6.2 Evaluation

Evaluation, on the other hand, is generally conducted at the end of an implementation period. Evaluations should help to draw conclusions about main aspects of the intervention.

• Effectiveness, which expresses the degree to which the policy measure attains the previously defined objectives and goals.
• Efficiency outlines the extent to which the effort, costs and time is well used to reach the envisaged outcome. The total cost has to be lower than the benefits.
• Flexibility expresses the extent to which the policies can be adjusted to changing circumstances.
• Equity of policy measures means that they are fair to the people concerned.
• Institutional constraints which means that policies have to be in line with the existing legislation.
• Community acceptance expresses the extent to which the community accepts the policy.

The aim is usually to help decision-makers assess the overall difference a policy made compared with the previous situation.