20 years of Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation in policy assessment
Lessons from applications around the world and in the European Commission
Social Multi-Criteria Evaluation (SMCE) is a methodological framework designed to support decision-making in public policy. This report presents findings from a systematic literature review and a study of applications within the European Commission, offering an overview of how SMCE has been applied in different contexts and key lessons to guide future use.
Case studies worldwide demonstrate SMCE practical relevance and adaptability, including in conflictual situations with diverging stakeholder objectives. It fosters mutual learning among social actors and analysts, enhances the transparency of framings, assumptions and data, and allows for meaningful assessment even in contexts where data availability is limited, by accommodating different types and levels of information. Furthermore, the findings from the literature review also confirm that SMCE is to be intended as a guiding framework rather than a rigid set of steps, making it highly adaptable to address diverse range of policy problems and aid decision-making.
Interviews with European Commission’s policy officers reveal that the SMCE process aligns well with impact assessment requirements and supports this process in multiple ways. It provides a structured and transparent framework that enhances analytical robustness, helps clarify objectives, guide data collection and structure stakeholder consultation, ensuring alignment and consistency throughout the process and enabling more effective coordination with external contractors.
BASYTE FERRARI Egle;
OSTLAENDER Nicole;
2025-09-23
Publications Office of the European Union
JRC142635
978-92-68-31435-7 (online),
1831-9424 (online),
EUR 40451,
OP KJ-01-25-463-EN-N (online),
https://publications.jrc.ec.europa.eu/repository/handle/JRC142635,
10.2760/4346114 (online),
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