Supporting transformation in Smart Specialisation Strategies: the role of formative evaluation

This article examines how formative evaluation (FE) can enhance the transformative capacity of Smart Specialisation Strategies (S3) by supporting policy processes aligned with transformative innovation policy (TIP). Drawing on a longitudinal, participatory case study of S3 in Catalonia (2020–24), called RIS3CAT, we analyse FE’s influence across the policy cycle: agenda-setting, formulation, legitimation, implementation, monitoring and learning. The findings show that FE fosters inclusive, reflexive and adaptive policymaking. We argue that evaluation and learning should be conceived as embedded drivers of directionality, offering a critical contribution to current S3 debates on how to govern complex, challenge-driven regional innovation strategies.