Methodological Handbook for the evaluation of environmental impacts of RDPs

The purpose of the ENVIEVAL Handbook is to provide guidance on a methodological framework for use in the evaluation of the environmental impacts of RDP measures and programmes. The Handbook provides flexible guidance to evaluators and managing authorities on a process for designing evaluations of the net effects of RDP measures and is not an ‘off the shelf’ recipe book. It focuses on the establishment of a suitable counterfactual and the delivery of an assessment of net effects with a requirement for consistency between micro and macro level evaluations.

The Handbook presents a range of possible solutions (e.g. counterfactual scenario setup or choice of appropriate methods for data analysis) with an aim of selecting the most appropriate options for use in evaluations. The output is a basis for deciding on the most consistent and cost-effective approach.

The Handbook is developed around a logic model of the process of assessing the environmental effects of RDP measures. It functions as a methodological framework, guiding the evaluator and managing authority through the design of the evaluation, suggesting different routes depending upon factors such as data availability or type of indicator selected. The step-by-step flow of the logic model(s) helps in the design of a consistent evaluation workflow.

An aim of the Handbook is to help the evaluator to design the ex-ante evaluation in the overall context of the programme, and RDPs and area of interest, in a step-by-step guide for mid-term and ex-post assessments. Competent authorities can use the handbook as support for the overall design of the Terms of References for RDP evaluations.

The ENVIEVAL Handbook summarizes the key characteristics, strengths and weaknesses of evaluation methods recommended, or available, for use in addressing the evaluation of net effects and environmental impacts with respect to a range of public goods. The conceptual description of the different evaluation steps is supported by practical examples of their application and fact sheets of the indicators and methods tested in the ENVIEVAL project which provide information about how to address evaluation challenges, as defined by stakeholders.

This handbook compliments the range of guidance documents dedicated to the evaluation of RDPs, in particular those developed by the European Evaluation Helpdesk for Rural Development.