Two think tanks credited with a major role in shaping Europe’s climate policy are planning to merge to create an unmatched policy powerhouse – but as much out of financial necessity as to increase their impact.
Germany’s Agora, best known for its energy transition division Energiewende, receives millions in funding and fields hundreds of researchers, whose work is often cited by the EU’s most senior officials. The US-based Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) quietly shaped the Green Deal’s ‘energy efficiency first’ principle.
Now, under pressure from funders to scale up, they are in the process of merging, six sources briefed on the matter have told Euractiv.
Agora reported funding to the tune of €37 million from private and public donors in 2024. While RAP’s funding is less transparent, its 2024 disclosure form shows the think tank received some €10 million in grants.
“RAP and Agora are exploring combining our organisations,” a spokesperson for the US think tank confirmed to Euractiv. “The intention behind our discussions is to strengthen our joint capacity.”
The planned merger was initiated by Agora after several challenging years following the ouster of its former director, Patrick Graichen, as economy state secretary in the wake of Berlin’s ‘best man’ cronyism affair. The think tank, which just recently replaced its EU office leader, declined to comment.
Economies of scale
There is also a financial dimension to the plan. The think tanks both draw a significant part of their funding from US philanthropic organisations, who are said to have helped push for the merger in search of more bang for their bucks.
Funds for think-tank policy development are in increasingly short supply, several sources suggested. Most visibly, Breakthrough Energy, set up by Microsoft mogul Bill Gates, has scaled back support for climate action and slashed staff numbers.
Across its various units, Agora has some 200 employees working full time across energy, climate, agriculture, and industrial policy. RAP brings with it around 80 staffers.
Even after the inevitable layoffs – sources pointed to talk of ‘consolidation’ – the new outfit could outstrip other European think tanks in terms of sheer numbers. The merger will come naturally to some of the staff. In Germany, RAP already works out of Agora’s offices.
(rh, aw)
