MERGE addresses the opportunities and challenges of moving to a better understanding and utilisation of sustainable and inclusive wellbeing perspective (SIW). As a Coordination and Support Action project, MERGE works closely together with four research projects SPES, ToBe and WISE Horizons (Horizon Europe RIA projects) and REAL (ERC Synergy grant) to seek convergence in the multitude of beyond GDP indicators and policy frameworks. MERGE also collaborates with other thematically related Horizon Europe projects (e.g. Multifutures, MAPS, WISER and SWINS). As such, MERGE acts as a platform to link cutting-edge research and policy practice enabling dialogue, co-creation and knowledge exchange.
The overall objective of MERGE is to bring together researchers, policymakers, statistical authorities, and civil society actors, facilitate science-policy exchanges and to improve the usefulness and accessibility of policy frameworks and indicators on sustainable and inclusive wellbeing. MERGE builds the capacity of policymakers and produces engagement strategies that identify the most important levers for increasing the uptake of beyond GDP policy frameworks and wellbeing metrics. The project also produces guidance material to strengthen the capacity of statisticians and policymakers at national, EU and UN levels, and civil society actors in implementing new metrics, models, and policy frameworks.
With regard to scientific impact, MERGE advances and refines existing knowledge: by aligning conceptual and empirical knowledge on economic development, social outcomes, and sustainability, and by producing a synthesis of indicators, models, and policies beyond GDP. With new data, prioritised models and harmonised methodology, and through open science measures, MERGE aims for long-term scientific impacts.
For societal impact, MERGE supports better access to knowledge, facilitates coordinated policy responses, and provides guidance and training on how to use this knowledge in policymaking and daily practice.
The economic impact of MERGE is created by promotion of a sustainable and inclusive economy, in line with the objectives of European climate legislation and policy initiatives on sustainability and biodiversity, while safeguarding the welfare states.
Through the different project outputs and policy impacts, MERGE contributes to several of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
