Ecorys to conduct political economy study in the Philippines

International research and consulting firm Ecorys is currently conducting a political economy analysis of the Philippines on behalf of the European Commission.

Netherlands-headquartered consultancy Ecorys – at 90 years of age one of Europe’s oldest economic research and consulting firms – has been engaged to conduct a political economy study of the Philippines, to the benefit of the European Commission (EC) and EU member states involved in development cooperation with the Republic of the Philippines.

To be shared and reviewed among the relevant parties, the aim of the study is to enhance the coherence and so then effectiveness of current and future development programmes and EU and member states’ investments as to the UN’s social development goals (SDG) framework and 2030 Agenda. The nation is currently ranked 97th among SDG signatories.

According to a project outline, one specific objective of the study will be to gain a greater “understanding of the functioning of the State and society at large with its formal and informal rules to better comprehend how political and economic processes interact, and how interests and incentives are driving the behaviour of different groups and individuals.”

Further to this, the study will also examine how distribution of power and wealth between these different groups is organised, sustained and transformed over time. In addition, the consultancy will assess the local sectors best suited for EC support based on the credibility of the national development strategies, as well as identify risks and opportunities as to EU-Philippines relations.  

Along with national governments and the EC, Ecorys has among its varied projects performed political and economic studies for many of the world’s largest development agencies, including across sixteen countries in Africa for UNICEF, and more recently in India, where it has a permanent Asian base together with one in Bangladesh among its worldwide locations.  

Ecorys has altogether though completed contracts in more than 150 countries throughout the course of its history, with the firm dating its heritage back to 1929. In its current guise – the brand was established in 2000 following a merger between Netherlands-based NEI Kolpron and UK-based Ecotec Research and Consulting – the company has a global headcount of 550-plus.