Course description

• How can an impact assessment (IA) system be developed or 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?

This online course will answer all the above questions and specifically, it will enhance your ability to design, manage and communicate the results of ex ante IAs conducted by your organisation.

Introductory module: Learn about key concepts of better regulation and how they are applied across the policy cycle. Learn how the better regulation tools are used in practice in the European Commission (EC). Discuss how Member States (MSs) implement the better regulation agenda and gain insight into the challenges and pitfalls of different modalities.

Core module: Learn how to ensure high-quality ex ante IAs. First, gain a good understanding of the needs and uses of ex ante impact assessments. Enhance your knowledge and skills in the main methods used in IAs (e.g. cost–benefit analysis). Gain insight into good practices through the lessons learned from implementation of the better regulation guidelines and toolbox. Importantly, learn about how to ensure the quality of your IAs through lessons learned from the EC as well as MSs. Finally, gain an overview of what happens after the IA is published and how IAs can influence the next steps in policymaking.

If you are confident of all the basics, and do not feel that you need any further training on it, you can register only for the Course.

What you will learn in this course:

• the policy cycle, and what better regulation means in theory and practice;
• how to manage an ex ante impact assessment of a legal act, and how to consult and engage with stakeholders;
• the analytical steps of an IA (defining the problem, setting objectives, developing policy options, measuring impacts, etc.);
• 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 to engage with the process;
• the enablers and barriers for setting up an IA system: how an effective IA system can be developed in a Member State; how MSs assess policies and legal acts; the common pitfalls, the good practices.

Course methodology/highlights

The course will be led by experts who have decades of research and practical experience in IA in the EU context and beyond.

The course delivery will combine interactive presentations showcasing practical examples, quick polls to consolidate concepts and group exercises.

How will it help you?

• Evaluate the pros and cons of different IA methodologies and tools, and select the ones most relevant to your case.
• Commission and manage meaningful IAs and ensure the proper dissemination of results.
• Better integrate IA into the policy and programming cycle so it is used in practice.
• Recognise and identify what makes a good quality IA.

After course support

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.

Target group

Public officials, civil servants, policy analysts who work in government or parliamentary institutions, in EU Member States or candidate countries, such as the following:

• better regulation committees / programmes;
• centres for research and analysis;
• bureaucracy reduction agencies;
• budget offices;
• councils for regulatory impact assessments.

Practical information

Online Course
For this online course we make use of Zoom

Programme Organiser
Ms Eveline Hermens
Tel: + 31 43 3296259
e.hermens@eipa.eu

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.

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.

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 € 50 for cancellations received within 7 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 1 week before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed.