The Interreg CENTRAL EUROPE programme is an EU initiative to promote transnational cooperation (TNC) in Central Europe, with the aim of funding collaborative efforts between public institutions, private companies and civil society organisations. The programme covers nine EU Member States: Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia.

t33 was selected to carry out an operational evaluation, with a focus on programme management and implementation, including communication. The evaluation focuses on two key criteria: effectiveness and efficiency. The main objective is to evaluate the management and implementation of the programme, providing evidence of the progress made and the impact of the interventions in achieving the observed results.

The evaluation of the programme management includes an assessment of the programme bodies and their capacity, decision-making processes and internal communication.

The evaluation of the programme implementation focuses mainly on: project application and selection processes; project implementation and monitoring processes; progress in terms of achievement of programme objectives and expected results; programme communication and outreach; partner involvement, partnership structures and presence of newcomers; and coordination and synergies with other programmes.

To this end, the evaluation makes use of a range of methodological tools, including desk analysis, focus groups, interviews, web surveys and case studies.

Topics of high interest for t33 in the operational evaluations to be carried out in 2021-2027 are: changes for the programme and the projects brought about by the use of simplified cost options, understanding of the new Interreg indicators by the projects, factors influencing the involvement of newcomers in the programmes.

The evaluation is led by t33 in collaboration with Spatial Foresight.