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Interim Evaluation of the Priority Area “Administrative Capacity”

Objective

The objective of the interim evaluation was to assess the achievement of the first two objectives of the administrative capacity priority area, as well as the implementation and effectiveness of the activities funded to achieve these objectives, while also considering other activities with similar goals.

Methodology

The evaluation applied an innovative evaluation model in which the activities under the administrative capacity priority area were grouped into three areas: development capacity of the government sector, leadership capacity of the government sector, and the quality of policymaking.
The evaluation model takes into account the key prerequisites of good governance, which emerge through the interaction of these three main components.

Main results

  • Measures implemented to strengthen the development capacity of the government sector have produced the expected results and remain relevant. However, a certain fragmentation and duplication in strategic planning has been identified as a problem, limiting the potential synergy between different measures.
  • Leadership capacity within the government sector has improved as a result of the supported activities, and implementation is progressing according to plan.
  • The quality of policymaking has also improved due to the supported activities: cooperation capacity has increased, inter-institutional collaboration has strengthened, and the substantive quality of impact assessments has improved.

Challenges

Currently, there is no long-term national development plan for strengthening administrative capacity, which means that the continuous development of administrative capacity is not guaranteed. It is recommended to develop a long-term, cross-sectoral development plan within the framework of the Estonia 2035 strategy to support the development of administrative capacity for both the central government and local governments.

Evaluation Methods: The evaluation included an analysis of financial, output, and outcome indicators of the measures and their activities. Focus group discussions and individual interviews were conducted. In addition, information was collected and analyzed through document analysis.

Project clients: Government Office of Estonia and the Ministry of Finance
Project implementers: LevelLab (lead partner), Institute of Baltic Studies, and Technopolis Group Estonia
Study duration: 03/2019 – 12/2019