The study will consist of 5 tasks, where each task will build on insights from the preceding:

Task A will consist of a preparatory review of best practice measures and existing literature on average consumers and consumer vulnerability.

Task B will map vulnerability drivers and patterns in the selected markets.

Task C will consist of a test phase where behavioural (and possibly other) experiments will be conducted.

Task C will also include behavioural experiments to test the effectiveness of selected (policy) instruments per specified market, to identify the measures that are effective in mitigating consumer vulnerability.

Task D will consist in the development of a theoretical framework outlining the causes and effects of consumer vulnerability, which could ideally be applied across markets.

Task E will build on learning from the previous phases to provide concrete recommendations on how to refine Commission's evidence gathering and analysis.