The General Directorate for Research of the European Commission (directorates for social sciences and the environment) has published a joint study on the socio-environmental impact of research at the European level, with particular attention to projects funded by the European Union. Divided into three parts (social impact, environmental impact, conclusions), the study starts out from the recognition that hitherto this type of evaluation of the EU framework programme was “decidedly unexplored territory”. The 90-page document examines examples of good practices and projects of particular success, in the most varied sectors (human rights, employment, culture, public health, atmospheric pollution, climate change, interests of consumers, etc.). It can be downloaded from the website. The study concludes by declaring that “to contribute to a better balance between economic performance and social and environmental well being, future strategies of technological research and development ought to place greater emphasis on social and environmental objectives”. http://europa.eu.int/comm/research/headlines/news/article_05_10_31_en.html
