Aim of the conference Since the beginning of the recent global economic crisis, growth and economic prospects in transition economies have fallen strongly. It also made more severe numerous social problems plaguing countries in transition. These challenges include, for example, inequalities and demographic changes, securing food, supplying water and energy, fighting climate changes and poverty, improving the quality of life and employment, providing public services in a more efficient way. Still, such trends and responses by governments differed markedly across countries. Empirical evidence is needed for a deeper understanding of the causes and consequences of negative trends in these countries, as an input into solutions for improvement in and evaluation of policies and reforms adopted in response to the crisis. The conference aims at bringing together international scholars and researchers of economics and other social sciences in transition and neighbouring fields, in order to offer a forum for dialogue a