PPMI Annual Report 2018

Building a world where policies work

PPMI is a leading European research and policy analysis centre. We help public sector and civil society leaders from around the world, presenting evidence in a way that is simple, clear and ready to use. We are a trusted partner, providing actionable insights, developing shared understanding among key stakeholders, and enabling policy implementation to bring about positive and lasting change.

PPMI goes the extra mile, consistently delivering work of the highest quality. All our methodologies and approaches represent the state of the art. We are experts in implementing complex field research, ranging from hundreds of interviews over several months, to international surveys with tens of thousands of respondents. We employ a wide variety of methods for data mining and analysis, driving evidence with data-based insights. All of this is made possible by our in-house team of dedicated researchers from a range of disciplines (from political science, economics, sociology, philosophy to mathematics, computer science and physics) and countries, and with diverse backgrounds in academia, business and public service.

In our assignments, we collaborate with the best peers, including leading public research institutes, prominent universities, market and data analysis companies, and software developers. Acting as a bridge between these partners and our clients, we employ the latest knowledge and cutting-edge expertise to solve the most complex challenges. By bringing together multiple perspectives from academia, business, the public sector and society at large, PPMI connects ideas and experiences to build a world where policies work.

Our expertise

Evaluation and policy analysis

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Social science research

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Impact assessment

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Stakeholder engagement and consultation

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Performance management and training

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Conferences and training

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Project highlights

How did we make a difference last year? Check out our highlights below! Our full project portfolio is available here.

OPENing UP new methods, indicators and tools for peer review, impact measurement and dissemination of research results

Client

Research Executive Agency

PPMI led a consortium of nine partners and studied the current practices and attitudes among European researchers towards novel scientific peer review, innovative research dissemination and impact metrics methods. We employed various research activities to derive conclusions and recommendations for funders, policy-makers and other stakeholders that would foster Open Science in Europe.

Support study for a pilot project for the development of digital skills through internships

Client

DG CONNECT

We collected evidence to assist DG Connect in further developing its recently launched Digital Opportunity traineeships initiative. The underlying goal of this initiative is to bring more young graduates into companies that require digital skills.

Evaluation of the EU agencies Eurofound, Cedefop, the ETF and EU-OSHA

Client

DG EMPL

We helped the European Commission to evaluate the ongoing performance of the four agencies tasked with providing policy evidence and encouraging stakeholder cooperation in the fields of employment and human resources. The agencies analysed were Eurofound, Cedefop, the ETF and EU-OSHA.

Developing 'off-the-shelf' simplified cost options (SCOs) under Article 14.1 of the European Social Fund (ESF) regulation

Client

DG EMPL

Our experts supported the European Commission in its efforts to simplify the administrative process behind the European Social Fund (ESF), and behind European Structural and Investment Funds in general. The application of unit costs proposed in our study will largely eliminate the need to justify the actual costs incurred by Member States in policy areas such as training for the unemployed, provision of employment services (counselling for the unemployed), and training for people in employment.

Network of experts on the social dimension of education and training

Client

DG EAC

For the last four years we have been coordinating NESET II, an advisory network of experts working on the social dimension of education and training. NESET II provides reliable, independent and rigorous scientific support, country-specific expertise, and advice to the European Commission. The network acts as a knowledge broker, bridging the gap between EU policy coordination and the academic world.

Study to evaluate the progress on quality assurance systems in the area of higher education in the Member states and on cooperation activities at European level

Client

DG EAC

This study on quality assurance in higher education delivers three types of new evidence – it describes and analyses recent trends and developments in quality assurance within higher education among the EU Member States and wider European Higher Education Area; it assesses the progress made in the areas that are currently high on the agenda of the European quality assurance community; and it analyses the depth of European cooperation on quality assurance.

Consultancy services of an international institution to design and carry out a nation-wide study on the profiles of children with low learning levels

Client

UNICEF

For our first project with UNICEF, we conducted a national assessment in mathematics, reading and scientific education among 4th-grade pupils in Uzbekistan. The assessment provided insights into the factors influencing low pupil achievement. Our report informed policy making in education.

More projects

Acknowledgements

Our clients inspire us to go the extra mile – and we like nothing better than to find out we have succeeded! Here’s a glimpse of the kind feedback we have received in the past year.

PPMI provided a thorough professional service for the Commission. They were very flexible and made every effort to ensure the contract was fulfilled.
Client:Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), European Commission (Developing 'off-the-shelf' simplified cost options (SCOs) under Article 14.1 of the European Social Fund (ESF) regulation)

The evaluation provides sound conclusions and useful recommendations. The Contractor has been very professional and responsive to the evaluation needs, always providing high-quality and timely outputs.
Client:Directorate-General Employment, Social Affairs and Inclusion (DG EMPL), European Commission (Evaluation of the EU agencies under the remit of DG Employment: Eurofound, Cedefop, the ETF and EU-OSHA)

The experience with the contractor has been extremely positive, and the results of the study, also considering the overall duration of the contract, are interesting, both from a scientific perspective and from a policy research standpoint.
Client:Joint Research Center, European Commission (Dynamics and impacts of social policy innovation on the resilience of local ecosystems)

I would like to record my appreciation for the quality work PPMI has rendered in designing, implementing, analysing and reporting the study. Given the country’s limited experience and exposure to carrying out national sample surveys (...) PPMI had a really challenging job to accomplish in a very short period. (...) The analysis of results and sharing of the same in a recently concluded workshop has led to tremendous interest in various stakeholders, and a renewed interest in reforming the country’s national assessment systems.
Client:UNICEF Uzbekistan (Consultancy services of an international institution to design and carry out a nation-wide study on the profiles of children with low learning levels)

The contractor provided state-of-the-art research and analysis, and the project fully met our expectations.
Client:Directorate-General Education and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission (Study on Tools and Policy Pointers for mainstreaming Innovative Pedagogies and School Organisation Practices: Barriers and Solutions)

Many thanks for the high-quality work and the dedication of your team to this complex task.
Client:European Training Foundation (ETF) (Evaluation of the ETF Torino Process)

The project coordinator and all the staff we met during meetings and events were excellent: service-minded, open to our questions and suggestions, providing thorough analysis. They kept the agreed deadlines, responded adequately to the objectives and delivered results of very good quality.
Client:Directorate-General Education and Culture (DG EAC), European Commission (Study to evaluate the progress on quality assurance systems in the area of higher education in the Member states and on cooperation activities at European level)

The contractor exceeded the client’s expectations by presenting information in additional angles. Interim research results were presented in seminars. On the basis of effectiveness and quality of services rendered, the client continues the collaboration in another research project.
Client:The Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Lithuania (Study on the returnees' needs of educational services in Lithuania's municipalities)

Our dream team

None of these achievements would have been possible without our highly skilled and dedicated team. From experienced opinion leaders to junior colleagues just starting their journey in public policy – we all share common goals and help each other strive for greatness.

Where have we studied?

Languages we speak

Professional growth

PPMI Employees decide what to learn based on their team‘s needs and their individual career goals.

Leadership academy

Qualitative data analysis methods

Project management

R programming group

Survey implementation

Staying healthy

Sports activities help us to keep our minds sharp and creative. During the six months of the annual Endomondo Challenge, we went all-out!

We cycled

7507 km

We walked

7268 km

We ran

1225 km

We burned

3047 burgers

Proud moments outside the office

We believe in helping our employees to prosper, and support endeavours that foster their professionalism, curiosity, collaboration and happiness! Take a look at a few memorable moments from 2018.

PPMI researcher Sonata presenting the “Talentai Lietuvai” traineeship programme on Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT).

PPMI Research Director Egidijus participating in the annual “PoDi” event for political science students.

PPMI researcher Karolina in the final stage of the European Exam.

PPMI Human Resources manager Asta accepting an award from the Association of Human Resources Professionals in recognition of “Best Personnel Management Practices”.