Universities’ Contribution to More Effective Public Policies

Focusing on understanding the specific gap in the availability and accessibility of the learning opportunities for public managers, the paper is based on the author experience in policy and programme design, implementation and evaluation in EU member states and EU neighbourhood countries. The importance of the theme is explained by the recognised constraints experienced in the policies and programmes’ analysis and evaluation. These phases appear to be deeply influenced by the availability of data, capacity to produce the necessary data, competences of the public managers and specialists to make the best use of data to formulate conclusions, identify alternative solutions and select the most appropriate ones. Based on a large literature review, the author outlines a clear map of the key actors in policy and programme design and evaluation, their role and the optimal competencies. Further on the author created an inventory of the typical gaps in ensuring the best use of data for effective policies and programmes, as well as solutions and measures implemented in different countries. The role of the universities and interactions with other actors for filling the gaps identified is assessed, leading to conclusions regarding the most effective future actions. The paper highlights the key role of the universities to develop specific competencies through education and training programmes, as well to contribute through research to new methodologies and tools for analysis and evaluation.