European Regional Development Fund - Additional Impact Evaluation

Tender description

The Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) wishes to commission further evaluation of the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) 2014-2020 Operational Programme (OP) in England. The overarching aims of ERDF programme evaluation are to examine three areas: 1. the process of implementation and delivery of the projects and programmes funded through the ERDF programme; 2. the outcomes and impacts that can be established from programme investment. 3. where possible, the value for money of the programme. Several evaluations have already been undertaken for the Programme including process, impact and economic evaluations. The main impact and economic evaluation was undertaken in 2022. However, the impact of Covid-19 on delivery of funded activities led to a significant number of ERDF projects extending into 2023. As such, at the time of this evaluation, less activity had been delivered than envisaged which constrained the analysis under some intervention types. DLUHC is now considering further evaluation to strengthen our understanding of the effectiveness and efficiency of the Programme drawing from the additional evidence available including building on the longitudinal work from previous evaluations. Full details are set out in the attachment included with this Notice. Additional information: If progressed, it is expected that this procurement exercise will be published via the Crown Commercial Service Research & Insights marketplace. Full details are set out in the attachment to this Notice.