Introduction to Better Regulation ESF Evaluation Partnership meeting 13 November, 2015 Jeannette Monier, DG EMPL G4

Content Better Regulation Guidelines Impact on ESF

Better Regulation Package 19 May 2015 Communication: COM(2015) 215 and related SWD http://ec.europa.eu/smart-regulation/guidelines/index_en.htm Replaces previous Commission guidelines on evaluation and impact assessment Includes also stakeholder consultation guidelines

What is Better Regulation? A collection of tools to support EU decision making A process covering the entire policy cycle: To ensure high-quality initiatives; To ensure initiatives are evidence- based; To ensure transparent participation of all stakeholders; To avoid unnecessary burdens for business/public authorities; To ensure that policies actually deliver as foreseen and remain fit for purpose: REINFORCED ROLE FOR EVALUATION!!

Some of the new elements - Evaluation roadmap, - Mandatory assessment criteria, - Stakeholder consultation, - Regulatory Scrutiny Board - Staff Working Document.

1. Evaluation roadmap - process Each evaluation of the COM needs an evaluation roadmap Published centrally 4-week feedback by stakeholders Terms of Reference finalised after feedback from stakeholders

2. Mandatory evaluation criteria Effectiveness Efficiency Relevance Coherence EU Added Value All criteria need to be assessed!

3. Stakeholder consultation Should cover the five mandatory evaluation criteria Can be used to collect evidence, test or validate analysis Can rely on a mix of various methods and tools – as identified in the consultation strategy Includes a 12-week public internet consultation A Synopsis Report must be published on the consultation website

– 4. Regulatory Scrutiny Board 6 Full time Members (internal and external) Provides an opinion on completed: Major MFF programme evaluations and REFIT evaluations Any other evaluations selected by the RSB

5. Staff Working Document for Evaluation Summarizes the final results of the evaluation process (Draws on work conducted by external contractors and/or Commission services) Presents the Commission's response to the findings and conclusions/recommendations of the evaluation DG must take a position on the robustness of the process, findings and any disagreement and why ISG is consulted, before and after RSB

Impact on ESF evaluations

Impact on ESF Evaluations Future Evaluations organised by the COM should comply with these new requirements Ongoing ex-post evaluation will include a public consultation (2016Q1) and main findings and lessons will be included in a staff working document by the Commission (eventually after opinion by RSB)

Impact on ESF Evaluations While MA evaluations do not have to assess all evaluation criteria according to the ESF Regulation, we recommend to consider evaluating all criteria Proper attention should be devoted to the involvement of stakeholders throughout the evaluation

Thank you!