Irene McMaster, Nathalie Wergles, Heidi Vironen

European Structural and Investment Funds Journal, Volume 7 (2019), Issue 1, Page 2 - 8

Results-orientation is a central theme in programme development, implementation and evaluation in the 2014-2020 programme period. This article focuses on the challenges of showing results in the Interreg programmes, and provides an example of methodologies used in the impact evaluation of the Northern Periphery and the Arctic Programme 2014-2020. The following discussion reviews the challenges of monitoring and evaluating the (NPA) results and impact of Interreg programmes, sets out how these challenges were addressed in the impact evaluation of the 2014-2020 NPA programme and concludes with discussion of future challenges and opportunities.

Martin Ferry, Irene McMaster

European Structural and Investment Funds Journal, Volume 6 (2018), Issue 1, Page 58 - 67

This article is based on a research carried out for the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy. The importance of assessing the impact and results of public policy interventions is clear. The Commission expects integrated, place-based strategies and their interventions to be developed with results in mind. For reasons of accountability and efficiency, policy-makers, stakeholders and beneficiaries require knowledge and understanding of the progress and effectiveness of the strategies. It is, therefore, important to gather information with which to better understand the role of the interventions and an evidence base comparable to other interventions. However, measuring effectiveness presents several challenges, related to the specific characteristics of these strategies and to the fact that, at least in some Member States, integrated approaches to territorial and urban development are relatively new. Against this background, this article explores the challenges involved in assessing the achievements of integrated place-based strategies and reviews existing methodological approaches to assessing territorial provisions under Cohesion policy and under urban development. It then explores emerging approaches to the assessment of territorial and urban strategies launched under the territorial provisions set out for 2014-2020. Looking forward, the article then outlines options for developing frameworks for future assessments before presenting conclusions and recommendations on a framework and approach for measuring effectiveness.

Irene McMaster, Heidi Vironen

European Structural and Investment Funds Journal, Volume 5 (2017), Issue 3, Page 235 - 244

Non-EU Member States play an important role a number of European Territorial Cooperation (ETC) Programmes and initiatives. This article focuses on the role of non-EU Member States in ETC, specifically INTERREG, examining the basis of their involvement, what participating countries ‘get out of it,’ and how this may change in the future.

Irene McMaster, Heidi Vironen

European Structural and Investment Funds Journal, Volume 5 (2017), Issue 3, Page 175 - 177

Irene McMaster, Arno van der Zwet, Heidi Vironen

European Structural and Investment Funds Journal, Volume 3 (2015), Issue 4, Page 211 - 220

There are increased pressures to improve linkages between European Structural and Investment (ESI) Funds programmes. This article identifies three models that can assist more collaborative approaches. It goes on to draw practical lessons on issues around the establishment of such mechanisms. The article draws on the authors’ experiences in relation to formulating and consulting on proposals for a collaborative mechanism in the Euro-Arctic region. Regional territorial cooperation is considered an important driver for development in the Arctic and adjacent northern European regions and is supported by European Arctic States and the European Union (EU). Experience from the Arctic demonstrates the added value of regional collaboration. However, formalised cooperation and collaboration need to be highly tailored to specific regional needs and conditions. The development of formal mechanisms needs to build trust and acceptance among the key stakeholders.