ACADEMIA DE STUDII ECONOMICE DIN BUCURESTI

Their core work

The Bucharest University of Economic Studies (ASE) is Romania's leading economics and business university, contributing socio-economic research and policy analysis to European projects. Their H2020 work focuses on understanding inequality, migration, youth vulnerability, and territorial cohesion — applying economic and social science methods to real policy challenges. They bring quantitative and mixed-methods research capacity to large consortia studying how European societies handle crises, mobility, and regional disparities. They also contribute expertise in financial technology regulation and transport network coordination.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

In the early period (2015–2018), ASE focused on EU policy coordination, regional inequality, and youth mobility — classic socio-economic research topics like spatial justice, migration, austerity impacts, and public services. From 2019 onward, their work shifted toward more applied and vulnerability-oriented themes: youth empowerment in precarious conditions, financial technology compliance, and multi-hazard risk management. The trajectory shows a move from describing inequalities to building frameworks for resilience and response.

ASE is moving from descriptive socio-economic research toward applied risk and resilience frameworks, making them increasingly relevant for projects addressing climate adaptation, disaster preparedness, and social vulnerability.

How they like to work

ASE operates exclusively as a consortium participant — they have not coordinated any H2020 projects, which is typical for a university contributing domain expertise rather than managing large grants. With 94 unique partners across 28 countries, they have an unusually broad network for just 6 projects, indicating they join large, pan-European consortia. This makes them an accessible and experienced partner who knows how to deliver within complex multi-country teams.

Despite only 6 projects, ASE has collaborated with 94 unique partners across 28 countries, reflecting participation in large pan-European consortia. Their network spans nearly all EU member states, giving them broad geographic reach for a Romanian institution.

What sets them apart

ASE brings an Eastern European economics perspective to topics often dominated by Western institutions — inequality, migration, and regional cohesion look very different from Bucharest than from Amsterdam. Their combination of socio-economic analysis with emerging risk and resilience work is unusual for a business-oriented university. For consortium builders needing a credible Romanian partner with proven delivery in social science research, ASE is a strong and reliable choice.

Highlights from their portfolio

• MOVE
  Largest single EC contribution (EUR 193,750) and ASE's first H2020 project, establishing their youth mobility research credentials.
• MYRIAD-EU
  Most recent project (2021-2025) and a strategic pivot into multi-hazard risk management — signals a new direction for the institution.
• MIMY
  Bridges ASE's two core strengths — youth migration and vulnerability/resilience — with a sophisticated multi-level (micro/meso/macro) mixed-methods approach.