Regeneris Consulting has been appointed to undertake comprehensive mid-term evaluations of both the North East and North West 2007-13 ERDF Operational Programmes by ONE and NWDA respectively.
The programmes are hugely important sources of economic development funding in their own right, and are particularly vital at a time when many domestic regeneration funds are being cut back. The North West programme provides more than £600m of ring-fenced resources and the North East programme is worth over £300m.
Both evaluations will assess the progress and emerging impact of the programmes within their respective regions. More specifically, they will examine the continued relevance and consistency of the programme strategies, progress against financial and economic targets, the match funding environment and early programme impacts. Both evaluation include a large stakeholder interview programme and reviews of 30-40 projects. The findings will be used to revise and re-shape the programme going forward. In addition, we will provide partners with advice on potential options for future programme management and governance arrangements in light of the closure of Regional Development Agencies by March 2012.
These commissions build on Regeneris’ extensive track record of developing and evaluating major Structural Fund Programmes both in the current 2007-13 programme period and in the previous 2000-06 round. Our most recent work includes an ongoing six-year strategic evaluation of the Yorkshire and Humber ERDF programme, and earlier this year we completed a formative evaluation of the East of England programme, which has a strong focus on the low carbon economy.
Taken in their entirety, Regeneris is evaluating current ERDF programmes worth around £1.5bn, plus equivalent match funding. In addition, we have also embarked on a four-year evaluation of a £74m Digital Region project (£30m of ERDF) to build a fibre broadband network across South Yorkshire to 1.2m homes, public bodies and private businesses. ”
For more information on these studies, on Regeneris Consulting's evaluation services or on our ERDF expertise, please contact Stephen Nicol (s.nicol@regeneris.co.uk) on 0161 926 1835.
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