About us

Transition management experts for a sustainable future.

Purpose

The mission of the CIVICS Observatory for Urban and Regional Development is to study the transition to a more sustainable model of economy, production and consumption.

Why does it matter?

The issues of the economic, environmental and social transformations require comprehensive analysis based on modern management tools and professional approaches. Only in this way can the necessary, feasible and scientifically substantiated choices be made.

However, there is a significant gap in our current public debates. Frequently conventional wisdom and fragmented approaches prevail, when for example social and environmental dimensions of a project, of a specific product, or public policy intervention are not fully taken into account.

This situation creates higher risks and unpredictable costs for businesses, citizens and the administration itself. For this reason reliable support is needed for the transition to a more sustainable and socially responsible economy.

Why now?

In our country and internationally, we are going through a critical transition period, from the recent global crisis to a new production and consumption model.  The main aspects of this model are based on technological excellence, information control and the sustainable exploitation of value flows and raw materials, while preserving our energy and material stocks. These trends create pressures for economic actors to adapt. The wider strata of our economy are affected: businesses, administrations and social actors across all spaces and scales of activity. Often, however, individual actors need specialized support to study the dynamics of their internal and external environment. This is the key area where the CIVICS Observatory can be helpful.

What we do

CIVICS offers its services to business and private sector organizations, government agencies and the civil society.

The Observatory’s services include five areas:

  • Monitoring and analysis of socio-economic indicators and variables alongside impact assessments on environmental compliance and regional development.
  • Comprehensive study on adaptation to the Circular Economy at regional level with an emphasis on businesses and final consumers.
  • Analysis of value flows and raw materials and estimation of hot spots for interventions through LCA methodologies and the simulation of possible solutions.
  • Holistic study of local economic upgrading and competitiveness through LED and strategic coupling methodologies.
  • Participatory field research, social and civic engagement through bottom-up events.