ESS SUSTAIN commenced on 1st October 2015. By Month 18 (March 2017) all Work Packages are being implemented and activities undertaken are in accordance with the schedule as set out in Annex 1 (Description of Work), with minor delays. In those Work Packages in which delays occurred, a responsive management structure and organisation has ensured swift corrective action and with realistic revisions to the timetable instituted. The management of ESS SUSTAIN has periodically reviewed the continued relevance of project actions across all Work Packages.
Arising from all Work Packages, key outputs include the production of 10 of 14 scheduled Deliverables. Delays to the submission of deliverables were related to the scheduling of actions within three Work Packages.
The initial actions undertaken included the appointment of staff (Membership Development Officer, Media and Communications Officer and SUSTAIN Administrator). Two amendments to the Grant Agreement were instituted in this reporting period; one of which included the realisation of a risk mitigation activity, namely, the appointment of three, part-time Roaming Ambassadors, rather than one full-time Roaming Ambassador as was originally planned. These Roaming Ambassadors work closely with key stakeholders in target countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Luxembourg, Romania). The ambassadorial efforts are consolidated by the work of the Membership Development Officer and by the outputs of the Work Packages 3 and 5 on Communications and Impact.
An important feature of the ESS SUSTAIN project is its links to the ESS ERIC General Assembly via the Membership Development Advisory Committee (MDAC), chaired by the Deputy Chair of the ESS ERIC GA and via the ESS SUSTAIN Funding and Governance Working Group, chaired by the ESS ERIC Chair and involving ESS ERIC Member, Observer and Guest country representatives. A key result of ESS SUSTAIN is therefore that, through its organisation, it ensures the activities undertaken are complementary to the wider activities of the European Social Survey ERIC, providing clear value added to its continuing operations.
Other key results in this period include: increased participation in the ESS ERIC - the activities undertaken were instrumental in securing the application for ESS ERIC membership by Hungary (M10/July 2016 ) and Italy (M15/December 2016); securing Guest status applications from Finland (M4/January 2016); Iceland (M7/April 2016); Israel (M9/June 2016); Spain and Slovakia (M15/December 2016). ESS8 fieldwork has been undertaken in Russia following a successful ERA.Net RUS application, supported by the ESS SUSTAIN Membership Development Officer.
National workshops involving key stakeholders at national level (academic, policy-makers and funders) in targeted countries including Croatia, Romania, Bulgaria. These workshops present ESS data by researchers and aim to stimulate interest in and highlight the value of ESS data, both national level and cross-national comparative data. A Visegrad Regional Network has been established.
A Prospectus, detailing the value of the ESS dataset, its methodological resources innovative programme of research, together with details of how to apply for membership, was drafted in the first Reporting Period. Charting the impact of the ESS via its publications and citations has been on-going. The ESS Impact Study commenced in this reporting period and has progressed in accordance with Annex 1.
The public profile of the ESS has been enhanced through the establishment of a Facebook page and the development of the Twitter feed of ESS ERIC. A blog site on the main European Social Survey webpage has also been operated.
The review of the funding and governance of the ESS ERIC has resulted in the proposals for the future funding arrangements (2017-2021). Future funding opportunities offered by the European Structural and Investment Funds have been identified and progress made towards concrete action.
