Project Information: ProdTool – NPB 2.0: Micro-Data Analysis Tool 2.0 for comparative productivity studies at National Productivity Boards (Project acronym: ProdTool)

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Project Funding: This project has received funding from the European Union under the Technical Support Instrument (TSI), coordinated by the European Commission, under grant agreement No. 101261159 (ProdTool – NPB 2.0: Micro-Data Analysis Tool 2.0 for comparative productivity studies at National Productivity Boards).

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Participating Countries: The project involves National Productivity Boards from Germany, Austria, and Slovenia as Advanced Members under TSI 1, Finland and the Netherlands as Advanced Members under TSI 2, and Italy, Malta, and Greece as New Members that will be onboarded during the project. France and Portugal are involved through existing Micro-Data Infrastructure and CompNet-related activities, but they are not listed as formal beneficiaries of this specific TSI action.

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Coordinated by: Halle Institute for Economic Research (IWH). Specifically through its Centre for Business and Productivity Dynamics (IWH-CBPD), acting as project coordinator and service provider.

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Project Outline: The project aims to enhance the micro-foundations of the analytical output of National Productivity Boards (NPBs) by expanding and consolidating the EU Micro-Data Infrastructure (MDI) and leveraging on the CompNet Dataset. It provides harmonised, cross-country comparable firm-level micro-aggregated data, analytical tools, and dashboards, combined with structured training and technical support. In addition, it establishes a coordinated network that allows National Productivity Boards and National Statistical Institutes to collaborate, share best practices, and jointly produce policy-relevant research. The project builds directly on previous EU initiatives, in particular the MULTIMSPROD programme implemented between 2022 and 2025 and the MiniProd 2019-2022.

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Motivation: Access to cross-country comparable firm-level microdata in the European Union is highly constrained due to confidentiality requirements, fragmented national data infrastructures, and the high technical and administrative costs of data access. As a consequence, National Productivity Boards rely predominantly on macroeconomic indicators and only rarely use firm-level data, which limits their ability to analyse productivity drivers, assess policy reforms, and contribute effectively to national and EU-level policy debates. The ProdTool project addresses this problem by creating a secure, harmonised, and EU-wide microdata infrastructure and by strengthening the human and analytical capacity of National Productivity Boards through training and continuous technical support.

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Implementation: The project is implemented through an integrated work programme that focuses on expanding and consolidating the Micro-Data Infrastructure and the CompNet dataset, providing structured training to National Productivity Board staff, and supporting the production of joint policy-relevant research outputs. These outputs include a micro-based Competitiveness Compass and annual Common Chapters on productivity developments drafted jointly by participating National Productivity Boards. In addition, the project supports more advanced analytical applications using confidential microdata in areas such as firm dynamics, trade and competitiveness, digitalisation, and the energy transition, while promoting continuous collaboration through workshops, conferences, and networking platforms.

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Project Duration: The project starts on 1 December 2025 and has a planned duration of thirty months (until 31st May 2028).

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