- Author: CESCI
- Territory: Carpathian space
- Year of publication: 2025
- Language: English
- Number of pages: 219
Second Phase Evaluation of the Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine ENI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (2014–2020)
Second Phase Evaluation of the Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine ENI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme (2014–2020)
As with the mid-term evaluation of the Hungary–Slovakia–Romania–Ukraine ENI Cross-Border Cooperation Programme 2014–2020, CESCI was also commissioned to carry out its second phase evaluation. The analysis of the four-country programme focused on the following thematic areas:
- programme progress;
- consideration of territorial needs and outreach to target groups;
- communication and visibility of the programme and projects;
- composition of partnerships and sustainability of projects;
- territorial distribution of interventions;
- mainstreaming of the cross-border dimension;
- cost-efficiency.
The findings were based not only on data from the programme and project databases but also on interviews and an online survey. The assessment of impact, efficiency, and effectiveness was conducted at both programme and project levels.
The key findings of the evaluation
- In order to increase efficiency – as in the previous programming period – the programme implemented large-scale infrastructure projects (LIPs), which proved to be appropriate tools for achieving change in the most urgent areas.
- After project closure, the aggregation of reported indicators encountered difficulties; therefore, recalculation of indicators was necessary. This complicated the evaluation of the programme and placed an additional burden on the Joint Secretariat.
- Programme implementation was significantly affected by external factors; programme bodies found effective solutions to mitigate these (e.g. launching humanitarian projects). Despite adequate responses, the programme could not be closed on time.
- Among territorial needs, most funding was allocated to improving transport connections, reducing environmental risks, and developing healthcare services.
- Among communication activities, the “Stories of Cooperation” publication successfully provided a comprehensive overview of implemented projects and their results.
- Despite the complexity of the programme area, nearly one-third of projects were bilateral, involving only two countries. Most partners were located within a 70 km zone from the border, primarily along Ukraine’s westernmost border region.
- Financial support was territorially concentrated: more than half of the funds were spent in Zakarpattia and Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg counties.
- Compared to the previous programming period, larger-scale projects were implemented.
As part of the evaluation, CESCI formulated recommendations to ensure that identified shortcomings can be addressed in the future and that good practices can be preserved. The evaluation also incorporated a borderscape perspective, thereby revealing the cross-border social and economic dynamics of the programme area.
