Evidence Based Next Generation EU

How we can help

We develop an evidence-based framework to inform and guide the implementation of Next Generation EU (NGEU) for the successful use of these resources to foster resilience and economic recovery, with particular reference to the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP).

By leveraging evidence-based approaches and robust evaluation methods, we help and enable local and national institutions, policymakers, academics, and citizens to identify what types of intervention should be funded, in which composition and for whom, and with which governance models.

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POLICY TARGETING

Identifying the best recipients and the optimal combination of factors for successful project implementation and achieving specific goals.

GUIDANCE LAB

Translation of scientific evidence into practice, with the provision of a set of actionable configurations for the development of policy pathways.

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Meet the Evidence Based NGEU team, find out and explore our work.

Workshop | 23 February 2026

Governance and Transitions in the

New Cohesion Policy: Evidence and Reform

On 23 February 2026, the Department of Economics of Roma Tre University hosted a one-day workshop dedicated to governance arrangements and transition processes in the evolving EU Cohesion Policy.

The event brought together scholars and policy experts to discuss empirical evidence, policy implementation challenges, and ongoing reforms in the context of Next Generation EU and the post-2027 programming debate.

Presentation materials and a summary of the event are available on the dedicated workshop page.

Visit the workshop page

News

STARGATE Principal Investigator at the workshop “Administrative capacity: definitions, measurement, policies and economic impacts”

24 February 2026 | Scuola Nazionale dell’Amministrazione, Rome

Mara Giua, Associate Professor at Roma Tre University and Principal Investigator of the STARGATE project, participates as discussant to the workshop “Administrative capacity: definitions, measurement, policies and economic impacts” organized by the PRIN project developed by Politecnico di Milano, Department of Architecture, Built Environment and Construction Engineering – DABC (coordinator), and Università di Padova, Department of Political Science, Law and International Studies – SPGI.

In particular, Mara discussed the scientific contributions presented in the Session “New measures of administrative capacity”.

The full programme is available here.

STARGATE Principal Investigator at the 10th edition of the Conference on the Evaluation of EU Cohesion Policy “Policy Learning for Cohesion and Growth”

12 February 2026 | Brussels

Mara Giua, Associate Professor at Roma Tre University and Principal Investigator of the STARGATE project, participate as speaker to the 10th edition of the Conference on the Evaluation of EU Cohesion Policy “Policy Learning for Cohesion and Growth” and in particular to the “Counterfactual analysis in cohesion policy” Session.

The conference featured keynote speeches, high-level panels and thematic sessions on the main evaluation findings in the various areas covered by Cohesion Policy and a presentation of the different evaluation methodologies used. It promoted in-depth discussions and knowledge sharing with the objective to foster the evaluation culture and evidence-based policymaking for successful Cohesion Policy design and implementation.

The Conference programme and overview of speakers remain available in the Conference booklet.

STARGATE Principal Investigator at the National Evaluation System Plenary Meeting on Cohesion Policy Evaluation

21 January 2026 | Italian National Evaluation System (SNV), Rome

Mara Giua, Associate Professor at Roma Tre University and Principal Investigator of the STARGATE project, took part in the National Evaluation System (SNV) meeting held in Rome on 21–22 January 2026, focused on the evaluation of EU Cohesion Policy.

The plenary meeting, coordinated by the Evaluation Unit of the Department for Cohesion Policies and the South, opened with remarks by Marco De Maggio, Head of the Unit, and provided an opportunity for a multi-level discussion on the role of evaluation in supporting public decision-making. The debate addressed both the assessment of the 2014–2020 programming period and the ongoing 2021–2027 cycle, in light of the mid-term review.

The first session, moderated by Marco De Giorgi, brought together contributions from DG REGIO representatives Enrico Pesaresi and Sandrine Faoro, with Ugo Fratesi (Politecnico di Milano) acting as academic discussant. The discussion focused on the role of evaluation in informing public decision-making within complex and evolving policy environments, with particular attention to evaluation methodologies and to the conditions that enable the effective uptake of evaluation results in policy processes.

During the second session of the meeting, moderated by Osvaldo La Rosa, Mara Giua participated as academic discussant. The session focused on evaluation studies carried out within the Regional Programmes of Puglia and Piedmont, offering an opportunity to reflect on how evaluation evidence can inform policy choices. Mara presented the STARGATE project as a space where academic researchers and practitioners dialogue fruitfully with the aim of improve Cohesion Policy success.

For more information:
https://politichecoesione.governo.it/

📣 Workshop

Governance and Transitions in the New Cohesion Policy: Evidence and Reform

23 February 2026 | Roma Tre University, Rome

On Monday, 23 February 2026, starting at 9:00 AM, the workshop “Governance and Transitions in the New Cohesion Policy: Evidence and Reform” will take place at the Sala delle Lauree, Department of Economics, Roma Tre University.

The event is organised by the Rossi-Doria Centre and the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) within the framework of the PRIN projects STARGATE (Strengthening TARgeting and Guidance with Actionable and Timely Evidence for the implementation of the Italian National Recovery and Resilience Plan) and PRIN PNRR POTION (Policies for Transition: Impact and Governance).

The workshop will provide a forum for discussion and in-depth analysis of governance arrangements and transition processes in the evolving EU Cohesion Policy, with a specific focus on empirical evidence, policy implementation, and the ongoing reform debate, particularly in light of Next Generation EU and the post-2027 programming period.

The event will conclude with a light lunch.
For organisational purposes, registration is required and can be completed at the following [link]

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