Evaluating EU Structural Funds support for Business growth and innovation: moving from 2007-2013 to 2014-2020, Maastricht - Hoofdinhoud

Target group

Officials from central, regional and local government, programme officers and managers, as well as project managers and developers involved with the implementation of Structural Funds projects and programmes. The seminar is also open to economic and social partners involved in the Structural Funds process, including consultants, academics and NGOs.

Description

This new two-day seminar consists of illustrated presentations, group discussions, exercises and workshops. The focus of the seminar is on evaluation for the new generation of programmes and projects for 2014-2020, particularly in relation to business growth, RTD and innovation measures. The seminar will also consider ex ante project appraisal steps, including the major projects application form for productive investment (and infrastructure). The seminar will open by reviewing the Europe 2020 strategy and the Evaluation Cycle, looking briefly at the methods most commonly used for conducting ex ante, ongoing, thematic and ex post evaluations of projects and programmes. The quantification of performance and the process of generating indicators, targets and budgets are also covered. There will then be keynote presentations from the European Commission and expert consultants in the field. The European Commission will describe the new requirements for evaluation and provide a review of thematic evaluations related to business growth and innovation from across the EU. Key issues for organising and executing studies will be considered as well as the structures for evaluation studies. The principle issues for evaluating business growth and innovation measures will be examined, and practical approaches illustrated using case studies.

Learning method

There will be a series of presentations from regional practitioners, expert consultants and EU officials, along with the opportunity to discuss and exchange experiences and learning. Mini-workshops and exercises will be used both to develop simulations of essential elements of evaluation and to provide a clear view of good practice in the key disciplines involved.

Objectives

At the end of the seminar, participants will have a clear understanding of EC requirements and of best practice in evaluation, especially in respect of business growth and related themes.

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