Work Packages

TRUEDEM project work plan is build-up of 12 work packages structured as follows: (1) six research and analytical work packages (WP2 to WP7) that stand for specific thematic sub-studies and targeted research and development efforts; (2) two data-related work packages (WP1, WP8) that stand for collecting primary and harmonizing secondary social sciences data to be employed in analysis through the project and organization of quantitative databases as a part of the knowledge base production; (3) three impact-oriented integration, dissemination, exploitation and outreach packages that stand for the production and targeted dissemination of knowledge-based multi-level policy recommendations and democratic innovations (WP9, WP10, WP11); (4) one WP stands for the overall project and consortium coordination and the administration of gender related and research ethics issues (WP10).

The sequence and the logic of the research and analytical process within the project start from preparatory work – that is identification of the gaps in the existing knowledge on trust and trust-building (by the means of desk research, literature review, secondary data analysis and similar methods within WPs 1-7). Results, findings and deliverables from this part of the work will inform design and implementation of thematic studies within WPs 2-7 and empirical data collection within WP8 (that is gathering the new evidence to fill in the gaps). Outputs of both described stages will become the foundation of establishing the knowledge base on trust and trust-building represented through different types of deliverables tailed for specific audiences such as scientists, policymakers, students, citizens, NGOs etc. within WPs 1-7. A separate part of work will comprise translation of scientific findings into policy recommendations within WPs 9-10. All scientific and policy outputs of the project are subject to their dissemination and exploitation by means planned within WP11 to reach the stakeholders (policymakers, NGOs, students, academia, and general public).

The project is implemented over a period of 36 months. All project activities are grouped in five phases which are distinct in terms of their content but overlap timewise. With two phases sometimes ongoing during the same quarter, given the sequential logic of research and policy-design effort, priority will be given to accomplishing the previously started one. 

(1) Inception stage (M1-M6) includes development of concepts and establishment of theoretical and methodological framework of analysis; adaptation and application of the overall approach for research-based inquiries.

(2) Databases stage (M6-M16) includes planning and completion of primary data collection; collection, harmonization of secondary data; construction of qualitative and quantitative databases that will serve as the basis of knowledge base and empirical evidence to verify the hypotheses at the stage of analysis.

(3) Synthesis stage (M12-M24) includes critical review of the new evidence, verification of the established hypotheses, integration and consolidation of the new findings into the previously developed theoretical and methodological frames, external validation of the new knowledge base, production and dissemination of main project scientific analysis reports.

(4) Toolbox phase (M22-M32) includes production of innovative and experimental methods and strategies (to enhance political trust) as well as the relevant methodologies assisting with the identification and choice of the right approach in specific socioeconomic and political conditions.

(5) Exploitation phase (M30-M36) comprises efforts to make practical use of the project findings by promoting scientific and policy-related project deliverables using means of tailored and targeted communications, open access publication policy with respect to project knowledge base, interactive exchange with stakeholders.