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Policy design, impact assessment and evaluation
Regulatory Impact Assessments
This course provides an introduction to Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), covering their uses, methods, and functioning. It offers an overview of the current state of the art in RIA theory and practice, drawing on the approach followed by the European Commission.
This course provides an introduction to Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs), covering their uses, methods, and functioning. It offers an overview of the current state of the art in RIA theory and practice, drawing on the approach followed by the European Commission.
The course enhances participants’ ability to design, manage and communicate the results of ex ante Impact Assessments (IAs). It provides answers to the following questions:
- How can an Impact Assessment (IA) system be developed
- How can an IA system be optimised?
- How can you assess the effectiveness and efficiency of policy proposals?
- How can you ensure high-quality ex ante Impact Assessments?
- How can you use an Impact Assessment as a supporting tool for decision-making?
The course starts with a 2-hour on line session, offered for free, introducing participants into the basic principles standards and elements of Better Regulation(BR).
The following in person sessions (3 half-days) discuss what a high-quality ex ante IA, emphasizing what is required to design it and its uses. They focus on building participants’ knowledge and skills in the main methods employed in IAs, such as cost–benefit analysis. Valuable insights into good practices are provided through lessons learned from the implementation of the BR Guidelines and Toolbox in the European Commission, as well as from other actors like the OECD and individual countries. Additionally, the course explains how IAs can influence the EU lawmaking process. These concepts are explored through theory, examples, and practical exercises, fostering an interactive learning experience.
You will learn:
- How to manage an ex ante Impact Assessment of a legal act from concept to submission, and how to consult and engage with stakeholders for the purpose of the IA;
- The analytical steps of an IA (defining the problem, setting objectives, developing policy options, measuring impacts, selecting a preferred policy option, monitoring and evaluation);
- The state-of-the-art methodologies and tools to assess the impacts;
- How to adjust your expectations and choose the right shortcuts when selecting the best possible methodological approach (e.g. qualitative vs quantitative);
- How the European Commission system ensures transparency and quality of the IA work (stakeholder consultation, Regulatory Scrutiny Board);
- Why IA has become a key tool for the development of EU policy and how it is applied in practice;
- The enablers and barriers for setting up an IA system: how an effective IA system can be developed in national administrations; best practices to learn from; pitfalls to avoid;
Course methodology
This is part two of our training offer on two of the most important regulatory instruments used in policy making and is interconnected with the course on Ex-post Regulatory Evaluations.
Throughout both courses participants work on the same examples and gain a deep understanding of the policy cycle as a whole.
This course is led by experts who have decades of research and practical experience in IAs in the EU context and beyond.
The course delivery combines interactive presentations showcasing practical examples and group exercises.
By the end of the course you will be able to:
- Evaluate the pros and cons of different IA methodologies and tools, and select the ones most relevant to your case.
- Build a methodological checklist to help the development of an IA from concept till submission to decision makers.
- Commission and manage meaningful IAs and ensure the proper dissemination of results.
- Better integrate IAs into the policy and programming cycle so it is used in practice.
- Recognise and identify what makes a good quality IA.
You will be given the slides as well as additional learning material and online resources to help you apply your new knowledge and skills to your work.
This course on Regulatory Impact Assessments is one of the courses we are offering in the area of Better Regulation. It is offered in conjunction with the course on Ex-post Regulatory Evaluations (27 & 28 May).
Both courses aim to immerse participants into all that they need to know about the most significant regulatory instruments by providing a comprehensive and hands on experience.
Are you interested in following also the course on Ex-post Regulatory Evaluations? To find more please click here.
Are you also interested in taking a different course in the area of better Regulation, please click below:
Equality Mainstreaming: Disability and Gender Perspectives for Better Policies | Strategic Foresight in Policy-Making: From Anticipating Surprise to Robust Strategy
Senior executives, policy consultants, and policy analysts, as well as legal advisors and legislative drafters working in government or parliamentary institutions in EU Member States or other countries that aim to incorporate evidence into the decision-making process, may find this relevant. Such institutions include:
- Ministries and legislative committees
- Better regulation committees
- Centres for research and analysis
- Agencies focused on reducing administrative burdens
- Budget offices
Additionally, Public Sector consultants, Economists, and Economic Advisors may also benefit from this.
Course venue
European Institute of Public Administration (EIPA)
O.L. Vrouweplein 22
6211 HE, Maastricht
the Netherlands
Optional online introductory session – via Zoom
After registration, you will receive the Zoom link to participate in the introductory session.
Programme Organiser
Ms Eveline Hermens
Tel: +31 43 3296259
e.hermens@eipa.eu
Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments and a lunch. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.
Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.
Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.
For all other participants, the regular fee applies.
Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.
Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.
Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.
Hotel reservations
EIPA has special price arrangements with a number of hotels. The hotels are within walking distance from EIPA. If you wish to take advantage of this option, please click on the hotel name to book directly using the link. Payment is to be made directly and personally to the hotel upon checking out.
- Eden Design Hotel
designhotel@edenhotels.nl
+31 (0)43 328 25 25 - Townhouse
info@townhousehotels.nl
+31 (0)43 323 30 90 - Mabi
info@hotelmabi.nl
+31 (0)43 351 44 44 - Derlon
info@derlon.com
+31 (0)43 321 67 70
Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.
Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.
Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.
EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).
A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.
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Programme
| 14.45 | Opening of the online platform |
| 15.00 | Welcome and introduction to the course Presentation of lecturers and seminar objectives Nikolaos Sarris, Evaluation Expert and Miranda Lovell-Prescod, Researcher, EIPA |
| Better Regulation (BR) Policy Cycle – Introductory Module | |
| 15.15 | Introduction to the better regulation policy cycle – theory, principles and standards Better regulation is about policymaking in an open and transparent manner In the first half of this afternoon, we present the key concepts and principles of better regulation. We introduce the policymaking cycle and its sequential phases. We showcase how the policy cycle is implemented in the European Commission and explain the role of evidence and data in policy making. |
| 16.00 | Introduction to BR instruments In this session, we will briefly present the key concepts and principles of Regulatory Impact Assessments and Ex-post Evaluations. We will introduce the principles of Stakeholder Consultation. Finally, we touch upon the relevant methodologies and tools in line with current practices in the European Commission. |
| 16:45 | Q&As |
| 17:00 | End of online session |
| 08.45 | Registration of participants |
| 09.00 | Welcome and introduction to the course Presentation of lecturer and seminar objectives Wim Marneffe, Impact Assessment Expert, Full Professor at Hasselt University (BE) |
| Regulatory ex ante impact assessment (part I) | |
| 09.15 | Why do we need ex ante Impact Assessments? An overview In this session, we set the groundwork for the rest of the course. We explore what has proven effective and identify the challenges that still remain. As a starting point, we delve into the importance of Impact Assessments. We trace the evolution from environmental and social Impact Assessments to integrated ones and, currently, Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs). Additionally, we examine the shortcomings that RIAs aim to address by discussing market and regulatory failures. |
| 10.00 | Coffee break |
| 10:15 | Ex ante impact assessments in the European Union During this session, we engage in a discussion about why Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) have become a crucial tool for EU policy development and how to actively participate in the process. We closely examine the steps the European Commission follows in developing Impact Assessments (IAs), referring to the Better Regulation Guidelines and Toolbox. This includes covering the essential analytical steps of an IA, such as defining the problem, establishing policy objectives, formulating policy options, and evaluating their impacts.Furthermore, we explore how the European Commission ensures transparency through stakeholder consultations. We delve into expert perceptions of IAs and investigate citizen engagement in the process. We examine the lessons learned from public feedback on specific IAs and the overall IA procedure. Additionally, we present how the European Commission has applied and interpreted the Guidelines over the past years and follow up on the Impact Assessment file(s) discussed in the Regulatory Ex-Post Evaluation course. |
| 12.00 | Group exercise The exercise is followed by a debriefing that establishes the framework for the following sessions |
| 12.30 | Lunch break |
| Regulatory ex ante impact assessment (part II) | |
| 13.30 | Methods used in Impact Assessment (I) In this session we introduce the various methods used in the analysis of impacts. We cover several market methods (cost–benefit analysis (CBA), cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA), multi-criteria analysis (MCA), standard cost model (SCM)). |
| 15.00 | Coffee break |
| 15.15 | Methods used in Impact Assessment (II) We explore non-market methods such as stated and revealed preference, as well as counterfactual analysis. Furthermore, we highlight the importance of sensitivity analysis and discuss data collection methods for IAs |
| 16.15 | Group Exercise |
| 16.45 | Discussion and Wrap up |
| 17.15 | End of Day 1 |
| Regulatory ex ante impact assessment (part III) | |
| 09.00 | Quality control – role and practice in and outside the EU In this session we discuss the mechanisms for quality control of IAs. Here we will discuss the role of the Regulatory Scrutiny Board, the use of stocktaking exercises, the findings of audits conducted by the Court of Auditors and lessons that can be learned by Member States from the EU. We also look at best practices outside the EU. |
| 10:00 | Discussion |
| 10:15 | Coffee Break |
| 10.30 | Monitoring and implementation In this final session we discuss the steps after the IA is published: implementation, enforcement, monitoring and ex post evaluations. We highlight noteworthy examples of good practices from Member States and future steps for improvement – lessons from the OECD. |
| 11:30 | Group Exercise |
| 12:15 | Wrap-up and evaluation |
| 13.00 | End of the course |