Methods for assessing impacts of 2007-2013 RDPs: practices and solutions for the ex post evaluation

The Good Practice Workshop 'Methods for assessing impacts of Rural Development Programmes 2007-2013: Practices and solutions for the ex post evaluation”'which took place on 4-5 July 2016 in Palermo (Italy), aimed at providing a forum for the discussion and exchange of evaluation practices used in the context of ex post evaluations of 2007-2013 RDPs. The workshop was hosted by Regione Sicilia and co-organised with the Italian National Rural Network. It was well attended by more than 60 participants.

Case studies from Latvia, Sweden, Portugal, Slovenia, Estonia, Austria, Cyprus and Italy were presented.

The participants highlighted that good data availability and efficient data management are crucial for a robust and cost-effective evaluation, whose usefulness would increase if based on a common understanding of its purposes and scope among stakeholders. The involvement of the latter appears relevant also for a successful dissemination of evaluation findings.

Finally, it was concluded that a single method applicable in all contexts does not exist. Tailor-made methods (paying attention to their strengths and weaknesses) should be selected based on the RDP's needs and available data. The convenience of mixed (qualitative/quantitative) approach should not be underestimated. To this purpose, the methodological support provided by the guidelines for the ex post evaluation of 2007-2013 RDPs was recognised by participants.