Ex-ante Evaluation of the 2014-2020 ESF Programme for England

This document summarizes three evaluations of the 2014-2020 European Social Fund (ESF) Programme for England, which aims to foster smart, sustainable, and inclusive growth by focusing on employment, social inclusion, and education. The evaluations, conducted by ICF for the Department for Work and Pensions, used various methodologies including program draft reviews, stakeholder interviews, and analysis of previous evaluations. Key findings across the evaluations indicate that the programme aligns with EU strategies and meets regulatory requirements, with recommendations to improve resource allocation and reduce administrative burdens. Financial allocations prioritize social inclusion with specific targets for female participation, and the management structure includes local partnerships and monitoring committees. The evaluations conclude that the programme is flexible and strategically robust, with potential to achieve its objectives and benefit disadvantaged groups, but it faces challenges related to delivery infrastructure, local capacity, and the need for clear guidance and resources for local actors. Ongoing monitoring and a comprehensive evaluation strategy are emphasized to ensure the programme's success. **This summary was written by an AI model and therefore should not be considered a definitive summary of the report. If you are aware of inaccuracies, please email evaluation.registry@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.**

Description

• Lead department: Department for Work and Pensions
• Evaluation stage: A complete evaluation report
• Other departments: No other departments listed
• Evaluation types: Impact evaluation
• Impact methods: Theory-based methods
• Theory-based methods: Other
• Grant information: This intervention is not distributing funding via a grant
• Government Major Project information: This intervention is not a major project
• Policies: No policies provided

Event Dates

• Event Name: Publication of final results
• Event date: October 2015

Evaluation Costs

• Cost: Not provided

Evaluation sharing

• Link(s) to published report(s): Yes
• Links to evaluation plans: No link provided
• Findings: Not provided
• Permission to share confirmed: Yes