Economic Research Center ( ERC) conducted 3 days training for civil society institutions on “ Strategic Planning in think-tanks” within the framework of “Enhancing the effectiveness of government by strengthening the role of think tanks in decision-making arena” project funded by European Union on October 22-24, 2012. 
The managers and researchers from 17 partner non-governmental organizations, including 3 regions ( Ganja, Shaki) with 22 representatives participated at the training. The training was conducted by Rainer Heufers, the executive director of “ Siap Solutions Pte Ltd” consulting company. Siap Solutions Pte Ltd, a Singapore-based consulting firm that provides strategic counseling, public policy consulting, leadership training, and other services to international think tanks, political parties, corporations, and government agencies. Rainer Heufers is also senior consultant
He is also a Senior Fellow of the Atlas Economic Research Foundation where he leads the annual “Think Tank MBA”. Since the inception of that program in 2008, he has trained leaders of more than 100 think tanks in six continents to develop strategic business plans and to improve their leadership skills.
At the opening of the training, Gubad Ibadoglu, the member of ERC Management Board delivered his remarks before participants and talked about the development of think-tanks in and current issues in this field in Azerbaijan. He also conveyed his gratitude to European Union for having positive response to proposal of ERC on structuring think-tank towards international standards. G.Ibadoglu also presented trainer to participants.