Working group: Development of impact assessment capability into ongoing activity
The working group that examined impact assessment capability in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications and its development has completed its work. The working group defined a target state of impact assessment capability and priorities for the development and created a framework for the evaluation and development of impact assessment capability.
Impact assessment capability means the ability to produce and utilise impact assessments to support the preparation and decision-making processes. High-quality impact assessments are needed not only for legislative drafting but also to support the preparation of strategies, programmes, plans, projects and budgets and the work to influence various EU processes.
The work done by the group contributes to the implementation of the Programme of Prime Minister Petteri Orpo’s Government. In legislative drafting, the Government’s aim is to promote the use of high-quality and knowledge-based impact assessments and the weighing of regulatory instruments.
The working group was composed of members from the Ministry of Transport and Communications, Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom, Finnish Transport Infrastructure Agency, Finnish Meteorological Institute, Ministry of Justice and University of Eastern Finland.
Tools for development, assessment and monitoring
The target state defined by the working group is that in 2030 reliable, transparent and timely impact assessment supports preparation and decision-making. This requires well-managed, long-term development of impact assessment and extensive cooperation.
Impact assessment capability is explored through three perspectives: 1) impact assessment as part of the preparation process, 2) competence and resources and 3) methods and datasets.
To facilitate the study, preparation processes in the administrative branch were divided into three levels: 1) legislation, 2) guidance documents, plans and programmes and 3) measures, projects and grants.
The preparatory levels bring into light the broad-based preparation work done in the administrative branch. Impact assessment is always linked to practical work, such as the preparation of a legislative project.
What’s next?
The development of impact assessment capability will become an ongoing practice that will be integrated into the performance guidance of the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications.
An action plan and monitoring procedure for future work will be formulated during 2025.
Inquiries
Niko-Matti Ronikonmäki, Director of Unit, chair of the working group, tel. +358 295 342 016, niko-matti.ronikonmaki@gov.fi
Johanna Särkijärvi, Senior Ministerial Adviser, vice-chair of the working group, tel. +358 295 342 024, johanna.sarkijarvi@gov.fi
Tuire Valkonen, Senior Specialist, project manager of the working group, tel. +358 295 342 010, tuire.valkonen@gov.fi
Gateway to Information on Government Projects: Development of impact assessment capability in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications LVM009:00/2024.Link to an external website
Press release 19 February 2024: Focus on impact assessment in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications (in Finnish)