regulatory approaches that it considers economically or institutionally counterproductive. In 2021, the organisation was placed 58th among the world’s leading think tanks outside the United States in the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report, compiled by the Think Tanks and Civil Societies Program. The ranking reflects its international standing in the think-tank sector. CER’s continuing identity is that of an active, London-based research and debate organisation whose principal output is policy knowledge rather than commercial goods.

• 2021

  International think-tank ranking

  [1]Centre for European Reformen.wikipedia.org

  CER ranked 58th among think tanks worldwide outside the United States in the Global Go To Think Tank Index Report.

• 1998

  Charles Grant begins full-time leadership role

  [1]Centre for European Reformen.wikipedia.org

  Charles Grant left journalism at The Economist to work full time at CER and subsequently led the organisation.

• 1996

  Centre for European Reform founded

  [1]Centre for European Reformen.wikipedia.org

  The Centre for European Reform was established in London as a think tank focused on European integration.

An independent, London-based European policy think tank that combines research and public debate on European integration, EU policy and the wider political and economic challenges facing Europe.

• Research publications

  Policy reports and research papers

  CER’s core outputs are written analyses of European integration and related political, economic and institutional issues. These publications are intended to inform policymakers, researchers, journalists and other readers engaged with European affairs. The supplied reference material does not identify specific report titles, so this entry describes the principal output category rather than naming individual publications.

• Policy analysis

  Policy briefings and commentary

  CER communicates research and viewpoints through shorter briefings, commentary and public analysis. These formats allow the organisation to respond to current European policy debates and make specialist research accessible to policymakers, media and the broader public.

• Public policy events

  Events and expert discussions

  Public events, conferences and expert discussions form part of the think tank’s role in connecting research with policy debate. They provide forums for examining European integration and the future of European cooperation, although the supplied sources do not provide a dated list of individual events.

1. 1Centre for European Reformen.wikipedia.org
2. 2Centre for European Reform official websitecer.org.uk