Santiago Lago leads new programme on public policy evaluation for senior Galician civil servants

Santiago Lago-Peñas, Professor of Public Finance at the University of Santiago de Compostela and Director of PÚBLIKA-USC, is leading the first edition of the University Microcredential in Public Policy Evaluation, a programme designed to strengthen evaluation capacities within the Regional Government of Galicia.

The programme, promoted by PÚBLIKA-USC and funded by the Xunta de Galicia, will provide 100 hours of face-to-face training to 30 senior civil servants between November 2026 and April 2027. The initiative aims to improve the ability of public administrations to assess whether policies achieve their objectives, measure their impacts and make more informed decisions regarding the allocation of public resources.

Directed by Santiago Lago-Peñas and co-directed by María Cadaval-Sampedro, the microcredential combines advanced training in statistical analysis, causal identification methods and cost-benefit analysis, with a strong focus on practical applications for public sector decision-making.

The programme was inaugurated by Rosa M. Crujeiras Casais, Rector of the University of Santiago de Compostela, who highlighted the importance of continuous learning and professional specialisation in addressing the challenges facing modern public administrations.

By equipping public officials with analytical tools to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of government interventions, the initiative contributes to strengthening evidence-based policymaking and improving public sector performance.

The programme reflects Santiago Lago-Peñas’s long-standing commitment to advancing public sector innovation, knowledge transfer and the use of rigorous evaluation methods in public governance.