Innovation in Science and Policy making
Nanobiotechnology Laboratory JRC Ispra site (Italy)
Public administrations face increasing complexity as they address diverse societal challenges, from sustainability and health crises to technological transformations and economic shifts. The integration of scientific evidence into policymaking is vital. Bridging the gap between science and policy requires fostering collaboration, building mutual understanding, and ensuring that knowledge translates into actionable insights. By mobilising resources and expertise, the JRC promotes evidence-informed policymaking across Europe, supporting governments in adopting practices that align with the needs of people and the planet. This approach ensures that policy decisions are rooted in solid evidence while remaining adaptive to the challenges of our time.
To help policymakers make the most of scientific knowledge, the JRC developed the Science for Policy Handbook. This practical guide provides clear strategies on how to effectively use scientific evidence in policy development, offering tools for evaluating and applying research to specific policy contexts. The handbook covers everything from interpreting scientific data to managing uncertainty, giving public officials a structured approach to integrating science into their decision-making processes. It is a particularly valuable resource for those new to evidence informed policy making, ensuring they can navigate complex research with confidence.
Understanding complex global issues —like climate change, food security, health, and inequality—needs more than just data; it requires smart tools to make sense of that data. The Composite Indicators and Scoreboards Explorer, developed by the JRC, offers policymakers a dynamic way to explore and visualise data from over 150 indices and scoreboards—with new ones added each year. This interactive tool helps authorities to track progress, assess and compare performance, and identify areas needing attention.
The Smart4Policy Tool is a dynamic, openaccess platform designed to help researchers and policymakers reflect on their competencies in evidence-informed policymaking. Built on the JRC’s Competence Frameworks for Researchers (Science4Policy) and Policymakers (Innovative Policymaking), this interactive tool offers a personalised, actionable experience. Users respond to a tailored set of questions to receive a selfassessment report, along with targeted resources to support their professional development.
Citizen participation is central to designing public policies that are effective, inclusive, and responsive to real needs. The Competence Centre on Participatory and Deliberative Democracy (CC-DEMOS) provides national and local authorities with tailored guidance, coaching, and tools to integrate citizen engagement into all stages of policymaking—from defining challenges to evaluating solutions. In 2025, CC-DEMOS will offer a multilingual training package via the EU Academy, featuring basic, advanced, and Training of Trainers (ToT) levels to help public administrations adopt participatory approaches effectively. Its work has already supported impactful initiatives, such as empowering citizens in 10 European cities to tackle urban biodiversity loss through collaboration.
Building capacity for evidence-informed policymaking (EIPM) starts with understanding strengths and addressing gaps. In a Technical Support Instrument project funded by the Directorate-General for Structural Reform Support (DG REFORM), the JRC and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD worked closely with seven Member States, delivering country-specific assessments designed to strengthen EIPM. The two-year project provided Greece, Belgium, Czechia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and the Netherlands, with tailored country analyses that included reform roadmaps, capacity-building workshops, and thematic symposia to promote exchange of practices. The project united public administrations, research institutes, and academia with the aim of enhancing knowledge exchange and improving policy coordination. It fostered collaboration, developed competences, and promoted the uptake of evidence and evaluation, in order to optimise governance systems across Europe.
On 8 February 2024, Spain’s Prime Minister announced the creation of the National Office for Science Advice (Oficina Nacional de Asesoramiento Científico, ONAC). This development follows the release of a report on “The Spanish Scientific and Technical Advisory Ecosystem for Public Policy”, commissioned by the JRC and conducted by the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the University of Almeria. The report highlighted the opportunities and gaps in Spain’s science-policy interface, laying the groundwork for this new initiative.
ONAC represents a significant step in consolidating Spain’s developing ecosystem for science-informed policymaking. The office serves as a crucial institutional link between scientific knowledge and government decisions, promoting evidence-based governance across all sectors. It builds on recommendations from the JRC report, reinforcing collaboration among public institutions, research organisations, and academia. This initiative is a prime example of how targeted institutional reforms can strengthen evidence-informed policymaking and drive sustainable, knowledge-driven public policy.
