We provide services and solutions for understanding the dynamics of the green and digital transitions and the way they are driven by European, national, regional and local policies. Also, many of our assignments investigate how these policies impact on territorial cohesion and social development in the European Union.
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2024-2026. Territorial perspectives of digital transition in European regions, DIGIREG. Client: European Observation Network for Territorial Development and Cohesion – ESPON. Contract N°041/2024. Research project, policy analysis, types of digital divides (infrastructure, skills and socio-economic benefits), local and regional level, best policy practices, showcases, guidelines for policy makers. Project’s website.
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2024-2025. Impacts of the development of cultured animal proteins on the sustainability of the agri-food sector in the European Union (note: the original title was changed on 13/03/25). Client: European Economic and Social Committee. Contract N° EESC-FSA-2024-05-49675. Research project, impact analysis, cultured meat industry, long-term sustainability, European agri-food system, interviews, survey, scenarios, policy recommendations.
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2024. Digital inclusion policies/initiatives at the regional and local level in selected EU Member States. Reaching out to the disconnected. Client: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – Eurofound. Contract N° 2024/6373.2/05. Research project, policy analysis, local and regional level, digital inclusion, socio-economic vulnerable groups, lessons learnt.
cohesion
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2023. The role of human capital inequalities in cohesion and convergence. Client: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – Eurofound. Contract N° 2023/6138.2/01. Research project, national and sub-national policies, highly skilled individuals, talent attraction, talent retention, lessons learnt.
digital
2022-2026. Framework Contract CDR/2021/C3/1/SEDEC – Lot3 for the provision of expertise on EU Digital Policy. Client: European Committee of the Regions, ECON commission. Policy analysis, definition and state of play of digital resilience, funding opportunities, cost of digital non-resilience, policy recommendations, local and regional level, data collection, data processing, case studies, interviews, surveys, foresight methodologies.
The study ‘Digital Resilience‘ was produced over the period 2022-2023.
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cohesion
2022-2023. Europe’s Circular Economy and its Pact for Skills: working together for an inclusive and job-rich transition? Client: European Economic and Social Committee. Contract N° EESC/FSA/06/2022/40165. Research project, policy analysis, circular economy, green skills, skilling, upskilling, reskilling, industry blueprint alliances, green transition, Erasmus+.
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2022-2023. Collecting data on the situation of social protection of seasonal workers in the agriculture and food sectors in EU Member States after COVID-19. Client: European Economic and Social Committee. Contract N° EESC/FSA/04/2022/38196. Research project, policy analysis, data collection, interviews, EU and non-EU seasonal workers, agriculture, social security, migration, rights, work safety.
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2019-2023. Framework Contract IP/A/ENVI/FWC/2019-002 for the provision of external expertise on regulatory policy issues — Lot 3: Public Health. Client: European Parliament. Policy analysis, research projects, public health, livestock, animal-human transmission, disease surveillance, zoonotic pandemics, One Health approach. The study ‘An in-depth analysis on ‘The relation between different zoonotic pandemics, including COVID-19, and the livestock sector, including fur production’ was produced in 2021.
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2021. Public Health Advice. Client: Council of European Municipalities and Regions. Service agreement dated July 2021. Local and regional level, public health systems, methods for desk research, data collection and analysis, COVID-19, health competences and decentralisation.
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2018-2022. Framework Contract CDR/TL2/59/2017 for the provision of expertise in Education, Youth, Culture and Research. Client: European Committee of the Regions, SEDEC commission. Policy analysis papers and briefs, territorial impact (local and regional level), foresight analyses and methodologies, data collection, analysis and presentation, case studies, success stories, good practices, inventories of initiatives, consultations (interviews, surveys), policy recommendations.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Territorial foresight study in addressing the digital divide and promoting digital cohesion. Foresight methodologies, visioning, megatrends, digital divide, indicators, urban-rural divide. 2021-2022.
♦ The local implementation of the Reinforced Youth Guarantee. Employment, NEETs, mobility, public employment services. 2021-2022.
♦ How can local and regional authorities use World Heritage agricultural landscapes as a tool for enhancing the economic and social sustainability of rural areas? Case studies and recommendations for successful knowledge transfer. Agricultural landscapes and heritage, synergies between heritage, environment and economic labels, funding opportunities, cross-border projects, rural areas. 2021-2022.
♦ The challenges of the European Child Guarantee at regional and local level. Children’s rights, basic services for children, COVID-19. 2021.
♦ Digital transformation. Digital preparedness, indicators, digital resilience, digital transformation of SMEs, COVID-19, Digital Decade, funding opportunities. 2020-2021.
♦ The role of local and regional authorities in achieving a European Education Area by 2050. Education strategies, vocational training, Erasmus+, COVID-19, digital and green transitions. 2020-2021.
♦ Addressing brain drain: the local and regional dimension. Highly skilled young people, sending regions, receiving regions, brain gain, brain circulation. 2018.
♦ How to design cultural development strategies to boost local and regional competitiveness and comparative advantage. Overview of good practices. Typology of strategies, economic potential of cultural heritage, regional development, cultural identity. 2018.
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2017-2021. Framework Contract CDR/TL1/62/2016 for the provision of expertise in Agriculture, Health and Maritime Policy. Client: European Committee of the Regions, NAT commission. Governance and policy analysis papers and briefs, impact assessments and analytical reports, territorial dimension (local and regional) of EU policies, foresight methodologies, consultations (surveys, interviews), good practices, case studies, inventories of initiatives, policy recommendations.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Regional differences in COVID-19 response: exposure and strategies. Health systems, resilience, vaccination campaigns, COVID-19, EU Health Union. 2021.
♦ Experiences of rural areas with European Union’s COVID-19 response measures. Responses, challenges, resilience, funding sources, legislation. 2020.
♦ Regional health policy responses in COVID-crisis. Assessment, COVID-19 impact on regions, uptake of EU responses, regional response strategies. 2020.
♦ The impact of CAP on territorial development of rural areas. Reg Hub consultation, data analysis and presentation. 2020.
♦ The role of local and regional authorities in making food systems more sustainable. Food systems, food policy governance, food systems sustainability. 2020.
♦ Implementation of the cross-border healthcare directive in the European regions. Reg Hub consultation, data analysis and presentation. 2019-2020.
♦ Evaluation of the impact of the current CAP on the agriculture of developing countries. Subsidies, EU food prices, exports, milk powder, developing countries, CAP reform. 2019.
♦ Consumer protection. Local and regional consumer protection policies. 2018.
♦ Sustainable forest management in regions. Consultation, public forests, EU forest strategy, local and regional ownership and management, regulatory frameworks, funding. 2018.
♦ Sustainable food public procurement. Food policies, sustainability criteria, public procurement, guidelines for policymakers. 2017-2018.
♦ Evaluation of the Implementation European Action Plan for Organic Food and Farming. Mid-term evaluation, organic, impact. 2017.
♦ The management of health systems in the EU Member States. Management health systems, typology, country fiches. 2017.
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digital
2013-2017. Multiple Framework Contract CDR/DE/56/2013 ‘Education, Youth, Culture and Research’. Client: European Committee of the Regions, SEDEC commission. Governance and policy analysis papers and briefs, territorial impact (local and regional level), data collection, analysis and presentation, case studies, inventories of initiatives, consultations (interviews, surveys), good practices, policy recommendations.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Youth initiative: a framework for youth entrepreneurship. Measures, challenges, needs, unemployment, youth, labour market, migrants, skills, education. 2017.
♦ Horizon 2020 and the local and regional authorities. Participation statistics, funding synergies, accessibility to framework programmes. 2017.
♦ A New Skills Agenda for Europe. Offer/demand mismatch, migrants, skills, indicators, monitoring, lifelong learning policies, challenges. 2016.
♦ Using the quadruple helix approach to accelerate the transfer of research and innovation results to regional growth. Quadruple helix model, changing role of universities, public sector innovation, social innovation, index and sub-indexes. 2016.
♦ Linking the digital agenda to rural and sparsely populated to boost their growth potential. Broadband connectivity, barriers to investments, new ways of financing, typology. 2016.
♦ Towards a new update of the Digital Agenda and creation of the Digital Single Market: challenges and opportunities for Local and Regional Authorities in the European Union. Digital Agenda, Digital Single Market, broadband deployment, e-government, digital skills, cyber security, funding. 2014-2015.
♦ Development of digital criteria for European Commission Impact Assessments. Impact assessment criteria, validation. 2014-2015.
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2016. Health Policy Advice. Client: World Health Organization. Service agreement dated April 2016. Air quality, public health, policy syntheses, mapping.
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2013-2014. Trends in quality of life in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia: 2007-2012 . Client: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – Eurofound. Contract N° 13-3030-15. Research project, monitoring, mapping, living conditions, EQLS data, indicators, statistical analysis, policy pointers.
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2012-2016. Framework Contract CDR/DE/138/2011 for the provision of expertise in Agriculture, Health and Maritime Policy. Client: European Committee of the Regions, NAT commission. Governance and policy analysis papers and briefs, impact assessments and analytical reports, territorial dimension (local and regional) of EU policies, consultations (surveys, interviews), good practices, case studies, inventories of initiatives, policy recommendations.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Evolution of the budget dedicated for rural development policy. Statistical analysis, programming periods, structural funds, trend analysis. 2016.
♦ Implementation of the Sendai framework at the EU level – the take-up of resilience measures by local and regional authorities. Responses, risk reduction, civil protection, comparative analysis. 2016.
♦ Developing blue economy through better methodology for assessment on local and regional level. Data analysis, challenges, structural funds, Horizon 2020, measures. 2016.
♦ Evaluation of the Market Responsibility Programme put forward by the European Milk Board taking 2014 as a test year. Evaluation, costs, benefits, livestock, market crisis, milk production. 2016.
♦ Mapping of the disadvantaged areas for milk production in Europe. Typology, criteria, indicators, proxies, mapping, monitoring. 2015.
♦ Smooth phasing out of the milk quotas in the EU. Livestock, milk production, milk prices, market analysis, projections, costs, and benefits. 2014.
♦ Sustainable and competitive tourism. New funding opportunities for local and regional authorities. Funding opportunities, structural funds, new programming period. 2014.
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2012. Environmental Policy Advice. Client: Regione Sardegna. Service protocols dated March 2012 and July 2012. Technical assistance to the Presidency of the Sardinia Region, for the preparation of two opinions of the European Committee of the Regions: Opinion on ‘Adaptation to climate change and regional responses: the case of coastal regions’ and Opinion on ‘Energy Roadmap 2050’.
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2009-2013. Framework Contract CDR/ETU/12/2009 for the provision of expertise in Education, Research, Innovation and the Information Society. Client: European Committee of the Regions, EDUC commission. Production of policy briefs/file notes/evaluation sheets, assessment reports, and survey reports analysing the local and regional level. Good practices, case studies, inventories of initiatives, policy recommendations..
The following research studies were produced:
♦ European Internet Security Strategy. Cyber security, personal data, critical information infrastructure. 2013.
♦ Rethinking skills in the context of Europe 2020. Skills, entrepreneurship, matching skills and jobs, job creation. 2012.
♦ Creative Europe Programme. Culture, audiovisual industry, creative industries. 2011.
♦ Education Europe Programme. Education, mobility, school leavers, higher education, adult learning. 2011.
♦ The role of research in regional smart innovation. Innovation partnerships, knowledge-based competitiveness, regional development models. 2010.
♦ Digitalisation and online accessibility of Europe’s cultural heritage and digital preservation. Cultural heritage, digital preservation. 2010.
♦ Priorities for a new strategy for European information society (2010-2015). ICT Research & Innovation, high-speed networks, open internet, online single market, online public services. 2009-2010.
♦ Effects of education and training, youth and cultural activities with regard to combating poverty and social exclusion. Youth, poverty, exclusion, skills, education. 2009-2010.
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2009-2012. Framework Contract CDR/ETU/13/2009 for the provision of expertise in the fields of Sustainable Development. Client: European Committee of the Regions, ENVE commission. Production of policy briefs/file notes/evaluation sheets, assessment reports, survey reports, and other background information for the preparation of (outlook) opinions and governance-related analyses.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Local and regional action for tackling plastic waste. Prevention, management, plastic waste, treatment, re-use, recycling, typology of plastic waste management measures. 2011 – 2012.
♦ Low carbon energy 2050: local and regional impact and perspectives. Best practices, low carbon economy, transition, legislation, investment, capacity building. 2011.
♦ Summary report: consultation on the proposal for a Directive on Energy Efficiency. Analysis of replies, presentation. 2011.
♦ Local and regional authorities tackling environmental noise. Abatement of noise pollution, challenges, Environmental Noise Directive. 2011.
♦ The management of health systems in the EU Member States – The role of local and regional authorities. Management health systems, typology, country fiches. 2011.
♦ Local and regional authorities promoting resource efficiency. Ecosystems, biomass, soil, sustainable production and consumption, waste prevention, re-use, recycling, decoupling resource use from growth. 2011.
♦ Event – eHealth in the EU: the role of local and regional authorities. Organisation and chairing of the ‘Third Meeting of the Committee of the Regions’ Technical Platform for Co-operation on Health’, Brussels, 24 May 2011. E-health, patients’ rights in cross-border health care. 2011.
♦ Active ageing: local and regional solutions. Employment of older workers, long-term care, adapted housing, typology, old dependency ratio, population crude growth rate. 2010 – 2011.
♦ Impact assessment consultation on the EU Life+ instrument challenges. Consolidating the results of the ‘LIFE Impact Assessment’ consultation to investigate how local and regional authorities perceive the LIFE+ instrument. 2011.
♦ Survey on water scarcity and desertification. Europe 2020 Monitoring Platform, analysis of results, presentation, sustainable water policy. 2011.
♦ Administrative burden reduction at the local and regional level. Drivers of administrative burden, model solutions. 2010-2011.
♦ Flagship Initiative ‘Agenda for skills and jobs’ focusing on flexicurity. Flexicurity, creation of jobs. 2010-2011.
♦ Flagship Initiative ‘Agenda for skills and jobs’ focusing on creation of jobs. Job creation, typology, economic cohesion. 2010-2011.
♦ Local and regional impact of the Trans-European Energy Networks TEN-E with a focus on the Energy Infrastructure Package. Policy trends, funding schemes, smart grids, obstacles, green economy development. 2010-2011.
♦ Prospects for greater involvement of local and regional authorities in the future EU space policy and use of satellite technologies. Space policy, GMES/Kopernikus, Galileo, technology development, market analysis, NEREUS, Eurisy, networks, public/private cooperation. 2010-2011.
♦ Dynamic health systems and new technologies: eHealth solutions at local and regional level. Inventory of initiatives, eHealth solutions. 2010-2011.
♦ Water scarcity and desertification: background note. Water, drought, water management policy, trends, water policy responses, water management approaches, governance. 2010-2011.
♦ Assessment of Territorial Impacts of the EU post-2010 Biodiversity Strategy. Consultation, analysis of results, biodiversity loss, principle of subsidiarity. 2010.
♦ Local and regional issues in global Climate Change negotiations within the UNFCCC process with a focus to COP 16. Climate change, negotiations, UNFCCC, mitigation agenda. 2010.
♦ Sustainable energy policies by EU regions and cities: good practices and challenges. Consultation, analysis of results, sustainable energy policies. 2010.
♦ Marketing on local markets. Local food systems, marketing mechanisms of proximity, typology, tools for implementation, local products. 2010.
♦ The Integrated Maritime Policy. Evaluation, governance, interregional cooperation, marine environment, integrated coastal area management, territorial cohesion, spatial planning, sustainable growth and jobs, fisheries, technology innovation. 2009-2010.
♦ GDP and beyond. Indicators complementing GDP, measurement, sustainable development. 2009-2010.
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2010-2011. Major Integrated Environmental Assessments PHASE II. Client: European Environment Agency – through a third party company (AGRECO/G.E.I.E.). EEA country support in the implementation of the AoA methodological guide as basis for underpinning the regular reporting process based on the SEIS principles. Integrated analysis of the regional water and green economy components as part of a unique pan-European Assessment of Assessments (AoA).
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2009-2010. Major Integrated Environmental Assessments PHASE I. Client: European Environment Agency – through a third party company (AGRECO/G.E.I.E.). Preparation of an AoA module building on Part B of SOER 2020 as input to the Europe’s environment Assessment of Assessments. Air pollution, climate change mitigation, water quantity, water quality, marine & maritime, soil, land, biodiversity, resources use & waste, urban environment.
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2006-2009. Framework Contract CDR/ETU/25D/2005 for studies in the fields of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry, Environment, Energy and Consumer Protection. Client: European Committee of the Regions, ENVE commission. Production of policy briefs/file notes/evaluation sheets, assessment reports, survey reports, and other background information for the preparation of (outlook) opinions and governance-related analyses.
The following research studies were produced:
♦ Assessment of territorial impacts of EU action to reduce health inequalities: summary report. 2009.
♦ Analysis of EC proposal for a Directive on the improvement and extension of the GHG emission allowance trading system of the Community. 2008.
♦ Social affairs in the European Union. 2008.
♦ Analysis of EC proposal to amend Regulations 761/2001 and 1980/2000 on EMAS and eco-label schemes. 2008.
♦ A ‘Small Business Act‘ for Europe. 2008.
♦ Violence against women. 2008.
♦ Adapting to climate change in Europe – options for EU action. 2007.
♦ The EU electricity and gas markets: third legislative package. 2007.
♦ Addressing the challenge of water scarcity and droughts in the European Union. 2007.
♦ An integrated maritime policy for the European Union. 2007.
♦ Impact of 2003 CAP reform on rural development. 2007.
♦ Reform of the European wine sector. 2006.
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2006-2007. Consultancy services for data and information management to support the production of the Fourth Europe’s Environment Assessment Report. Client: European Environment Agency – through a third party company (Tietoenator N.V.). Pan-Europe, statistical and data management, indicators, trend analyses, health, chemicals, air, climate change, water, marine, sustainable production and consumption, nature and biodiversity, agriculture, forestry, transport, energy, tourism. Writing the chapter on tourism and contributing to the chapter on agriculture.
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2005-2006. Subsidies and Community rules hampering the uptake of environmental technologies. Client: European Environment Agency. Pan-Europe, web content development, web site management, policy papers writing, agriculture, water, forestry, energy, transport, waste, fisheries.
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2004-2005. Study on Sustainable Tourism as a factor of cohesion among European regions. Client: European Committee of the Regions. statistics, indicators, qualitative assessment, sustainability, governance, funding instruments, territorial cohesion, GIS analysis.
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2004-2005. Environmental Technology Information Facility. Client: European Environment Agency. Environmental technologies, industry, pollution management, air, soil, noise, water, resources management, forestry, agriculture, mining and quarrying, water, renewable energies).
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2004. Supply of Sectoral Data Sources to the EMCC (European Monitoring Centre on Change) Portal. Client: European Foundation for the Improvement of Living and Working Conditions – Eurofound. Identification, collection and analysis of relevant information on the major trends and drivers of change in the European economy related to agriculture and fishing, chemical, commerce, construction, education, electrical, energy, financial services, food-beverage-tobacco, glass and cement, health and social work, hotel and catering, information technology, metal and machinery, motor, publishing and media, pulp and paper, transport and storage, textile and leather.
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2003. Dissemination of the Forest Certification Scheme at the regional level. Client: Regional Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture and Forestry – ARSIA, Tuscany Region. Forestry, forest management practices, seminar.
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2003. S. Gimignano Master Plan – Forest Resources. Client: Municipality of S. Gimignano, Italy. Municipal Master Plan: construction of geographical and descriptive database of forest resources; surveying and quantifying municipal forest resources over 11,000 hectares; preparing management guidelines; developing a database through GIS applications (ArcView); producing thematic maps.
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2002-2003. S. Casciano Master Plan – Forest Resources. Client: Municipality of S. Casciano, Italy. Municipal Master Plan: construction of geographical and descriptive database of forest resources; surveying and quantifying municipal forest resources over 12,000 hectares; preparing management guidelines; developing a database through GIS applications (ArcView); producing thematic maps.
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2002-2003. PASK study: Pasture Knowledge Base Monography and Pasture Knowledge Database. Client: Joint Research Centre – Institute for the Protection and the Security of the Citizen (IPSC). Monograph, European pasture, grazing land, pastoral systems, ecology, species, agronomic practices, GIS, forecasting models.
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2002. The forest certification scheme PEFC. Client: Regional Agency for Development and Innovation in Agriculture and Forestry – ARSIA, Tuscany Region. Dissemination activities, assessment of the state of the art of certification activities at national and European level, tools for practitioners and policy makers to understand the various types of certification schemes and the requirements to join them.
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2002-2015. Technical and financial quality assessment of project proposals submitted under EC Programmes. Several service contracts. Clients: the European Commission – through various private companies (Femconsult, The Netherlands; AESA, Belgium; EPRD, Poland; MVC, Belgium). Technical and financial assessment of project proposals submitted under the following Programmes: LIFE+ (2014, 2015); SWITCH-Asia (2012-2013 & 2014-2015); ‘Non-State Actors and Local Authorities in Development’ (2009); ‘Environment and sustainable management of natural resources, including energy’ (2008); ‘Environment, including climate change’ (2008) (for DG Research, Directorare I – Environment, Assessment of research proposals submitted under the 7th Framework programme, theme 6; ‘Tropical Forests and Environment in Developing Countries’ (2006); ‘Asia Pro-Eco programme 2004, 2005 and Post-Tsunami programme’ (2005 & 2004); Global Change and Ecosystems (2002) for DG Research, FP6-2002-Global-1.
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2001-2003. Statistical support for the production of EEA Europe’s Environment: the Third Assessment Report and Environmental Signals 2002. Client: European Environment Agency. Pan-Europe, EEA Data Warehouse, datasets, indicators, content creation, EEA Third Assessment of Europe’s Environment, 2002 ‘Environmental Signals’.