GGP-5D Project Progress 

The GGP-5D project, launched in October 2022, signifies a transformative phase for the Generations and Gender Programme (GGP). This project is ushering the GGP into the realm of a European Research Infrastructure Consortia (ERIC) to ensure sustained long-term viability as a research infrastructure (RI) by establishing its legal entity. The GGP hosted at the Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI) is the coordinator for the GGP-5D project along with 14 other beneficiaries that largely coincide with the membership of the GGP Consortium Board (GGP CB). The project aims to enhance the European Research Area in population studies, laying the foundation for increased investment in the GGP. The GGP-5D consortium closely collaborates with the Board of Governmental Representatives (BGR) with members from various countries, as their mandate involves assessing the GGP’s investment readiness and deciding on their country’s participation in the future GGP-ERIC. The project encompasses five main objectives led by our scientific partners, each contributing to the evolution and enhancement of the GGP’s role as a pivotal RI focused on demographic changes and societal challenges.

Visualisation of the objectives of GGP-5D

Objective 1: Technical Excellence, led by Institut National d’Études Démographique (INED):

The technical architecture of the GGP consists of a series of data life-cycle operations which involve the collection, processing, documentation, dissemination and archiving of data which is undergoing a comprehensive renewal in response to evolving challenges. Initiatives to ensure the continuity of technical excellence include:

• Ongoing work on a FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) report of GGS data;
• Restructuring of the GGP Data Portal which is scheduled for launch in Spring 2024;
• The revision of the technical guidelines to address unexpected challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic, to assess the feasibility of more frequent data collection and to explore data linkage of GGS data with administrative and register data;
• The development of a technical paper on analysing multi-mode (web and face-to-face) data collection.

Objective 2: Scientific and Socio-economic Impact and Engagement, led by Warsaw School of Economics (SGH):

The profound impact of the GGP on both scientific and socio-economic fronts necessitates an enhanced focus on tracking and demonstrating its contributions. Key actions under this objective involve:

• Producing a GGP Impact Report on policy debates, impact case studies, revising Key Performance Indicators, etc.;
• Hosting events such as the 7th GGP User Conference for which more information can be found here;
• Launching the Stakeholders Dialogue Forum which aims to enhance the involvement of scientific, governmental, and societal stakeholders in the GGP;
• Call for user modules which has been successfully completed and is aimed at identifying emerging scientific challenges and corresponding data requirements to be incorporated into the next wave of GGS data collection which is set to begin in April 2024.

7th GGP User Conference, Warsaw, Poland, September 2023

Objective 3: Financial Sustainability, led by German Federal Institute for Population Research (BiB):

Ensuring the financial sustainability of the GGP is critical for its continued success. While membership and service fees were implemented in 2020 by the GGP CB, further efforts are underway. The ongoing GGP Costbook initiative involves:

• A revision of formatting and accounting to align with ESFRI guidelines and a comprehensive assessment of expenses associated with mixed-mode operations, multiple waves, and panel maintenance.
• The development of the GGP Business Plan aims to establish a long-term financial strategy, balancing affordability and inclusion of all countries.
• A report on funding opportunities which is in progress, systematically evaluating various governmental and non-governmental funding sources for the GGP.
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Objective 4: Legal Framework, led by Netherlands Interdisciplinary Demographic Institute (NIDI):

The legal groundwork for the new GGP-ERIC takes centre stage in this objective. The ERIC will provide GGP with its legal entity while remaining hosted at NIDI as agreements on the internal functioning of the GGP at NIDI are ongoing. The steps within the legal framework are:

• Drafting ERIC statutes, which have been composed and feedback received from the BGR;
• Preparing the entire ERIC package, including a request to the Commission, technical descriptions, host Member State declaration, VAT and excise duty exemptions, and proposed statutes;
• Composing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to secure country commitments to GGP-ERIC, to have it signed before the project concludes;
•  Governance Transition phase outlining the implications for the scientific partners and advisory bodies.
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Objective 5: Positioning and Landscape, led by the Hungarian Demographic Research Institute (HDRI):

Positioning the GGP strategically within the RI landscape and fostering collaboration with other RIs is a key focus. The GGP actively collaborates with social science and humanities RIs, with ongoing efforts to enhance cooperation through:

• Identifying synergies and potential challenges for RIs’ cooperation and inclusion in national roadmaps;
• Strategies for national roadmap inclusion strategies by supporting national teams and evaluating strategies, drawing insights from collaborative entries by RIs;
• Future enlargement plans through regional workshops are organized to engage stakeholders in under-represented regions, for example, see more information on this workshop for Western Balkan stakeholders here.

GGS Workshop in Western Balkans 

The overall sustainability and readiness of the GGP will be assessed in BGR meetings based on these five outlined objectives in the Strategic Partnership component of the GGP-5D project. The overall management of GGP-5D is led by NIDI who will also coordinate and implement the D-E-C (dissemination, exploitation, and communication) measures to disseminate information about deliverables and milestones regarding the outlined objectives. Every objective plays a key role in ensuring the GGP maintains its prominent position as a leading RI dedicated to tackling demographic changes and societal challenges.

Board of Governmental Representatives Meeting at NIDI