The project "Building capacity for evidence informed policymaking (EIPM) in governance and public administration in post-pandemic Europe" supported seven European Union (EU) member states (Estonia, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Greece, Lithuania, Latvia and the Netherlands) in building capacity to improve the effectiveness of their public administrations, through greater capacity for supply and uptake of scientific knowledge, evaluation, and evidence in policymaking. The expected long-term impact of this project is the reinforced institutional integration of the use of evidence, science and evaluation for policymaking.

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This report presents the results of the joint work of approximately 100 people from Estonia's public sector who participated in survey, numerous interviews, focus groups and workshop during 2023–2024. The final country report consists of three main parts in chronological order of the work: the diagnostic report (chapter 4), the needs and gaps assessment report (chapter 5) and the roadmap (chapter 6). Each preceding chapter is integral to the subsequent one; thus, the roadmap chapter is of particular significance, as it presents a detailed plan for implementing change. It contains both recommendations that can be considered as low-hanging fruits and those that are more long-term. None of the recommendations are legally binding, i.e., in the sense that country-level recommendations in the European Semester are. Rather, they reflect the consensus view among the main project contributors on how to transform the Estonian S4P ecosystem in the long run.

The four most important messages resulting from this work are:

1. The introduction of ministerial science advisors was a big step forward for EIPM in Estonia. Now, new efforts need to be put into ensuring that its benefits are felt across all ministries. Above all, this requires clear, centralized steering of EIPM processes and practices.
    
2. Many of Estonia’s long-term and strategic goals cut across multiple sectors and policy areas. To support the necessary cross-ministerial action, Estonia needs to improve its capacity to identify whole-of-government knowledge needs.
    
3. There is a clear need to reinforce a common problem understanding and commitment to act among all actors in the Estonian S4P ecosystem. A strong EIPM practice in Estonia can only be achieved if all actors in the ecosystem work together.
    
4. The project already had an impact on EIPM in Estonia. Although all recommendations have been written to remain relevant in the years to come, it’s important to keep this momentum going now because – not despite – of the current phase of austerity.