Summary of the First phase evaluation of the Programme

2018 is the year of First Phase evaluation of the cooperation programmes. In February 2018, the Managing Authority of the INTERREG V-A Slovakia-Hungary Cooperation Programme invited the Central European Service for Cross-Border Initiatives (CESCI) to carry out the evaluation of the present programme.

The assessment focused on the following issues: 

• programme management and implementation,
• Call for Proposals, project application and selection procedures,
• Communication Strategy of the programme,
• specific types of calls and projects: Small Project Fund, SME call, Territorial Action Plans for Employment, infrastructural projects (roads and bridges)
• performance framework indicators.

The evaluation included statistical analysis of the regional data and the data of the Cooperation Programme (CP), interviews, on-line survey among the applicants. The cut-off date of the data analysis was the end of November.

Some of the key findings of the evaluation

(1)    The time factor
However, the implementation of the programme started with a delay the completion of the programme goals in time is not in danger. 
(2)    Exemplary communication at programme level
The communication of the programme is among the best ones in Europe. The communication could be further developed at the level of the projects addressing the wider audience.
(3)    High quality performance at programme level
Based on the outcomes of the interviews the vast majority of the procedures are delivered at a high quality due to the extended experiences of the participating entities. 
(4)    Good results in simplification
There are many fields where the simplification is advanced (e.g.: communication between the Joint Secretariat and First Level Control, reduced paperwork on project level)
(5)    The innovation factor
The programme is one of the most innovative CPs in Europe. Obviously, this innovative character creates great challenges to respond to. The innovative factors are:

• direct involvement of the SMEs,
• involvement of European Groupings of Territorial Cooperation (EGTC) in the implementation of the programme,
• involvement of the EGTCs in the work of the Monitoring Committee with observer status,
• the TAPE tool considered as a model in Europe,
• the three-level quality assessment model applied in the case of the TAPE with strong territorial dimension.

(6)    Modest improvements in cross-border factor
According to the analysis, there are a few partnerships which are able to develop real cross-border products and infrastructure. These results shall be improved once the realisation of the TAPEs is completed since the activities and investments have real synergic and complementary cross-border character.

CESCI has extended their report with a list of recommendations to (further) develop our procedures and practices, that shall ensure the smooth and successful implementation of the Programme. Read the full report in English.