The Situation of R&I Policy Evaluation in COST Inclusiveness Target Countries

Abstract

The paper summarises the main findings of a discussion between professional evaluators and scholars on the situation of R&I evaluations in the so-called COST Inclusiveness Target Countries. It shows that the situation depends to a large extent on the state of the respective evaluation markets in the countries and sectors concerned. Since the implementation of EU evaluation rules and practices can give the R&I evaluation sector a modernisation boost, it makes a difference how often one is confronted with European evaluation requirements and thus also a difference whether a COST Inclusiveness Target Country is a member of the EU or not. The paper addresses the consequences of a missing or fragmented evaluation market, offers some alternative approaches (and their limitations) to overcome them and, based on the identified challenges, formulates recommendations for both governments and R&I policy administrations as well as R&I policy evaluators. The aim of this opinion paper is to shed light on the often-critical situation of R&I policy evaluation in the COST Inclusive Target Countries and to identify possible solutions for improvement.