Year 2 of the EdTech Strategy Lab: Focusing on Informational Needs and Evidence Gaps

In the first year of the EdTech Strategy Lab, we explored a central theme: trust within the EdTech ecosystem. Our efforts focused on bridging the gaps between key stakeholder groups, including industry representatives, educators, and decision-makers. Each brings unique goals, motivations, and perspectives to the table, which often makes collaboration and mutual understanding a challenge.

Building on this foundation, the European EdTech Alliance (EEA) is now continuing to gather insights into the complex and interconnected relationships within the EdTech ecosystem. What we have consistently heard is that many gaps in the system relate to a lack of accessible, actionable information—whether it is about funding, policy changes, evaluation frameworks, or simple opportunities to exchange perspectives.

One of the key findings from our 2024 research is that stakeholders vary significantly in how they interpret and apply evidence.

What an EdTech company views as a credible evaluation may not match the expectations of a school leader, procurement officer, or policymaker seeking to make confident, evidence-informed decisions. When the specific informational needs of each group are not fully understood or addressed, it becomes much more difficult for evaluation frameworks and certification systems to gain broad acceptance across the ecosystem.

To address this, we have begun mapping stakeholder needs related to EdTech evidence and certification. We aim to answer critical questions:

• What kinds of information do different stakeholders require?

• Are these needs consistent across countries or education systems?

• How can we make these needs visible to those designing evaluation frameworks?

At the same time, we are developing tools to make relevant information more accessible and useful. This includes:

• A continuously updated database of EdTech funding opportunities

• An interface to help users easily search, access, and use this data

• Regular testing and iteration to ensure these tools meet the real needs of the ecosystem

Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the EdTech evidence ecosystem by providing resources that serve both ends of the equation: Developers of evaluation and certification frameworks, who need better insight into what users actually need, as well as decision-makers, who need clear, trusted information to confidently choose the right tools for teaching and learning.