Germany

The European Center for Research on Federalism (ECRF), established in 1993 by professors from various faculties and disciplines of the Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, deals with different aspects of the territorial dimension of politics in Europe, including the European Union (understood as a multi-level system). In its activities, the ECRF puts emphasis on linking theory and practice, on transnational/international cooperation, and on an interdisciplinary approach. Amongst these activities are: doing research projects; organising conferences; cooperating with respective institutions worldwide and further developing this network; and, last not least, editing the following publications: The Yearbook of Federalism (NOMOS publisher, since 2000); The Book Series of the ECRF (NOMOS publisher, since 1994); The series “Occasional Papers” (published by ECRF, since 1994).

The Institute of Public Finance and Public Management currently consists of four professorships (https://www.wifa.uni-leipzig.de/institut-fuer-oeffentliche-finanzen-und-public-management) and two competence centres, the Competence Centre for Municipal Infrastructure in Saxony (www.uni-leipzig.de/komkis) as well as the Competence Centre for Public Economics, Infrastructure and Public Services (www.kowid.de). The Institute's research focuses on comparative fiscal federalism research, analysing financial relations in Germany, municipal finances and debt-limiting provisions. In addition to its focus on economics, the Institute is characterised by interdisciplinary research that encompasses aspects of political, administrative and legal sciences.