Evidence-informed Policy Making (EIPM) : country case studies

This report builds on the 2021 study on evidence-informed policy making (EIPM) for SG REFORM. Both reports are based on the notion that accessing and applying science-based knowledge improves the quality of the policy process, within the context of other forces that shape policy debates and decisions, such as values, ideologies, public preconceptions and expectations, and ultimately political judgements. This study focuses on EIPM ecosystems: the nexus of relations and connections between policy makers, knowledge generators, and the boundary organisations that bring them together through liaison, coordination, forums, financing and other instruments. Its aim is: to explore the scope for composite state-of-play indicators of EIPM ecosystems within the EU's Public Administration Assessment Framework (PAAF); and to contribute to the Joint Research Centre's evaluation framework, as a self-assessment tool for Member States to assess their ecosystems' capacity and strengthen science-for-policy. The study explores the essence of ecosystems by unpacking 'EIPM', particularly the nature of scientific evidence, which is not always clear and settled, its sources (institutions, individuals, and information), and the issues that enable and constrain its application. It also sets out the endogenous and exogenous factors. affecting EIPM ecosystems that policy makers can or cannot influence (respectively), at least in the short term. The study elaborates six aspects of an effective EIPM ecosystem: creating and communicating an EIPM culture; leading, coordinating and guiding EIPM; building capacity and competences in EIPM; connecting policy makers and knowledge generators; ensuring transparency and inclusivity in EIPM; and identifying, fulfilling and financing evidence needs. Each is supported with informative and inspiring examples of existing practices from the selected Member States, as precursors for questions for self- reflection, as the basis for qualitative and quantitative indicators.