JemsProgramme evaluations are carried out in order to assess the effectiveness, efficiency and impact of the Programme. The Programme has been subject to an ex-ante evaluation of independent evaluators with the aim to improve programme quality and to optimise the allocation of budget resources. The recommendations of this evaluation have been taken into account during the drafting of this Programme as described in ex-ante report.
In accordance with Article 56 of the CPR, the Managing Authority prepared the Evaluation plan that was approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee decision from 30 November 2016.
Operational Evaluation
In 2019, the Programme contracted experts to carry out a comprehensive evaluation process, which is illustrated in the final report titled Evaluation of the efficiency and effectiveness of the Interreg IPA CBC Programme Croatia – Serbia 2014 – 2020. The evaluation was carried out halfway through the implementation of the Programme, in order to showcase mid-term achievements and results in the cross-border area.
The report reveals that the Programme is performing well in meeting the overall Programme goal: strengthening the social, economic and territorial development of the cross-border area. According to evaluators, Programme bodies are effectively managing cross-border cooperation and ensuring that projects are creating sustainable results in both Croatia and Serbia.
The evaluation methodology combined desk reviews of Programme documents, a web survey answered by beneficiaries and applicants, a set of interviews with Programme representatives and a case study analysis. The evaluation focused on Programme management, Programme implementation and the Programme Communication Strategy. The report was approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee on 24 October 2019.
Main points of the report are outlined below:
- There is a clear and efficient assignment of functions and responsibilities among Programme bodies, which is reflected in successful implementation of Calls for Proposals, selection processes and providing support to beneficiaries.
- The Programme has reached a satisfactory number of applicants during Calls for Proposals, meaning that Interreg is a well-known financing instrument in the cross-border area.
- Projects are producing tangible outputs in the field of social care and healthcare, energy efficiency and environment protection, tourism, heritage and competitiveness of both Croatia and Serbia. Although differences occur among Priority Axes, project results are leading to the achievement of Programme targets set for the 2014-2020 period.
- Communication is consistent across the Programme area due to efforts implemented by projects and due to favorable support from Programme bodies to beneficiaries.
- The eMS proved to be a useful and reliable tool for monitoring of projects and their progress, although occasional setbacks appear. The system is being improved continuously, with new functions introduced regularly and weaknesses removed.
The evaluation findings will serve as a tool to improve the quality of Programme implementation in the near future. Also, findings will be used in planning future policies of the Interreg IPA CBC Programme Croatia – Serbia for the 2021-2027 period.
Read the final evaluation report here.
Impact Evaluation
In 2021, the Programme contracted experts to carry out an evaluation process and assess what the Interreg IPA Cross-border cooperation Programme Croatia – Serbia 2014-2020 has achieved through its implementation.
The objective of this evaluation was to illustrate the impact of achieved Programme results and effects, to assess the impact of projects financed under the Programme on cross-border population, project partners and target groups, as well as the sustainability of achieved results and the effects of communication in relation to the planned objectives. The evaluation also aimed at identifying which are the key challenges and which improvements are necessary for the programming period 2021-2027.
The evaluation methodology combined desk reviews of Programme documents, a web-survey disseminated among beneficiaries and applicants, and a case study analysis, which consisted of interviews with project partners and the analysis of project documents.
Main points of the report are as follows:
- Programme priorities and specific objectives have met the needs of potential applicants in the targeted cross-border area.
- Implemented projects clearly contribute to the development of Programme area in improving skills of caregivers (health services), ecosystem services’ implementation models, preservation of nature, fostering cross-border tourism development and introducing new products in business environment.
- Vast majority of projects have achieved envisaged results, while some of them also produced results that had not been initially planned. In general, projects achieved expected Programme results.
- Programme communication goals to disseminate Programme results to different stakeholder groups and general public have been achieved, and target groups gained new knowledge and improved their capacities as a result of implemented projects.
- Future Programme should pay particular attention to the difficulties in ensuring financial sustainability of the projects, to supporting key stakeholders in identifying project partners with adequate skills and capacities, and enhance support provided to beneficiaries in relation to the public procurement procedures.
The evaluation findings will serve as one of the bases for planning future policies for the development of the Interreg IPA Programme Croatia – Serbia 2021-2027, as well as a tool for improving the quality of future Programme implementation.
The report was approved by the Joint Monitoring Committee on 12 October 2021.
Read the final evaluation report here.
As regards to ex-post evaluation of the Programme, it lies within the responsibility of the European Commission.