Sofia, Bulgaria

IME is the first and oldest independent economic policy think tank in Bulgaria.

Its mission is to elaborate and advocate market-based solutions to challenges citizens of Bulgaria and the region face in reforms. This mission has been pursued sine early 1993 when the Institute was formally registered a non-profit legal entity.

IME objectives are to provide: independent assessment and analysis of the government’s economic policies and to be a focal point for an exchange of views on market economics and relevant policy issues.

IME’s modus operandi is the following: the staff assess economic and reform trends and with the help of the board and the advisory board outlines priorities, which are to established by the board for a two year period. (The board meets four times a year; the executive director runs and represents the institute.) IME turnover for the last four years is 10% is private donation, 60% – revenue from services and the rest – institutional (ear-marked) grants. Service revenues are usually channelled to finance IME public policy initiatives.