
Peer review
Our peer review service can help you resolve your policy challenge with selected peers and our experts.
What is a peer review?
A peer review is a two-day meeting in which you look at your regional policy challenge together with a group of carefully selected peers with relevant experience and our Platform experts. Relevant local stakeholders can also be involved. The objective is to give you advice, recommendations and an action plan to resolve your challenge.
During the peer review, you will get:
- An in-depth analysis of your policy challenge
- An exchange of experience with relevant policymakers
- A presentation of potential solutions
You will benefit from specific recommendations and knowledge to make better-informed decisions.
Peer review experiences
Take a look at experiences from previous beneficiaries in these short videos.
Frequently asked questions
You can submit your application at any time. The assessment is made on a rolling basis within a month from the reception of an application.
- Start by consulting the Terms of Reference to make sure you are eligible
- Download the template to prepare your application.
- Submit your application by filling in the online form.
In case you have any questions, contact the thematic manager of the Policy Learning Platform, Elena Ferrario.
We look for peers with relevant thematic experience and expertise according to the information you provide in your application form.
First, through a “call for interest”, we conduct a list of selected European policymakers from the Interreg Europe community who are best suited to understand your specific territorial and policy context, and who can give you concrete and useful advice.
Then, we consult with you the list of selected peers who agreed to participate to make the final selection.
We offer the possibility to cover catering and interpretation costs both for on-site or online peer review. You can find additional details in the Terms of Reference.
Read the Terms of Reference.
When you are ready to start your application, download the template and submit your official request by filling in the online form.
Explore our latest publication to discover the methodology and gain further insights such as:
- How it works and how to apply: request your peer review today
- Peer learning in action: success stories from Norway, Poland, Spain and Bulgaria
- Behind the scene at peer reviews: interviews with a host, peer and the Platform's experts
- Towards better policies and practices: future outlook of the peer review service
Experiences from beneficiaries

The peer review has proved to be a strong instrument to convince regional leadership and policymakers to foster changes and innovations proven successful in other regions.

Sharing your experience as a peer is interesting and exciting. Seeing the strong interest of the host region is encouraging and motivating.

Apply for a peer review
Submit your peer review application today and find solutions to your policy challenge with our experts and peers!
Latest peer review reports
Read about previous peer reviews in the reports.

Governance and digitalisation of fortress heritage in the City of Magdeburg
On 13 and 14 September 2023, the Policy Learning Platform hosted a peer review together with the City of Magdeburg on the topic of governance and digitalisation of fortress heritage. Discover the recommendations.
Better governance for Cultural and Creative industries
Explore the recommendations from the peer review that took place in Marseille on creative economy issues.
Protecting and recovering local biodiversity
On 21 and 22 June 2023, the Policy Learning Platform organised an on-site peer review for the benefit of the Norfolk County Council
Integrated territorial development to fight depopulation
Explore the policy recommendations from the peer review for the Intermunicipal Community of Coimbra Region on integrated territorial development to fight depopulation.
Fast tracking Renewable Energy Communities in the Cypriot context
Read through the recommendations made by European peers on fast-tracking Renewable Energy Communities
Smart city testbeds
On 26 and 27 April 2023, the Policy Learning Platform organised a hybrid peer review for the benefit of the Czech Ministry of Industry and Trade, on the topic of smart city testbeds.
Supporting the development of Renewable Energy Communities
Read about recommendations made by peers from across the EU on the topic of developing and implementing Renewable Energy Communities
Designing regional open innovation calls
Discover recommendations made by excellent European peers on the topic of open innovation calls
Creating a blue economy roadmap
Discover the recommendations made by European peers on the topic of building an blue economy roadmap
Boosting sustainable cross-border mobility
Discover the recommendations drafted during the peer review on the governance of cross-border mobility.
Fostering innovation capacities and integrating disadvantaged groups
Explore the challenges and recommendations of the peer review for the government of Åland.
Deriving local value from green hydrogen
Discover recommendations on creating local value for renewable energy in this peer review follow-up
Development of Smart Island and Smart Tourism Strategies
Discover how the Policy Learning Platform has helped the island of Korčula with its smart tourism strategies.
Design and implementation of green bonds for the Prague SECAP 2030
Read about how excellent peers provided recommendations on green bonds for the City of Prague