Evaluation of the Regional Engagement Teams

Tender description

Regional Engagement Teams (RETs) have been in place in Wales since 2015 (formally approved in 2016). Their objective is to maximise the benefits of the European Structural and Investment (ESI) programmes to each region: North Wales; Mid Wales; Swansea Bay; and South East Wales. The UK is due to leave the EU in March 2019 but expects to continue in all EU funding programmes until the end of the 2014-2020 period, i.e. in 2022-2023. In December 2017, the Welsh Government published a policy paper, “Regional Investment in Wales after Brexit”, representing the first step in the process of designing a new approach to regional economic development and investment in Wales. The Client requires an evaluation of the Regional Engagement Teams to consider whether the right activities are in place to achieve their objectives, to provide recommendations for the remaining funding period and to consider approaches towards regional funding in Wales post-Brexit (i.e. after the end of the 14-20 funding period).