INTERREG IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeen Crossborder Cooperation
INTERREG IVA 2 Mers Seas Zeeën Crossborder Cooperation Programme 2007 -2013 Part-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2 Seas evaluation Findings and recommendations for the future Tako Popma Rotterdam 14 March 2013
Evaluation context • Ongoing evaluation of 2 Seas programme • Independent external evaluation • Several studies since 2010 • Final stage: First results and lessons learnt recommendations for the future programme • Evaluation scope: • Programme identity and intervention logic • Partners and partnerships • Management and organisation: - Technical assistance to projects Programme governance Performance and control Processes in the project life cycle Communication
Identity of the Programme • Cooperation ‘across the sea’ • Wide and diverse range of themes • Driven by bottom-up initiatives • Maritime dimension of projects • Predominance of multilateral cooperation
Identity and intervention logic ü Integrated analysis of cross-border needs ü Use maritime dimension as unique selling point ü Demonstrated potential for cooperation: ü research, technology and innovation ü social inclusion ü climate change adapation ü Themes that can be strengthened: ü shift towards low carbon economy ü environment and resource efficiency ü Strategic project development
Partners & partnerships • Strong diversity of actors involved • Majority: local authorities and non-profit • Private involvement remains a challenge • Uneven distribution of partners over 2 Seas area • Multilateral cooperation beneficial for results
Partners & partnerships ü Consider specific target groups in view of thematic focus ü local public authorities ü knowledge institutes and universities ü private sector ü Increasing private sector involvement ü facilitating the participation of private partners ü mapping, communication of alternatives
Technical assistance • Programme support to projects • Joint Technical Secretariat • Network of Territorial Facilitators • New structures set up at start of the programme • Project partners generally content with support ü Future improvements: ü more interaction on project achievements ü more developed role for facilitators
Programme governance • Main programme bodies functioned adequately • Monitoring Committee focussed on operational management ü Strengthen strategic steering by the Monitoring Committee
Project life cycle • Application stage • Clearly defined process • Support to applicants wel developed • Still: complex and demanding • Monitoring and reporting • Percieved as a heavy administrative burden • Available tools are not user friendly • Different interpretations and systems within 2 Seas
Project life cycle ü User-friendly application and reporting ü ü ü Simplification of forms, procedures Introduction of on-line system Smoother reporting requirements User-testing of forms and systems Use of one language ü Improve the quality of the control system ü Validation of controllers ü Ongoing training and guidance
Thank you for your attention
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