In September 2021, just after the peak of the pandemic, 68% of European citizens believed that scientists should intervene in political debate to ensure that decisions take into account scientific evidence. Well before that date, disseminating a culture of evidence-informed policymaking was a topic very close to the JRC’s heart.
This culture should not only apply to European institutions. All actors of the different science for policy ecosystems in Member States, at national as well as at regional and local levels, have a role to play to ensure that their political action is based on a solid evidence-based input.
The JRC works closely with Member States to interconnect the different science for policy ecosystems, identify synergies and opportunities for mutual support, and contribute to nurturing the European ecosystem as a whole. The JRC runs several projects and tools to support and better connect science and policymaking. It works with Member States to foster administrative reforms, provides training to scientists and policymakers, studies human and societal behaviours, as well as socio-economic ecosystems, and identifies bottlenecks and potential areas for cooperation.
Research on the science behind values and identities, as well as on trustworthy government communication, helps policymakers at all levels to navigate complex and polarising political issues and communicate better with citizens.
Over the recent years, technical support has been provided to authorities in Member States including Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania and the Netherlands to build capacities for evidence-informed policymaking in the post-pandemic phase. Competence frameworks for scientists and policymakers have been developed to mutually engage the two dimensions through materials, courses, and self-reflection tools that support professional competence development at all levels.
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