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The Political Economy of Environmental Policy | Call for Papers
The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Forum for Research on Eastern Europe: Climate and Environment (FREECE) invites paper submissions to a one-day workshop session on the ‘Political Economy of Environmental Policy’ with a keynote lecture by Michaël Aklin (EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute) on 19th of April 2024 in Stockholm.
This event, hosted by FREECE together with SITE, will bring together leading academics and experts in the field to discuss and explore the complex relationship between politics, economics, and environmental policy.
The ‘Political Economy of Environmental Policy’ workshop aims to foster a dynamic exchange of ideas and insights among scholars, researchers, and practitioners. Participants will have the opportunity to engage in thought-provoking discussions, share their latest research findings, and explore innovative approaches to addressing the challenges of environmental policy in today’s rapidly changing world.
Keynote Speaker
Keynote address by Michaël Aklin, an Associate Professor from the EPFL, Swiss Federal Institute, and an expert in the political economy of environmental policy.
Workshop
Just like last year (The Economics of Sustainable Transport), the workshop will consist of two elements:
- a session with paper presentations, and
- keynote speeches from invited experts in the field.
The workshop will thus provide presentations of the latest research and guidance on the future of the field to economists interested in doing their own research on the topic.
Call for Papers
We would like to invite paper and extended abstract submissions, as well as expressions of interest in attending the workshop by 4 March 2024.
Important Dates and Submission Deadline
- 4th of March 2024 – Submission deadline (full papers or extended abstracts)
- 11th of March 2024 – Notification of acceptance
- 19th of April 2024 – FREECE Workshop session on the ‘Political Economy of Environmental Policy’
Please send your submission to: julius.andersson@hhs.se.
The workshop is organised as part of the FREECE initiative – the Forum for Research on Eastern Europe: Climate and Environment supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
Addressing the Impact of War on Human Capital and Higher Education in Ukraine
On February 6, 2024, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Friends of KSE initiative partnered with the Nordic Ukraine Forum to host an event, aiming to examine and bolster the vital cause of higher education in Ukraine.
During this occasion, the spotlight shifted to the crucial impact of war on human capital and higher education in Ukraine. Participants delved into the indispensable role of human capital in shaping Ukraine’s future, particularly in its pursuit of prosperity within the European Union.
A focal point was the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE), lauded for its pivotal role in educating Ukraine’s future leaders and providing essential policy analysis amidst the challenges of war. Alongside SITE and the Stockholm School of Economics (SSE), KSE highlighted initiatives supporting Ukrainian students and academics, emphasizing the necessity of investing in human potential.
Representatives from Swedfund and the Nordic Ukraine Forum stressed the importance of fostering collaborations and seizing opportunities in Ukraine. The event underscored the collective effort required to preserve and nurture Ukrainian human capital, crucial for successful post-war reconstruction.
Video Recording and Photos
Participants
- Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics
- Nataliia Shapoval, Chairman of the Kyiv School of Economics Institute
- Alina Zubkovych, Head of Nordic Ukraine Forum and Visiting Professor from KSE
- Katarina Hägg, Chief Executive Officer of SSE Executive Education
- Anders Olofsgård, Deputy Director of SITE
- Stefan Falk, Director of Swedfund Project Accelerator
- Volodymyr Kykot, student representative from SSE
- Alina Kotliarova, student representative from SSE
- Lesia Rublevska, student representative from SSE
- Torbjörn Becker, Director at SITE
SITE’s Development Day Conference Showcases Strategies to Strengthen Sanctions on Russia
The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) hosted its highly anticipated annual Development Day conference at the Stockholm School of Economics on December 5. The event brought together experts, policymakers, and industry representatives to explore effective measures to reduce financing to the Russian war machine, contain the Russian economy, and support Ukraine’s reconstruction efforts, all while winning the information war.
Under the theme of “Taking Action for a Secure Future”, the conference featured a series of insightful presentations and engaging discussions. Attendees had the opportunity to gain valuable insights into the multifaceted challenges posed by Russia’s aggressive actions and explore innovative strategies to counter them.
“We are thrilled to have brought together such a diverse and knowledgeable group of individuals who are committed to addressing the complex issues surrounding Russian influence,” said Anders Olofsgård, Deputy Director of SITE. “Our annual Development Day conferences serve as platforms for sharing ideas, fostering collaboration, and ultimately working towards a more secure and stable world.”
The Ukrainian Government’s view
Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Sanctions Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine.
The Russia sanctions as a human rights instrument: Violations of export controls regarding war-critical goods to Russia
Aage Borchgrevink, Senior Advisor at The Norwegian Helsinki Committee. See and download the presentation here!
Reducing Russian government revenues
Petras Katinas, Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. See and download the presentation here!
Daniel Spiro, Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Uppsala University. See and download the presentation here!
Chloé Le Coq, Professor of Economics, University of Paris-Panthéon-Assas, Economics and Law Research Center (CRED). See and download the presentation here!
Yuliia Pavytska, Manager of the Sanctions Programme at KSE Institute. See and download the presentation here!
Reducing the Russian economic capacity
Benjamin Hilgenstock, Senior Economist at Kyiv School of Economics Institute. See and download the presentation here!
Eric Livny, Lead Regional Economist for Central Asia at EBRD. See and download the presentation here!
Michael Koch, Director at Swedish National Board of Trade. See and download the presentation here!
The Swedish Government’s Perspective
Håkan Jevrell, State Secretary to the Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade.
Concluding remarks
Torbjörn Becker, Director of SITE, and Tymofiy Mylovanov, President of the Kyiv School of Economics.
Thank you
We would like to thank everyone who participated during this year’s SITE Development Day conference “How to undermine the Russian war effort and support Ukraine” on December 5th, 2023, at the Stockholm School of Economics. We hope to see you all again in the next Development Day conference.
Macroeconomic Effects of Sanctions on Russia: Analysing Economic Impact
The Annual Conference, “The Effects of New Geopolitical Risks on Financial Markets and Firms,” was organized by the Swedish House of Finance. This event brought together leading academics and practitioners in financial economics to explore the latest developments in the field.
The conference focused on the significant impact of emerging geopolitical risks on financial markets and corporate operations. Key topics included the influence of pandemics, climate-related risks, geopolitical conflicts, and sanctions, which had heightened the urgency of addressing geopolitical threats.
The event delved into how these disruptions were expected to affect various elements such as international currencies, supply chains, financial markets, and the broader macroeconomy. Attendees examined methodologies for quantifying these risks, identifying vulnerable companies and assets, and analyzing empirical evidence on the effects of these disruptive events.
Torbjörn Becker, Director of the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE), presented a talk on the macroeconomic impacts of sanctions on Russia.
Participants gained a deeper understanding of the intersection between geopolitical risks and financial systems and how to navigate these complex challenges effectively.
Celebrating Ukraine’s National Independence Day
The Forum for Research on Eastern Europe and Emerging Economies (FREE Network) and the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) wish to extend heartfelt greetings to the brave people of Ukraine on National Independence Day, August 24.
On 24 August 1991, Ukraine declared its independent state and territory indivisibility. However, it requires enormous efforts and human lives to protect Ukraine’s independence and territorial integrity.FREE Network and SITE take this moment to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have dedicated themselves to protecting Ukraine’s freedom and European values.
As part of our joint efforts, FREE Network and SITE actively engage in various initiatives such as research and policy publications, and public events, meant to support Ukraine’s academic community and contribute to the reconstruction process of Ukraine.
Слава Україні!
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine on the next Steps in EU Integration
On 26 May 2023, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Stockholm Centre for Eastern European Studies (SCEEUS) had the honour of hosting a distinguished keynote speaker, Olga Stefanishyna (Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine) who shared her insights on Ukraine’s progress with reforms on the way to full EU integration.
Did you miss the chance to attend the event “Ukraine´s reforms on the way to EU integration” with special guest Olga Stefanishyna (Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine) together with Fredrik Löjdquist (Director of SCEEUS) and Torbjörn Becker (Director of SITE)?
Read the highlights from the event, with discussions on the next steps in EU integration and on Ukraine’s expectations from the Vilnius Summit as well as on strengthening European security in the face of Russia’s war of aggression and the role of Ukraine in this process.
Torbjörn Becker welcomes everyone and introduces keynote speaker Olga Stefanishyna (Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine).
“While Euro-Atlantic integration is one of the most sensitive issues at the moment, our resolve is as strong as on February 24, 2022, when we woke up with the sound of explosions from Russian bombs. We understand that Ukraine has already changed not only the geopolitical reality but changed the world with our resolve”, says Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna.
“Everything we do to transform ourselves, we do it for our people, in honour of those people who laid down their life and will not be able to see Ukraine in the EU. Challenges are enormous but we are happy to see that the EU has shown unity and resolve. The decision to allow Ukraine membership status has already strengthened us enormously”, says Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna.
Fredrik Löjdquist and the audience paying close attention to the Deputy Prime Minister’s keynote speech.
“The reform of the judiciary is going through urgent measures to increase integrity, to make sure that no judge will remain unpunished for corruption or vested interests. We have now the ”privilege of war”, where the tolerance for corruption is not only zero but pursued very aggressively. This momentum we use to its full scale. By the moment the war is over, we want to be ready to join the EU”, says Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna.
Torbjörn Becker takes notes of Deputy Prime Minister’s thought-provoking keynote speech for the panel discussion.
“By the middle of next year, I hope I will be sitting among NATO countries with security guarantees for Ukraine, with de-occupied territory, and a successful track record of reforms”, says Deputy Prime Minister Stefanishyna during the panel discussion together with Torbjörn Becker and Fredrik Löjdquist.
From left: Torbjörn Becker, Olga Stefanishyna and Fredrik Löjdquist.
We would like to thank everyone who participated during the event “Ukraine´s reforms on the way to EU integration” on 26 May, 2023. Special thanks to Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna for the opportunity to host your visit at the Stockholm School of Economics.
Photos by Dominick Nilsson.
Energy Infrastructure Resilience and Sustainable Future
On 11 May 2023, the Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Forum for Research on Eastern Europe: Climate and Environment (FREECE) hosted the 2023 SITE Energy Talk. The event focused on Nordic Energy Infrastructure Resilience and the future of sustainable energy systems. This year’s talk brought together leading experts to explore the opportunities and challenges facing the region’s energy infrastructure during the green transition.
Building Resilient Energy Systems for the Future
As the world moves toward sustainable, low-carbon energy systems, resilience has become essential. Energy networks must withstand disruptions while continuing to deliver reliable power.
During the discussion, experts emphasized the need to strengthen systems against supply chain challenges, network congestion, and rising energy costs. At the same time, they highlighted the importance of maintaining a secure and stable energy supply.
Moreover, recent global shocks — including the Covid-19 pandemic, the European energy crisis, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine — have revealed key vulnerabilities. These events also offered valuable lessons for improving energy security across the Nordic and Baltic Sea regions. Consequently, experts stressed that collaboration, innovation, and strategic planning are vital to enhance Nordic Energy Infrastructure Resilience.
Key Discussion Topics
- How well-prepared is the Nordic energy infrastructure for the green transition from a security of energy supply perspective?
- What has been the impact of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Ukrainian energy infrastructure and the Baltic Sea region’s energy security?
- What policy and investment measures can strengthen energy resilience and sustainability in Northern Europe?
Speakers
- Ewa Lazarczyk Carlson, Associate Professor, Reykjavik University
- Yuliya Markuts, Head of the Center of Public Finance and Governance, Kyiv School of Economics
- Igor Piddubnyi, Analyst on Energy Sector Damages and Losses, Researcher at the Center for Food and Land Use Research, Kyiv School of Economics
- Mikael Toll, Senior Advisor, Ramboll Management Consulting
Moderators
The discussion was moderated by Chloé Le Coq, Professor of Economics at the University Paris-Panthéon-Assas (CRED) and Research Fellow at SITE, and Elena Paltseva, Associate Professor at SITE.
Why Nordic Energy Infrastructure Resilience Matters
The 2023 SITE Energy Talk underscored that Nordic energy systems must adapt to meet future challenges with innovation and cooperation. Strengthening infrastructure resilience is essential to achieve energy independence, climate neutrality, and sustainable growth across Europe.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed during events and conferences are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.
Democratic Backsliding and Electoral Autocracies
The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Forum for Research on Media and Democracy in Eastern Europe (FROMDEE) invite paper submissions to a one-day conference on “Democratic backsliding and electoral autocracies” with a keynote lecture by Arturas Rozenas (New York University).
Conference
The UN’s Secretary-General António Guterres recently observed that “across the world, democracy is backsliding”. This trend encompasses new democracies that have drifted towards electoral autocracy and established democracies where political polarization threatens institutional norms. Research can shed light on where and when democratic institutions are fragile and what can help make them resilient.
The Stockholm Institute of Transition Economics (SITE) and the Forum for Research on Media and Democracy in Eastern Europe (FROMDEE) is organising a one-day conference on “Democratic backsliding and electoral autocracies” with a keynote lecture by Arturas Rozenas (New York University). The conference will take place on 13 October 2023 in Stockholm, Sweden.
Call for Papers
We would like to invite paper and extended abstract submissions, as well as expressions of interest in attending the conference by 15 June 2023 at the link below. We welcome submissions from economics and political science on threats to liberal democratic institutions, as well as other topics in political economy. We would especially like to encourage researchers working on or based in Eastern Europe to apply.
There is no conference registration fee and meals will be provided for all participants. Some funding is available for travel and accommodation, with preference given to presenters and participants from Eastern Europe.
Submission form: Click here
Download the call for paper in pdf-file: “Democratic backsliding and electoral autocracies”
Important dates:
- 15 June 2023 – Submission deadline (full papers or extended abstracts >10 pages)
- July 2023 – Notification of acceptance
- 13 October 2023 – SITE Academic Conference on “Democratic Backsliding and Electoral Autocracies”
The conference is organised as part of the FROMDEE initiative – the Forum for Research on Media and Democracy in Eastern Europe supported by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida).
In case of technical difficulties, please send your submission to: site.free.conferences@gmail.com
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed during events and conferences are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.
Back from the Ashes: Swedish and Global Contribution to Ukraine’s Reconstruction
What role should Sweden and the EU have when it is time to rebuild Ukraine with development aid and other means? SITE’s researchers Anders Olofsgård and Maria Perrotta Berlin have written a report “Back from the ashes: Swedish and global contribution to Ukraine’s reconstruction”.
The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine is an example of a situation where development aid, alongside military support not defined as aid, takes on many roles. In addition to humanitarian aid, during ongoing warfare, development aid has a role in helping to maintain social functions and restore vital infrastructure.
In a future post-conflict situation, there is a shift in role from humanitarian aid to more development aid in order to rebuild what the Russian attack has destroyed. Reconstruction needs to go far beyond physical infrastructure. The needs are also far greater than what development aid alone can finance. Although development aid and other public funds will play a major role in the early stages, private capital is necessary for long-term reconstruction.
Full Report (in Swedish)
The EBA report estimates the current cost of the war and presents key lessons from previous international reconstruction efforts. The main emphasis is on the future global support to Ukraine, in terms of content, financing needs and organization, and what this means for Swedish aid.
EBA report: “Back from the ashes: Swedish and global contribution to Ukraine’s reconstruction“.
About EBA
The Expert Group for Aid Studies (EBA) is a government committee mandated to evaluate and analyse the direction, governance and implementation of Sweden’s official development assistance, with a specific focus on results and effectiveness. EBA’s aim is to contribute to the efficient implementation of well-designed aid, focusing primarily on overarching issues within Swedish development assistance rather than individual projects. EBA consists of an Expert Group of ten members and a secretariat placed in Stockholm.
Georgian Economy and One Year of Russia’s War in Ukraine: Trends and Risks
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine profoundly impacted the global economy, immediately sending shockwaves across the globe. The attack of a country that was once a major energy supplier to Europe on the country which was one of the top food exporters in the world, sent food and fuel prices spiralling, causing major energy shortages and the prospect of protracted recession in the United States and the European Union.
The unprovoked and brutal aggression resulted in nearly universal condemnation and widespread sanctions placed on Russia by the United States, the EU, and other Western allies. Financial sanctions were perhaps the most unexpected and significant with the potential for immediate impact on Russia’s neighbours, including those that did not formally join the sanctions regime. In addition to sanctions, the major consequence of the war was mass migration waves, particularly from Ukraine, but also from Russia and Belarus to neighbouring countries.
At the start of the war, it was expected that the Georgian economy would be severely and negatively impacted for the following reasons:
- First, as a former Soviet republic, Georgia historically maintained close economic trade ties with both Russia and Ukraine. The ties with Russia have weakened considerably in the wake of the 2008 Russo-Georgian war but remained significant. Russia was the primary market for imports of staple foods into Georgia, such as wheat flour, maize, buckwheat, edible oils, etc. Russia and Ukraine were both important export markets for Georgia. Russia was absorbing about 60 percent of Georgian wine exports and 47 percent of mineral water exports, while Ukraine was one of the leading importers of alcohol and spirits from Georgia (46 percent of Georgia’s exports). Tourism and remittances are other areas where Georgia is significantly tied to Russia and somewhat weaker to Ukraine. Before the pandemic, in 2019 Russia accounted for 24 percent of all tourism revenues, while Ukraine for 6 percent. Remittances from Russia accounted for 16.5 percent of total incoming transfers in 2021.
- Second, while the Georgian government chose to largely keep a neutral stance on the war (announcing at one point that they would not join or impose sanctions against Russia), the main financial and trade international sanctions were still in effect in Georgia due to international obligations and close business ties with the West. These factors were reinforced by strong support for Ukraine among the Georgian population, where the memory of the Russian invasion of Georgia in 2008 remains uppermost.
- In addition, Georgia is a net energy importer, and while the dependence on energy imports from Russia is not significant, the rising prices would have affected Georgia profoundly.
Original publication: This policy paper was originally published in the ISET Policy Institute Policy Briefs section by Yaroslava Babych, Lead Economist of ISET Policy Institute. To read the full policy paper, please visit the website of ISET-PI.
Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in policy briefs and other publications are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect those of the FREE Network and its research institutes.