Peer reviews and guidance for peer reviewers

As part of our project’s interregional learning activities, partners are carrying out Peer Reviews, with two completed and others underway.

These are intended to evaluate and discuss issues tackled by each policy and indicate possible improvements and integrations to be introduced. The process is envisaged to provide an external assessment of local policies and contribute to interregional learning.

Partners and experts, using methodological guidelines prepared by the University of Latvia, Advisory Partner, gather information through a regional analysis report, the study of policy and other documents, and input from local stakeholders collected through interviews where possible, or questionnaires.

Stakeholders have a fundamental role in InnoCom. In local stakeholder group meetings, they have taken part in co-creation exercises, and some travel to take part in interregional exchange meetings which allows them to meet counterparts from other territories and learn how they are tackling common challenges.

The Peer Review Methodology is available in the library section. In addition, we suggest reading the Good Practices for Peer Reviewers, prepared by two of the experts, who propose ten rules for peer reviewers to work more effectively.

Each Peer Review involves two reviewing partners and one hosting partner.  After they have conducted their study and analysis, the reviewers prepare a short report of main findings, conclusions and recommendations for policy improvements and submit it to the host partner and its stakeholder group, who may request clarifications or integrations before approving it.