Evaluations during the CAP programming period

Evaluations during the programming period refer to all assessments conducted between the ex ante and ex post assessments of the 2023-2027 CAP programming period, including those of specific objectives, specific interventions or topics and ad hoc evaluations.

Evaluations are conducted continuously or at regular intervals to provide timely feedback, track progress and enable immediate adjustments.

Throughout the 2023-2027 CAP programming period, Member States carry out evaluation activities to improve the quality of the design and implementation of their CAP Strategic Plans, offering a structured way to assess their effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, coherence and Union added value in relation to the CAP objectives.

Evaluations may cover both the CAP Strategic Plan's contribution to the general and specific objectives of the CAP, as well as specific interventions or topics, such as the added value of LEADER, the National CAP Networks, the AKIS strategic approach, environmental and climate architecture (green architecture), and efforts to simplify administrative processes, both for beneficiaries and for the administration, especially in terms of efficiency.

Evaluations during the programming period are guided by each Member State’s CAP Strategic Plan evaluation plan, which sets clear objectives and identifies evaluation needs to ensure meaningful and timely activities that provide essential information for programme design, management and implementation, as well as relevant input for future policy periods.

The guidelines 'Design of evaluation plans' recommend a planning process that follows a retrospective scheduling approach, starting with the final steps, to ensure results are delivered on time. To this end, Member States may need to set evaluation milestones both during the implementation period and ex post. While the date for the ex post evaluation is specified in the CAP Regulation, it is up to each Member State to decide which evaluations to conduct during implementation and when to conduct them. Beyond planned evaluations, Member States may also conduct ad hoc evaluations when specific or unforeseen needs emerge during the programming period. Ad hoc evaluations may be required, for example, in response to emerging environmental risks, significant deviations in the uptake of CAP instruments from expectations or unanticipated policy questions.

To support practitioners in effectively planning and conducting evaluations throughout the programming period, comprehensive, step-by-step guidance is available. This resource, found in the Learning Portal on planning evaluations, outlines each stage of the evaluation process in detail and provides practical tools and examples to ensure robust and meaningful assessments.

Evaluations during the programming period can take several forms, depending on their focus and the needs identified as implementation progresses. They may be:

Evaluations during the programming period ensure accountability and transparency by demonstrating to stakeholders how resources are allocated. Furthermore, they support evidence-based policymaking by ensuring that decisions to revise, extend or discontinue interventions are grounded in sound analysis rather than assumptions.

The main benefit of these evaluations is the timely information they provide on the progress and performance of the CAP Strategic Plan. This enables decision-makers to identify challenges early, make adjustments, and enhance impact before the programming period is completed. For example, evaluations can shed light on potential synergies among interventions, highlight gaps in addressing Specific Objectives, and identify areas for improving efficiency and coherence.

Evaluations should be planned from the very beginning of an intervention, and consider the whole life cycle, legal obligations and the legal reporting requirements of a Member State. In practice, planning often begins by identifying when findings are needed (e.g. to meet a legal requirement or to inform a policy proposal). Evaluations during the implementation period are most commonly scheduled at the midpoint to allow time for results to influence delivery.

To ensure objectivity, all evaluations must be conducted by experts who are functionally independent from those responsible for programme implementation. This is usually achieved by engaging external specialists, such as companies, research institutions, or consortia, through a public procurement process. Alternatively, a public agency or an independent department within the same organisation may serve as the evaluator, provided their independence from programme management is guaranteed.

Depending on the context and requirements, different contracting arrangements can be used. Evaluations might be outsourced to independent experts for specific topics, or managed through long-term contracts with an evaluator who oversees the entire CAP Strategic Plan (CSP) period.

Independent evaluators apply both quantitative and qualitative methods to assess programme performance. Their findings provide valuable insights to the managing authority, enabling continuous improvement and supporting the achievement of programme objectives.

When evaluation occurs during an ongoing implementation period, one of the main factors determining whether it can be carried out effectively is data. While this can seem like a demanding task, with the right preparation, Member States can ensure that the necessary information is available to track progress and measure achievements. In addition, evaluators can draw on data collected during the previous CAP programming period, which can provide a valuable reference point.

For instance, when evaluating the CAP’s effect on sustainable productivity, reliable, long-term data are central to the assessment, as they allow evaluators to track productivity trends and measure the impact of interventions over time. When recent data are limited, drawing on information from previous programming periods becomes essential, as historical data provide necessary context, reveal long-term patterns and help ensure robust, meaningful assessments.

At the farm level, one of the most useful sources of historical data is the Farm Accountancy Data Network (FADN), which collects detailed bookkeeping information from representative commercial farms in each Member State. FADN data, reported annually, include outputs and inputs in both quantities and monetary values, as well as characteristics such as farm location, farmer age, and subsidies received. These data allow evaluators to explain variations in productivity over time, but delays in availability may occur.

To overcome such limitations, using FADN data from previous programming periods enables evaluators to construct a sufficiently long time series for analysis. In addition to FADN, local data from bookkeeping agencies, groups of farms or dedicated surveys may also be used to supplement and enrich productivity assessments.