ERA-LEARN 2020 Workshop on evaluation and impact assessment of P2Ps

Date: 18/05/2016

Assessing the impacts of public-to-public networks in research and innovation (such as JPIs, ERA-NETs, Art. 185s) is vital for building a convincing case and establishing the added value of these networks compared with national or other European initiatives. Significant work has been done in this area in recent years, especially for ERA-NETs. Notwithstanding the value of this work, examining and documenting the socio-economic impact accruing from such networks is not an easy task. The assessment of socio-economic impacts emerging from research faces a number of challenges, including difficulties in identifying and addressing all (potential) users and beneficiaries, in applying counter-factual approaches and identifying causality, the inherent complexity due to the multiplicity of impacts and their variable timeframes, not to mention the potential of unintended impacts. At the same time, there are growing concerns that existing indicators for impact measurement are not appropriate for assessing the socio-economic impacts emerging from public-to-public networks, while the definition of the socio-economic value of research and innovation itself is not straightforward.

Assessing the impacts of public-to-public networks in research and innovation (such as JPIs, ERA-NETs, Art. 185s) is vital for building a convincing case and establishing the added value of these networks compared with national or other European initiatives. Significant work has been done in this area in recent years, especially for ERA-NETs. Notwithstanding the value of this work, examining and documenting the socio-economic impact accruing from such networks is not an easy task. The assessment of socio-economic impacts emerging from research faces a number of challenges, including difficulties in identifying and addressing all (potential) users and beneficiaries, in applying counter-factual approaches and identifying causality, the inherent complexity due to the multiplicity of impacts and their variable timeframes, not to mention the potential of unintended impacts. At the same time, there are growing concerns that existing indicators for impact measurement are not appropriate for assessing the socio-economic impacts emerging from public-to-public networks, while the definition of the socio-economic value of research and innovation itself is not straightforward.

 

Acknowledging these challenges, the GPC (High Level Group for Joint Programming) has set up an Implementation Group dedicated to the monitoring and evaluation of JPIs, while several JPIs have set up monitoring and evaluation frameworks that will soon be operationalised. In addition, several other P2Ps have undertaken their own performance and impact assessment exercises. Such efforts capitalise on long-standing theories and practices from the evaluation of research programmes and policies. However, P2Ps are characterised by specific features that need additional attention, such as the issue of alignment which can span several modalities and levels (strategic, operational, financial), or the need to assess structures and processes in addition to activities, outputs and impacts.

 

Discussions at the 2015 Annual Joint Programming conference (Brussels, 14-15 Jan. 2016) highlighted the importance of establishing a common understanding in relation to the impact assessment of P2Ps and the need to work towards building a uniform impact assessment framework which builds on accumulated knowledge and experience.

 

Aim of the workshop

To support the P2P community in meeting these objectives, ERA-LEARN 2020 is organising a workshop dedicated to the impact assessment of P2Ps. The aim of the workshop will be twofold, i.e.:

  • To establish a common understanding in relation to the impact assessment of P2Ps
  • To work towards building a common framework for assessing the impacts of P2Ps.

 

Target Group: the workshop is intended for those involved in evaluation/impact assessment tasks or work-packages in JPIs, Art 185s and ERA-NETs. Participation is limited to 25 participants

Venue: KOWI (http://www.kowi.de/) conference facility, Rue du Trône 98, 1050 Brussels. 

Costs: There are no participation fees involved. Travel and accommodation costs have to be borne by participants

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