2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy1

Structural

actions

Structural Funds EvaluationStructural Funds Evaluation

A VIEW FROM THE A VIEW FROM THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONEUROPEAN COMMISSION

Anna Burylo, DG Regional Policy,

Evaluation Unit

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy2

Structural

actions 1. Evaluation of Structural Funds (2000-2006)

2. Evaluation Capacity Building

3. Programming and the Evaluation Life Cycle

4. Ex Ante Evaluation

5. Mid Term Evaluation

6. Ex Post Evaluation

7. Ongoing Evaluation

PRESENTATION

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy3

Structural

actionsSet out in Regulation 1260/1999 on General Provisions on the Structural Funds:Ex Ante Evaluation (Art. 41)Mid Term Evaluation (Art. 42)Ex Post Evaluation (Art. 43)

Also important:Quantification (Art. 36)Cost Benefit Analysis - Major

Projects (Art. 26)Performance Reserve (Art. 44)

EVALUATION OFSTRUCTURAL FUNDS (2000-2006)

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy4

Structural

actions

EVALUATION CAPACITY BUILDING

Objective – the capacity to produce high quality evaluations for learning (how to achieve greater impact) and accountability (what have we achieved with public money)

Evaluation as a management tool

Linkage to the monitoring system

ChallengesHaving a mandate and an

Evaluation Plan – clarity of roleAppropriate numbers of qualified

staffInstitutionalising evaluation

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy5

Structural

actions

Evaluation Life Cycle

Program-ming Period

EA MT EA EP MT EA EP

PROGRAMMING AND EVALUATIONLIFE CYCLE

Key: EA: ex ante, MT: mid-term, EP: ex post

93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15

EPongoing evaluation

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy6

Structural

actions

EX ANTE EVALUATION – ROLE & AIMS

Serves as a basis for preparing Plans and Programmes

Provides the rationale for the intervention and financial allocations across priorities

Evaluates anticipated socio-economic results and impacts

Assesses the quality of implementation, monitoring and evaluation arrangements

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy7

Structural

actions

EX ANTE EVALUATION - ORGANISATION

Responsibility of those preparing Plans and Programmes

Should be an interactive process

Working Paper of the Commission (No. 2) – to be updated for 2007-2013 period

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy8

Structural

actions

MID TERM EVALUATION - ROLE AND AIMS

To improve the quality and relevance of programming through

examination of any changes in the programme environment and programme performance to date, and

making any necessary changes required to maximise the impact of the programme

For 2007-2013, mid term evaluation will become ongoing evaluation

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy9

Structural

actions

The Mid Term Evaluation Update - 2005

For current Member States - an update – not full review of strategy, themes, etc.

New Member States to be involved also

Focus on Outputs, Results, Impacts

Opportunity to include some evaluation questions on issues arising in the programme, if necessary

Preparation for ex ante evaluation 2006 and ex post evaluation 2009

Draft working paper for discussion in June

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy10

Structural

actions

EX POST EVALUATION – ROLE & AIMS

To establish:

Effectiveness, efficiency and impact in relation to economic and social cohesion

Factors contributing to the success or failure of implementation and the achievements and results, including sustainability

(1999 Regulation – for ex post to be carried out by end 2009)

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy11

Structural

actions

EX POST EVALUATION - CHALLENGES FOR CURRENT PERIOD

To be complete by end of 2009 –

but expenditure continues to end

2008.

Evaluations across 25 very diverse

Member States

How to involve the Member States

One contract per Objective? (not

required in the regulation)

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy12

Structural

actions

EX POST EVALUATION – CURRENT THINKING

Link update of Mid Term Evaluation to requirements of Ex Post

Work with Member States from 2005 onwards

Split contracts into thematic areas

Draft working paper for discussion later in 2004

2000-2006

EU-Regional Policy13

Structural

actions

Ongoing Evaluation – the Evaluation Plan

Current thinking – to replace mid term evaluation in 2007-2013

Evaluation Plan – to be agreed by Monitoring Committee and be adapted to needs – reviewed each year

Plan should include organisation (who is responsible), resources (human + financial) and draft list of evaluation projects

For 2004-2006, one or two evaluations each year, focused on systems issues, themes or measures

2005 – start ex ante evaluation process