BioMatNet Item: FAIR Programme - An Assessment of the IMPACT of the EU FAIR Agri-Food Research Programme 1994

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FAIR Programme
An Assessment of the IMPACT of the EU FAIR Agri-Food Research Programme 1994 - 1998

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Publications

Type of Project	Accompanying measure
Contract No	QLK1-2000-30013

Publication

P Richmond & R B Leslie - An assessment of the IMPACT of the EU FAIR Agri-Food Research Programme 1194-1998, published by the European Commission, 2002, 96pp: EUR 20496, ISBN 92-894-4450-9

Abstract

This booklet presents the outcomes of an Impact Assessment Study of the FAIR Agri-Food Programme I 994-I 998. The Study was undertaken during 2001-2002 and was funded as an Accompanying Measure supported by the European Commission. Quality of Life and Management of Living Resources Programme. Key Action I on Food, Nutrition and Health.

The booklet first describes the development and validation of an appropriate methodology, which identified five Domains e.g. Industrial Innovation and Competitiveness, in which Impact of the FAIR programme could be anticipated.

The methodology further highlighted several key factors which were judged to materially increase, or decrease, the actual level of Impact achieved by a particular FAIR project. The authors then describe the application of the methodology to the specific prolects of the FAIR Agri-Food Programme (1994-1998) providing outputs in a semi-quantitative, visual way.

The Study clearly illustrates the considerable Impact already evident and the likely ongoing Impacts which are judged to have contributed substantially to the globally-competitive science-base supporting the European food industry today, and in the longer term.

Objectives

The objectives of this Accompanying Measure were to:

Make an assessment of the overall IMPACT of the Agri-Food FAIR projects outlined in Commission Document FAIR Agriculture and Fisheries Food Projects Synopses.
Identify outputs relating to scientific achievement, technology transfer and exploitation. IMPACT on policy, the consumer and training; all factors that could reflect on the success and effectiveness of the FAIR programme.
ldentify inputs including process factors contributing to the overall effectiveness and useful IMPACT actually achieved. For example, intrinsic scientific quality of the partnership, appropriate targeting of the research, effective management and dissemination activities.
Contribute to a greater awareness of IMPACT (its vocabulary and knowledge of factors contributing positively or negatively to the achievement of IMPACT) amongst the European Food R&D community in anticipation of the ERA] Framework 6.

Approoch

IMPACT assessment is not a new science. Everyone agrees it is an imprecise science. IMPACT means different things to different people and is acknowledged to be notoriously difficult to measure quantitatively. Hence, the following sequential approach was adopted:

Following discussion with Commission Officials, all projects spanning the four sub-objectives of FAIR area 3 (Consumer Nutrition & Well-Being, New and Optimised Food Materials, Advanced & Optimised Technologies and Generic Food Science) were selected for detailed analysis.
A facilitated Workshop methodology was designed and implemented to secure active commitment of all FAIR stakeholders. Workshops were held in several EU locations (UK, Ireland, Italy, Belgium and Spain). Participants included a range of stakeholders (FAIR project participants. EU Commission staff, Research Directors, consumers and charities, Government Officials and representatives from Industry.
The Workshops were particularly designed to help coordinators and participants appreciate the wider issues associated with the IMPACT of their research and aid later discussion of their specific project.
Five IMPACT Domains were identified,
- Industrial innovation and Competitiveness
- Advancing Knowledge in Food Science & Technology
- Policy Development
- Consumer Relevance, and
- Training and Human Resources.

Both direct and indirect process factors that either facilitated or inhibited the success and IMPACT of collaborative FAIR R&D projects involving trans-national EU partnerships were explored with Workshop participants.

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