The Horizon 2020 Framework Programme for Research and Innovation was built around three pillars. The third one, dedicated to ‘Societal Challenges’, made a significant contribution to the paradigmatic change in Research and Innovation Policy according to which the pursued objectives were not only to increase economic competitiveness or improve the functioning of innovation systems, but also to help solve important socio-economic challenges. More specifically, with the overarching objective of meeting the needs of a growing global population within the sustainable limits of the planet's natural resources and eco-systems, the Societal Challenge 5 (SC5) “Climate action, environment, resource efficiency and raw materials”, aimed to achieve a resource and water – efficient and climate change resilient economy and society, the protection and sustainable management of natural resources and ecosystems, and a sustainable supply and use of raw materials.
In accordance with the above, the corresponding work programme 2014-2015 focused on investing in innovation for a green economy; addressing the gaps in the knowledge base needed to understand the changes occurring in the environment; identifying the policies, methods and tools that would most effectively tackle the abovementioned challenges; and, supporting innovators and businesses to bring green solutions to the market. Waste and water were selected as particular priorities, on the grounds of their substantial potential for business opportunities and job creation while tackling important resource efficiency challenges.
In total, 148 projects were selected for funding during the period 2014 – 2015 , out of which 87 were Research and Innovation Actions (RIAs) and Innovation Actions (IAs).
The transformation of innovation systems, which the projects granted by the SC5 Work Programme 2014-2015 intended to contribute to, necessitated a clear direction given to policy and research efforts, a careful consideration for the societal acceptance and market uptake of the solutions to be developed, and, finally, a ‘reflexive’ approach on the efforts that policymakers should make to monitor and measure the impacts of the funded actions.
Within this context, the IMPACT-SC5 project - “Assessing the Impact Pathways of IA/RIA SC5 Projects through the Use of Portfolio Analysis” aimed at designing and implementing an appropriate methodology based on the “Key Impact Pathways” time-sensitive approach to measure and explore the achievements of the 87 projects granted by the SC5 Work Programme 2014-2015, and their scientific, economic and societal impacts. For capturing comprehensively those impacts, the IMPACT-SC5 project adopts a multi-level approach and considers the impacts on: (1) the micro/project level; (2) meso/ the portfolios of projects level; and (3) the macro /programme level.
Meaningful policy recommendations for future programme actions and for future evaluation exercises based on the experience of implementing the IMPACT-SC5 project are also provided.
