European project strengthens the use of scientific evidence in public policymaking in Portugal

The project, implemented by the Joint Research Centre (JRC) in collaboration with seven Member States, aims to support the systematic integration of scientific evidence into public decision-making, with a particular focus on the challenges associated with the green and digital transitions. 

In Portugal, the project involves a group of national beneficiaries with responsibilities in planning, evaluation and state transformation, namely the Directorate-General for Studies, Planning and Evaluation (DGEPA), the Agency for Technological Reform of the State (ARTE, I.P.), the Council of Associated Laboratories (CLA) and the Economic and Social Council (CES), working in coordination with PLANAPP – the Centre for Planning and Evaluation of Public Policies, which acts as the main national beneficiary and coordinating body. 

Strengthening the science-for-policy ecosystem 

EIPM 2.0 forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the national science-for-policy ecosystem, seeking to establish a more integrated, coherent and multidisciplinary approach. The project is designed to support all stages of the public policy cycle, from priority-setting to impact evaluation, while fostering closer links between public administration, the scientific community and civil society. 

It also aims to reduce fragmentation in the provision of scientific advice to government by creating institutional mechanisms that facilitate the incorporation of scientific evidence into public decision-making, particularly in the areas of climate transition and digital transformation. 

Building on and deepening ongoing initiatives 

The initiative builds on and deepens ongoing efforts in Portugal to enhance institutional capacity and promote dialogue between policymakers, researchers and civil society representatives. EIPM 2.0 addresses a structural challenge identified by the European Commission: the limited institutionalisation of scientific advice, insufficient professional competencies, and the lack of robust knowledge governance systems within public administrations. 

To this end, the project focuses on strengthening institutional coordination, developing professional competencies for working with evidence, and improving systemic connections between the scientific and policy communities, with particular attention to sectoral capacity to lead the green transition. The expected long-term impact is a stronger integration of the use of evidence for policymaking and, consequently, increased public trust in institutions and government. 

Project timeline: until 2028 

The project began in September 2025 and will run until February 2028, during which methodologies, tools and practices will be developed to consolidate a culture of evidence-informed public decision-making. 

The national launch of EIPM 2.0 took place on 19 March in Lisbon, bringing together representatives from public bodies, the scientific community and civil society. 

Find out more about this project on the European Commission’s website.