Despite substantial investments, education quality in certain EU countries has stalled or worsened, disproportionately affecting marginalised populations. This jeopardises economic growth and social progress, underscoring the need for efficient and impactful educational policies. In this context, the EU-funded EFFEct project brings together education scientists, psychologists and economists to unravel the intricacies of educational effectiveness and efficiency. By employing (quasi-)experimental evidence, this multidisciplinary effort aims to dissect and improve various facets of education, from addressing inequalities to navigating the challenges brought forth by the digital age and the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. With objectives spanning from targeted programmes for disadvantaged students to analysing post-COVID-19 system efficiency, EFFEct aims to provide evidence-backed policy recommendations. The project focuses on improving system efficiency and effectiveness through a meticulous, data-driven approach. By concentrating on key areas such as policy development, policy evaluations, program design, and actionable measures, EFFEct strives to elevate educational standards throughout the region. More specifically, EFFEct has four interrelated objectives. Objective 1 develops effective strategies to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion. Objective 2 provides robust recommendations on ‘Teachers, Trainers and Digital transition’. Objective 3 offers evidence-based recommendations for improving the delivery and impact of education programs. Objective 4 improves efficient use of public resources, plus measures of equity and inclusion of education and training systems. To reach its aims, EFFEct is a gender-balanced multidisciplinary consortium of economists, sociologists, (neuro-)psychologists, teacher trainers, educational scientists, mathematicians, as well as experts in sustainability, and operational research. from leading research groups at five European research universities and institutions and an NGO.
