1. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF Project Completion 1

2. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF Agenda 1.Project Completion Reports by NCUs 2.Internal SECO Completion Note 3.Swiss right of examination 4.General remarks on reporting 5.External evaluation Swiss Contribution 6.Evaluation by NCUs 2

3. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 1. Project Completion Reports submitted by NCUs Financial part and conclusions of final financial audit Critical appraisal of results:  Quantitative & qualitative description of outputs / outcomes  Information on (expected) impacts Lessons learned:  Difficulties & solutions  Recommendations  Opportunities / Synergies (if any) Conclusions:  Sustainability  Effect / Visibility  Follow-up / Recommendations 3

4. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 1. Project Completion Reports submitted by NCUs: EE & LV Project implementation Reporting, Auditing (Final Financial Audit), Evaluation: – Project Completion Report Submitted with the last interim report and the final financial audit Due 6 months after the end of the project (latest 14.12.2017) Final date for elegibility of costs: 14.6.2017 Optional: Switzerland has the right to make an independent evaluation 4 + 6 M Possible additional reimbursement request for audit and evaluation costs? Project Completion Eligibility of cost Project Completion Report with Final Reimbursement Request Eligibility of cost Reporting, Auditing, Evaluating (latest: 14.6.2017)

5. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 1. Project Completion Reports submitted by NCUs: LT Project implementation Reporting, Auditing (Final Financial Audit), Evaluation: – First project completion report: Submitted with the last interim report and the final financial audit Due 6 months after the end of the project (latest 13.6.2017) – Second project completion report: Due 12 months after the end of the project (latest 13.12.2017) Basis for reimbursement of costs for reporting, auditing and evaluation Optional: Switzerland has the right to make an independent evaluation 5 + 6 M 2. Project Completion Report Project Completion Eligibility of cost 1. Project Completion Report together with last interim report (latest: 13.6.2017) Eligibility of cost Reporting, Auditing, Evaluating (latest: 14.6.2017)

6. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 1. Project Completion Reports submitted by NCUs: Special case infrastructure projects lasting until end 2016 / beginning 2017 Final date of eligibility of cost:14.6.2017 Final Reimbursement Request: latest 14.12.2017  Latvia: Does the last interim report in August 2017 cover audit and evaluation costs?  Lithuania: Which topics are covered by the 1 st / the 2 nd completion report? 6

7. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 2. Internal SECO Completion Note Responsibility: SECO and SCO Internal Assessment based on PCR – Description of changes during implementation – Record of results achieved – If relevant: Information on unintended results – Lessons learned 7

8. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 2. Internal SECO Completion Note Rating of the project: Relevance: Still consistent with national goals? Effectiveness: Results achieved/expected to be achieved Efficiency: Extent to which the inputs have been economically converted into results Sustainability: Are the results likely to be maintained over time?  SECO may ask for additional information  CH may ask for inputs for communication activities after completion  SECO intends to visit all infrastructure projects shortly after completion 8

9. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 2. Internal SECO Completion Note Questions to be addressed to identify lessons learned:  Factors that contributed to the success/failure/shortcomings of the project (design, implementation, instrument, performance of EA, innvoation etc.): What would we change next time? Was the project design realistic? Risks correctly identified and addressed? Could Eas fulfill the expectations? Monitoring system adequate to provide sufficient information on progress/risks of the project? Communication with stakeholders and project partners? External factors influencing the project? Commitment of EAs? Innovative approaches that could be replicated? etc. 9

10. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 3. Swiss right of examination During 10 years after completion of a project Switzerland has the right to visit the project, make a comprehensive assessment or evaluation or a financial audit.  The partner country is expected to keep all documents for 10 years after completion, to accompany the Swiss with relevant personnel, to respond to questions and to provide assistance.  Switzerland may ask for corrective actions for 10 years after completion if it turns out the Framework or Project Agreements were not respected. 10

11. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC Federal Department of Economic Affairs FDEA State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO 4. General remarks on reporting Results rather than process: reporting on outputs, outcomes and impacts Problem-oriented: Importance of justification for delays and deviations and suggested corrective measures Risk-assessment Information on visibility measures Explanation if there were non-eligible expenses Planning and next steps (public procurements, activities, monitoring visits, realistic disburesment planning) Last but not least: last reimbursement requests 2014

12. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 5. External evaluation Swiss Contribution 12

13. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 5. External evaluation Swiss Contribution 13 Why? Possible vote in 2016 on bilateral relations CH-EU, incl. 2 nd Swiss Contribution  Render account of the experiences made so far  Lessons learned to develop the concept of a 2 nd Swiss Contribution How? External, independent SDC and SECO together

14. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 5. External evaluation Swiss Contribution 14 October 2014Approach Paper January 2015Launch of tender for evaluation service May 2015Start of evaluation December 2015End of evaluation  More information at the next Annual Meetings

15. Staatssekretariat für Wirtschaft SECO Eidgenössisches Departement für Wirtschaft, Bildung und Forschung WBF 6. Evaluation by NCUs 15 Lessons learned for future similar projects Accountability (produce evidence & validate results; success stories & case studies for media)  If NCU plans for an evaluation, please consult with Switzerland on ToRs.

16. Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation SDC Federal Department of Economic Affairs FDEA State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO Thank you for your attention. Questions?