Ecorys is one of the oldest research and consulting companies in Europe. In 2011we proudly celebrated our 82nd anniversary!

Our history starts in 1929, when a group of businessmen from Rotterdam etablished the Foundation The Netherlands Economic Institute (NEI). Poverty relief and other social issues were regarded important social and economic problems. The goal of the Foundation NEI was then to stimulate the collection and the analysis of economic data.

Through the years our organisation has brought forth many remarkable people, who have contributed to the science of economics. Moreover, our organisation has brought forth many people that have made history. Our most prominent staff member has been NEI director (1935-1968) Professor Jan Tinbergen (shown in the illustration), who was awarded the first Nobel Prize for economics for his work in 1969. Furthermore, various Dutch ministers have started their careers working for our organisation. Some of them subsequently took up executive positions in major international institutions. Contributions to the science of economics were made by our professors Polak, Koopmans, Van der Valk, Glasz, Koyck, Lambers, Klaassen, Bos, Paelinck, Kuyvenhoven and Molle.

During the '90s, Ecorys' expertise proved important with regards to the growth of the EU and reformation processes in countries in Middle and Eastern Europe. To be able to cope with globalisation and in order to stay competitive, NEI developed into a paneuropean company. Offices were established in Brussels and Moscow.

In 1999 NEI merged with Kolpron Consultants (established in 1979). In 2000 the diversification and internationalisation was continued by merging with the British company ECOTEC Research and Consulting, specialising in social policy. The name Ecorys was chosen as new name for the company. Ecorys aims to be involved in challenging issues regarding the EU.