The overall goal of the programme evaluation is to assess whether the funds contributed by the programme cause positive changes in the programme area and possibly outside it. The evaluation of the programme helps to improve the quality of its design and implementation, as well as to assess its effectiveness and impact.
EVALUATION PLAN: Interreg VI-A Estonia-Latvia programme 2021-2027
The Harvesting Report of the Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme has been published, offering valuable insights into the experiences, feedback, and perspectives of citizens and stakeholders engaged in cross-border cooperation. Covering a six-month consultation period, the report gathers input from 172 citizens, key programme stakeholders, and focus groups, highlighting the successes, challenges, and opportunities for future collaboration.
Harvesting Report is a document that collects and summarises feedback, evaluations, and insights from various participants, offering a look at the effectiveness of a programme. In this case, the report compiles the opinions of both the public and key figures involved in the programme, aimed at assessing its successes, challenges, and opportunities for the future.
The Interreg Estonia-Latvia Programme focuses on promoting cooperation across the border regions of Estonia and Latvia. The goal of the Harvesting Report is to evaluate the impact of this cross-border collaboration and gather suggestions for improvement.
The report concludes with several recommendations for the post-2027 period, such as greater flexibility in programme funding, more inclusive participation, and an emphasis on long-term cross-border initiatives that address both local and regional challenges.
The annual implementation reports (AIR) summarize the main activities of the programme, including the overview of the projects, financial commitments, programme events and status of other matters related to the programme implementation. In addition to the annual implementation reports, you can find also citizen summaries.
The programme result indicators were assessed through surveys and questionnaires conducted between 2014 and 2023, comparing the results to the baseline indicators set in 2014. Below you will find detailed reports of the the evaluation of the programme 2014-2020 result indicators.
- Read also our special Newsletter "Looking back - the impact of the Estonia-Latvia programme 2014-2020"
- Browse the infographics which summarise the specific objectives set, the baseline indicators and the results achieved.
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- SO 1.1. Share of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the region, which are ready for cross-border cooperation
- SO 1.2. Share of entrepreneurs carrying out joint product or service development
- SO 2.2A. Awareness of people about resource efficiency with a focus on waste and energy saving
- SO 2.2W. Cooperation intensity between institutions on management of water bodies and coastal areas
- SO 2.3. The share of inhabitants of Valga and Valka considering Valga and Valka as a joint entity
- SO 4.1. Number of Estonians and Latvians commuting for work cross the border
For assessing the fulfillment of the result indicators in 2021, we used the same questionnaires, respondents/sample and methodology for gathering the data as we did for setting the baseline values and mid-term evaluation in 2018 (please see the description and respective survey and excel files below) to have comparable data.
Priority 1 "Active and attractive business environment"
The result has dropped (see the red numbers in the table below) compared to the baseline value for the indicator 1.1 “Share of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the region (not older than 3 years), which are ready for cross-border cooperation”.
Priority 2 "Clean and valued living environment"
The number of visitors to the natural and cultural heritage sites, was counted by the JS by asking the number of visits from the same 187 sites in Estonia and Latvia as in 2014 and 2018. There were a few sites that did not have the data or that are out of business, but the total number shows decrease due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as expected.
Result indicators 2.2.a “Awareness of people about resource efficiency with a focus on waste and energy saving” and 2.2.w “Cooperation intensity between institutions on management of water bodies and coastal areas” show a growing trend.
We are glad to see that more and more people consider Valga (EE) and Valka (LV) as joint town (indicator 2.3). 34% of inhabitants consider that Valga and Valka are rather grown together with some separate elements while 12% consider Valka and Valga as one town. People’s suggestions for the joint events in near future include festivals, sports and culture, fairs and markets.
The result indicator 2.4 The use of harmonized geodetic reference system in Estonian-Latvian cross-border projects was introduced in 2020 and the fulfilment will be measured in 2023. The pre-defined project GeoRefAct that contributes to this indicator started its activiteis in early 2021.
Priority 3 "Better network of harbours"
The number of visiting vessels to the samll harbours is gathered by the JS from the harbours and official data available at the webpage of the Maritime Administration of Estonia. The visits in 2020 were much affected by the pandemic restrictions.
Priority 4 "Integrated labour market"
The data is not available yet.
In the below table you can see the overview, and for more detailed information, please scroll down for the surveys.
|
RESULT INDICATOR |
Baseline 2014/2015 |
Assessment |
Assessment_ |
Target_ |
|
1.1 Share of entrepreneurs and new businesses in the region (not older than 3 years), which are ready for cross-border cooperation |
53% |
46% |
45% |
59% |
|
1.2 Share of entrepreneurs carrying out joint product or service development |
14% |
13% |
28% |
19% |
|
2.1 Visitors to the natural and cultural heritage sites |
3 103 576 |
|
2 585 486 (for 2020) |
3 786 000 |
|
2.2. Awareness of people about resource efficiency with a focus on waste and energy saving |
43% |
53% |
50% |
53% |
|
2.2. Cooperation intensity between institutions on management of water bodies and coastal areas |
36% |
46% |
55% |
59% |
|
2.3. The share of inhabitants of Valga and Valka considering Valga and Valka as a joint entity |
21% |
29% |
46% |
28% |
|
2.4 The use of harmonized geodetic reference system in Estonian-Latvian cross-border projects |
Harmonized geodetic system not in use/available |
N/A |
N/A |
A harmonized system has been introduced, 1 |
|
3.1 Number of visiting vessels at small harbours |
6 420 |
7 789 |
6 871 |
16 000 |
|
4.1 Work commuters crossing the border |
2 753 |
4 598 |
Not available yet |
3 100 |
Throughout the spring and summer 2020, the Institute of Baltic Studies carried out the most substantial evaluation of the programme. The aim of this evaluation was to assess whether the funds contributed by the programme caused positive changes in the programme area and possibly outside it. The results of the evaluation are compiled in the report and an Annex.
In 2017 we carried out a survey to assess the quality and relevance of our communication activities. The Monitoring Committee of the programme approved the report of the survey in spring 2018.
During the period March 2013 – May 2014 a consortium of CPD Ltd and Safege Baltija Ltd carried out the ex-ante evaluation to improve the quality of the design of the Estonia-Latvia programme 2014-2020.
Last updated: 19.12.2025
