What is a think tank?

A think tank is a research centre, a thinking factory or laboratory. Think tanks study and provide information, ideas and advice on policy, political or scientific issues. Most of the time, they are not-for-profit organisations.

What are network industries?

Network industries are those which are organised as a network, i.e. a piece of infrastructure with a set of points and interconnections to transmit flows of energy (e.g. electricity, gas), information (e.g. telecommunication, internet, media), materials and goods (e.g. rail transport, water, post) or people (e.g. mobility).

What is regulation?

Regulation is the setting up of rules which frame the behaviour of suppliers of goods and services.

Regulation can take place through public ownership, self- or co-regulation between economic agents and public authorities, legislative measures or, as is very often the case for network industries, through independent agencies.

What is CERRE?

Gathering the best academic scholars working in the energy, tech, media, telecom, mobility and water sectors, the Centre on Regulation in Europe (CERRE) is an independent, Brussels-based think tank which completes and disseminates analyses and research. CERRE provides concrete and timely policy recommendations on today and tomorrow’s most significant regulatory and policy issues in these fields.

CERRE is a not-for-profit association whose members are regulatory authorities, corporations and university centres. The CERRE academic and secretariat staff, as well as members, mutually support applied research that will help political, regulatory and business leaders making better decisions for all.

What does CERRE do?

CERRE’s purpose is to support and inform ever better regulation of the energy, tech, media, telecom, mobility and water sectors in Europe and beyond. CERRE develops high-quality research, policy analyses and recommendations with a scientifically robust and fully independent approach to improve the regulation of those sectors.

CERRE publishes reports and organises private and public seminars, expert workshops and conferences, providing a unique neutral platform for generating new ideas through debates and constructive interactions between policy makers, regulators, industry and academia.

CERRE’s team and academic staff are also active participants in the EU regulatory scene.

What does CERRE mean by ever better regulation?

Ever better regulation should guarantee access to quality services at reasonable prices for all consumers and users today, while stimulating investments and innovation for tomorrow. Those rules should also safeguard citizens’ rights, including privacy, and ensure high consumer protection as well as an adequate degree of competition between industry players.

Why is CERRE an independent think tank?

CERRE’s independence and impartiality are critical. They are guaranteed by the think tank’s bylaws as well as by explicit transparency and independence guidelines. All organisations and individuals with whom CERRE collaborates have to abide by them.

This ensures that CERRE’s research activities not only deliver fair, unbiased and evidence-based policy recommendations, but also support the improvement of regulation in the greater public interest. Our research process is designed to be open, transparent and cooperative.

In which sectors does CERRE work?

CERRE’s work focuses on the regulation of the energy, tech, media, telecom, mobility and water sectors.

What does the CERRE membership consist of?

CERRE has a unique membership, bringing together regulators, industry and academia from our areas of expertise. This helps break silos and build communities with actors that have different agendas.

This distinctive transversal membership allows CERRE to develop both sector-specific and cross-sectoral activities that lead to novel ideas. By doing so, CERRE is building bridges and creating the right forum for key actors to debate very important issues for their sector and society, and to find the most robust recommendations for regulation that will contribute to making Europe a better place for everyone.

CERRE members play a central role in shaping the think tank’s work programme, along with the academic team. They are also actively involved in the development of research projects. Whether they are regulators, industry or academia, each actor offers a complementary dimension to CERRE’s research. This makes the think tank’s contribution to the debate even more constructive and powerful.

How can I become a CERRE member?

Membership is available to corporations, regulatory/competition/consumer protection and privacy authorities, as well as university research centres.

For more information about the membership possibilities for your organisation, please do not hesitate to contact John McSweeney, CERRE’s Director of Operations.

Where can I find out what CERRE is working on?

To stay up to date with the latest news and CERRE’s work, do not hesitate to subscribe to our newsletter, and follow us on Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.