The focus of this guideline is to introduce innovation policy impact assessment and benchmarking at the regional level.

This guideline is based on the results and experiences of the first systematic attempt in Europe to develop tools and methodologies for Impact Assessment and Benchmarking (IA&B) of innovation policy at a regional level.The guideline was developed upon the results and practical experiences of eight projects of the pilot action ‘Regional innovation policy impact assessment and benchmarking’.

This eight pilot actions started in June 2005, and 36 regions across Europe participated in this initiative applying different methodologies for IA&B.

The eight projects are: ARISE, EMERIPA, EUROCOOP, IASMINE, IMPACTSCAN, INNOWATCH, MERIPA, OMEN.

All projects produced equivalent deliverables: a methodology, a tool to implement the approach, and reports of results published on their website, etc.

The chapters of the guideline deals with:

• Benefits, Difficulties and Organisation of Impact Assessment and Benchmarking

• Different Approaches & Tools

• Introduction, Approaches and Results of the Eight Pilot Projects

• Expectations of Innovation Policy and Impact Assessment and Benchmarking