Monitoring and Evaluation of EU Structural and Cohesion Fund Programmes: Measuring Progress and Impact in 2021-2027

Nearly 400 new Structural and Cohesion Funds programmes for the period 2021-2027 are now being implemented. Member States have set up monitoring and reporting systems and Evaluation Plans have been agreed for the new period. Are you clear about what the New Regulations say about the new monitoring and evaluation requirements?

Many Programme Authorities continue to conduct evaluations of their 2014-2020 programmes and projects, as well as planning evaluations for the 2021-2027 period. Are Managing Authorities collecting the best possible monitoring and evaluation data? Are they clear about how to measure the impact of interventions and what evaluation methods to use – theory-based or counterfactual? Are they considering ex-post CBA?

Member State Recovery and Resilience Fund plans are being implemented rapidly. How do their monitoring procedures and data needs differ from Cohesion Policy?

What will you learn:

This face-to-face course in Prague is over 3 days:

• Day 1 deals with the new monitoring and reporting requirements, the choice of programme indicators, data challenges and using the new Performance Framework. Helena Barbořáková, a highly experienced Czech Ministry official, will assess the lessons learnt from 2014-2020 and the implications of the new requirements for programmes in 2021-2027.
• We will also review a selection of new Programmes and look at the Reporting template for the new Structural Funds programmes, highlighting the special link between finance and performance, and how will you report programme progress.
• We look at how RRF plans in Member States will be monitored and evaluated
• In Days 2 & 3 we examine the contents of Evaluation Plans and how to conduct impact evaluations (and “evaluations during the programming period”). Dr. Vladimir Kváča, a leading evaluation consultant-economist, will help us plan realistic evaluations – ones that are useful for evaluation stakeholders. He will consider the appropriate timing of evaluation studies and the implications for data gathering. We will review the two recommended broad evaluation methods – theory-based and counterfactual evaluations – and the choices for project / programme evaluations on the ground.
• We will also describe how to complete an ex post cost-benefit analysis (ex post CBA) for infrastructure and other large projects.
• Finally, we will consider how best to manage evaluation studies, including preparation of the Terms of Reference, aspects of fieldwork, and typical live issues for your current / planned evaluations.

At the end of the course, participants should have:

• a clear understanding of all the monitoring and evaluation requirements for current and future programmes; and
• a quick general tool kit for undertaking impact evaluations for projects and programmes

Workshops and exercises will be used to develop simulations of essential elements of evaluation and monitoring to provide a clear view of good practice in the key disciplines involved.

You are invited to send us your problems, issues and questions before the course, if you wish. We will do our best to address the problems / answer the questions during the course!

Who will benefit most?

• officials from central, regional and local government, programme officers and managers, involved with the implementation and evaluation of Structural and Cohesion Fund projects and programmes
• project managers and developers
• economic and social partners involved in Structural Funds and evaluation activities, such as NGOs, higher education establishments, and consultants.

Provisional course venue
Novotel Prague
Wenceslas Square
Prague 2
Czech Republic

Programme Organiser
Ms Rafaella Giussani
Tel: +31 43 32 96 372
r.giussani@eipa.eu

Fee
The fee includes documentation, refreshments, lunches and a reception. Accommodation and travel costs are at the expense of the participants or their administration.

Discounts
EIPA member fee
EIPA offers a discount to all civil servants working for one of EIPA’s supporting countries, and civil servants working for an EU institution, body or agency.

Who are the supporting countries?
Civil servants coming from the following EIPA supporting countries are entitled to get the reduced fee: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden.

For all other participants, the regular fee applies.

Early bird discount
The early bird discount is not cumulative with other discounts or promo codes, except for the EIPA member fee.

Loyalty coupon
As a token of appreciation we offer all our participants a loyalty coupon for one of our future courses. The offer can be shared with colleagues and relevant networks. The coupon will expire one year after its release. This discount is not cumulative with other discounts, except for the EIPA member fee.

Meals
Dietary preferences can be indicated on the registration form.

Confirmation
Confirmation of registration will be forwarded to participants on receipt of the completed online registration form.

Payment
Prior payment is a condition for participation.

Cancellation policy
For administrative reasons you will be charged €150 for cancellations received within 15 days before the activity begins. There is no charge for qualified substitute participants.

EIPA reserves the right to cancel the activity up to 2 weeks before the starting date. In that case, registration fees received will be fully reimbursed. EIPA accepts no responsibility for any costs incurred (travel, accommodation, etc.).

A few days before the start of the course you will receive the log-in details for accessing the course materials. You can log in here.