Impact Assessment Institute

Better Regulation guidance needs smart design. You are working on a new policy proposal and suddenly the easy part is over. Who should be consulted? Which impacts need deeper analysis? How much evidence is enough? Is the analysis proportionate to the issue? There is probably guidance for that. Actually, there may be several hundred pages of it. The European Commission's Better Regulation Toolbox brings together practical guidance across the policy cycle: impact assessment, stakeholder consultation, implementation, monitoring and evaluation. But having good guidance available and using it when a real question lands on your desk are two different things. Working with public administrations in the Middle East, Asia and the Western Balkans has taught us how important that connection is. A methodology can be technically excellent. A template can contain all the right questions. Neither helps much if the person using it cannot connect it to the decision they are dealing with that day. That is why bringing Better Regulation guidance into practice means more than producing another manual. It means working through actual cases. Discussing what a requirement means in a specific situation. Knowing when analysis needs to go deeper — and when it does not. And sometimes discovering that the most useful part of a 100-page document is the two pages somebody actually needs today. That is when a toolbox stops hiding in the “Downloads folder” and becomes part of policymaking. Good tools do not improve policymaking by themselves. People using them do.

Small businesses have their own stories. The SME Test brings them to life. On paper, a new requirement can look perfectly reasonable. Until you ask small businesses what it would actually take to comply with it. A new form might take an afternoon to complete. New requirements for information may not be something the company can easily provide. A new procedure might require expertise that a larger company has in-house, while a small business needs to pay an external expert for this. None of these aspects necessarily make a regulation wrong. But understanding these and other issues changes the way we think about the real impact of a regulation. That simple idea sits behind the SME Test and the “Think Small First” principle: the same regulation does not necessarily create the same burden for every business. Actually, as a general rule, when an obligation is the same for all businesses, small businesses will face a harder time than large ones. When we looked at SME Test experiences across the EU, the Western Balkans and the Netherlands in our own study, one aspect stood out in particular: the value of involving SMEs early enough in decision-making to still influence how a regulation is designed. The Dutch approach makes this especially tangible. Entrepreneurs sit with policymakers and discuss whether proposed requirements are actually workable in their day-to-day business. Their experience becomes part of the evidence behind future decisions. And that is why the SME Test remains relevant years after its introduction. It is not about making regulation easier simply because a business is small. It is about recognising when the same rule asks disproportionately more from one business than another. Good regulation starts by understanding who will actually have to comply with it. And how this will work in practice.

When confronted with a problem, analysis often starts with identifying solutions. Different options are put on the table. Evidence is being collected. Pros and cons are weighed against each other. Then someone asks: "What problem are we actually trying to solve?" That question can change the conversation completely. That simple question brings everyone back to the real issues that need to be addressed. It is very human to move straight to solutions. But Regulatory Impact Assessment works best when enough time is spent understanding the problem before moving to solutions. Regulatory Impact Assessment is associated with methodologies, analytical tools and evidence. All of them matter. Yet, the most valuable progress happens at the very beginning. A proper analysis of what is actually going on can reveal surprising insights. It can show that assumptions were missing the mark. It brings different perspectives into the decision-making process. And most importantly, understanding what’s going on makes everyone focus on what really matters. For us, good questions are the essence of Regulatory Impact Assessment. It is better to start with more questions than too few, and then focus the analysis on the ones that matter most. Questions guide the analysis. They determine the quality of the result. A question that is never asked will never find an answer. Weak RIAs are rarely the result of weak data alone. More often, they start with a problem that was defined too quickly and too easily. Without stakeholder input. Without proper evidence. Our experience has shown that the quality of a RIA often depends on the clarity of the conversation that comes at the start. Every RIA eventually leads to evidence, comparisons and recommendations. But the most important first step is simply being curious and asking the right questions instead of searching for solutions.

A little Impact Assessment can go a long way. Happy Sunday from IAI.

Many public consultations follow a familiar pattern. The documents are uploaded. A questionnaire is published. The consultation period starts. From that moment on, many people assume the process is simply running its course. Our experience at the Impact Assessment Institute has been very different. Often, the most useful lessons for designing meaningful public consultations come from the way successful products are developed and improved. No product team would launch a test product and return to it two months later to see what happened. They observe how people use it, answer questions, identify where users get stuck and improve the experience while it is happening. We are convinced that meaningful public consultations deserve exactly the same mindset. Publishing documents and attaching a questionnaire is only the beginning. Genuine participation depends on what happens afterwards. Is the purpose clear? Do people understand the questions? Can they easily find the information they need? If they contact the consultation team, will they receive feedback quickly? How can we improve our communication while the consultation is still open? Answers to these questions often determine the quality of the feedback more than the consultation platform itself. That is exactly why we see consultations not as a set of documents to be published. Consultation is a process for creating a real conversation. Publishing a consultation is not the finish line. It is the moment the real engagement begins.

There is a lot of discussion about how AI will change Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA). Much of that discussion focuses on speed. AI analyses legislation, reviews large volumes of information, identifies patterns and prepares first drafts. The start of the RIA process runs much faster than before. Yet speed is not what makes a good RIA. At its core, RIA has never been about producing more numbers, longer reports or increasingly sophisticated analysis. RIA is about building evidence, creating a shared understanding of the problem, informing decisions and shaping reforms that work in practice. That is where the real value of RIA has always been. As AI takes over the repetitive analytical work, you can run the current process faster. Or you can make it better. AI creates more time for the RIA work that cannot be automated: discussing evidence with colleagues, coordinating across institutions, engaging with stakeholders, testing assumptions and understanding the practical realities behind a proposal. These activities are the essence of a RIA. They are crucial when you want to make a reform work in practice. That is the real opportunity AI brings to Regulatory Impact Assessment. You can complete the technical work more efficiently. That gives experts more time to focus on what RIA has always been about: building shared understanding and supporting better decisions based on evidence. AI accelerates the RIA process. The people involved still determine the value of RIA.

People working in regulatory reform know this question very well. The initial response is an uncomfortable smile that is followed by a difficult discussion. The draft regulation is almost ready. Discussions have already taken place, comments have been addressed, and everyone is preparing to move on. Then someone asks: "Should we start the Regulatory Impact Assessment now?" It’s not uncommon. It is one of those moments that makes everyone pause for a second. The legal text is done. Understanding of impacts is based on ‘what people think’. Evidence has not been ignored. It simply has never been given a serious thought. The most interesting and valuable conversations happen while a regulation is still evolving. When different options are on the table. When assumptions can be challenged. When changing direction is a normal part of the regulatory process. Regulatory Impact Assessment (RIA) feeds the discussions and decisions with essential evidence and insights to improve regulatory quality. That is what we aim for at the Impact Assessment Institute. Once the final text of a regulation is finished, the conversation changes. The focus shifts to explaining decisions that have already been made. Starting with RIA at this stage can make life more complicated. Evidence tends to show that the legal text can still be improved. That brings everyone back to the drawing table. Or the RIA risks becoming a short document that justifies the chosen direction. Every regulatory process follows its own path, and there is rarely a perfect timeline. But over the years, we have found that the earlier evidence becomes part of the regulatory discussion, the better the final regulatory text is. This is the real value of RIA. It doesn't just accompany a regulation. It helps shape it.

Opportunity for our Albanian network ESG and the SDGs are closely connected. UNDP has launched the fourth edition of the SDG Business Pioneers Awards, this year focused on Green Growth. Participation is free, and applications are open until 18 October. If this is relevant for your organization, you can find more information and apply here: sdgpioneersalbania.com/

𝗧𝗢𝗗𝗔𝗬 𝗠𝗔𝗥𝗞𝗦 𝟮 𝗬𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗦 𝗢𝗙 𝗢𝗨𝗥 𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 "𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗝𝗢𝗨𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗬 𝗧𝗢𝗚𝗘𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 𝗧𝗢 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗨” 🇪🇺 Two years ago, we launched a message of unity, cooperation, and shared insight - and the journey continues. Do you remember our video that brought this vision to life? With our “EU Captain,” we showed how reforms, cooperation, and regional collaboration can bring future Member States closer to the EU family. Because when future members move forward, all of Europe moves forward. 𝗪𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗼 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: youtube.com/watch?v=fPn3b_fP… You may find our video on our 𝗬𝗢𝗨𝗧𝗨𝗕𝗘 𝗖𝗛𝗔𝗡𝗡𝗘𝗟: youtube.com/watch?v=fPn3b_fP… or LinkTree in our BIO/ IAI_Events & Publications. What was your favorite moment? Tell us in the comments 👇 #TheJourneyTogetherToTheEU🇪🇺 #IMPACTASSESSMENTINSTITUTE🇦🇱 #WesternBalkans #EUintegration #2YearAnniversary #TogetherForEurope #AlbaniainEurope @ErikAkse

On this 𝗘𝘂𝗿𝗼𝗽𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝘆, we are happy to look back at our short reel "Albania in the EU" highlighting what Albania has to offer to the EU, and the shared journey ahead. Europe’s future is built through cooperation, shared values, and evidence-based decision-making. At the Impact Assessment Institute (IAI), we work with EU Member States 𝘁𝗼 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗲𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻. We provide strategic advice for stakeholders engaging in EU decision-making. We support countries that are on their journey to join the European Union. We work with businesses and their efforts to align with EU standards. We strengthen evidence-based policymaking, improve regulatory quality, and design reforms that are transparent, inclusive, and sustainable. 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 (𝗥𝗜𝗔) 𝗶s a key driver of evidence-based decision-making, stakeholder involvement, reform success, and real public value. 🇪🇺 🎉 Happy Europe Day 2026 @ediramaal @HoxhaFer @MegiFi @ErikAkse @AdmiraJorgji @AlbanianDiplo @BGonxhja @MartaKosEU @antoniocostapm @EU_Commission @Europarl_EN @EUinAlbania @lukasmandl #TheJourneyTogetherToTheEU🇪🇺 #EuropeDay2026 #WhatAlbaniaHasToOfferToTheEU #EuropeanIntegration #PublicPolicy #InstitutionalDevelopment #RegulatoryImpactAssessment #EvidenceBasedDecisionMaking

𝗦𝗘𝗘 𝗬𝗢𝗨 𝗧𝗢𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗥𝗢𝗪! We’re pleased to partner with the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) @seap_eu , Brussels, Belgium, for an upcoming SEAP MEMBERS-only 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 as strategic tools for EU public affairs. 🗓️ 15 APRIL 2026 ⏲️ 12:00-13:30 (CET) ⏳ 90- minutes online session Led by, @ErikAkse EU Better Regulation Expert & Founder of Impact Assessment Institute. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 are core elements of EU policymaking. Yet, they are still too often treated as technical exercises rather than as strategic entry points for public affairs and stakeholder engagement. Looking forward to the discussion. #BetterRegulation #ImpactAssessment #EUPublicAffairs #PolicyMaking

Wishing a joyful and blessed 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗘𝗮𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁o all who celebrate. May this special day bring peace, renewal, and hope to you and your loved ones. — 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 (@IA_Institute) @ErikAkse

𝗗𝗢 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗙𝗢𝗥𝗚𝗘𝗧 𝗧𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗜𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗥 & 𝗝𝗢𝗜𝗡 𝗨𝗦 𝗢𝗡 𝟭𝗦𝗧 𝗔𝗣𝗥𝗜𝗟 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲, 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬- 𝟭𝟯:𝟬𝟬 FREE ZOOM WEBINAR No.3: "𝗘𝗡𝗚𝗔𝗚𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗘𝗨𝗥𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗔𝗡 𝗣𝗔𝗥𝗟𝗜𝗔𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧” part of the webinar series linked to the book 📘 “How the EU Institutions Work 2025–2029”, by @ErikAkse, Founder of Impact Assessment Institute @IA_Institute 🗓 𝗪𝗲𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆, 𝟭 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 🕛 𝟭𝟮:𝟬𝟬 𝗣𝗠 (𝗖𝗘𝗧) duration: 60 min Webinar co-host and our colleague, @joostmulder Mulder based in Brussels, with over 20 years’ experience working in EU advocacy and legislation. 👉 𝗥𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲: johnharperpublishing.co.uk/p… 📘 𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗘-𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝗝𝗼𝗵𝗻 𝗛𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲: johnharperpublishing.co.uk/h… 📍 Also available in print through retail bookshops in Brussels and Luxembourg. Many thanks to John Harper Publishing for the great collaboration in organising this event. For questions or cooperation opportunities, feel free to get in touch: 📧 [email protected] 📱 WhatsApp: +355 67 504 3046 (Joana Naçi, Managing Director of IAI)

📢 𝗦𝗘𝗔𝗣 𝗠𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘀-𝗼𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿 | 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝘁𝗼𝗼𝗹𝘀 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗘𝗨 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘀 I𝗡 𝗖𝗢𝗢𝗣𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) @seap_eu, Brussels, Belgium. 🗓️ 15 APRIL 2026 ⏰ 12:00-13:30 (CET) ⏳ 90- minutes online session Led by, @ErikAkse, EU Better Regulation Expert & Founder of Impact Assessment Institute. 💡𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻: By the end of the session, you will have a clearer understanding of: ✅ The role of impact assessments in the EU policymaking process ✅ How the Better Regulation framework shapes policy content and defines the questions policymakers need to answer ✅ How to use opportunities for stakeholder engagement at EU level effectively ✅ How evidence, consultation, and procedural timing create the basis for strategic public affairs work ✅ How to use Impact Assessment and Better Regulation tools in a practical and targeted way in day-to-day advocacy and engagement 𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗘: SEAP members will receive their personal invitation by email. Not a SEAP member yet? If you would like to join and get access to sessions like this one, visit our website to learn more about membership and how to apply: seap.be/join-seap #BetterRegulation #ImpactAssessment #EUPublicAffairs #PolicyMaking

We’re pleased to partner with the Society of European Affairs Professionals (SEAP) @seap_eu , Brussels, Belgium, for an upcoming members-only 𝗪𝗘𝗕𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 𝗢𝗡 𝗕𝗘𝗧𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗥𝗘𝗚𝗨𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗜𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗖𝗧 𝗔𝗦𝗦𝗘𝗦𝗦𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦 as strategic tools for EU public affairs. 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗘 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: 15 APRIL 2026 12:00-13:30 (CET) ⏳90- minutes online session Register via the link: lnkd.in/dZbSfPJu Led by our founder of IAI @ErikAkse & EU Better Regulation Expert. 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗘𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 are core elements of EU policymaking. Yet, they are still too often treated as technical exercises rather than as strategic entry points for public affairs and stakeholder engagement. Whether you work for a consultancy, a company, or a trade association, this session will provide a grounded, practical introduction to the role of Impact Assessment and Evaluation in EU decision-making. It shows how public affairs professionals can use the Better Regulation framework to engage earlier, more strategically, and with greater effect. #BetterRegulation #ImpactAssessment #EUPublicAffairs #PolicyMaking

🌸Gëzuar Ditën e Nevruzit! 🌸 Nga ne tek ju—një urim për më shumë harmoni, progres dhe suksese të reja. **** 🌸 Happy Nevruz Day! 🌸 From us to you—wishing you greater harmony, progress, and new successes. @ErikAkse

Impact Assessment Institute from Tirana, Albania, extends sincere appreciation and warmest wishes to our partners, colleagues, and friends around the world. May the occasion of Eid bring renewed inspiration, prosperity, and continued success to all of you. We are grateful for the trust and collaboration we share. @ErikAkse