GovWire

The What Works Network (WWN) was established in March 2013 to embed vital evidence into policy making and service delivery. Since then it has grown to encompass 13 What Works Centres (WWCs). The WWN aims to improve the way government and other public sector organisations create, share and use high-quality evidence in decision-making. It supports more effective and efficient services across the public sector at national and local levels.

Its never been more important to ensure public spending and resources go further by having a really empirical government. Part of this requires ensuring there is an excellent network of WWCs ready to inform public sector decision-makers. However, there is also a need to ensure these centres are delivering value for money and are working as effectively and efficiently as possible.

This drove the Evaluation Task Forces (ETF) decision to review the strategic direction of the WWN, and set out a refreshed vision for its future. The ETFs ambition is for a more strategic and visible network of high-performing WWCs and programmes. Following consultations with WWCs, funders and other stakeholders, a new strategy has been developed. This sets out five strategic priorities for the Networks future, outlining how we expect to deliver this vision over the next five years.