1. How to improve their contribution to programme quality?
Ex-Ante Evaluations
How to improve their contribution to programme quality?
Marielle Riché
DG REGIO – Evaluation Unit
6 November 2015

2. Time to reflect on ex ante evaluations' role
Based on:
Analysis of 44 ex ante evaluations in 10 MS
Desk officers
Ex ante evaluators
This network
An overall positive feedback, however room for improvement

3. Rationale of the form of support
Too early?
Financial instruments assessments later on
Difficult to decide on the best form of support
Should the form of support be defined later?
Should the ex ante evaluator examine different options?

4. Information of evaluators
Lack of awareness of critical issues: role of funds (and expected impact), indicators
Early information meetings
Provision of an on-going guidance on regulatory requirements (FAQ)

5. Role of evaluators Dual role: supporting MA and the Commission
Sometimes confusion between evaluating and drafting, sometimes evaluations as a formality
Involve programming services upstream in the ex ante evaluation exercise
Allow contacts between evaluators and policy makers/negotiators

6. Timing and budget Some contracts were launched too early
Some planned an insufficient duration
The final version of the ex ante evaluation should cover all regulatory requirements
Each version of the programme should be evaluated and comments taken on board
To this end: appropriate timing and budget

7. Availability of services
The ex ante evaluation is useful to involve services in the programme design: definition of priorities, theory of change, indicators
Inform services about the EEE: objective, role of evaluator, value added and limits
They should dedicate sufficient time