The associated partner “Leibniz Institute of Agricultural Development in Transition Economies (IAMO)” analyses economic, social, and political processes of change in the agricultural and food sector and in rural areas. The geographic focus covers the enlarging EU, transition regions of Central, Eastern, and South Eastern Europe, as well as Central and Eastern Asia.

Scope of work

• Research: IAMO is an international institute that pursues basic and applied research in the field of agricultural economics. It analyses the political, external environment of agriculture and its scope of design, the agricultural and food sector markets, and the structural development of enterprises and living conditions in rural areas. As education, health, nutrition, and social security of the rural population are core elements of rural living conditions these topics are part of IAMO’s research profile. Results support design and evaluation of integrated rural development strategies which comprise education health, nutrition, and social policies. Moreover, it embraces the interdependencies of market processes, managerial decisions and policies on the socioeconomic situation and environment and rural areas.
• Scientific exchange: The institute is distributing its research outcomes to the international academic community as well as to decision-makers in politics and business, international organisations and the broad public. It acts as a forum of exchange, thereby promoting the linking up of research at an international level, and dialogue between leaders from the academic world, politics and business. In view of the immense and new challenges ahead, science-based policy advice is becoming an increasingly important factor in the institute’s work.
• Promotion of young researchers: Among the institute’s core tasks is also the qualification of academic scholars from Germany and abroad. A particular focus lies on the promotion of scientists from study regions. IAMO supports PhD and postdoctoral studies and hands out thesis topics for Master’s or Bachelor’s degrees. IAMO Graduate School provides PhD students with systematic support and training. Visiting stays at IAMO and research visits of IAMO doctoral candidates and postdocs at overseas research centres enhance profiling younger scientists.