Behavioural Insights Projects
Discover projects applying behavioural science to policy from around the world. Add your own projects, whether completed or still ongoing, to contribute knowledge on BI applications across different countries, policy areas, and topics of interest.

Number of BI projects:
0
Legend: Projects status
- Pre-registered project
- Completed project
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BI Project
In a series of field experiments, six municipalities investigated whether a different approach in social assistance could get more people into work. The study focused on the effects of an exemption from the obligation to seek work, more intensive counselling or higher earnings disregards for additional income. A different approach can increase the number of people finding jobs. More research is needed.
Why the experiments were conducted: increasing the effectiveness of the Participation…
BI Project
Micro-SMEs ‘green’ their business: how to increase the likelihood of micro-SMEs applying…
An online experiment investigated how behavioural techniques could be used to increase the likelihood of companies with 2 to 10 employees applying for assistance under the Subsidy Scheme Improving Sustainability of SMEs (SVM ). The results show that an updated version of the website helps to clarify the subsidy. This effect is not reflected in the likelihood of these micro-SMEs actually applying for the subsidy.
Why this experiment was conducted: SVM scheme not being fully utilised
It is…
The Program of Applied Research on Climate Action in Canada (PARCA Canada) combines behavioural science (BeSci) insights and methods with robust policy analysis to promote climate action. One of the main areas of focus involves collect data over time on research questions of interest to the promotion of climate action in Canada (e.g. transportation, home energy use, waste management, engagement with nature, preparedness for extreme weather, disaster recovery, etc.) using a large and nationally…
Countries across the globe suffer from high rates
of youth unemployment and inactivity. The Maldives
are not immune. Despite efforts by the government
to increase employment opportunities among
young Maldivians, including the establishment
of employment quotas for nationals, results have
been underwhelming. Young people face barriers
such as social and gender norms around women’s
role in society, absence of role models to look up
to, and few jobs perceived as “suitable” for…
This project aims to improve the effectiveness of medicines policy, develop a strategy for the adaptation of new medicines entering the system, focus on the behavior of selected stakeholder groups, and improve the effectiveness of existing medicines in the system.
In the spring of 2021, as COVID-19 vaccines became accessible to the US's general public, ideas42 and the Boston Transportation Department launched the FreeRide pilot program to encourage commuters to use transit (subway and bus) and bike share as they commute to work. The FreeRide program was designed to accomplish three main goals:
• Support small businesses and employees who have endured economic hardship during the pandemic.
• Shift employees away from single-occupancy vehicle use,…
Using sustainable transportation alternatives can often be hindered by car dependence (Haustein, 2021). Within the context of Santa Monica, for example, approximately 75% of Santa Monica residents choose single occupancy vehicle (SOV) commutes to work, and over 50% of households own more than one vehicle (Data USA, n.d.). More generally, vehicle transportation accounts for 62% of greenhouse gas emissions in the city, making it the largest emissions contributor (Johnstone, 2021).
However,…
Behavioural Additionality & Spillovers in the R&DTI
Background
This project aimed to understand the behavioural additionality effects of the R&DTI via a series of user interviews with companies currently engaged in R&D (including those participating and not participating in the R&DTI). Behavioural additionality goes beyond the traditional view of R&D additionality, which typically focuses on quantitative increases in inputs and outputs. Instead, behavioural additionality considers wider,…
BI Project
Electricity Information to Fit the Bill: Redesigning electricity bills to support consumer…
Electricity bills are a key way to inform people about their plan and usage, but bills can be confusing and are not really useful to help people navigate the electricity market. BETA and the Department of the Environment and Energy ran a trial to test the impact of bill design on people’s confidence in their ability to look for a better offer and intention to do so. We drew on behavioural insights to design and test six electricity bills. We focussed on simplifying bill design to draw…
Waste management has become an issue of national concern in Bhutan; recovery and recycling are minimal, whilst landfills are overflowing. To address waste management issues, the Royal Government of Bhutan took up waste management as a flagship program under the 12th Five Year Plan which is being implemented by the National Environment Commission Secretariat (NECS), Royal Government of Bhutan. In support of the program, NECS, Thimphu Thromde (municipality) and the Gross National Happiness…