Counterfactual Impact Evaluation Workshop

Counterfactual Thinking, Complex Realities

Practical Tools for Policy Impact Evaluation

📍 Venue: NH Milano Machiavelli 📅 Dates: 11–13 May 2026 👥Format: English | In-person event
DESCRIPTION
PROGRAMME
SPEAkERS
FEES and PAYMENT
PRACTICAL INFORMATION
CONTACTS

How can evaluation demonstrate for whom, when, and why interventions work, moving beyond simply proving impact?

To  address the complexity of real-world policy challenges, CSIL organises a three-day workshop that brings together policy professionals, researchers, and evaluators to explore how Counterfactual Impact Evaluation (CIE) can contribute to more nuanced, actionable, and context-sensitive evidence to support better policymaking.

Applying the CIE effectively requires more than technical know-how — it demands critical thinking, awareness of context, and practical judgement. The workshop offers a unique opportunity to:

  • Understand the principles and methods underpinning CIE (Matching, Difference-in-Differences, Regression Discontinuity Design, Synthetic Control);
  • Explore how to apply them to policy interventions  targeting individuals, firms, or regions;
  • Learn how to combine quantitative, qualitative, and data-intensive approaches, including. machine learning models;
  • Reflect on how CIE can inform smarter, more impactful policymaking.

The event blends methodological sessions, hands-on group activities, and a policy roundtable with leading experts from European and national institutions.

The workshop is designed for policymakers, evaluation practitioners, researchers, and doctoral students.

No advanced econometric background is required to join it. Sessions are designed to be accessible and practice-oriented. All participants are recommended to bring a laptop.

Capacity is limited to 30 participantsFirst-come, first-served admission applies upon payment confirmation.

DOWNLOAD THE PROGRAMME

11 May 2026

9:00 - 9:30
Welcome and registration
9:30 - 9:45
Opening remarks
9:45 - 10:30
Introduction to CIE
- The role of CIE in the evaluation of public policy; 
- Approaching the CIE with the policy theory of change in mind
10:30 - 11:30
Matching techniques*
11:30 - 11:45
Coffee Break
11:45 - 13:00
Difference-in-Differences model*
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 15:30
Regression Discontinuity Design*
15:30 - 15:45
Coffee Break
15:45 - 17:30
Synthetic Control Method*
*Each methodological session will include:
  • A concise overview of the method

  • When apply it

  • Necessary conditions and data 

  • Practical examples from real-world evaluations
  • A step-by-step guide to implementation

12 May 2026

9:15 - 9:30
Welcome and registration
9:30 - 9:45
Division into groups (plenary session)
9:45 - 10:30
Hands-on group activity - Part 1
10:30 - 11:00
Wrap-up and discussion
11:00 - 11:15
Coffee Break
11:15 - 12:30
Hands-on group activity - Part 2
12:30 - 13:00
Wrap-up and discussion
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch Break
14:00 - 16:00
Hands-on group activity - Part 3
16:00 - 16:15
Coffee Break
16:15 - 17:30
Presentation and interactive group discussion (plenary session)

13 May 2026

9:15 - 9:30
Arrival and registration
9:30 - 9:45
Opening remarks
9:45 - 11:00
Roundtable 1
Use of CIE evaluation findings for policymaking
11:00 - 11:30
Coffee Break
11:30 - 12:30
Roundtable 2
Balancing administrative burden and data quality
12:30 - 13:00
Closing remarks and pictures

WORKSHOP SPEAKERS

ROUNDTABLE SPEAKERS

  • Massimiliano Ferraresi, Head of Monitoring and Evaluation Unit at Emilia Romagna Region (Italy). Former Evaluator at the European Innovation Bank and Economist at the European Commission.
  • Carlo Fiorio, Full Professor of Public Economics at the University of Milan. Senior Advisor at CSIL and Senior Researcher at FBK-IRVAPP.
  • Aron Gereben, Evaluation Expert/Team Leader at the Evaluation Division of the European Investment Bank. 
  • Alessio Mitra, Economist and Policy Officer at the European Commission, DG RTD (A.5 - Innovation Policy and Access to Finance).
  • Paolo Paruolo, Head of Competence Centre on Microeconomic Evaluation at the European Commission's Joint Research Centre. 
  • Simone Signore, Head of Unit | Impact Strategy at the European Investment Fund.
  • Mirco Tonin, Full Professor of Economics at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. Director of the Research Institute for the Evaluation of Public Policies at the Bruno Kessler Foundation.

Other speakers from European Institutions and managing authorities will be confirmed soon.

FEES

Registration period: 15 November 2025 – 15 March 2026

REGISTER FOR THE THREE DAYS WORKSHOP (11-13 MAY 2026)

  • Early bird (by 15 January 2026): €500 (+ VAT if due)
  • Standard (from 16 January 2026): €800 (+ VAT if due)

REGISTER FOR THE LAST DAY - ROUNDTABLE (13 MAY 2026)

  • Early bird (by 15 January 2026): €100 (+ VAT if due)
  • Standard (from 16 January 2026): €150 (+ VAT if due)

The indicated fees are net of VAT (22%). VAT liability will be checked during payment. Generally, VAT is not due if the payer (the invoice addressee, as specified in the application form) is VAT-exempt (e.g. European Commission) or holds a VAT number (reversal charge may apply).

The fee includes: workshop materials, lunches, coffee breaks,  and a certificate of attendance.
Not included: travel and accommodation (at participants’ expense). Early booking is recommended.

PAYMENT

After submitting the online application, applicants will receive a payment form. Payments can be made by international bank transfer, credit card, or PayPal.
Admission is confirmed by email once the CSIL Administrative Department receives the payment.

CANCELLATION & REFUNDS

  • Up to 45 days before the start date: 100% refund

  • Up to 20 days before the start date: 80% refund

  • Until the day before the start date: 20% refund

  • No-shows / not cancelled: no refund

Cancellations must be in writing. Qualified substitutions are accepted at no charge.

PRIVACY & DATA PROTECTION

Data are processed in accordance with CSIL’s Privacy Policy and used solely for workshop administration (registration, payment, programme updates, distribution of training materials, logistics). Group photos may be taken during sessions.

CERTIFICATE OF ATTENDANCE

A certificate will be issued only to participants who attend all sessions for which they have applied.

PLACES AVAILABLE

Capacity is limited to 30 participants. First-come, first-served admission applies upon payment confirmation.

LOCATION

The workshop will be held in the centre of Milan, at the NH Milano Machiavelli Hotel. The address is Via Lazzaretto 5 (nearest metro stop: “Porta Venezia”/“Repubblica”)

LANGUAGE

All workshop materials are in English.

MEALS

Lunches are included in the fee and will be served at the workshop location.

Applicants are kindly invited to indicate any dietary preference (e.g. vegetarian, gluten-free, etc.) while submitting the application form.

TRAVEL & ACCOMMODATION

Travel and accommodation costs are at the participants’ expense.

We will share recommendations for suitable accommodations near the workshop location. We also suggest searching for apartments/B&B online:

Booking  | Airbnb

Feel free to contact the organisation should you need any help.

For questions regarding the programme and organisation, please contact Jessica Catalano and Claudia Santoro.




    dinnercoffee-cup