Evidence4Policy: from data and insights to policy impact
Reports, studies and data that nothing happens with – as a public authority or agency, you probably know that feeling all too well. You produce solid evidence, but between your memo and an actual decision sit cabinets, interests, timing and political sensitivities.
How can you make sure that this evidence actually helps shape policy? How do you deal strategically with stakeholders and cabinets? And what do you do when your recommendations are politically “sensitive”?
In Evidence4Policy, you learn how to work more strategically with evidence as a civil servant, expert or member of a study department: from clear goals and well-chosen target audiences to credible communication and smart collaboration.
This workshop is an adapted version of our Science4Policy training, specifically tailored to public authorities and agencies.
Organisations such as VMM, INBO, ILVO and Aquafin have already taken this training.
After this workshop, you will be able to…
1. 👀 GET READ – make sure policymakers see, understand and remember your message
You will learn:
- why your notes, reports or emails sometimes don’t get read – even when the content is strong;
- how to communicate in layers: from one clear key sentence, to a strong one-pager, to the full dossier;
- what a good policy brief looks like for a cabinet or senior management.
2. ✅ GET IMPLEMENTED – make sure something happens with your recommendations
You will learn:
- what really matters to your target audience (cabinet, senior management, other departments) and how to find that out;
- how to define a realistic goal for yourself;
- how to start from one sharp core message and use it to guide your conversations.
3. 🤝 GET INVOLVED – take up your role in the policy arena
You will learn:
- where you can make a difference in the policy cycle;
- how to deal with resistance, tension or political sensitivities;
- how to build a team around you with colleagues, communications staff or other organisations.
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Practical
Target audience
Evidence4Policy is aimed at civil servants, experts and staff members of study or R&D departments within public authorities, agencies or organisations who:
- work with data, studies, advisory reports or policy notes;
- are in regular contact with cabinets, stakeholders or other policymakers;
- want to increase the societal impact of their work by communicating more strategically.
Suitable for both early-career and experienced staff.
Number of participants
Ideally a maximum of 12 participants, to allow for interaction and individual feedback.
Language
English or Dutch.
Location and timing
- The workshop can be organised on-site, online or in a hybrid format.
- Our suggestion: a full day (9:30–16:30), followed by a try-out session a few weeks later to put everything into practice.
Prefer something shorter? We can also design the trajectory as several half-day sessions.
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Approach
Tailored to your context
We adapt the content to your context: type of organisation, policy domain, relationship with cabinets and stakeholders, current dossiers … Cases from the participants are central.
Interactive and practical
No endless theory, but clear advice, practical tools and recognisable examples. Participants actively work on their own cases and leave with concrete next steps.
Grounded in research and practice
Our approach builds on scientific insights into evidence-based policy and on conversations with experienced practitioners in government and policy. Evidence4Policy builds on our Science4Policy workshop, developed in collaboration with the Flemish Department of Economy, Science and Innovation.
Lasting impact in your organisation
After the workshop, you will receive a short report with the key insights from the participants and our recommendations. Think of practical templates and good practices, ideas for internal exchange (intervision) or a focused train-the-trainer trajectory.
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Trainer
Hans Van de Water is the founder of The Floor is Yours and holds a Master’s degree in Political Science (Antwerp/Strasbourg). He has trained thousands of scientists, civil servants and professionals in clear and convincing communication, from Finland to South Africa. Hans completed the Evidence for Policy train-the-trainer course at the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission.
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About The Floor is Yours
Science has the power to make the world a better place. But that only works if researchers succeed in communicating their science with clarity and impact. That’s why, since 2012, we have been offering trainings such as Presenting with Impact, Scientific Posters, and Science4Policy.
We are the regular training partner for, among others, the Nerdland Festival, the Flemish PhD Cup, and VIB Scientists on Stage.
Wat vonden de deelnemers?
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