Ecorys selected to evaluate EU public diplomacy and policy dialogue initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region

Ecorys will evaluate EU public diplomacy and policy dialogue initiatives across Asia-Pacific, including Expo Osaka 2025, to assess strategic influence and partnerships.

Ecorys has been awarded a new contract by the European Commission’s Service for Foreign Policy Instruments (FPI) to evaluate a portfolio of European Union public diplomacy and policy dialogue initiatives across the Asia-Pacific region. The assignment will cover activities in Australia, Hong Kong and Macao, New Zealand, Singapore, India, China and Japan, including the EU’s participation in Expo Osaka 2025. 

In an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, public diplomacy and policy dialogue play a growing role in strengthening international partnerships and promoting the European Union’s strategic objectives. The evaluation will assess how effectively these initiatives contribute to enhancing the EU’s visibility, influence and engagement with policymakers, businesses, academia, think tanks, civil society and wider audiences across the region. 

The portfolio includes public diplomacy facilities in Australia, Hong Kong and Macao, New Zealand and Singapore, public and cultural diplomacy programmes in India and China, the EU’s participation at Expo Osaka 2025, and two EU-China think tank engagement initiatives. Together, these interventions aim to strengthen partnerships, foster policy dialogue, enhance mutual understanding and support the EU’s broader foreign policy objectives in the region. 

The Ecorys’ evaluation team includes highly experienced specialists in public diplomacy, policy dialogue and EU external action. Drawing on theory-based evaluation approaches, contribution analysis and extensive stakeholder consultations, the study will assess both strategic results and lessons for future programming. 

Particular attention will be paid to understanding how public diplomacy contributes to trust-building, network development, policy engagement and long-term influence. The evaluation will also examine how flagship initiatives such as Expo Osaka 2025 can generate lasting strategic value for the European Union and inform future global engagement opportunities. 

This assignment further consolidates Ecorys’ extensive experience in evaluating EU external action and public diplomacy initiatives worldwide. We look forward to supporting the European Commission in generating evidence and insights that will help shape the next generation of EU engagement across the Asia-Pacific region.