A transparent project selection process, flexible solutions that allow projects’ modifications in response to unexpected difficulties, and the alignment of support areas with needs - these are the conclusions of the executive summary of the evaluation of the Programme implemented by the Ministry of Climate and Environment under the so-called EEA and Norway Grants.

 

We are pleased to present the results of the evaluation report summarising the ‘Environment, Energy and Climate Change’ Programme financed by the European Economic Area Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021. The report was prepared by an independent evaluator at the request of the Programme Operator (Ministry of Climate and Environment).

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the ‘Environment, Energy and Climate Change’ Programme and the conducted projects, as well as to analyse the effectiveness of the Programme's implementation and management system.

The evaluation of the Programme showed that despite some difficulties beyond the Operator's control (i.e. Covid-19 pandemic, Russian military aggression against Ukraine, considerable price increases of materials and services), the Programme was successfully implemented. Most of the assumed indicators were achieved (and half of them even exceeded), contributing to the mitigation of climate change and the reduction of the vulnerability to it, as well as to the strengthening the cooperation between entities from Poland and Donor States. It is worth noting that more than half of the projects were implemented in partnership with organisations from Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which contributed to the exchange of experience and best practices. Some of the project promoters have also expressed their willingness to continue cooperation in the future.

As a result of the conducted surveys, the evaluation report proved the relevance of the scope of the Programme to the needs (91% of satisfied project promoters) and underlined its complementarity with other funds (78% of respondents rated this aspect positively). The conclusions presented in the report will be used by the Ministry of Climate and Environment while preparing the new programme in the next edition of the EEA and Norway Grants.

Below you can find the full Evaluation report (in Polish) with the Summary in English.