1. ERDF evaluation plan 2007-2013 FINLAND Johanna Osenius Ministry of Employment and the Economy

2. 1. Current phase
ERDF evaluation working group established 14th August 2008
Chaired by MEE (MA)
Members: other ministries, regions (regional councils and TE – centers), social partners
Evaluation plan for as well as Action Plan prepared and approved by the working group in September 2008
Is sent for information to the Monitoring Committees and Structural Fund Management Board in October 2008
A smaller group established under the working group to deal with tender documentation and selection
Tender documentations finalized in November 2008
Selection of service provided in the beginning of 2009
Kick of meeting to the evaluators -> early spring

3. 2. Main principles (1/2) Weight on on-going strategic evaluation
Evaluators participating closely on the implementation and monitoring process on yearly basis
Input when preparing annual reports
Participation on the MC meetings
Annual regional evaluation work shops at NUTS II levels
Thematic evaluation work shops
Role of intermediate bodies stronger in operational evaluation
Increased reporting requirements
Focus on results and impacts, e.g. on efficiency of actions and management

4. 2. Main principles (2/2) Thematic approach
Sustainable development as separate theme to ensure high quality of expertise
Equality and non-discrimination as cross-cutting theme
Interim evaluation included
Report ready in autumn 2010
First outputs already spring 2009
The most urgent issues requiring actions (e.g. project selection criteria)

5. 3. Targets (1/2) Implementation of OPs
Get analytical information on
Implementation of OPs
Impacts and results of the activities implemented under the programmes
How actions have helped to achieve the targets and aims of the programmes and NSRF
Are the strategies and targets of the programmes and NSRF still valid and well reasoned and realistic
Changes in the implementation environments and their impacts on the programme implementation

6. 3. Targets (2/2) Problems occurred during the implementation
Success stories and good practices
What kind of tools are giving best results
Provide information that are needed
To improve the implementation of the programmes during the rest of the programming period
To make modifications to the programmes is necessary to ensure
Best results and impacts
Full usage of existing funding
To start the preparation of the next programming period and Finnish territorial cohesion policy

7. 4. Themes Business promotion
Promotion of innovation and networking and strengthening of knowledge structures
Improvement of the accessibility of areas and the operating environment
Environmental impacts and sustainable development
Are put separately out to tender