  I propose a simple and manageable method that allows for deriving coupling
constants of model energy density functionals (EDFs) directly from ab initio
calculations performed for finite fermion systems. A proof-of-principle
application allows for linking properties of finite nuclei, determined by using
the nuclear nonlocal Gogny functional, to the coupling constants of the
quasilocal Skyrme functional. The method does not rely on properties of
infinite fermion systems but on the ab initio calculations in finite systems.
It also allows for quantifying merits of different model EDFs in describing the
ab initio results.
