About

While the JRC’s primary role is to support policymaking at European level, sound evidence is equally needed for the implementation of policies in local territories.

Science meets Regions aims to boost the capacity of regions and cities to underpin policies with scientific evidence and promote a culture of evidence-informed policymaking

A variety of instruments will be used to this end. The regions and cities have full ownership in defining the policy issues addressed and the design of the process.

The topics are related to the European Commission’s priorities, with notably the twin green and digital transitions as well as recovery from the pandemic high on the agenda

The ultimate goal is to fill a gap in the EU instruments addressing evidence-informed policymaking, which currently target mainly national authorities and do not foresee any networking initiative to share practices, methods and instruments for evidence-informed policymaking at local and regional levels.

Evidence for policy is not just crucial at EU and member state levels. EU and national policies are ultimately implemented in local territories, and uptake of sound evidence is equally important at this level.

Approach

The programme adopts a bottom-up approach. The cities, regions and territories that participate in the project take full ownership of the topic and the process. JRC will provide financial, scientific, and methodological support.

What does it involve

The project has the following components:

1.  Innovation camps and participatory events for single regions and cities, focusing on specific policy topics.
2. Networking initiatives for consortia of regions and/or cities on issues of common concern, in order to boost interregional collaboration.
3. A pairing scheme for researchers and policymakers, and ad hoc studies to fill knowledge and data gaps where needed.
4. Laying the foundations for a Community of Practice on evidence-informed policymaking, a.o. by providing skills training for policymakers and charting the landscape of Evidence-Informed Policy Making at local and regional levels in the EU.

For more information 

Contact us

Don't hesitate to get in touch by mailing us at  JRC-INFO-SMR@EC.EUROPA.EU