eLearning Socrates Minerva Concertation Meeting Helsinki 3 July 2006 « Dissemination and Exploitation of Results » Janette Sinclair European Commission DG Education and Culture Unit C3: Dissemination and Exploitation of Results

Summary 1.What is “dissemination and exploitation of results”? Why is it important? 2.Towards a strategy for European programmes in the field of education and culture 3.Examples of EU level mechanisms 4.How to embed “dissemination and exploitation” inside European projects 5.Future perspectives

What is it? Keys to successful dissemination and exploitation of results: Producing relevant results to satisfy the demands of providers and policy makers (and ultimately society more generally) Ensuring, through the use of effective dissemination and exploitation mechanisms, that such results reach the right target audiences in a format and at a time which enables them to benefit

Why is it important? Sustainability of project results Capitalization of investments Avoid re-inventing the wheel Enhanced impact of programmes and projects Transfer of results to transform systems and practices Reduced timescales for policy innovation Feeding the policy processes - the bridge between policy and practice)

What is it? Defining the Processes Involved Promotion and awareness-raising Dissemination Exploitation Publicising the existence of programmes and the availability of funding Providing information in a planned way to relevant audiences Multiplication: end-users adopting or applying results Mainstreaming: using results as part of a policy Exploitation provides the link back into policy Dissemination & exploitation play an important role in reinforcing DG’s capacity to deliver on Lisbon and citizenship agendas

What Stops Dissemination & Exploitation Happening More Effectively More Often? 1.Requires increasing proactivity 2.Requires increasingly active engagement with others outside the programme 3.Encounters greater obstacles Promotion and awareness-raising Dissemination Exploitation

Towards a strategy for all EU programmes in the field of education and culture to 2004 : only LdV had developed a systematic approach from mandatory in all new Leonardo projects Socrates general call for proposals expresses expectation that transnational projects will consider dissemination and exploitation activities 2005/06: Commission develops a strategy for all EAC programmes post 2006: key element in all new programmes Requirement in the new programme for cooperation in the field of Lifelong Learning Opportunity in future programmes in the field of culture, youth and citizenship

Towards a valorisation strategy for all EU programmes in the field of education and culture (cont.) External evaluation of current and developing dissemination and exploitation practices within EAC programmes: - need for change of culture among all actors involved - common definition - proposes generic model applicable for all programmes - flexible approach (‘variable geometry’ approach) - definition of the most adequate mechanisms according to the nature of the results -need for systematic monitoring and evaluation of dissemination and exploitation activities

Different levels of action: dissemination and exploitation of results MICRO level (inside partners organizations; local communities; local authorities; other projects…) MESO level (regional and national organizations; regional and national educational bodies; sectoral organizations; intermediaries…) MACRO level (national decision makers; European policy makers…) – feed policy developments with project results

Examples of EU level mechanisms ‘Valorisation’ events: conferences, seminars & linked exhibitions bringing together promoters and users to disseminate and exploit innovative LdV products and processes 3 calls for proposals : 40 conferences ( ) -concept of market place -structured preparation (needs analysis, identifaction of pertinent results) -strategic role of the follow up phase -LdV 2006 Call for dissemination and exploitation events launched 8 June, deadline 10 July. Socrates 2006 Call for dissemination and exploitation events Transfer of Innovation - 2 calls in 2003/2004, 22 results transferred to 31 countries (main element in the future LdV programme)

How to embed dissemination and exploitation inside European projects? at the point of project conception (‘valorisation’ plan): - clear identification of immediate and wider target groups and final « users » of results (‘for whom’) - needs analysis of target groups (‘why’) - anticipation of expected results (‘what’) to match needs during project development: interactivity between promoters & stakeholders (‘how’: carry out dissemination and exploitation activities planned at the very beginning) Ex-ante model = successful model → better results, useful results, more impact and sustainability

Ex-ante = interactive model of innovation planning valorisation from the beginning + close monitoring during project life cycle Dissemination Exploitation Innovative work Interactivity Stakeholders Partners More impact More sustainability

Key Issues: Project Level Project promoter usually has direct responsibility – capacity to cover all aspects Information reporting requirements – keeping results alive, accessible Project promoters need to be motivated and provided with advice and guidance, rather than being required “What’s in it for me?” Private benefit versus public good - commercialisation

Exploitation of Results in the future Lifelong Learning Programme ( ) Transversal measure (Key Activity 4) Ex-ante and compulsory for all education and training projects inside the vertical programs Stakeholders consultation process: recommendations for dissemination and exploitation of results

Exploitation of Results in the future Lifelong Learning Programme ( ) cont. Objective for KA4: to create the framework for effective exploitation of results at local, sectoral, regional, national and European levels (national projects; multilateral projects and studies) - infrastructure (analysis, mechanisms and practical tools) to facilitate exploitation of results; - transversal actions at European level (by sector, theme, user group); - promotion of ’exploitation’ activities within key regional/European/sectoral networks

Exploitation of Results in the future Lifelong Learning Programme ( ) cont. Embedding dissemination and exploitation within each vertical programme (multilateral projects, networks and partnerships): - financial support for identifying potential end-users at pre-application stage; - compulsory plans for the exploitation of results within all project applications, and elimination of proposals with inadequate ‘exploitation’ plans; - requirements on promoters to provide and maintain up to date information on their results, including after the end of the project period; - compulsory ‘exploitation’ activities within network projects -appropriate ‘exploitation’ activities within mobility projects -support and guidance by National Agencies and Commission

For more information on: DGEAC’s approach to dissemination and exploitation of results: n.html External Evaluation of mechanisms for dissemination and exploitation of results: