Programme evaluation and indicators

The evaluation of programmes particularly focuses on three distinct parts of programme activities:

• Monitoring is the collection of information and data, to measure change over time.
• Evaluating, is about analysing the effectiveness and direction of an activity.
• Reporting, is focused on providing required data to bodies.

Combined, strong monitoring, evaluating and reporting collects good data, ensures the accountability and effectiveness of the programme and its projects.

Where to start

To begin, we recommend the Interreg Evaluation Foundations Certified Training (February – March 2026) , which is ideal for those new to the field of evaluation. It provides essential knowledge for Interreg programme officers. For those with more experience, the Interreg Evaluation Practitioners Certified Training (November – December 2026) offers a deeper understanding, along with practical experience to handle evaluation tasks effectively. 

Additionally, the Evaluation plan briefing document outlines the core requirements for evaluation plans, with further clarifications provided through a Q&A with the Commission.

Finally, Common Interreg Indicators 2021-2027 report reflects the current use of Interreg’s common indicators across 86 Interreg programmes, including early qualitative feedback to identify policy insights to inform the future direction of Interreg post-2027.

Harmonised approach to capture & highlight the added value of Interreg. This paper summarises the key insights from the Impact Pathways Workshop held in Vienna on 16–17 June 2025, which brought together Interreg programme representatives and evaluation experts. It explores how impact pathways can help better capture and communicate the added value of cooperation by going beyond traditional indicators and outputs. Through practical examples and group work, the paper shows how impact pathways support clearer evaluation questions, identify critical “tipping points,” and strengthen evaluation design. It also outlines practical steps and next actions for integrating impact pathways into programme planning, monitoring, and impact evaluation across Interreg.

What we are working on

In 2026, we continue to strengthen evaluation practices across Interreg programmes, with a strong focus on indicators, performance-based approaches, and impact evaluation methodologies.

Indicators and PbA for the future: Building on previous work, we will further address challenges related to the interpretation of current indicators, target-setting, and the development of indicators for the post-2027 period in line with the performance-based approach. An event will take place in-person in February and an online session on PbA and indicators for the future is planned in June.

Terms of reference (ToRs) for impact evaluations (March, in-person): Our goal is to guide programmes in developing clear, well-structured ToRs for their impact evaluations. This event will take place back to back with the event EVAL - CAP: Evaluating the present, shaping the future. This EVAL-CAP event aims to support Interreg programmes in making better use of evaluation results.

Harmonised approach to capture and highlight the added value of Interreg: We will continue supporting programmes in applying harmonised approaches to better demonstrate the added value of cooperation. This includes an in-person event in end of May in Slovenia and an online session in June.

Contact 

For more information please contact Daniela Minichberger.

Want to exchange on this topic?

Interact offers an online space for those working with Programme evaluation and indicators and wider Programme and project management to share information and exchange. You can find out more about our MS Teams environment on our Networks page, and see all our networks in our Portal. 

If you would like to learn more about this, please contact Daniela Minichberger.