The regulation for the 2014-2020 European Structural and Investment Funds requires that Interreg programmes should carry out impact evaluations to assess how the ERDF funding contributed to the objectives of each priority of the programme.

The objective of the first day of this event organised by Interact is to provide an overview of the theoretical concepts and methods for impact evaluations which could be feasible for the Interreg programmes: During the first day an evaluation expert will provide an overview of following topics: 

• Methods for theory based impact evaluations: What could the theory-based impact evaluation of Interreg programmes look like? What are possible methods?
• Discussing concrete examples based on selected intervention logics from Interreg programmes: How to start the impact evaluation? What methods could be considered? How do the different steps look like?
• Counterfactual impact evaluations: Could a counterfactual impact evaluation be considered for Interreg programme and how? What data would be necessary? What are important issues to consider?
• Added value of cooperation: How can Interreg programmes show the added value of cooperation also through evaluation? What are possible ways of showing the benefits of cooperation?

During the second day we will discuss various current issues related to evaluation such as Terms of References for (impact) evaluations and possible synergies for Interreg programmes resulting from document ‘Overview of Intervention Logic of all Interreg programmes’.

Throughout the workshop guidance and feedback was available from representatives from the Evaluation Unit of DG Regio.

The workshop is directed at Joint Secretariats, Managing Authorities and programme staff directly involved in planning and implementing evaluations of Interreg programmes only. The workshop is limited to 45 participants. Upon request the workshop might be repeated in December 2016/January 2017.

A list of videos from this event can be found here.