Analysis of interim evaluations of 11 Catalonian LAGs

The Local Assessment Guide is a tool that helps Catalonian Local Action Groups (LAGs) and beneficiaries to better use resources defined in community-led local development (CLLD) to meet the needs of the local population. At the local level, it offers a dual function of accountability and transparency on the one hand, and on the other hand, a training and capacity-building function for improvement. In addition, this evaluation exercise aimed at contributing to the definition of LEADER approach for the 2021-2027 programming period.

To address the evaluation, a series of tools have been proposed that have allowed analysis of the intervention logic and the development of the strategies themselves. Among these tools are the evaluation questions addressed through the analysis of value criteria and a selection of indicators. The evaluation was based on eight evaluation questions.

LAGs have carried out fieldwork based on interviews and working groups that have allowed them to obtain qualitative information, thereby enriching the analysis.

Based on the Guide, LAGs have assessed their own strategies covering measure 19 in full. In addition, the analysis has included the rest of the projects developed by the LAGs that contributed to energising the territory. In addition to this evaluation, a future evaluation is planned for the ex-post evaluation of the RDP.

The report presented the results of the aggregation of the data by questions and the results in order to obtain conclusions and recommendations to develop future evaluation exercises more effectively.

The evaluation proposes common elements that make a comparison of results possible. The 11 LAGS carried out a self-assessment exercise following the common methodology proposed by the Managing Authority for Measure 19 of the Rural Development Programme.

The 11 evaluation reports have a similar structure, which makes it possible to easily aggregate the available information relating to outcome and context indicators. In order to have stronger regional conclusions for the ex post evaluation, more information was needed.

For the next self-assessment, it was recommended that some training mechanisms for LAG technical staff be organised to strengthen their understanding and homogeneity in interpreting the proposed outcome and context indicators.

The guide has made it possible to bring LAGs closer to a complete and in-depth monitoring system that shows the results of their actions in the territory beyond the monitoring report they prepare on an annual basis. As a result, it will be possible to assess the result and impact of LEADER in the region for the ex post evaluation, as well as to guide future actions contributing to new development in the territory.