News
CATEGORY: Socioeconomic development, Programme Management
LOCATION: Bulgaria
START/END: 2006
CONSULTANCY BUDGET: 366,500 €
CLIENT: Delegation of the European Commission to Bulgaria
ORIGIN OF FUNDING: Delegation of the European Commission to Bulgaria
PARTNERS: Information & Consultancy Centre
LDK’s BUDGET SHARE: 70%
STAFF PROVIDED: 5
Type of Services
Specific activities of LDK included:
- preparation of a sampling plan;
- preparation of a Monitoring and Evaluation plan;
- checking already existing monitoring activities;
- performing own monitoring activities;
- assisting the ECD in project implementation;
- checking and analysing monitoring reports submitted to the Delegation by the IAs;
- checking Individual project activities;
- creating a monitoring database;
- assisting the ECD with programme implementation;
- evaluate the grant schemes and projects assessing the relevance efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability of grant schemes based on selected project samples;
- review sustainability of project outcomes;
- selection of projects to be sampled and evaluation indicators;
- data collection (desk research and field work);
- data analysis;
- training seminars and preparation of materials for the efficiency of grant schemes monitoring and administration on behalf of the Implementing Agencies, the division of responsibilities and interaction between the different actors involved;
- understanding of grant schemes objectives by all bodies, efficiency of work with all relevant bodies, including potential grant applicants;
- information and publicity.
The following projects were subject to monitoring and evaluation:
- Development of Bulgarian eco-tourism;
- Joint Small Project Fund;
- Small Project Fund;
- Training and re-training activities in terms of alternative forms of business;
- Pilot integrated investment scheme for regional development actions;
- Cross-border employment initiative Private micro entrepreneurs;
- Cross-border employment initiative Training and retraining activities, joint community employment initiatives, business consultancies;
- People to people;
- People to people actions;
- Joint Small project Fund;
- Support for participation of the Republic of Bulgaria in Community initiative INTEREG III B (CADSES) and INTEREG IIIC.
Description
The project's main objective was to provide expert assistance to the EC Delegation to Bulgaria in monitoring and evaluating the 2002 and 2003 FM grant schemes as a whole and in sampling individual projects.
On a project level the consultant:
- reviewed the implementation and provided expert opinion as to whether the projects financed by the EC grants have been or are being implemented correctly, efficiently and effectively;
- evaluated completed projects and individual activities in particular and / or proposed corrective measures, including the requirements for visibility and publicity as foreseen the grant contracts;
- determined the reliability, accuracy and completeness of the technical reports submitted to the Implementing Agencies (Ias) with reference to supporting documents kept by the beneficiary;
- determined on the basis of the implemented activities the achievement of objectives and sustainability of grant scheme projects;
- determined the correctness of sub-contracting procedures in accordance with PRAG.
On a scheme level the consultant:
- determined the appropriateness of the implemented grant schemes towards achievement of accession objectives;
- ascertained the effectiveness of systems and procedures established by the IAs to monitor (both direct and sub-delegated monitoring) and determined the validity of the technical data submitted by the beneficiaries;
- determined the level of interaction and division of responsibilities between all actors involved – IAs, other line Ministries, regional offices, consultants providing technical assistance, beneficiaries, etc;
- identified good and bad practices, including management arrangements and provided recommendations for any improvements required.
