This report synthesises the outcomes of a joint initiative by the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and the OECD to strengthen evidence-informed policymaking across seven European countries. Although the project was initiated in response to governance challenges revealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, it demonstrates that the need for robust use of evidence in policymaking has become even more critical in the face of ongoing geopolitical and economic shocks. Effective evidence use is increasingly linked to better decision-making, enhanced competitiveness and reduced administrative burdens, all of which are key priorities for Europe’s future resilience and growth.
The findings highlight a strong relationship between evidence use and public trust. Survey data show that citizens’ belief that governments rely on the best available evidence explains a large share of the variation in trust levels across countries. At the same time, a significant proportion of citizens remain sceptical about whether evidence genuinely informs policy decisions. This trust gap reinforces the importance of embedding evidence-informed practices more deeply within public administration systems.
Political momentum around evidence-informed policymaking has grown in recent years, supported by high-level European commitments that emphasise the role of research, innovation and scientific advice in governance. These commitments recognise that strengthening connections between policymakers and the scientific community is essential to addressing complex policy challenges and improving policy outcomes.
The project adopted a systemic, whole-of-government approach that views evidence-informed policymaking as an ecosystem. This approach considers the demand for evidence within government, the supply of relevant research, and the intermediary role of knowledge brokers who translate evidence into policy-relevant insights. By analysing capacities at individual, organisational, interorganisational and system levels, the project enabled participating countries to identify shared challenges and opportunities while learning from each other through collaborative workshops and peer exchanges.
Across countries, the analysis reveals persistent gaps in skills, communication and institutional support. Researchers, policymakers and knowledge brokers often operate with different incentives, timelines and languages, limiting effective collaboration. Knowledge brokers play a crucial bridging role but are frequently constrained by unclear mandates, limited recognition and insufficient resources. Training initiatives, secondments and communities of practice have shown promise in building shared understanding, yet these efforts remain uneven and fragmented.
Institutional arrangements for evidence use are present in many countries but are often weakly integrated into decision-making. Analytical tools such as regulatory impact assessments, evaluations and foresight exercises exist but are inconsistently applied and sometimes treated as formalities rather than meaningful inputs. Fragmentation across ministries, advisory bodies and data systems further undermines coherence, while whole-of-government coordination mechanisms remain rare.
Political and administrative contexts also shape how evidence is used. Short-term political incentives, rapid legislative cycles and limited access to data can constrain demand for evidence, even where advisory structures exist. Strengthening leadership, creating stable coordination mechanisms and investing in continuous capacity building are therefore critical to fostering a durable culture of evidence use.
Overall, the report underscores that effective evidence-informed policymaking depends on well-functioning ecosystems that promote interaction, trust and shared purpose among diverse actors. By professionalising knowledge brokerage, improving skills and incentives, leveraging digital tools such as artificial intelligence responsibly, and embedding learning and evaluation into governance systems, European countries can strengthen policymaking capacity and better prepare public administrations for future challenges.
