1. Workshop 1: PROJECT EVALUATION
Quantification during project evaluation is essential for reducing the bias in the decision making process
Cost-benefit analysis is a key ingredient when judging projects and deciding on co-financing rates
Cost-effectiveness analysis cannot be considered a substitute of CBA in all cases. It can be useful when dealing with environment related projects
CBA or any other mechanism are only one criteria on the basis of which project selection must take place
Make sure that projects are sustainable

2. Workshop 1: PROJECT EVALUATION (cont.)
Grants never transfer a white elephant project into a viable project
Co-financing rates should be determined according to performance indicators, such as contributions to the real economy and financial performance of projects
When doing “back of the envelope” analysis and thereby using a “rule of thumb” approach, this might help in identifying good or bad projects early on. This analysis / approach is not a substitute for thorough CBA whereby important elements such environmental impact play a role.

3. Workshop 2: Programme Level Evaluation
Achieving a Balance (1)
Hard rationale for evaluation – efficiency, opportunity costs, market failures;
(Economic Analysis Skills)
Securing “buy in” and installing an “evaluation mentality” among wide stakeholder partnership;
(People Skills)

4. Workshop 2: Programme Level Evaluation (cont.)
Achieving a Balance (2)
Context of fast change “multiplicity and heterogeneity” with multi-level, multi-actor, multi-object components;
(People & Institutional Skills)
Demand for robust, useable common standards and frameworks and devices to control variety and produce communicable results;
(Technical, Analytical Skills)

5. Workshop 2: Programme Level Evaluation (cont.)
Achieving a Balance (3)
Need to create and sustain open programme learning with self imposed obligations;
(People and Institutional Skills)
Space for managers to manage and be accountable for spend against consistent and followed through measures;
(Management and Financial Control Skills)

6. Workshop 3 : Policy Evaluation Policies covered by papers : 
Workshop 3 : Policy Evaluation Policies covered by papers :  Sustainable regional development  Gender equality  Environment  Information society Is there a thematic evaluation “trap’? Need to include an assessment of regional development Use and interpretation of indicators. Judgement. Aggregation. “Impossible” evaluation questions ? Need to focus on policy issues.

7. Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis 
Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis  Provide an analytical framework to economic impacts  Design alternative scenarios  Identify trade-offs for policy decisions

8. Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont. ) Diversity 
Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont.) Diversity  Theoretical framework  Level of aggregation  Geographical / sectoral focus  Top-down vs. bottom-up  Methods of estimation  Data requirements

9. Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont. ) User perspective 
Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont.) User perspective  Appropriateness  Realism  Accuracy  Judgment

10. Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont. ) Challenges 
Workshop 4: Usefulness of impact analysis (cont.) Challenges  More interaction between experts and users  Exploit complementarities between distinct approaches (macro aggregate vs. regional)  Development of microstudies as inputs for macro-models  Promote new approaches in line with EU policy agenda, e.g. sustainable development

11. Workshop 5: Capacity building
Institutional and intellectual dimension
Involves a wide range of factors
Issue at the national level
Needs guidance, support and training
Needs to be inclusive
Hindered by gaps
Benefits from sharing experience
Needs clarity of purpose?

12. Workshop 6: Developing Standards for Evaluation and Ethical Issues
Rapporteur: Dr. Petri Virtanen, Net Effect Ltd (Finland) & Finnish Evaluation Society
KEY POINT 1: Background
National evaluation societies have played a dominant role in constructing the available standards (North American examples evident).
KEY POINT 2: Lessons learned so far
So far, ambivalent practical experiences and lessons learned can be drawn from using the standards.
Contextual clarification between standards, guidelines, and ethical principles is needed.
Historical and contextual backgrounds of the standards should be considered in applying them.
In order to be effective, standards have to be based on discussions, consensus and agreement.
KEY POINT 3: The future
It appears that the door to the ethics and standards of evaluation is very much open today. This relates in constructing the standards, using them, updating them, and evaluating their value and usefulness.

13. Workshop 7 : Learning from and using evaluations 
Workshop 7 : Learning from and using evaluations  Evaluation without LEARNING is pointless  Learning should occur between ALL STAKEHOLDERS  Learning is MUTUAL  Learning makes use of SUCCESSES and FAILURES  Learning includes TACIT knowledge  Learning should include the MISSING LINKS  Learning should include the PAST, PRESENT and FUTURE

14. Workshop 8 : Evaluation, Accountability and Performance 
Workshop 8 : Evaluation, Accountability and Performance  Accountability and learning at all stages in life cycle and all types of evaluation  Ownership of evaluation is based on partnership – Commission, Member State, Region, Local level  Quantified and Qualitative information – need for better balance  Democratic accountability and learning  politicians  civil society

15. Workshop 8 : Evaluation, Accountability and Performance (cont.)
 Transparency from start – dissemination and communication
 Incentives – link to processes
 More focused ex post evaluations  themes  quantitative / qualitative balance